A Transformative Journey: Your Guide to Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy 

Article written by Denver therapist, Lauren Battista

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, or KAP, is reshaping how many therapists approach healing.

Once known primarily as an anesthetic, ketamine is now recognized as a powerful catalyst for emotional transformation—especially when paired with intentional psychotherapy.

Whether you’re feeling stuck in old patterns, navigating depression, anxiety, or trauma related symptoms, KAP can open the door to new insights, emotional relief, and meaningful change when administered by a trained professional.  

The Evolution of Ketamine in Mental Health

Ketamine was first developed in the 1960s and quickly became a go-to anesthetic due to its fast action and safety profile.

But something unexpected was noticed as a side effect—patients began reporting mood improvements and shifts in consciousness after receiving the drug, which sparked a wave of curiosity.

By the 1990s, researchers started exploring ketamine’s rapid antidepressant effects.

Unlike traditional medications that may take weeks or even months to kick in, ketamine has been found to provide noticeable relief within hours.

This has made it a promising treatment for conditions like: 

• Treatment-resistant depression

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Chronic anxiety

• Ongoing emotional numbness or disconnection

How Ketamine Works

Read More: “How Ketamine Assisted Therapy May Help Reduce Trauma Symptoms”

Ketamine promotes neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to form new pathways and connections.

This means it can help you move beyond rigid, habitual patterns of thinking—like rumination, hopelessness, and emotional avoidance—and create space for new ways of feeling and being. 

When used alongside therapy, ketamine can help you connect with deeper parts of yourself and process emotional material that may otherwise feel out of reach.

The combination creates an opportunity for insight, release, and integration. 

What Makes Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy Different?

Unlike ketamine infusions delivered without a therapeutic framework, Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy focuses on deep healing, not just symptom relief.

The process includes: 

• Preparation and intention setting 

• A guided ketamine session in a safe, supportive environment 

• Integration therapy to help make meaning of the experience and apply insights to daily life 

This full-spectrum approach allows clients to move beyond quick fixes and into lasting transformation. 

What Does Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy Look Like?

There are several sessions with a trained ketamine therapist as part of the KAP process.

1. Intention Setting: You and your therapist discuss what you’d like to explore—this could be a recurring emotional pattern, past trauma, or a desire to feel more connected and alive. Often times, clients are encouraged to have an open mindset and allow whatever comes up, to come up. 

1. Preparation: You’re guided through grounding techniques and reminded of what to expect. 

1. Medicine Experience: With eyes covered and a curated playlist playing, you are guided to relax into the experience. The ketamine is swished in the mouth for 15–20 minutes before being spit out. The journey that follows may be filled with vivid imagery, emotional insight, or a gentle shift in perspective. This is different from individual to individual and often times, the days following the actual medicine session can provide even deeper meaning and benefit.  

1. Post-Journey Debrief: You’ll reflect briefly with your therapist, and then schedule a dedicated integration session within the next 1–3 days to deepen the work. 

Different Forms of Ketamine Treatment

There are several ways ketamine is currently administered in mental health treatment:

Read More: “Navigating The Darkness: Strategies to Help with Depression”

Safety and Considerations

Ketamine is generally considered safe when used in a clinical or therapeutic setting. However, a thorough screening process with an internal medicine physician is essential.

When you and your therapist decide KAP might be beneficial, you will be referred to a physician for a screening and intake.

KAP may not be appropriate for individuals with: 

• A history of psychosis or schizophrenia 

• Uncontrolled cardiovascular issues 

• Active substance use disorders 

• Pregnancy or breastfeeding 

• Certain neurocognitive disorders 

Side effects may include temporary dizziness, dissociation, increased blood pressure, or nausea—but these typically subside as the medicine wears off. 

Integration: Where Healing Takes Root

The most profound healing often happens after the ketamine session—in what is known as the integration phase. Integration therapy helps you: 

• Make sense of your experience
  

  Read More: “The Mindful Path to Mental Well-Being. Learn the Benefits of Healthy Habits”

• Identify takeaways and emotional shifts 

• Translate insights into action and change 

This step ensures that the growth experienced during the session doesn’t fade, but becomes a lasting part of your healing journey. 

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is more than just a treatment—it’s an opportunity to reconnect with yourself in ways that traditional therapy may not always access.

When used intentionally and supported by a trained therapist, KAP can: 

• Reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and trauma 

• Help you feel more emotionally connected and self-aware 

• Unlock new perspectives and a renewed sense of purpose 

Ready to Explore Ketamine-Assisted Therapy?

If you’re curious about whether Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is right for you, our team at Denver Metro Counseling love to connect.

Reach out to schedule a consultation with one of our trauma-informed ketamine therapists to learn more about how this process works. Whether you’re feeling stuck, exhausted, or seeking a new path forward—KAP may be the next step on your healing journey. 

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Denver Therapist, Lauren Battista

Lauren Battista is a trained Ketamine Assisted Therapist and provides Ketamine Assisted Therapy to assist clients in our Denver therapy office. Lauren provides a strong collaborative and supportive process as a therapist who values truly showing up for her client’s best interests.

Lauren has been trained through Elemental Psychedelics’ Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy program and is also a trained EMDR therapist, trained Level 2 Brainspotting therapist and incorporates IFS, DBT and other supportive therapeutic approaches.

Lauren places great value and emphasis on supporting clients through preparing for ketamine therapy and integrating the learnings that come from this supportive medicine.

To learn more about Lauren, or to schedule a free 20-minute consultation with her or one of our other KAP providers, reach out today.