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Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a treatment that combines sub-anesthetic doses of ketamine with psychotherapy, with psychotherapeutic sessions taking place before and after the administration of ketamine.
At BrainStim, during your ketamine experience, a psychotherapist or clinical counselor remains in the room, offering emotional support as needed. Most importantly, you are never left alone throughout your ketamine journey. Additionally, a nurse monitors your blood pressure and vital signs, and our psychiatrist is always on-site, setting us apart from other ketamine therapy providers.
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) combines ketamine, a well-established dissociative anesthetic known for its psychoactive, antidepressant, and anti-suicidal properties, with psychotherapy. Ketamine can be used alone or in combination with therapy, but at BrainStim, we believe combining ketamine with psychotherapy enhances its effectiveness, particularly for individuals struggling with:
✔ Depression
✔ PTSD
✔ Anxiety
✔ OCD
✔ Certain addictive behaviors
At BrainStim, ketamine is administered in a controlled, clinical setting under the supervision of a trained doctor, psychotherapist, and nurse. The drug induces a non-ordinary state of consciousness, which can:
✔ Facilitate emotional breakthroughs
✔ Enhance self-awareness
✔ Provide new perspectives on mental health challengesThis non-ordinary state may also help individuals access unconscious material, reframe negative thought patterns, and gain insights that are difficult to achieve through traditional talk therapy alone.
KAP is often integrated with other therapeutic modalities to enhance the overall healing process, including:
✔ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
✔ Somatic Experiencing
✔ Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
This structured approach ensures that ketamine therapy is not only safe but also transformative. Research has shown that KAP is particularly effective for those who have not responded well to conventional treatments, including:
✔ Treatment-resistant depression (TRD)
✔ Trauma
✔ Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Although ketamine is FDA and Health Canada approved as an anesthetic, its use in mental health treatment is considered off-label. However, growing evidence from clinical studies supports its potential for individuals seeking relief from persistent mental health struggles.At BrainStim, we prioritize patient safety, medical supervision, and integration therapy to help individuals achieve long-lasting mental health improvements. If you're considering Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, contact us today to learn more.
Spravato (esketamine) is an FDA-approved prescription nasal spray designed for adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) or major depressive disorder (MDD) with suicidal thoughts or behavior. Unlike traditional antidepressants, Spravato targets the NMDA receptor, which may help alleviate depressive symptoms more rapidly. It is always used in combination with an oral antidepressant for maximum effectiveness.
At BrainStim, Spravato is administered in a certified clinical setting under medical supervision. Patients self-administer the nasal spray and remain under observation for at least two hours to ensure safety and monitor for potential side effects such as dissociation, dizziness, and increased blood pressure.
At BrainStim, Spravato is used alongside an oral antidepressant to enhance its therapeutic effects. Esketamine is thought to work by affecting the balance of glutamate, a natural substance in the brain that plays a key role in mood regulation and neuroplasticity.
By promoting new neural connections, Spravato may help break negative thought patterns and improve emotional resilience.The treatment follows a structured schedule:
✔ Induction Phase: Twice-weekly sessions for the first four weeks.
✔ Maintenance Phase: Frequency is adjusted based on individual response.After each session, patients remain under supervision for at least two hours to ensure safety.
Spravato (esketamine) is effective because it works differently from traditional antidepressants, targeting the NMDA receptor to enhance neuroplasticity and promote rapid symptom relief, often within hours to days.
FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) with suicidal ideation, Spravato helps rewire negative thought patterns and reduce suicidal thoughts when combined with an oral antidepressant. Administered in a certified clinical setting under medical supervision, it provides a safe and structured approach for those who haven’t responded to conventional treatments.
At BrainStim, we ensure expert guidance and personalized care for every patient seeking long-term mental health improvement
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a structured, multi-step approach that combines ketamine treatment with psychotherapy to promote mental health healing. The process typically takes 5-6 hours and includes four key stages:
Modifies Brain Circuits:
Works through the glutamate neurotransmitter system, unlike traditional antidepressants.
Disrupts Negative Thought Patterns:
Creates a temporary dissociative state, allowing for a mental reset.
Fast-Acting Relief:
Many patients experience improvement after just one session, with continued benefits over time.
Safe & Supervised:
Administered in a controlled environment with medical oversight.
Integration Therapy:
Follow-up sessions help patients process and apply their experiences for long-term healing.
Ketamine therapy is a rapid-acting treatment for different conditions. It works by altering brain chemistry to promote neural plasticity, helping to reduce symptoms of chronic worry, intrusive thoughts, and emotional distress. Especially effective for treatment-resistant cases, ketamine provides fast relief and supports long-term mental health recovery.
Before beginning treatment, patients undergo a comprehensive medical and psychiatric evaluation. Ketamine therapy is not recommended for individuals with:
✔ Expert medical team including Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist, Clinical Counsellor, and Nurse.
✔ Personalized individual treatment plans.
✔ Comfortable, supportive and non-judgmental healing environment
✔ Multiple clinic locations across Canada – Making treatment accessible and convenient.
✔ Group Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy making access more affordable *Coming Soon*
🩺 Most patients report significant symptom improvement after just a few sessions, many often need repeated sessions and lifestyle changes for sustained benefits.
