Learn more about Ketamine Assisted Therapy (KAP)…

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is a therapeutic approach that combines the controlled, clinical use of ketamine with guided talk therapy to help patients explore emotions, reduce symptoms, and facilitate psychological insight. The ketamine experience can temporarily alter perception and lessen rigid thought patterns, which some therapists use to support deeper therapeutic work. It is always administered by trained professionals in a medical or clinical setting.

Ketamine works by rapidly increasing glutamate signaling and enhancing neuroplasticity, which may help the brain form new, healthier patterns of thinking and emotional processing. When paired with psychotherapy, this neuroplastic “window” can make therapeutic insights easier to access and integrate. Research to date shows that KAP can be effective for many people with treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, and anxiety, often producing faster symptom relief than traditional antidepressants, though results vary and long-term benefits depend on integration and continued care.

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy may be most beneficial for people with treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, or anxiety who haven’t found relief with traditional medications or therapy alone. It can also help individuals who feel “stuck” in rigid thought or emotional patterns by creating a temporary state of increased openness and neuroplasticity.

When choosing a ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) provider, patients should look for a licensed medical prescriber, or a trained therapist who partners with a licensed medical prescriber, who follows clear safety protocols and conducts thorough medical and psychological screenings. A strong provider will have specialized training in KAP or psychedelic-assisted therapy and offer preparation and integration sessions—not just ketamine dosing. Trauma-informed care, transparent communication, and a collaborative, patient-centered approach are essential to ensure a safe and supportive therapeutic experience.

Here is a helpful checklist for screening providers:

• Licensed medical prescriber (MD, DO, NP, PA) involved in evaluation and dosing.

• Comprehensive medical and psychological screening before starting treatment.

• Clear safety protocols including monitoring, emergency procedures, and informed consent.

• Specialized training in ketamine-assisted or psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.

• Therapeutic support throughout the process (preparation, guided sessions, and integration).

• Trauma-informed, supportive environment with clear boundaries and professionalism.

• Transparent pricing and communication—no unrealistic promises or pressure.

• Patient-centered care, tailoring treatment to individual goals and needs.

• Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP): Patient Demographics, Clinical Data and Outcomes in Three Large Practices Administering Ketamine with Psychotherapy Observational data from three outpatient KAP practices reporting substantial average reductions in depression and anxiety scores after KAP; useful real-world evidence but not randomized.

• Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy: A Systematic Narrative Review of the Literature
  Comprehensive narrative/systematic review of existing KAP studies; concludes KAP is promising but highlights small samples, heterogeneous protocols, and the need for RCTs. (Good high-level synthesis of the evidence base.)

• Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Provides Lasting and Effective Results in the Treatment of Depression, Anxiety, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder at 3 and 6 Months: Findings from a Large Retrospective Effectiveness Study
  Retrospective analysis reporting lasting improvements in depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms at 3 and 6 months after KAP in a clinical/practice sample (non-randomized).

• Long-Term Effects of Single and Repeated Ketamine Infusions on Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Retrospective Chart Review Study
  Multi-practice dataset describing patient demographics, clinical outcomes and safety signals from KAP programs — supports potential effectiveness but again observational.

• Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy treatment of chronic pain and comorbid depression: a pilot study of two approaches
  Preliminary open-label study combining ketamine with psychotherapy for chronic pain comorbid with major depressive disorder; reported symptom improvements, useful pilot data for integrated treatment.

• Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression: a Systematic Review
  Recent systematic reviews explicitly comparing KAP studies to ketamine-only studies conclude KAP shows promise but evidence is heterogeneous and higher-quality RCTs are needed; some analyses show benefits are not uniform across trials.