What is Ketamine?

Ketamine has been around as an anesthetic (a substance that induces insensitivity to pain) medication for many years. More recently, Ketamine has been proven to be very effective for conditions such as treatment resistant depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. There are many ways that Ketamine can be used.

At Wisdom Inner Healing, we utilize Ketamine as part of a medicine-assisted healing journey. This means, rather than going into a room and receiving an IV medication to then be left alone in a room or with other strangers, your experience will be more personalized, comfortable, and supported. You are supported throughout the entire process in a safe and relaxing environment. You will have an eye mask and specially curated music specific for Ketamine therapy is used.

Ketamine is classified as a dissociative anesthetic, however, at Wisdom Inner Healing we use sub-anesthetic doses to help you in your healing process. This medicine can help to open new neuropathways and works in an area of the brain called the default mode network, allowing your own inner healer to step in. We often see after Ketamine therapy, treatments and techniques that were not successful in the past become effective because of some of the changes in the brain after Ketamine.

What can I expect with Ketamine therapy at Wisdom Inner Healing?

When you receive Ketamine with one of our providers, you will start off by meeting with the provider to discuss if this is something that would be a good fit for you. Our provider will complete a medical safety evaluation to ensure there are no contraindication with Ketamine. You will receive preparation instructions, so you know what to expect and also get to know your provider. We will work together to identify and refine your intention for the journey (what you want to gain from the experience). Once you have completed your preparation and set up your personalized comfortable space, you will receive headphones (or we may use a speaker in the room), an eye mask, and other items to allow for you to be physically comfortable on your journey.  One of our trained team members will then sit with you the entire time. It is very important to use at Wisdom Inner Healing that you are never left alone to deal with difficult material that may come up or if there should be any problems during your journey. Once you take the Ketamine medication you will place the eye mask on, and a curated music mixture will begin playing in the headphones as you put them on. Your journey will then begin with the staff being present in the room and available your entire journey if needed.

Each person's journey is personalized based on the intentions (what they hope to obtain from the journey) identified at the beginning of their journey. The length of a journey is based on how quickly each individual metabolizes the medication. Typically, Ketamine-assisted journeys can run from 30 minutes to 90 minutes. Once the staff has determined you are coming to the end of your journey, they will notify you and you will be able to then begin processing your journey with them.

Integration services are a key component after your Ketamine journey. You will schedule integration services once you have completed your Ketamine journey. Integration services help to work on areas of concern from your life prior to your Ketamine journey through incorporating insights and wisdom you gained throughout your Ketamine journey. 

Can I drive to and from my Ketamine therapy appointments?

Due to the nature of the Ketamine, you are required to have a ride or transportation set up after your journey session. You are not allowed to drive, operate machinery, or perform hazardous tasks.

Can I just do this at home, I see this advertised all the time?

Due to Ketamine’s extensive safety profile, it is prescribed for home use by several companies. At Wisdom Inner Healing, we strongly believe in our in person, supported method. While Ketamine is relatively safe, it does not come without risks. Having someone with you during the entire process ensures we can provide you with much safer experience. We have seen people have significant side effects during their Ketamine treatment and require immediate intervention. It is always safer to have someone with you who can help manage you physical and psychological safety while you are under the influence of Ketamine.

Do I have to “trip” or hallucinate for ketamine therapy to work?

No. While ketamine can induce non-ordinary states, therapeutic benefits can still occur at lower, sub-perceptual doses—what’s most important is the therapeutic container, the preparation, and integration. This is another reason why choosing the correct ketamine provider makes a big difference.

How many ketamine sessions will I need?

Treatment plans are personalized, however most clients benefit from a series of 4–8 Ketamine sessions with integration therapy before and after. If you have already received a series of ketamine therapy, some people find benefit form booster or maintenance doses a few times a year. Be sure you are getting individualized care that includes preparation, continuously monitored ketamine medicine sessions by a person specifically trained in ketamine therapy, and integration to have the best results.

Do I need a referral to begin ketamine assisted therapy or treatment?

No referral is necessary. Sometimes we do receive referrals from therapist who are looking for an additional tool to help progress therapy in a client who is not progressing or who feels stuck. We do require a comprehensive medical and psychological screening before beginning treatment. This is done by our provider and part of the care you receive at Wisdom Inner Healing.

What makes your practice different from others?

We are an exclusive practice and the valleys ONLY ketamine provider with a nurse practitioner who is also a certified psychedelic assisted therapist, a certified integrative trauma practitioner, and also has specialized ketamine assisted psychotherapy training from The Ketamine Training Center. We also only do ketamine/psychedelic assisted therapy and it is not just another service we provide from a long list of menu items.

Ketamine Assisted Therapy is my specialty.

We combine evidence-based medicine with integrative, trauma-informed therapy that is somatic and IFS informed, offering a personalized healing experience in a safe and supportive environment. Our approach honors your body’s inner healing intelligence.

What training and education is important when looking into a ketamine provider?

When choosing a ketamine provider, it's essential to look for licensed medical professionals such as a nurse practitioner, physician, or psychiatrist who are trained in both the medical and psychological aspects of ketamine therapy.

Key qualifications include:

• Medical licensure and authority to prescribe ketamine

• Certification in psychedelic-assisted therapy or ketamine-assisted psychotherapy

• Experience in mental health or trauma-informed care

• Ongoing education in integrative or holistic mental health approaches

At Wisdom Inner Healing, ketamine therapy is provided by a certified Family Nurse Practitioner, certified in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, and is also a certified Integrative Trauma Practitioner, ensuring safe, ethical, and personalized care.

You can get Ketamine at so many places now. It is very important to make sure Ketamine is a specialty they are very familiar with and specifically trained in and not just something they provide!