Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)

If you experience mood disorders like depression or anxiety, or if you need relief from trauma, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy might be your answer. Licensed ketamine-assisted psychotherapist Maria Lloyd, LMFT, at Therapy with Maria: Maria Lloyd, LMFT, has the expertise to facilitate lasting relief.

KETAMINE ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY (KAP) Q & A

  • Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is a type of treatment that uses psychotherapy in combination with ketamine, a drug used for anesthesia and pain relief. This type of treatment has gained popularity in recent years as a form of psychotherapy that can have rapid and long-lasting effects. Maria is trained as a ketamine-assisted psychotherapist, providing a safe, at-home experience that supports your mental health.

  • Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that temporarily blocks NMDA receptors in the brain, which can create hypnotic, dreamlike or a dissociated state.

    These effects have been found to be useful in helping individuals work through difficult psychological or emotional experiences. When used in a controlled setting with Maria’s professionally trained guidance and help, these trance-like states that ketamine can produce relax the walls that often come up when trying to address painful emotions. With these walls down, patients can access these memories without fighting against the mind’s natural defenses.

    Before a ketamine-assisted psychotherapy session, Maria first refers you to a doct to determine if the treatment is right for you. If approved, the treatment involves giving you a measured dose of ketamine under careful supervision. Then, she guides you through your experience, helping you navigate any intense emotions or sensations that may arise. The use of ketamine is not a stand-alone treatment. Instead, it is used as a supplemental therapy to traditional psychotherapy.

  • While more research is needed, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is currently being studied for its potential to treat a variety of mental health conditions, including:

    • Depression
    • Anxiety
    • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
    • Substance misuse disorders
    • Treatment-resistant depression

    Maria uses this unique approach to help you explore your authentic self and provide healing.

  • Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is not appropriate for everyone and should only be conducted under the supervision of a trained professional like Maria. Several factors can affect whether this treatment is suitable, including medical conditions, pregnancy, and personal history of substance misuse. Before considering ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, schedule a consultation with Maria, who is knowledgeable about this type of treatment and can help determine if it is right for you.

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