MODULE 1: Introduction to Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) has recently emerged as one of the most innovative treatments for depression, particularly treatment resistant depression (TRD), and shows promise as well in treating anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder and other psychological conditions. Integrating pharmacological, psychological, and archetypal/transpersonal elements, KAP represents a new synthesis (or hybrid model) of psychotherapy. Empirical results, particularly during the past decade, demonstrate that ketamine and KAP may be able to assist clinical populations whose symptoms and psychological issues have not been responsive to treatment by other means. At the same time, KAP holds promise for effective treatment of individuals with end of life anxiety, existential distress and less severe diagnoses. 

The practice of KAP, including diverse dosing strategies, allows clinicians to craft intervention strategies at both the psycholytic (trance, self-reflective) and psychedelic (transformational/transpersonal) levels of experience. In this introductory module, we cover a wide range of topics to help clinicians understand the potential use and efficacy of KAP as well as other psychedelic medicines, and we present the current state of the art clinical models for these treatments. We also briefly cover recent promising lines of research in the field. 

Teachings are appropriate for healthcare professionals as well as the general public. Healthcare professionals will be able to incorporate the tools and practices offered in this program in ways beneficial to clients or patients.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the various dosing strategies and routes of administration

2. Explain the difference between infusion treatment and KAP and the pros and cons of each modality

3. Describe three side effects of ketamine and how they are managed

4. Describe and summarize the three main elements of the KAP protocol and their place and value in the treatment process: preparation, experiential, and integration

5. Explain and describe the difference between psycholytic and psychedelic treatment processes

6. Discuss the importance of the intake process and considerations for a patient wanting to start KAP treatment.

Between the preliminary reading and the training itself, my knowledge of KAP has increased exponentially just in the last few weeks. The real highlight for me is how inspired and excited I feel about this type of work, both personally and professionally, after gaining all this knowledge. I am excited to do more trainings to work toward being able to offer KAP in my practice. I got a clear picture of how a KAP session goes from start to finish and what happens in the integration phase. I feel inspired to move forward to get some personal experience with KAP and continue on with the next module to learn more.

    - Dawn Ascanio, LCPC

This Module 1 training for KAP was one of the most interesting, informative, entertaining, and engaging trainings I have ever had. Thank you so much for the great work you do.

- Michael VanderWaal, LCSW

MODULE INSTRUCTORS

Harvey Schwartz, PhD, is a licensed psychologist who specializes in treating complex PTSD, dissociative disorders, as well as patients with spiritual and therapy-related trauma. He has undergone advanced Ketamine-Assisted Therapy training through the Ketamine Training Center and the MAPS MDMA-Assisted Therapy Training Program and is currently a Sub-Investigator and Co-therapist, a supervisor and a trainer on the MAPS MDMA-Assisted Therapy Clinical Trials. In his clinical work and consultation, he synthesizes relational psychodynamic, archetypal, existential, and mindfulness perspectives. He has worked on advancing the theory and practice of integration in psychedelic therapies. Harvey is the training director and a lead trainer in the Polaris Insight Training Program.

Veronika Gold, LMFT, is a marriage and family therapist who specializes in the treatment of trauma. She is a Certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Certified EMDR therapist, Consultant, and Facilitator, and Realization Process Teacher. She has undergone multiple trainings in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, including advanced training through the Ketamine Training Center and Kriya Institute, and MDMA-Assisted Therapy Training through MAPS, and is currently a Sub-Investigator and Co-therapist, a supervisor and a trainer on the MAPS MDMA-Assisted Therapy Clinical Trials for the treatment-resistant PTSD. She regularly presents at conferences and teaches on trauma and psychedelic-assisted therapies. Veronika is a lead trainer in the Polaris Insight Training Program.

Eric Sienknecht, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist who specializes in treating chronic pain, mood disorders, and trauma. He has undergone training in KAP through the Ketamine Training Center and in MDMA-Assisted Therapy through the MAPS MDMA Therapy Training Program and is currently a Sub-Investigator and Co-therapist, and a trainer on the MAPS MDMA-Assisted Therapy Clinical Trials for treatment-resistant PTSD. He presents at conferences regularly on topics such as set and setting, ethics, integration, working with expansive states of consciousness, and music in psychedelic therapy. Eric is a lead trainer in the Polaris Insight Training Program.

Robert Voloshin, DO, completed his Psychiatry Residency at The University of New Mexico where he spent an additional year of fellowship training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He has served as a study physician/therapist at UNM for a clinical trial investigating the effects of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of alcohol-use disorder. He has pursued extensive psychotherapy training in various modalities including Somatic Experiencing and Hakomi. His approach to Psychiatry and Therapy includes an emphasis on family systems theory, developmental psychology, psychedelic psychotherapy, nutrition, mind-body approaches, and reconnection to the earth and community.