Introductory Course

This learning path is a concise introduction to Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), covering core concepts such as treatment structure, patient selection, administration routes, dosing strategies, and ethical practice. It’s designed to help clinicians understand how to safely and effectively integrate KAP into their therapeutic work.

Unlock the introductory course by signing up for a free membership.

Session 1:  Introduction to Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy

Introduction to Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy. (KAP) is a structured therapeutic model that uses ketamine not just for its pharmacological effects, but as a catalyst for deep psychological insight and healing. Unlike standard IV ketamine treatment, KAP integrates clinically-driven preparation, psychedelic medicine sessions, and post-session integration into a cohesive therapeutic process.

Learning Objectives:

1. A brief history of ketamine use in medical and therapeutic settings
2. Safety profile of  ketamine really is, along with misuse potential
3. Distinguishing ketamine as antidepressant vs. psychedelic
4. Comparing KAP to standard medical ketamine treatment
5. Explain the importance of preparation and integration phases in achieving sustained clinically-relevant outcomes.

Session 2: Who Can (and Should) do KAP and who should not

Successful Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) depends on proper screening and fit.. This segment explores diagnostic indications, medical and psychological contraindications, and how to assess psychological readiness and therapeutic fit.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify clinical conditions for which KAP is most commonly indicated.
2. Recognize key medical and psychiatric contraindications to KAP.
3. Assess psychological readiness and the importance of therapeutic rapport in determining patient suitability.

Session 3: Routes of Administration for Ketamine:  What do we mean and why does it matter?

The route of ketamine administration significantly influences the therapeutic experience, session flow, safety profile, and overall treatment logistics.  This segment provides a comparative look at IV, IM, sublingual, and intranasal delivery methods, helping clinicians design sessions that align with client needs and clinical goals.  The role of the prescriber will be identified and practice considerations for therapists vs medical professionals will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

1. Compare the bioavailability, duration, and client experience across common ketamine administration routes.
2. Explain how route selection impacts session structure, intensity, and therapeutic timing.
3. The role of the prescriber and relationship  with the therapist 
4. Practical considerations for selecting and combining routes based on individual client profiles and treatment objectives, cost, and your  professional background.  

Session 4: The Role of the Therapist and Dosing Strategies:  Why this is critical 

Dosing strategies in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) range from low-dose psycholytic to high-dose psychedelic, each requiring a distinct therapeutic approach. This segment explores the therapist's role in supporting altered states, recognizing client needs and how that informs dosing strategies, and responding to challenges that may arise during sessions.

Learning Objectives:

Session 5: Preparation and Integration: Definition and Importance

Preparation and integration are essential elements that differentiate KAP from medical IV ketamine treatment.  This segment introduces these core elements, along with how they  support client safety, deepen therapeutic impact, and enhance long-term outcomes through integration into psychotherapeutic frameworks.  

Learning Objectives:

1. Define preparation and integration within the context of KAP.
2. Identify key elements of effective preparation to support client readiness.
3. Describe integration strategies that promote meaning-making and psychological growth.

Session 6: Building a Safe and Ethical KAP Practice

Establishing a safe and ethical Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) practice requires more than just good clinical skills- thoughtful integration of clinical, legal, and procedural safeguards are also necessary. This segment outlines essential components such as medical collaboration, risk management considerations, and regulatory framework that supports responsible practice and practical strategies to get you started. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the importance of medical collaboration and prescriber involvement in a safe and compliant KAP model.
2. Identify core safety protocols for screening, monitoring, and managing adverse events.
3. Outline training, supervision, and documentation practices that support ethical and legally sound implementation.
4. Practical strategies to support building your own practice.

Session 7: Basic Intervention Strategies

This session introduces foundational intervention strategies for ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. Clinicians will learn how to adapt their presence and interventions based on the client’s unfolding experience, while employing simple, effective techniques such as tracking prompts, mirroring, and pacing.

Learning Objectives:

1. What is inner healing intelligence anyway?  
2. How to adapt support based on client experience
3. Basic interventions to support clients 
4. Identify common red flags during sessions and tools for how to intervene appropriately

Session 8: Additional Foundational Elements of KAP

This session explores subtle but essential elements that deepen and shape the therapeutic experience in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP).

Learning Objectives:

1. How do set and setting influence the tone and depth of the client’s journey
2. What skills can help you build strong therapeutic relationships
3. The value that ceremonial elements can bring to the session
4. How to stay grounded using supervision, inner work, and personal experience