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Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
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KAP differs from traditional psychotherapy in several ways. Unlike some traditional psychotherapies which are fluid, open-ended processes, KAP is a fixed series of preparatory, experiential and integrative sessions with a clear beginning and end. The psychedelic therapist utilizes a transpersonal approach: the relationship between the patient, the ketamine-induced psychedelic experience, spiritual beliefs and the world is examined to facilitate insight. In traditional psychotherapies, insight occurs through reflection in the dyadic relationship between therapist and patient. KAP can be utilized on its own, or as a supplement to psychopharmacology and traditional psychotherapy. The latter is what we feel is safest and most helpful way to use ketamine.
We feel it is important to clarify that Indian religions, particularly Buddhism, have played a significant role in the development of ketamine psychotherapy. Buddhism, for example, places a strong emphasis on the concept of mindfulness (sati), which is the practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. This is an important aspect of ketamine psychotherapy, as the dissociative effects of ketamine can allow individuals to achieve a state of mindfulness that is difficult to attain through traditional meditation (vipassana) practices. Furthermore, ketamine's dissociative effects can lead to a sense of detachment from the self, similar to the concept of "ego death" or the idea that the individual's sense of self must be transcended in order to achieve spiritual enlightenment (nirvana). This self-transcendence can have a mystical quality, which is thought to contribute to ketamine’s therapeutic benefits.
In our practice and in keeping with the fusion of Eastern and Western theory in psychedelic psychotherapeutic practice, we utilize principles derived from Jainism and Islam to help patients make meaning of their ketamine experiences. Jainism is a pre-Vedic religion and philosophy that originated in ancient India. It emphasizes the practice of non-violence (ahimsa) and non-attachment (aparigraha) as a path to ease suffering. These principles can also be understood as ego-strengths that help with trauma, dissociation and depression.
We also feel it is important to ground the ketamine experience in community and greater meaning. Following the ketamine journey, we will provide a nourishing meal in the communal eating tradition of the Bohra Muslim thaal and process your experience somatically and emotionally.