Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy in

Red Bank, NJ & Pasadena, CA

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is an impactful form of mental health treatment that uses ketamine. Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has some hallucinogenic effects. Effects to heal a wide range of mental health diagnoses; C-PTSD, chronic depression, and anxiety. Ketamine has rapidly acting antidepressant and mood-enhancing effects. Which can begin to take effect within hours after treatment, and lasting for several weeks after. It works by blocking the brain’s NMDA receptors and by stimulating AMPA receptors. Which may help form new synaptic connections and boost mood-regulating neural circuits. Ketamine has also been shown to enhance neuroplasticity for lasting symptom improvement. Especially when paired with other somatic treatment modalities like EMDR.

Image of a white chair in front of a beige wall with cacti. Discover how ketamine assisted therapy in Pasadena, CA can help you effectively manage and cope with your anxiety symptoms.

Ketamine-Assisted Therapy has the potential to accelerate healing in patients who have struggled to heal from chronic emotional pain due to treatment resistance.

The process of Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is one that is collaborative with the administering physician and the ketamine therapist. Holding you at the center of the work which involves three main phases; Preparation, Dosing, and Integration.

PREPARATION:

This phase allows the clinician and the client to become familiar with each other and build trust. This is especially important in a new client/therapist relationship in order to understand how they will work together. A preparation session usually includes providing psychoeducation, answering questions, and exploring expectations. From there, you will be paired with your prescriber. One who you and your KAP clinician will choose together.

Then the prescriber, the KAP clinician, and you, the client, will collaboratively decide the format for administration (nasal spray, Rapid Dissolve Tablets, or IV/IM). The work between you, your prescriber, and your KAP clinician will be fully integrated throughout the entirety of your treatment cycle.

DOSING:

During this phase, the medication is administered in a safe, comfortable environment. So you can focus on journey preparation. This is followed by the process phase. Where you will experience a ketamine-induced, non-ordinary state of consciousness as guided by the clinician(s). Dosing is often tailored to the needs of each client; some prefer silence/standby and some like to verbally process throughout the entirety of the session. It is imperative that you have agency in what this part of the process looks like to make you feel most comfortable.

INTEGRATION:

During integration, which follows your induction experience, you and your clinician will reflect on what you experienced, process any emotions or memories that came up during the session, and discuss any potential insights or changes you wish to make in your life going forward. In this final stage of integration you can expect to process through traditional talk therapy, journal review, Eye Movement Desensitization (EMDR), and/or Internal Family Systems (IFS) work as we discuss sustained long-term benefits by exploring what was discovered during your Ketamine Induction session(s).

Ketamine Assisted Therapy Works Differently For Each Person

Each individual's experience will vary greatly depending on preset objectives and goals going into treatment, but most report strong benefits like improved mood, reduced anxiety, increased insight into emotional issues, and an increased ability to feel sustained relief from the burden of trauma narratives.

Risks Associated With Ketamine Assisted Therapy

It is important to note that there may be risks associated with Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy. Such as paranoia or dissociation if preparation is not thoroughly conducted. So it is essential to consult with a trained professional before enrolling in treatment. Many subscription-based services exist allowing you to treat yourself. But please keep in mind that Preparation and Integration led by a skilled team are key components to this process to minimize risk and ensure productive treatment progress.

If you feel Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy may be right for you or to have an exploratory consult, please feel free to contact me. I would be happy to talk through the process and answer any questions you have.

Graphic design with pink circles and lines. Do you struggle to maintain your chronic depression? Learn how to effectively manage your symptoms with the help of ketamine assisted psychotherapy in Pasadena, CA.
Image of a man lounging in a chair smiling with his hands behind his head. Uncover the root of your depression and begin coping in healthy ways with ketamine assisted psychotherapy in Pasadena, CA.

  • Ketamine is a legal, safe and effective medicine used to treat a variety of mental health conditions. Including depression, anxiety and PTSD. Ketamine has rapidly-acting antidepressant and mood-enhancing effects. These can begin to take effect within 1-2 hrs. after treatment and last for up to 2 weeks. It works by blocking the brain’s NMDA receptors as well as by stimulating AMPA receptors. Which are thought to help form new synaptic connections and boost neural circuits that regulate stress and mood. Ketamine has also been shown to enhance overall neuroplasticity for lasting symptom improvement.

    Ketamine can be administered in a variety of ways. Including IV infusion, intramuscular injection, via nasal spray and using sublingual lozenges.

  • The effects of ketamine, which most patients find pleasant, last for approximately 45 minutes. These effects can make you feel “far from” your body. And facilitate shifts in perception that can often feel expansive in nature. Your motor and verbal abilities will be reduced. So you’ll be lying down in a comfortable position during the experience. Once these effects subsided, we’ll spend the remainder of our appointment. Thus giving you space to process and discuss your experience. While it may feel hard to articulate what happened during the experience. Most patients feel like the insights gained are none-the-less clear. Studies have shown that the benefits to mood and neurological growth can last up to two weeks after the Ketamine experience.

Ready to Begin Ketamine Assisted Therapy?

Pasadena, CA & Red Bank, NJ

Embark on a transformative journey toward healing and empowerment with Thomas Blake Therapy. Explore the potential of ketamine assisted therapy as a beacon of hope in addressing depression, anxiety, trauma, and other challenges. Take the proactive step towards profound emotional well-being and a more promising future by following these three simple steps:

  1. Schedule a free, 15-minute consultation to see if Ketamine Assisted Therapy is right for you

  2. Begin meeting with Thomas Blake, skilled Ketamine Therapist

  3. Start healing with the power of Ketamine!

Other Services Offered at Thomas Blake Therapy

At Thomas Blake Therapy, I understand that you may be struggling to overcome more than one issue. So in addition to offering Ketamine Assisted Therapy to help you with your anxiety, trauma, or depression, I offer LGBTQ Affirming Therapy to support and advocate for the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals, Narrative Therapy where I will work collaboratively with you to dissect the problematic story of your life and reshape that dialogue, and EMDR Therapy for those looking for rapid relief and long term healing. If any of these services resonate with you feel free to reach out. My online therapy services are offered in the states of California and New Jersey. For more about me and my services, check out my Bio and Blog!