Ketamine - Assisted Psychotherapy

Ketamine - Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a novel treatment approach that enhances therapy by pairing it with a series of self-administered ketamine sessions. Dr. Hearn works in collaboration with other independent, qualified medical professionals who are able to prescribe racemic* ketamine in the form of troches or lozenges for use in conjunction with KAP. Following their prescription, clients attend an intensive in-person therapy period before, during, and after several self-administrations of  ketamine lozenges.l

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Recent studies suggest that ketamine's use in KAP may be an effective treatment for PTSD1, depression, and anxiety2. By engaging in therapy before, during, and after these treatments, clients are able to develop intentions for and derive meaning and insight from their experiences while taking advantage of ketamine's short-term anti-depressant4 and neuroplastic effects5. Preliminary research suggests that this approach provides greater and longer lasting relief than ketamine treatment alone3, 6.

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 Potential clients should note, however, that use of ketamine in this fashion constitutes off-label use is not approved by the FDA as a treatment for any mental or substance disorder** and that positive treatment outcomes cannot be guranteed.

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*Racemic ketamine - ketamine containing an equal proportion of R and S enantiomers.4 The terms "racemic ketamine" and "ketamine" are used interchangeably throughout this website.

**Spravato®, which is derived from ketamine, contains only S enantiomers ("esketamine") and has been approved by the FDA for treatment of depression. CIC does not offer Spravato®.