Processing trauma using ketamine therapy involves a combination of pharmacological and psychological interventions that can facilitate healing and promote personal growth. The following strategies can be employed to optimize the processing of trauma with ketamine therapy:
- Preparation: Before ketamine therapy, patients should work with their therapist to identify specific trauma-related issues that need to be addressed. Establishing a trusting and supportive therapeutic alliance can help create a safe space for patients to process their trauma (1).
- Dosage and administration: Studies have shown that low-dose ketamine infusions or intranasal administration can have therapeutic effects on trauma-related symptoms. The appropriate dosage and route of administration should be determined by a qualified healthcare professional, taking into account the patient’s needs and medical history (2).
- Integration of psychotherapy: Combining ketamine therapy with evidence-based psychotherapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), or trauma-focused therapies, can enhance the processing and resolution of traumatic memories (3).
- Mindfulness and self-compassion: Encouraging patients to practice mindfulness and self-compassion during ketamine therapy can help them process traumatic experiences with greater awareness, acceptance, and kindness towards themselves (4).
- Post-session integration: Following ketamine therapy, patients should work with their therapist to integrate insights and experiences from the session into their daily lives. This may involve the development of new coping skills, changes in beliefs and thought patterns, or creating new narratives around their traumatic experiences (5).
In summary, to process trauma using ketamine therapy, it is essential to prepare patients, determine the appropriate dosage and administration method, integrate psychotherapy, practice mindfulness and self-compassion, and facilitate post-session integration. Combining these strategies with a supportive and trusting therapeutic alliance can help patients process and resolve traumatic memories, leading to improved mental health and well-being.
Dore, J., Turnipseed, B., Dwyer, S., Turnipseed, A., Andries, J., Ascani, G., … & Mennenga, S. (2019). Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP): Patient Demographics, Clinical Data, and Outcomes in Three Large Practices Administering Ketamine with Psychotherapy. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 51(2), 189-198. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02791072.2019.1587556
Feder, A., Parides, M. K., Murrough, J. W., Perez, A. M., Morgan, J. E., Saxena, S., … & Charney, D. S. (2014). Efficacy of intravenous ketamine for treatment of chronic posttraumatic stress disorder: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry, 71(6), 681-688. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/1860852
van Schalkwyk, G. I., Wilkinson, S. T., Davidson, L., & Silverman, W. K. (2016). Acute psychoactive effects of intravenous ketamine during treatment of mood disorders: analysis of the Clinician Administered Dissociative States Scale. Journal of Affective Disorders, 190, 467-471. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032715007287
Germer, C. K., & Siegel, R. D. (2012). Wisdom and compassion in psychotherapy: Deepening mindfulness in clinical practice. Guilford Press. https://www.guilford.com/books/Wisdom-and-Compassion-in-Psychotherapy/Germer-Siegel/9781462527713
MacLean, K. A., Johnson, M. W., & Griffiths, R. R. (2011). Mystical experiences occasioned by the hallucinogen psilocybin lead to increases in the personality domain of openness. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 25(11), 1453-1461. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0269881111420188