KAP Overview
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a legal, safe, and effective medicine that’s been shown to help people who are struggling with depression, anxiety, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), especially when other treatments have been ineffective.
Ketamine works in the brain by promoting new neural connections and increasing neuroplasticity—which is the brain’s ability to grow, adapt, and heal. Think of it as creating space for new perspectives, emotional breakthroughs, and deeper therapeutic work.
We understand that trying something new—especially when it comes to mental health—can bring up questions or hesitation. Our goal is to create a space where you feel supported, informed, and empowered. If you’re curious about whether ketamine-assisted therapy could be right for you, we’re here to explore it together.
How is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Different from Traditional Therapy?
Traditional talk therapy offers a supportive space to explore your thoughts, emotions, and patterns over time. It can be deeply healing, but for some people, especially those who feel stuck or have been struggling for a long time, progress may feel slow or non-existent.
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) offers a different kind of therapeutic experience. It blends the consistent support of a trained therapist with the unique, mind-opening effects of ketamine. The medicine creates a calm, inward-focused, almost dreamlike state that can help quiet the inner critic and open the door to deeper emotional work. It can help you break the cycles of sadness, fear, or self-doubt allowing you to let go of negative patterns and making space for something new.
During a KAP session, you’ll take a low-dose ketamine lozenge that dissolves under your tongue while resting in a safe, private space. Your therapist will be there with you the entire time helping you feel cared for and offering grounding, support, and gentle guidance as you turn inward.
This experience often helps people access emotions, memories, or insights that may feel out of reach in everyday life. It’s not about losing control, rather it’s about creating a space where deeper awareness can naturally emerge for reflection without judgement. People often say it feels like they can finally see the bigger picture, or feel a sense of peace they’ve been missing.
Afterward, you and your KAP therapist will take time together to talk through what came up, allowing it to become something you can integrate and carry with you into the rest of your life.
Why is KAP effective? Or the science behind the healing
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy works in a unique way—by helping your brain and nervous system become more open to healing. While the experience itself often feels gentle and emotional, there’s solid science behind why it helps so many people feel better
- It boosts neuroplasticity
Ketamine helps the brain form new connections; a process called neuroplasticity. This means your brain becomes more flexible allowing you to break out of stuck patterns and open up to new thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. For people with depression or trauma, this can be incredibly powerful. - It increases glutamate
Ketamine affects a brain chemical called glutamate, which plays a big role in learning, memory, and mood regulation. By increasing glutamate in a targeted way, ketamine can help “reset” the brain’s overactive or underactive pathways so often linked to depression and anxiety. - It quiets the default mode network (DMN)
The DMN is a part of your brain that’s active when your mind is wandering—often replaying negative thoughts, self-criticism, or worry. Ketamine temporarily quiets this area, which gives your mind a break from the usual loops and creates space for new insight or emotional release. - It supports emotional safety during therapy
Ketamine has a calming effect that can help people feel less overwhelmed when exploring painful emotions or memories. It doesn’t make you forget—it helps you face things gently, with more clarity and less fear. This makes it easier to do deep, healing work with your therapist.
What are the safety protocols for ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP)?
Your safety is at the center of everything we do. Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is a powerful healing tool—but only when it’s done in a setting that is thoughtful, supportive, and clinically sound. We follow clear, evidence-based safety protocols to make sure you feel physically and emotionally cared for every step of the way.
Here’s how we ensure a safe and grounded KAP experience:
- It starts with a thorough medical assessment
Every client begins with a comprehensive medical and psychological screening to make sure KAP is the right fit. This process is conducted by Dr. Bramwell who brings both clinical expertise and a warm, collaborative approach. She will review your health history, medications, and any potential risk factors to ensure you’re medically cleared for treatment. - You’re never alone in the process
Unlike many other Ketamine providers, during your KAP sessions, you’ll be supported by a trained therapist who stays with you the entire time. We create a calm, private environment where you can relax and turn inward, knowing someone is right there with you, offering steady support. - We use a gentle, low-dose approach
We work exclusively with the sublingual lozenge form of ketamine—a small tablet that dissolves under your tongue. This method is safe, non-invasive, and allows for a gradual, manageable experience. Dosages are tailored to your individual needs and are carefully reviewed by Dr. Bramwell. - We take time to prepare you
Before your first session, you will have preparatory sessions with your KAP to talk through what to expect, set intentions, and answer any questions. Feeling emotionally prepared is just as important as being medically ready, and we make sure that you feel ready for the process. - Integration is a key part of the process
After the ketamine experience, your therapist will help you make sense of what came up—whether it was emotional, visual, or deeply reflective. This integration work is where the real transformation often begins. - We’re prepared for the unexpected
While ketamine is generally very well-tolerated, we are trained to respond to any physical or emotional discomfort that may arise. Having a well-trained staff ensures your physical as well as emotional safety. KAP isn’t just about the medicine—it’s about how we hold you through the experience. Our team is here to make sure you feel safe, seen, and supported at every step.
Who is eligible for ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP)?
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy can be a powerful option for people who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected and who are looking for a new pathway toward healing. Like any treatment, it’s not for everyone which is why we take great care to make sure it’s a good and safe fit for each individual.
KAP may be right for you if:
- You’re living with depression, anxiety, PTSD, or emotional distress that hasn’t fully responded to other treatments
- You’re open to exploring deeper emotional work in a safe, supported setting
- You’re medically healthy enough to safely take ketamine, based on a medical screening
- You’re not in active crisis, but you’re looking for relief, insight, or meaningful change
KAP may not be a good fit if:
- You have a history of psychosis, schizophrenia, or uncontrolled bipolar disorder
- You’re currently abusing substances, especially if ketamine misuse is a concern
- You’re in an unstable or unsafe living situation without consistent support
- You have certain medical conditions—like uncontrolled high blood pressure or serious heart issues—that could make ketamine unsafe
- You’re pregnant or breastfeeding (ketamine has not been proven safe in these situations)
If KAP isn’t the right fit at this time, we’ll support you in finding care that is.
Collaboration with your existing providers
We believe that healing works best when it’s supported from all angles. That’s why collaboration is a key part of how we approach ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP).
If you’re already working with a therapist, psychiatrist, primary care provider, or other healthcare professional, we’re happy to coordinate care with your permission to help create a more connected and supportive experience.
If you’re not currently connected to a provider outside of our practice, that’s okay too. Our team—including our in-house medical provider, Dr. Bramwell—is here to offer integrated support throughout the KAP process.