Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy: A Breakthrough in Mental Health Treatment
Mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), affect a large percentage of the population. While traditional therapies, such as talk therapy and medication, have helped many individuals, they are not always effective for everyone. This is where ketamine-assisted psychotherapy comes in as a promising alternative.
What is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy?
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is a novel treatment approach that involves the use of the psychedelic drug, ketamine, in combination with talk therapy. The therapy sessions are led by a trained psychotherapist and involve administering a low dose of ketamine to the patient, who then engages in a therapeutic conversation with the therapist.
How is it Done?
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is typically administered in an outpatient setting, such as a clinic or therapist's office. Before the session, the patient is informed about the procedure and any potential side effects. During the session, the patient is given a low dose of ketamine, usually in the form of an intravenous (IV) infusion or nasal spray. The dose is carefully monitored and adjusted to achieve the desired effect. The patient is then guided by the therapist through a therapeutic conversation, aimed at exploring emotions and thoughts related to their mental health condition. The session lasts approximately 1-2 hours and is followed by a period of integration, during which the patient reflects on the experience and processes any insights gained during the session.
What Does it Accomplish?
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy has been shown to produce rapid and sustained improvements in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The mechanism of action of ketamine is not fully understood, but it is thought to work by altering neural connectivity and promoting neuroplasticity, leading to changes in the brain that enhance the therapeutic effects of talk therapy. Additionally, ketamine has been shown to stimulate the growth of new brain cells and improve the functioning of existing ones, leading to long-lasting improvements in mental health.
Another benefit of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is that it can produce rapid results, often within a matter of hours or days. This is in contrast to traditional therapies, which can take weeks or months to produce noticeable improvements. Furthermore, ketamine has a low risk of abuse and dependence, making it a safer option compared to traditional antidepressants, which can be addictive.
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is a promising alternative to traditional mental health treatments. Its combination of ketamine and talk therapy has been shown to produce rapid and lasting improvements in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. If you are struggling with mental health issues and are looking for a new treatment option, call us at 904.977.1100 and schedule a consultation to discuss the benefits of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy.
Charles Maddix is the Owner & CEO of The Practice. A private practice focused on the well-being of the individual as a whole, mind and body.
Among the unique modalities offered by The Practice are:
Ketamine Infusion therapy– Ketamine infusion therapy involves the administration of a series of infusions for the management of psychiatric disorders like major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and acute suicidality. Working very quickly — in many, often within hours — to ease symptoms.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy - Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) uses hormones that are chemically identical to the hormones naturally produced in the human body. Derived from plant sources and formulated to match the molecular structure of hormones produced by the body. BHRT is used to treat symptoms of hormonal imbalances, in both men and women.
NeuroStar® TMS – NeuroStar® TMS delivers our advanced and unique form of TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation), a non-invasive therapy that uses targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain that are underactive in people suffering from depression.
Opioid Replacement Therapy - Opioid replacement therapy (ORT) is an effective treatment for addiction to opioid drugs such as heroin, oxycodone, hydromorphone (Dilaudid), fentanyl and Percocet. The therapy involves taking the opioid agonists buprenorphine (Suboxone). This medication works to prevent withdrawal and reduce cravings for opioid drugs.
Invega Sustena – a once-monthly injection treatment approved by the FDA for bipolar 1 disorder maintenance. This eliminates the need for daily oral medications in appropriate patients.Allergy Immunotherapy -
Allergen immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, is a long-term treatment that decreases symptoms for many people with allergies often leading to lasting relief of allergy symptoms even after treatment is stopped. This makes it a cost-effective, beneficial treatment approach for many people.
Please call 904.877.1100 if you are interested in any of our services or would like to schedule an appointment. Visit us at thepractice.co to learn more!
