Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) combines the benefits of talk therapy with the unique properties of ketamine to treat mental health conditions. At Thrive Counseling Services, LLC in Gilbert, Arizona, the skilled therapists offer a personalized, boutique, wraparound service with KAP. You don’t get the medication and leave, but a safe and comfortable environment with supportive therapy that helps you gain the most benefits from treatment. Call the office today, or schedule your ketamine-assisted psychotherapy consultation online. 

What is ketamine?

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic primarily used during surgery. The medication works by blocking the N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in the brain, which is involved in pain perception, memory, and mood. 

It’s used in high doses as an anesthetic for surgery and in lower doses to manage pain and mental health conditions. Ketamine therapy for mental health conditions is a newer treatment, and researchers are still trying to uncover the mechanisms of how it works.

They theorize that the medication improves mental well-being by blocking the NMDA receptors and increasing glutamate levels, an excitatory neurotransmitter. The excess glutamate activates the other receptors in the brain responsible for mood, rapidly improving depression symptoms.

What is ketamine-assisted psychotherapy?

KAP combines ketamine therapy with psychotherapy to support overall outcomes. Thrive Counseling Services, LLC offers a highly personalized KAP service, customizing treatment and therapy to benefit you most.

They cater to all budgets, offering individual sessions and group dosing and integration sessions.

Can ketamine-assisted psychotherapy help my depression?

The experienced team at Thrive Counseling Services, LLC determines who might benefit from KAP after an initial evaluation. The treatment benefits many mental health conditions, including:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Suicidal behaviors

However, the team may only recommend KAP after other traditional mental health interventions fail to relieve your symptoms. 

What can I expect during ketamine-assisted psychotherapy?

The details of your KAP depend on your needs and goals. Your therapist goes over the details of treatment before starting so you know what to expect.

During KAP, you go on a guided journey with one of the qualified mental health professionals at Thrive Counseling Services, LLC, who administers a carefully measured dose of ketamine in a controlled setting. 

As you fall into a trance-like state, your therapist encourages you to let your thoughts flow and discuss things as they come up. The ketamine helps break down the defensive walls built up by your depression, helping you explore without fear. 

After your session, you and your therapist discuss further the topics that come up while receiving ketamine. 

If you’re exploring mental health alternatives or seeking a breakthrough in your emotional well-being, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy may provide the solution you’re looking for. Call Thrive Counseling Services, LLC today or schedule an appointment online.