Frequently Asked Questions: Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy in Denver, Colorado
What is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)?
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a therapeutic approach that combines ketamine, a legal and FDA-approved medication, with psychotherapy to support mental health treatment. Unlike ketamine infusion clinics that administer the medicine without a therapeutic framework, KAP integrates the medicine session into a structured process that includes preparation and integration work with a licensed therapist. The goal is to use the neurological effects of ketamine to create a window of increased openness and flexibility, and then do meaningful therapeutic work within that window.
How does Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy work?
KAP is organized into three phases. In the preparation phase, the therapist and client build a working relationship, clarify intentions, and discuss what to expect. The medicine session itself involves a low to moderate dose of ketamine administered in a safe, comfortable setting with the therapist present throughout. In the integration phase, the therapist and client work to understand what emerged during the experience and explore how it connects to the client's life and goals. Each phase supports the others, and the integration work is often where the most lasting change takes root.
Is ketamine legal for use in therapy?
Yes. Ketamine is a Schedule III controlled substance that has been FDA-approved since 1970, originally as an anesthetic. It is currently the only psychedelic-adjacent medicine that can be legally administered in an outpatient therapy setting in the United States. In Denver, Colorado, licensed therapists can offer KAP in coordination with a prescribing medical provider.
What conditions does Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy treat?
KAP has shown promise in treating a range of mental health conditions, particularly those that have been resistant to traditional approaches. These include treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief, and existential distress. Research on ketamine's antidepressant effects has grown substantially over the past two decades, and many clients seek KAP after finding limited relief from medication or conventional talk therapy alone.
Who is a good candidate for KAP?
KAP tends to be a good fit for people who have already done some therapeutic work and are looking to go deeper, or for those who feel stuck and are open to a less conventional approach. Good candidates are generally curious about their inner experience, willing to engage with uncertainty, and able to commit to the full three-phase process including integration. KAP may also be worth exploring for people managing treatment-resistant depression, chronic anxiety, or trauma that has been difficult to access through traditional therapy.
Who is not a good candidate for KAP?
KAP is not appropriate for everyone. People with a personal or family history of psychosis or schizophrenia, certain cardiovascular conditions, or active substance use disorders may not be good candidates. A thorough medical and psychological screening is part of the intake process to make sure the approach is appropriate and safe for each individual. A prescribing medical provider will review medical history before any medicine session takes place.
What does a KAP session feel like?
Experiences vary from person to person. Many people report vivid imagery, a sense of emotional release, or a feeling that something that has been stuck is beginning to shift. Some describe a loosening of the usual mental patterns that keep certain thoughts or feelings at a distance. The experience typically lasts between 45 minutes and an hour, and the therapist remains present throughout. Most people feel reflective or inward in the hours following a session, which is why having integration support in the days after is an important part of the process.
How is KAP different from a ketamine infusion clinic?
Ketamine infusion clinics focus primarily on the biological effects of the medicine, typically administering it intravenously in a medical setting without an accompanying therapeutic relationship. KAP is different in that the medicine is one part of a broader therapeutic process. The preparation and integration work done with a therapist are what allow the insights from a medicine session to translate into meaningful, lasting change. For people seeking mental health support rather than purely symptom relief, the therapeutic container of KAP is often a better fit.
Is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy available in Denver, Colorado?
Yes. KAP is available in Denver, Colorado through licensed therapists working in coordination with prescribing medical providers. Our practice offers KAP with evening and weekend appointments available. If you're curious about whether KAP might be a good fit for what you're working through, you're welcome to reach out here.