Madsen Wellness

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)

is an emerging treatment approach that combines ketamine — a dissociative anesthetic that has been found to have rapid antidepressant effects — with traditional psychotherapy.

This combination is used to help individuals address mental health conditions, particularly those that are resistant to conventional treatments, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction.

How KAP works

Ketamine is administered orally in a controlled environment. The Ketamine dose is lower than it is used in hospital settings for anesthesia but enough to induce a dissociative state.

It acts primarily on the NMDA receptor which is thought to play a role in neuroplasticicity (the brain’s ability to form new connections). The theory is it may allow for re-wiring of certain neural pathways that are associated with thought patters and emotions which are negative.

Psychotherapy Integration

One-on-one counseling sessions provide a safe space for you to explore your thoughts and feelings deeply before, durining and after your ketamine experience.

KAP is not just about taking ketamine, but includes a therapeutirc process, processing, gain insight, experiencing a heightened self-awareness, emotional release and gaining new prespectives.

Therapy can include cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness and psychodynamic therapy.

KAP Group Therapy

Join our group therapy sessions to connect, share experiences, and find support in a caring community.

KAP Group Therapy experiences are in process at Madsen Wellness, stay tuned.

Benefits of KAP

Unlike traditional medication and talk therapy, KAP may allow a faster way to improve mood, anxiety, PTSD or addictions.

Treatement-resistent conditions : KAP may be effective for patients who are not responding to traditional practices.

Emotional Process can be accessed while in an altered state induced by ketamine. it may allow patients to access memories or emtions that have been supressed and difficult to process in regular therapy.

Ketamine can reduce the fear response associated with traumatic memories. Ketamine may help patients approach difficult emotions or traumatic memories with less anxiety or fear and enable them to engage more fully in their therapuetic journey.

Ongoing Support

Madsen Wellness has partnered with Therapists who have been trained to utilize ketamine in their practice as a tool. Benefit from continuous support and follow-up sessions to ensure lasting progress on your healing journey. You should not do ketamine alone without the proper supports in place.

Ketamine is used primarily in emergency rooms, operating rooms, and intensive care units, so it is best you have your journey with a trained professional.

KAP sessions – What to expect

Pre-session: a thorough assessment by trained medical providers and therapists who have extra training in KAP. Most importantly – Medical Clearance!

You will receive your ketamine in a safe, controlled environment.

Depending on the therapy model, your provider either the therapist or the PMHNP will guide you through your ketamine experience, help you process emotions, and support you as you explore your experiences

Evidence Based Practice

KAP is still being researched and every day we are learning new approaches, treatments and ways to integrate this tool into our patients daily lives. Early Studies and anecdotal reports are suggesting KAP can be effective in treating patients with treatment-resistent depression, PTSD, Chronic pain, and anxiety disorders.

Contraindications

Patients who suffer from the following:

Obstructive sleep apnea, Paranoid personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, uncontrolled high blood pressure, acute or unstable heart conditions, allergic reactions to ketamine or has not responded well to ketamine in the past, history of psychosis, bipolar, mania, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, pregnant, and or active substance use.

Your therapist and PMHNP will evaulate your mental state prior to each ketamine session. Some patients can be come unstablized and may not respond well to their session.

Conclusion

KAP is a progressive approach which may offer hope to patients struggling with mental health conditions not responding to traditional treatments. KAP is also a tool used for those patients who are interested in alternative ways to manage and treat their mental health symptoms.

KAP combines neuroplastic benefits of ketamine with the power of therapeutic psychotherapy to health your emotions and mental health.

*** Ketamine should not be administered by untrained professionals and should be monitored in a safe and controlled setting.

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