theconnectionsnj.com HEALTH & WELLNESS PAGE 47 or individuals living with treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, or severe anxiety, the journey toward relief can feel like a closed loop. Medications may fall short, therapy can feel inaccessible under the weight of symptoms and hope gradually erodes. Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) represents a clinically grounded breakthrough—one that bridges neuroscience and psychotherapy to help people move from feeling stuck to experiencing meaningful change. KAP is not simply a medication protocol, nor is it therapy as usual. It is a structured, clinician-guided process that combines carefully monitored, sub-anesthetic doses of ketamine with specialized psychotherapy. Together, these elements create conditions where change becomes possible again. Science, Safety, and Legitimacy Ketamine has been FDA-approved as an anesthetic since the 1970s, and esketamine (Spravato) is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression. The off-label use of ketamine in mental health is supported by a growing body of research led by institutions such as Yale, MAPS, and the Ketamine Research Foundation. When delivered in a controlled clinical setting by properly trained providers, KAP is considered safe and effective. Why Ketamine Alone Isn’t Enough Mental health is a bio-psycho-social-spiritual reality. Ketamine can open the door, but therapy determines whether clients walk through it. Without preparation and integration, the benefit of the medicine often fades within a short time. Lasting change depends on pairing ketamine with targeted psychotherapy. How KAP Works Ketamine temporarily quiets rigid thought patterns and enhances neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form new connections. Many clients experience a loosening of entrenched self-narratives or “ego dissolution,” allowing them to access emotions, memories, and perspectives without the usual defensive barriers. This creates a powerful but time-limited window for therapeutic change. The Three Phases of KAP • Preparation: Establishing intentions, trust, and a supportive set and setting. • The Journey: The ketamine session, with the therapist offering calm, non-directive support. • Integration: Translating insights into lasting changes in thoughts, behaviors, and relationships. An Equal Partnership In KAP, medicine and therapy are not separate tools—they are equal partners. Ketamine provides the catalyst; therapy provides the framework. Research consistently shows that when both are approached as a unified process, outcomes are deeper and more enduring than either alone. In conclusion... KAP represents a paradigm shift in mental health care, offering hope to those who may have felt unreachable by traditional treatments. Its true power lies not in the session itself, but in the sustained transformation that follows when neurobiological opportunity meets intentional therapeutic work. Ketamine may open the door—but therapy helps client’s step through and continue forward into a new chapter of their lives. Is KAP for Me? If you feel stuck in a cycle of ineffective treatment, Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy could be the key to a new beginning. Here are a couple of ways to learn more: • Read the Research: Ketamine: A Paradigm Shift for Depression Treatment research paper by John H Krystal, Chadi G Abdallah, Gerard Sanacora, Dennis S Charney, Ronald S Duman Ketamine -The Story of Modern Psychiatry’s Most Fascinating Molecule by Keith G. Rasmussen, M.D. • Schedule a Consultation: Ellie Mental Healthin Basking Ridge provides this transformative care with clinicians who are licensed psychotherapists and have completed rigorous, specialized KAP certification. Contact us today 908-350-9143 to schedule a consultation and find out if KAP is right for you. For individuals living with treat HEALTHHOTLINE Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP): A Paradigm Shift in Healing By Steve Drzewoszewski, MSW, LCSW, LCADC, CCS, PATP Clinic Director, Ellie Mental Health-Parsippany, Morristown, & Basking Ridge
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzA2NDY0