Part 2

What Ketamine Feels Like

The session itself started like a regular therapy session. I met with my ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) therapist, and we talked about how I was feeling and my intentions for the session. We began with a brief meditation, which I loved—it struck both an emotional and physical chord with me. The therapist played chimes in the background as I envisioned my ancestral line forming a circle around me. It was my favorite part of the experience.

Once I was ready, I checked my blood pressure (it was within normal limits), and it was go time! I self-administered the ketamine lozenges, swishing them for the maximum recommended time of twelve minutes. Let me tell you—the lozenges taste awful! Plus, my mouth went numb, which was a surprising effect. After the twelve minutes, I lay down with music in my earbuds and a purple scarf covering my eyes. I must admit, I looked quite fashionable in my prone state.

I didn’t experience any visual or sensory effects, and my perception of time didn’t change.

The highlight, as I mentioned, was the meditation. I believe it carried over into the ketamine experience because I felt an overwhelming sense of love for the people in my life. To note, I didn’t take the full dose, so the effects were a bit muted. From what I hear from others, many experience a dissociation from their body. According to my research, everyone’s experience is different, so if you’re not getting the effects you expect, your medical team can adjust the dose accordingly.

Navigating the Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Experience

As I mentioned in Part 1 of this series, my intention was to be open to the experience. I was curious about the dissociative effects my colleagues had talked about. Would I feel intense emotions? Would I gain clarity about my stuck points like never before?

Honestly, it wasn’t anything like what you see in the movies! I’m sure next time, when I take the full dose, the intensity will be stronger. As I mentioned before, music and setting make a huge difference. I could feel my journey keeping pace with the string quartet and bass guitar in my playlist, which helped deepen the experience. It’s beneficial to research playlists to support your journey, and I’m happy to share my curated playlist if you’re interested.

And yes, setting is crucial—don’t put yourself next to a busy street like I did!

The Aftermath: Coming Down from Ketamine

Coming off ketamine, I felt like my motor skills were impaired, similar to the feeling of being slightly drunk. Thankfully, I didn’t need to operate any heavy machinery (you know the warning labels!). That sensation didn’t last long, though.

My immediate reaction was, “That was nice!” The therapist I worked with (whom I had never met before) held space well. I could feel her presence even through the Zoom screen, which was important for me, especially since I may offer remote KAP in the future.

My next thought was, How can I integrate this experience in the days ahead?

Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Integration: Turning Experience into Insight

Conclusion: Ketamine’s Role in Therapy

Ketamine-assisted therapy shows great promise as a future treatment option in mental health, both for my clients and for the field as a whole.

Originally used as an anesthetic, ketamine has gained attention in recent years for its rapid-acting antidepressant effects, especially for treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, and anxiety. Unlike traditional antidepressants, which can take weeks to work, ketamine offers quick relief within hours, making it particularly helpful for those in acute mental health crises.

Its ability to induce altered states of consciousness aligns with my holistic approach to therapy, which integrates modalities like Brainspotting and Hypnotherapy to explore deep emotional layers.

Ketamine also softens the protector system—an entire blog topic in itself. Working with protectors in Internal Family Systems Therapy (you can read more about protectors here) is often challenging, but ketamine helps ease this process, doing the heavy lifting in that regard.

While ketamine isn’t a cure-all, its potential to reset neural pathways and facilitate emotional breakthroughs could complement talk therapy, helping clients access emotions and traumas that are otherwise hard to reach. It’s essential to approach this treatment with caution, ensuring it’s administered in a safe, controlled environment with medical supervision. As more research emerges, I believe ketamine will become a valuable tool for me and my clients on their healing journeys.

Begin Ketamine-Assisted Therapy at Life Cycles Counseling in Richmond, VA

You don’t have to face big emotions and negative thinking alone. Our counselors in Richmond, VA, use innovative techniques like Internal Family Systems, guided imagery, hypnotherapy, Brainspotting, and storytelling to create a safe space for healing. Your past can be transformed, your memories reconsolidated, and your future informed.

I take the scenic route when treating big emotions like anger, resentment, and grief because it leaves less room for shame to enter the room.

To get started at Life Cycles Counseling, follow these simple steps:

1. Contact Life Cycles Counseling
2. Learn about our creative and effective ways for rapid healing
3. Sign up for a transformational writing group to integrate your Ketamine therapy experience!
4. Start healing, growing, and gaining confidence in a healthy way!

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