Understanding Ketamine Therapy

The use of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, or KAP, has become more popular recently. This comeback can be partially attributed to the increased interest in using psychedelic medications into psychotherapy; among the safe and legal psychedelic medications available to mental health professionals is ketamine. Over the past 20 years, it has been used to treat a range of mental health issues, including depression, chronic pain, and other mental health issues. Because the medication's effects wear off quickly (between 45 and 60 minutes), psychotherapy can be combined with the medication in an efficient manner.

What is Ketamine?

Synthetic ketamine works by modifying the glutamate neurotransmitter. This modulation can improve mood, reduce anxiety, stop depression, and lessen addiction-related cravings. Ketamine also improves functional connectivity between resting state networks and limbic regions, as well as neurogenesis, or the formation of new neural connections inside the brain.

How Does Ketamine Therapy Work?

The administration of ketamine in a regulated, therapeutic environment is known as ketamine treatment. Due to the medicine's effects, psychological barriers can be softer, allowing for deeper introspection, processing emotions and relationships, and access to unconscious content. As a result, people may access and process deep emotions more successfully during psychotherapy, which speeds up the process. Ketamine facilitates open communication and empathy, which makes it simpler to discuss challenging topics and express uncomfortable emotions. It also improves default mode network activity, fosters interpersonal bonding and openness, and strengthens adaptive learning.

Why Choose Ketamine Therapy?

Even though the antidepressant effects of a single therapy are typically transient, it has been shown that several sessions have a cumulative impact that effectively reduces symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant depression. Ketamine is an excellent medication for spiritual exploration because it can result in significant transpersonal experiences. These encounters might provide crucial perspective and clarity on your challenges or areas of life where you feel trapped.

The Benefits of Group Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy

1. Enhanced Therapeutic Experience

Ketamine's therapeutic benefits are combined with the camaraderie and shared experiences of a group setting in group ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP). This combination improves the therapeutic experience by enabling participants to take use of the group's emotional support and collective wisdom.

Engaging in group KAP promotes a feeling of belonging and community. In a supportive environment where people feel understood and welcomed, sharing experiences and feelings in a group setting can help people feel less alone and isolated.

3. Increased Empathy and Openness

Ketamine increases openness and empathy, which is advantageous in group therapy settings. Participants are able to connect with people more profoundly thanks to their enhanced empathy, which promotes mutual support and a sense of shared understanding.

4. Accelerated Healing Process

Ketamine accelerates the psychotherapy process, facilitating deeper and more efficient processing of emotions and interpersonal relationships. Personal development and healing may occur more quickly and deeply as a result of this acceleration.

5. Access to Unconscious Material

Ketamine facilitates more profound access to unconscious content, allowing people to investigate and deal with underlying problems that might be causing their mental health problems. Major discoveries and insights may result from this access.

6. Enhanced Personal Insights

Ketamine-induced transpersonal experiences can help people gain crucial clarity and understanding into their personal challenges and stuck areas of their lives. These realizations can be quite helpful in the therapeutic process as well as in promoting personal development and recovery.

7. Supportive Environment for Difficult Topics

Ketamine reduces inhibitions, which makes it simpler for people to talk about uncomfortable topics and access difficult emotions. This process is further enhanced by the encouraging atmosphere of a group setting, which offers a secure setting for direct and honest discussion.

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy in Boulder & Longmont

Join the Ketamine Group

To learn more about the advantages of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, you might want to attend the Ketamine Group meetings, which take place on the third Friday of each month from 3:30 to 6 p.m. This group offers a special chance to benefit from ketamine's therapeutic effects in a community-based, encouraging environment.

About Dan Michels

Licensed Professional Counselor

Based in Boulder, Colorado, Dan Michels is a Certified Hakomi Therapist (CHT) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). He collaborates with clinicians who provide help to individuals and couples on a broad range of concerns, such as anxiety, depression, psychedelic integration, trauma, marriage and relationship counseling, and sexuality. Dan mostly employs mindfulness-based techniques with an emphasis on attachment styles and neurobiology that are founded in the Hakomi Method.

Professional Background

Dan has completed coursework at the University of Denver and Naropa University in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology, International Human Rights, Contemplative Psychology, and Religious Studies. Hakomi Therapy, PACT Couples Therapy Level 2, The Right Use of Power, SAR Level 1, and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy are just a few of the many qualifications he possesses.

