My Services

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy:
A Transformative Approach to Mental Health

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is an innovative treatment that combines the use of intravenous ketamine—a dissociative anesthetic known for its rapid antidepressant effects—with therapeutic support. This approach is gaining recognition for its ability to address various mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and more.

Benefits of Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy

1. Rapid Relief of Symptoms: Unlike traditional antidepressants, which can take weeks to show effects, intravenous ketamine can provide relief within hours or days. This rapid response is particularly beneficial for individuals in crisis or those who have not found success with conventional treatments.
2. Enhanced Therapeutic Experience: The dissociative properties of ketamine can facilitate a unique therapeutic experience. Patients often report heightened emotional insight, allowing them to explore painful feelings or traumatic memories in a supportive environment. This can lead to breakthroughs that may not occur in standard therapy sessions.
3. Neuroplasticity: Ketamine has been shown to promote neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. This can help patients develop healthier thought patterns and coping mechanisms, fostering long-term mental health improvements.
4. Reduced Suicidal Ideation: Research indicates that ketamine can significantly reduce suicidal thoughts in individuals, making it a critical option for those at risk.
5. Complementary Treatment: KAP can be used alongside other therapeutic modalities, enhancing the effects of psychotherapy and broadening the toolkit available for mental health professionals.
6. Personalized Care: Each session is tailored to the individual’s needs, combining the pharmacological effects of intravenous ketamine with personalized therapy. This ensures a holistic approach to treatment.

Offering Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy

I am pleased to offer intravenous ketamine-assisted psychotherapy as part of my mental health services in collaboration with another practitioner. Together, we are dedicated to providing a safe, supportive environment where clients can explore their thoughts and feelings while experiencing the benefits of ketamine.

In our sessions, you will receive:

1. Comprehensive Assessment: A thorough evaluation to determine if KAP is the right fit for you, considering your unique history and mental health needs.
2. Personalized Treatment Plans: Each treatment plan is customized to align with your goals and therapeutic needs, with careful monitoring during intravenous administration.
3. Ongoing Support: Continuous monitoring and support throughout the treatment process to ensure your safety and comfort.

If you are seeking a new approach to mental health care or have struggled with traditional therapies, intravenous ketamine-assisted psychotherapy may offer the relief and insight you need. Contact me today to learn more about this transformative treatment and take the first step toward healing.

Psychodynamic Theory Therapy

Psychodynamic theory is a psychological perspective that was developed by Sigmund Freud and later expanded upon by other prominent psychologists such as Carl Jung, Alfred Adler, and Erik Erikson. This theory seeks to understand human behavior, personality, and mental processes by examining the interplay of unconscious drives, motives, and conflicts. It emphasizes the role of early childhood experiences in shaping an individual’s personality and behavior.

Key concepts of psychodynamic theory include:

1. Structure of the mind: Psychodynamic theory posits that the mind consists of three main parts: the id, ego, and superego. The id operates on the pleasure principle and seeks immediate gratification of instinctual drives, while the superego represents internalized societal and parental standards. The ego mediates between the id and superego, seeking to balance their conflicting demands.

2. Unconscious processes: According to psychodynamic theory, a significant portion of mental activity occurs at an unconscious level. Unconscious processes, including repressed memories, desires, and unresolved conflicts, can influence an individual’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors without their awareness.

3. Defense mechanisms: Psychodynamic theory proposes that individuals use defense mechanisms to cope with anxiety and protect themselves from distressing thoughts and feelings. Examples of defense mechanisms include repression, denial, projection, and displacement.

4. Developmental stages: Psychodynamic theory suggests that personality development occurs in stages, with each stage characterized by specific challenges and potential conflicts. Freud’s psychosexual stages (oral, anal, phallic, latent, and genital) focus on the ways in which children’s pleasure-seeking energies are expressed and satisfied through different parts of the body.

5. Importance of early experiences: Psychodynamic theory emphasizes the formative influence of early childhood experiences, particularly the quality of relationships with caregivers, on an individual’s personality development. Early experiences can shape one’s attachment style, sense of self, and approach to relationships throughout life.

6. Therapeutic techniques: Psychodynamic therapy, also known as psychoanalytic therapy, is based on psychodynamic principles. This approach involves exploring a client’s unconscious conflicts and past experiences to gain insight into their current difficulties and promote psychological healing.

While psychodynamic theory has been influential in shaping modern psychology, it has also been subject to criticism and refinement over the years. Contemporary psychodynamic approaches have integrated new research findings and modified some of the original concepts, but the core ideas of unconscious motivation, early experiences, and intra-psychic conflicts continue to be relevant in understanding human behavior and psychological functioning.

If you are interested in trying Psychodynamic Theory, contact me, or request an appointment.

Dance / Movement Therapy

Dance/Movement Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses movement as a way to explore and understand emotional, psychological, and physical issues. DMT can be used to treat a variety of conditions, most commonly including anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief.

DMT sessions typically begin with a warm-up, which helps to loosen the body and prepare it for movement. The therapist then leads the client in a series of simple exercises and movements, which are often used to explore specific issues or emotions. For example, the therapist might ask the client to dance out their anger, or to express their sadness through movement.

As the client moves, the therapist observes and interprets their movements. The therapist may also ask the client to verbalize their thoughts and feelings as they move. Through this process, the client can gain a deeper understanding of their own emotions and behaviors, and can work with the therapist to develop new coping mechanisms.

DMT is a safe and effective way to explore and understand complex emotional and psychological issues. It can be used to treat a variety of conditions, and it can be combined with other forms of psychotherapy.

Here are some of the benefits of dance/movement therapy:

• It can help to reduce stress and anxiety.
• It can improve self-esteem and body image.
• It can help to resolve trauma and grief.
• It can help to improve communication and social skills.
• It can help to increase self-awareness and self-acceptance.

If you are interested in trying Dance/Movement Therapy, contact me, or request an appointment.