Ketamine and therapy

Ketamine-assisted therapy has gained considerable empirical support in many clinical trials over the past 20 years. It has proven to be an effective treatment for depressive disorders in particular, and in recent years its indications have expanded to include anxiety and eating disorders.

Due to its pharmacological properties, ketamine offers a relatively high success rate in providing rapid-onset relief from depressive symptoms, which lasts for an average of 5 days. Within a safe and professional setting, ketamine treatment can also facilitate psychotherapy, which, in turn, can significantly prolong the beneficial effects of ketamine.

This so-called facilitated psychotherapy can help clients gain perspective on their emotional, cognitive, and behavioral patterns and assist them in shaping these patterns toward lasting adaptive change. Long-term efficacy is the main advantage of KAT over the mere administration of subanesthetic doses of ketamine, which produces only a transient antidepressant effect that typically lasts less than a week.

Treatment model at Psyon

The basic model of our KAP includes preparatory session(s), ketamine session(s) with off-label administration of an oral or intramuscular subanaesthetic dose of ketamine, and integration session(s). Where appropriate, the treatment can be extended by providing additional ketamine administrations and integration sessions. Fully trained staff is present at all times, including one or more therapists (at least one medical doctor or clinical psychologist). A physician is always present during the administration of ketamine and for the duration of its effects.

Our practice has shown that our treatment makes a big difference and allows for therapeutic change even in people with treatment-resistant conditions, including some cases of personality disorders (as long as clients are motivated to participate in psychotherapy). Even after a single dose of ketamine, the positive effects of our KAT on the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and somatization remain statistically significant at 6 months after its completion. At the same time, approximately 50% of our clients receive repeat treatments, which can lead to improved efficacy and even remission of the disease.

Indications and contraindications

Indications for ketamine-assisted psychotherapy include depressive syndromes (of various diagnostic units), anxiety disorders (social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, OCD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and/or eating disorders, in combination with an age of 18 years or older and motivation for therapeutic cooperation. We focus on clients with and without prior psychotherapy experience, and adapt the treatment model accordingly.

Main psychiatric contraindications include psychotic disorders, family history of continuous or relapsing psychotic disorders, currently active addiction, risk of suicidality, and severe personality disorders.

Other contraindications include severe medical conditions (particularly cardiovascular and/or hepatic), pregnancy or breastfeeding, acute infection, allergy to ketamine, and concurrent use of medications that interact with ketamine.

Detailed list of all indications and contraindications for ketamine-assisted therapy:

Every person interested in ketamine-assisted therapy undergoes a comprehensive screening process that includes an initial interview followed by a thorough psychiatric and internal examinations.