Clinical Supervision

Dan provides individualized clinical supervision to psychotherapists who want to improve their skills. Dan is a Boulder, Colorado-based specialist in trauma, anxiety, depression, and sexuality. He uses a holistic approach that incorporates mindfulness-based methods like Gestalt and Hakomi. Additionally, he provides small group supervision sessions in Longmont, Colorado on the first Friday of each month from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Safe and Inclusive Space

Dan is LGBTQI and poly/ethical non-monogamy friendly, and he offers a place for healing that is secure and free from criticism. He collaborates and uses creativity to help clients discover their inner landscape, gain perspective, and acquire new life and relationship skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does ketamine work in the brain?

Synthetic ketamine works by modifying the glutamate neurotransmitter. This modulation can improve mood, lessen anxiety, stop depression, and lessen addiction-related cravings. Furthermore, ketamine promotes functional connectivity between the brain's resting state networks and limbic areas as well as neurogenesis, or the development of new neural connections.

What conditions can ketamine therapy help treat?

Ketamine therapy has been used to treat a variety of mental health conditions, including:

Depression, especially treatment-resistant depression
Anxiety
Chronic pain
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
Substance use disorders

What should I expect during a KAP session?

You will get a controlled dosage of ketamine in a secure and encouraging setting during a KAP session. The medication usually takes 45 to 60 minutes to take effect. A therapist will assist you in exploring your ideas, feelings, and any surfacing unconscious material while guiding you through the process. Talking, thinking back, and processing your memories are possible during the session.

Are there any side effects of ketamine therapy?

Although ketamine is usually well tolerated, certain people may have adverse effects like:

Nausea or vomiting
Dizziness
Elevated blood pressure
Mild dissociation or hallucinations

These side effects are usually short-lived and can be managed by your healthcare provider.

How many KAP sessions will I need?

The patient and the ailment being treated determine how many KAP sessions are required. After just a few sessions, some people might notice noticeable improvements, while others might need more time for treatment. Together, you and your therapist will create a customized treatment plan that addresses your unique needs and objectives.

What are the benefits of group ketamine-assisted psychotherapy?

Group KAP offers several unique benefits, including:

Improved treatment outcome with mutual understanding and assistance
Enhanced social interaction and decreased emotions of loneliness
Enhanced openness and empathy that promote stronger emotional bonds expedited healing process by shared experiences and collective wisdom a welcoming setting for talking about challenging subjects and addressing uncomfortable emotions

How can I join the Ketamine Group in Boulder & Longmont?

The Ketamine Group meets every third Friday of the month from 3:30 pm to 6 pm. To join or learn more about the group, message Dan Michels for details at this link.

Who is Dan Michels?

Dan Michels is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Certified Hakomi Therapist (CHT) based in Boulder, CO. Using mindfulness-based techniques based in the Hakomi Method, he specializes in treating trauma, anxiety, depression, and sexuality. Dan gives clinicians both individual and group supervision as well as psychotherapy with ketamine assistance.

Is ketamine therapy safe?

Ketamine therapy is usually regarded as safe when given by qualified specialists in a regulated, therapeutic environment. It's crucial to get a comprehensive evaluation performed by a medical professional to find out if ketamine therapy is right for you.

What should I bring to a KAP session?

For your KAP session, you may want to bring:

Comfortable clothing
A journal or notebook to record your thoughts and experiences
Any questions or concerns you would like to discuss with your therapist

Can I drive after a KAP session?

No, you should not drive after a KAP session. Ketamine's effects may make it more difficult for you to drive safely. It is advised that you make travel arrangements or have someone pick you up following your session.

How do I know if KAP is right for me?

It's crucial to talk with a licensed therapist about your problems, therapeutic objectives, and mental health history if you're thinking about ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. They will assist in determining whether KAP is a suitable and advantageous course of treatment for you.

What should I do if I experience side effects?

As soon as possible after a KAP session, let your therapist know if you have any side effects. They will offer assistance and direction to help control any negative consequences.

How can I prepare for a KAP session?

To prepare for a KAP session, consider the following tips:

Reflect on your intentions and goals for the session
Practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation
Ensure you have a safe and comfortable environment for the session
Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs before the session

Conclusion

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy offers a powerful and transformative approach to mental health treatment, with numerous benefits for individuals seeking deeper self-reflection and personal growth. Group KAP, in particular, provides a unique and supportive environment that enhances the therapeutic experience. If you are interested in exploring ketamine therapy or joining the Ketamine Group in Boulder and Longmont, reach out to Dan Michels for more information and take the first step towards healing and personal transformation.

The Ketamine Group meets every third Friday of the month from 3:30 pm to 6 pm. For details and to join, message Dan Michels through his website at danmichels.com

Understanding Ketamine Therapy - 7 Benefits of Group Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy