1. Assessment

Before starting Ketamine, you will need to complete a psychological and physical assessment.

This assessment will ensure KAP is a good fit for you. You will meet with a Wild Acres Wellness therapist for an evaluation to help us gain a better understanding of what you want to work on and get out of this treatment. Your therapist will also go over what treatment will look like and answer any questions you may have.

This assessment is to ensure KAP is safe for you and to pinpoint anything that could affect your treatment. Our medical practitioner will carefully review your medical background and conduct a physical examination. Additionally, they will assess your current medications to prevent any potential drug interactions that could influence your well-being and experience. The physical examination is minimally invasive and typically involves monitoring your vital signs while examining your cardiovascular and neurological functions. Clients are asked to remain fully clothed, and physical contact is kept to a minimum.

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy

2. Preparation

We offer as many preparation sessions as necessary to ensure you feel adequately prepared for your psychedelic journey. These sessions will focus on:

  • Establishing a trusting relationship with your Wild Acres Wellness therapist
  • Understanding the psychedelic experience
  • Discussing your intentions, expectations, and concerns
  • Collaboratively developing a framework for interpreting your psychedelic journey

A major component of feeling safe during these treatments is the relationship you have with your team. During preparation, you will work to build a trusting connection with your therapist so you feel comfortable enough to be vulnerable with them. Once this happens, you’ll be able to let go and fully immerse yourself in the journey.

It’s critical that we continuously communicate consent and boundaries during your treatment. Your therapist needs to know what feels safe, and what doesn’t, and how they can respect your boundaries throughout your treatment. In KAP, our therapists may incorporate mindful physical touch, such as holding hands or placing a hand on the shoulder, as part of the therapeutic process. This approach is implemented only upon a client’s request and is continuously assessed over time. Many clients have reported that mindful physical touch can offer a sense of grounding, particularly during moments of heightened intensity.

Your therapist will discuss your expectations with you and help orient you to how you can approach and value your journey. A primary focus will be on delving into the essence of what leading a meaningful life looks like to you. Additionally, we’ll address your concerns and apprehensions, creating strategies together to manage them should they arise during sessions. This involves examining any traumas or challenging experiences and fostering a proactive approach to navigate through such moments when they emerge.

Individuals turn to therapy to address their emotional wounds, and it’s vital for us as guides to comprehend the origins of this pain and its significance to the individual experiencing it. We aim to uncover the internal narratives of individuals and understand how their suffering integrates into their life stories and perspectives. We may pinpoint ways in which these internal narratives are not beneficial to the individual and explore the potential transformation if these narratives had less influence in their life. Through the exploration of psychological and emotional wounds, we often reveal what individuals value most deeply.

We all have an inner healing wisdom: a deep aspect of our psyche naturally oriented toward healing, wholeness, and integration.. In today’s society, though, it seems to get covered up with all the rules and beliefs of society and our strong thinking brains. Psychedelic therapy helps remove those externals ‘shoulds’ and quiet our thinking brains to be able to connect with this inner witness and uncover our authentic self. During the psychedelic journey, defenses and barriers naturally fade away, enabling this inner-healing wisdom to guide the process.

Establishing an intention aids in structuring your thoughts and approach toward what’s the most significant for you and your journey. Intentions differ from goals, serving as broader “directions” that align with our core values and the overarching essence we aspire our lives to embody. We begin by probing into the why behind your engagement and your desired outcomes. What does healing signify for you? Where do you seek clarity? What are you aiming to release?

The course of the psychedelic journey remains unpredictable, necessitating a readiness and receptivity to whatever unfolds. Yet, we can outline the procedural aspects, detailing what to anticipate from us and the sequence of events. Throughout the preparatory phase, we go over the session process, addressing any questions you may have. Besides adhering to the fundamental protocol, the structure of the session will primarily be guided by your preferences, ensuring mutual agreement to prevent unexpected deviations from the plan.

Throughout the journey, we delve into your beliefs, worldview, and values, assisting you in developing a framework and approach to your healing journey that aligns with your needs. We tailor our language, concepts, and expertise to resonate most effectively with you. Your interpretation, perception, and beliefs play a pivotal role in constructing a philosophy that can support lasting change and steer your ongoing path toward healing and completeness.

3. Treatment: 3-6 medicine sessions

Treatment usually consists of 3 to 6 sessions that last around 3 hours.

Refrain from consuming stimulants such as cough medicines or caffeine on the day of your KAP session. You may also be instructed to withhold certain medications.

Avoid consuming any food or beverages within two hours of your KAP session. However, you may drink water before the session, with a suggested limit of 16 oz. Clients who commonly experience headaches due to caffeine withdrawal may consume up to 6 oz of coffee before the session.

We suggest wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothing on the day of your KAP session.

You may leave the center with your ride. If you have any concerns upon returning home, please mention them to your therapist.

It is common to experience mental fogginess and dizziness following the session. The effects of the medication typically persist for an additional 10-12 hours, but any significant impairments should subside within four hours after leaving. We advise refraining from driving or operating machinery until the following morning after your session, or until you no longer experience fogginess, dizziness, or imbalance, whichever duration is longer.

Your journey may evoke powerful emotions, including the resurfacing of deep-seated memories and feelings. If you find it challenging to process these emotions independently, please contact your therapist for support.

Conversely, many individuals may feel a sense of relief and ease post-session. We encourage you to embrace this positive momentum by engaging in activities that resonate with you, such as going for a hike or journaling.

4. Integration

After each medicine session, you’ll have an integration session with your therapist.

Integration entails solidifying and enhancing the positive aspects of your journey, merging insights gained from psychedelics into your daily life, and mutually formulating grounding practices.

This phase of your treatment emphasizes leveraging the antidepressant and other benefits provided by Ketamine post-experience, aiming to anchor and deepen the positive outcomes of your journey and promote the formation of new neural pathways. Integration involves establishing gradual habits that align with your values, strengths, and sense of purpose. Together, we collaborate to devise a personalized process and practice for each individual, focusing on strategies to keep the experience and insights gained at the forefront of your mind. This approach varies for each person and is typically linked directly to the intentions set during the preparation phase.

Through integration, psychedelic substances enable us to become active participants in shaping our mental landscape and redefining our life trajectory. Throughout this journey, we acknowledge the presence of an inner guide and a wellspring of wisdom to navigate our experiences. Psychedelics facilitate a reconnection with this inner wisdom, and our integration work revolves around learning how to attune to its guidance.

Integration practices may include:

  • Reconnecting with nature
  • Equine therapy
  • Mindfulness and meditation exercises
  • Drumming
  • Creative and artistic outlets
  • Somatic work
  • Breathwork

Interested in Ketamine Assisted Therapy?