What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a psychoactive medication classified as a dissociative anesthetic. It was first synthesized in 1962 and has been used in the United States as an anesthetic in medical settings since 1970. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.
It has been used off-label in sub-anesthetic doses for the past 20 years to treat depression and a variety of other mental health concerns. It is known for a rapid onset of antidepressant effects, sometimes providing nearly immediate relief from emotional and physical pain. While the antidepressant effects tend to be temporary after a single ketamine treatment, multiple treatments have proven to have a cumulative effect, successfully alleviating symptoms in approximately 30 - 60% of individuals with treatment-resistant depression.
In low doses, ketamine can serve as a supportive adjunct to psychotherapy, as it provides an opportunity for the temporary softening of the psychological defenses, allowing for deeper self reflection and psychotherapeutic processing. In moderate doses, ketamine has psychedelic effects, which have been shown to facilitate profound transpersonal experiences. These types of experiences can help people in a variety of ways, offering important clarity and insight into one's struggles, adding a spiritual dimension to ongoing therapeutic work, and facilitating a sense of meaning and interconnectedness.
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What is Ketamine Assisted Therapy (KAT)?
Ketamine-assisted therapy (KAT) is a unique therapeutic method used to address a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, post-traumatic stress, bipolar depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety. It involves the use of the psychoactive substance ketamine to enhance and deepen the therapeutic process. Integrating psychotherapy and other forms of treatment can amplify and prolong the treatment benefits of ketamine.
At Elevate Clinic, we offer SPRAVATO ketamine treatment. We have found that SPRAVATO (nasal spray) administration allows for the best clinical safety and effective results. SPRAVATO Ketamine therapy is most effective when paired with other forms of therapy that complement and deepen the work. Bodywork, meditation, yoga, talk therapy and other modalities help to support the system in opening to the ketamine experience, moving blocked energy, and integrating the physiological and energetic effects.
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Ketamine Treatment
1
Medical Intake
Work with the Elevate Clinic's Ketamine Clinician to evaluate if SPRAVATO treatment is safe for you.
2
Session Preparation
Prepare for your session with readings and guided writing exercises on what to expect and how to set intentions for this deep work.
3
Ketamine Session
Your clinician will walk you through what to expect and will be there to support you for the entire duration of the session.
4
Integration
After your SPRAVATO Ketamine session you will connect with your established mental health provider for integration. Integration can be thought of as weaving your ketamine experience into your everyday life.
5
Repeat
Your clinician will work with you and your therapist to explore if one or multiple treatment cycles are right for you.
Evidence Based
