What is psycholytic ketamine dosing and how is psycholytic dosing different from standard ketamine dosing?
Psycholytic therapy uses low doses of ketamine to support psychotherapy. Unlike high-dose psychedelic experiences, psycholytic therapy gently softens the rigid structures of normal consciousness, making it easier to access and process emotions and memories that might otherwise be difficult to reach.
While standard ketamine doses typically facilitate a quiet, inward experience, psycholytic doses enable you to continue conversing with your therapist throughout the dosing session.
No matter the dosing, your client should not drive following the dosing session, and should arrange for transportation home if they are coming to your office in person.
What are the therapeutic benefits of psycholytic dosing?
Psycholytic sessions can offer many potential therapeutic benefits. Many of our patients notice:
- Enhanced emotional processing: Unlock and release suppressed feelings with clarity and compassion.
- Improved self-awareness: Gain deeper insights into your inner world and engage with different parts of your psyche.
- Breakthrough insights: View personal challenges from new perspectives, opening the door to lasting growth.
- Symptom relief: Alleviate obsessive thoughts, mood disturbances, and emotional distress.
- Empathy and connection: Build a deeper connection to yourself and others in a nurturing therapeutic environment.
By gently softening rigid mental patterns, psycholytic therapy can help you experience meaningful therapeutic progress and lasting change.
Psycholytic Dosing Modalities
Journey Clinical supports both in-person and virtual psycholytic sessions with our member therapists, so you can choose the format that best suits your preferences and needs. Unlike our standard Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) protocol, self-guided psycholytic sessions are not supported.
Integration therapy sessions are still required after a psycholytic dosing session. You can review the Psycholytic Dosing Protocol below.
How do I know what type of dosing is right for my client?
Your client's Journey Clinical Medical Provider is here to support both you and your client in determining whether to start with, or transition to, psycholytic dosing for KAP.
Your Journey Clinical Medical Provider will work with your client during their 1-hour intake evaluation to determine their initial medication dosing.
Can my client switch between psycholytic and standard psychedelic dosing?
Yes, it is possible to switch between psycholytic and standard psychedelic dosing based on your client's therapeutic goals and preferences. If you're transitioning from psycholytic dosing to standard psychedelic dosing (or vice versa), the Journey Clinical Medical Team will work with your client to determine the best approach. This might include adjusting the dose and frequency to suit their needs.
- Switching to a higher dose: If your client is looking for a more immersive, psychedelic experience, the Medical Team may recommend increasing your dosage to facilitate a deeper experience.
- Switching to psycholytic dosing: If your client prefers a more interactive, grounded experience, you and your therapist can decrease the dose for a more conversational dosing session.
This flexibility allows for a personalized treatment plan, helping you and your clients achieve therapeutic goals in a way that feels most supportive and effective.
Have a client who might be a good fit for psycholytic KAP? Refer them here.