Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy

Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy (PAP), also called Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy (PAT) and known informally as Psychedelic Therapy, includes the professionally supervised use of ketamine as part of psychotherapy programs (known as Ketamine-Assisted Therapy (KAT). In California, ketamine is the only legally accessible psychedelic treatment available outside of clinical trials at this time.

PAP is a treatment method in which specific pharmacological actions temporally induce modifications in brain functioning and conscious experience. When appropriately mediated, these can be deeply meaningful experiences that elicit specific emotional, cognitive, and behavioral changes. The combination of psychotherapy with psychedelics can be an experience with positive long-term mental health consequences.

Ketamine is a Schedule 3 drug and can be prescribed by a physician or a nurse practitioner in concert with a physician. Affirming Therapy Center does not prescribe, sell, or administer ketamine. Rather, we work with local wellness centers that have appropriate medical personnel and facilities to help ensure a safe, comfortable, and professional experience. At these wellness centers, ketamine is administered by a nurse practitioner, typically intravenously or via an intramuscular injection.

What is PAP treatment like?
The patient first attends a number of preparatory therapy sessions where goals and expectations are explored.

When the patient is ready, the ketamine is administered.  If the ketamine is administered at wellness center ATC collaborates with, the patient can arrange for our therapist to be present during the procedure to help the patient understand, process, and record the experience.

Afterwards, the patient attends integration therapy sessions, where the psychedelic experience is examined and analyzed.

What are the effects of ketamine?
Ketamine is a dissociative psychedelic. This dissociative effect allow the patient to zoom out and observe their lives from a different vantage point.  It can feel like your mind is separated from your body, and may cause unusual physical sensations, emotions, visual effects, and mystical experiences. These effects are often described as relaxing and pleasant experiences; however, they can also be difficult or uncomfortable. Working with a therapist to help make sense of these experiences can help distill meaningful takeaway messages that allow healing and releasing of past trauma and areas of struggle.

What if I have a bad trip?
Psychedelics are considered non-specific amplifiers of the human psyche – they amplify whatever contents exist in the mind, whether conscious or unconscious. Yes, there may be very challenging psychological and physical experiences that appear during a psychedelic-assisted therapy session, but with the right support, such experiences usually lead to deeper healing and integration, helping us turn toward and better understand things we may have suppressed.

Your therapist is a neutral, witnessing presence to what is happening and can be an anchor while you ride the waves of your experience.

What should I expect after treatment?
Each of us is unique and each responds differently to both Ketamine and to therapy.  Ketamine is not a miracle worker – but with the help of a qualified service provider, ketamine is a highly effective tool that can allow patients to connect with parts of themselves they may have been cut off from and access the brain’s innate ability to heal itself.

Although the effects of just one infusion may not be long-lasting, studies have shown that a series of six infusions within a two-to-three-week period increases the efficacy of treatment.

As with all therapy at Affirming Therapy Center, the goal is a happier and more fulfilled you.

Note: In the state of California, Ketamine requires a prescription and is illegal for recreational use; other psychedelic drugs are not legal, including MDMA (aka ecstasy and molly), LSD, Mescaline, and DMT. Certain municipalities have moved to decriminalize psilocybin and psilocin such that psilocybin therapy could be provided. If you are unsure, please contact a medical professional and an attorney.

Our Therapists

Skyler White, ATC’s Certified Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Provider, received her training and completed her certification in PATP from the Integrative Psychiatry Institute in Boulder, CO.  Contact us today to set up an appointment with Skyler!

Sometimes the path to wellness requires a team. Affirming Therapy Center is proud to collaborate with local Ketamine Treatment​ providers* to help you follow your path.

*Please see our Ketamine Treatment Disclaimer.