Embarking on a healing journey can be an exciting yet daunting decision. If you’re considering Ketamine-assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), you may be wondering: Is this the right path for me? Am I ready to explore my inner world in such a profound way?

KAP offers a unique opportunity to engage with your emotional landscape, uncovering parts of yourself that might be difficult to reach through traditional talk therapy alone. While KAP has shown great promise in helping with trauma, depression, disordered eating, anxiety, and other mental health challenges, it’s important to approach this form of therapy with an understanding of what it entails and how it aligns with your personal readiness for change.

In this post, we’ll explore some key factors to consider when deciding if KAP is the right choice for you and how to know if you're truly ready for this inner journey of healing.

What is Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)?

Before diving into readiness, it’s important to understand what KAP is and how it works. Ketamine, once used primarily as an anesthetic, has been researched extensively for its therapeutic effects on mental health. In the context of psychotherapy, Ketamine is administered in a safe and controlled environment, typically in a low dose, to facilitate a non-ordinary state of consciousness. This state can help people access deep emotions and memories, and it provides a unique opportunity for emotional release and insight.

When combined with psychotherapy, such as Internal Family Systems (IFS), Ketamine can help create emotional shifts, increase self-awareness, and offer a sense of clarity. It’s not about erasing the past, but rather gaining new perspectives that allow healing to unfold.

LET’S BEGIN YOUR HEALING JOURNEY

How to Know if KAP Is Right for You: Signs of Readiness

Before committing to KAP, it’s essential to reflect on your current emotional state, readiness for change, and your goals for therapy. Here are some signs that you may be ready to begin your journey with KAP:

1. You’re Seeking a Deeper Level of Healing

KAP isn’t for everyone. If you’ve found traditional therapy methods helpful but feel like you’re still stuck, or if you’ve encountered emotional barriers, KAP may offer a way to go deeper. If you’re wanting for a breakthrough in your healing and something that allows you to break free from long-standing patterns, KAP can help create a safe space to explore deeper layers.

2. You’re Open to Non-Ordinary States of Consciousness

A key aspect of KAP is the altered state of consciousness induced by Ketamine. In this state, people often feel more connected to themselves and feel less limited by the rational mind. If you’re open to exploring these non-ordinary states and are curious about how they can shift your perspective on life and healing, you may be ready to dive into KAP.

That said, if you’re feeling hesitant or unsure about engaging with altered states, it’s important to discuss this with your therapist or provider. KAP requires a certain level of curiosity with altered consciousness, vulnerability, and understanding how this works within the safety of therapy is key to making an informed decision.

3. You’re Ready to Explore and Release Deep Emotions

KAP can open up emotional memories and unresolved pain, offering the chance to process and release emotions that may have been buried for years. If you’re ready to face these emotions and have the tools (like emotional regulation techniques, a safe support system, or therapy) to work through them, KAP can be incredibly powerful.

4. You’re Open to a Collaborative, Therapeutic Process

While Ketamine may help facilitate insight, therapy is still a vital part of the process. KAP is not a magical cure; it works best when combined with ongoing therapeutic support and daily practice outside of KAP and therapy sessions. If you’re ready to engage in the integration process, where the insights from Ketamine sessions are applied and explored in everyday life, then KAP may be a helpful option.

5. You’re Looking for a Compassionate and Holistic Approach to Healing

KAP works particularly well when combined with Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy or similar models that view individuals holistically. IFS focuses on the idea that we all have different "parts" within us, each with its own thoughts, emotions, roles, and needs. Ketamine helps you access those parts, which can be challenging to reach in a typical therapy setting for some individuals.

When Is KAP Not the Right Fit?

While KAP can be an incredible tool for healing, it’s not for everyone. Here are some signs that KAP may not be the right choice at this time:

Active substance abuse: If you’re currently struggling with addiction to Ketamine or other substances, KAP might not be appropriate until you’ve addressed the addiction in a safe, structured environment.
Severe mental health crises: If you’re currently experiencing a mental health crisis, like being at risk of self-harm or harming others, KAP may not be the right fit until the immediate crisis has been stabilized.
Unwillingness to engage in therapy: KAP works best when it’s part of an ongoing therapeutic process. If you’re not ready or willing to engage with therapy regularly, KAP might not be as effective as it could be.
Co-occurring medical conditions: Before your first KAP session, you will be screened by a medical professional/prescriber to make sure that KAP is a medically safe treatment.

The Importance of Connecting with Your Providers

Before beginning Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), it’s essential to feel a sense of trust and safety with your providers. KAP is a vulnerable process, and the therapeutic relationship plays a central role in how effective and supportive your journey will be.

Taking the time to meet with your providers, ask questions, and notice how you feel in their presence is an important part of the KAP process. Your healing deserves to unfold in a space where you feel emotionally safe and collaboratively guided. While it can be exhausting, you are allowed to take your time choosing a team that aligns with your values and needs.

How to Get started with KAP in Denver

If you feel ready to explore Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) in Denver, the first step is to find a therapist who is trained and experienced in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy. A therapist will guide you through the process to ensure you have the support you need both during and after your ketamine sessions.

In my Denver-based practice, I specialize in utilizing KAP with females struggling with complex trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and eating disorders. I offer KAP sessions both in my office in Denver and at an IV ketamine clinic. In these sessions, I value integrating the principles of Internal Family Systems for deeper healing. Together, we will walk through your journey process with compassion, patience, and deep care.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gigi Woodall, LMFT
Eating Disorder & Trauma Therapist in Denver

Hi, I’m Gigi—a Denver-based trauma therapist passionate about helping people heal and reconnect with themselves. My work focuses on exploring how early experiences, relationships, and protective parts of the self shape our inner narratives. Through a compassionate and individualized approach, I help clients challenge limiting beliefs and step into a more authentic, intuitive way of living.

My background includes working with organizations like the National Eating Disorders Association, Project HEAL, and the One Love Foundation. I’ve also worked in eating disorder treatment centers and am actively involved with the Eating Disorder Foundation and IAEDP’s Denver chapter. Currently, I’m on the path to becoming a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS).

With specialized training in Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, and eating disorder treatment, I provide a safe, supportive space for those navigating recovery, trauma, and self-discovery.

Looking for support on your healing journey? Book a free consultation to see if we’re a good fit.

Is Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) Right for Me?