What Is Ketamine-Assisted Therapy—and Can It Help Heal Trauma?
If you’ve been researching alternative approaches to healing trauma, anxiety, or depression, you’ve likely come across the term ketamine-assisted therapy—also known as KAP. But what is KAP exactly? And how is it different from simply getting a ketamine infusion?
Let’s break it down.
What Is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)?
KAP is a trauma-informed, therapeutic approach that combines the use of ketamine—a dissociative anesthetic that’s also a legal psychedelic medicine—with ongoing psychotherapy. This is not just a one-time experience. It’s a carefully guided, intentional process that includes preparation, the journey itself, and integration.
In a KAP session, clients take a prescribed dose of ketamine in a safe, supportive setting while being guided by a trained therapist. This altered state of consciousness often creates space for deep insight, emotional release, and shifts in long-held thought patterns.
Unlike many traditional talk therapy approaches, ketamine-assisted therapy offers access to unconscious or suppressed material without the client feeling overwhelmed or “stuck” in a trauma loop. For many, it provides a reset—especially when combined with integration support.
How Does KAP Support Trauma Healing?
Ketamine is unique in its ability to create a temporary break from the default mode network (DMN)—the part of the brain responsible for rumination, self-referencing, and rigid belief patterns. For trauma survivors, the DMN often reinforces unhelpful core beliefs like:
I’m not safe.
I’m broken.
I can’t trust anyone.
Through ketamine therapy, the nervous system gets a chance to experience safety and flexibility, and the brain becomes more neuroplastic—meaning it’s easier to form new connections, new stories, and new ways of being.
But the magic of ketamine doesn’t happen on its own. This is why integration is essential. With the guidance of a trained KAP therapist, you can make sense of the insights that arise and apply them meaningfully to your daily life.
when you’ve tried everything, and nothing has worked…
Is Ketamine Therapy Right for You?
KAP may be a supportive option if you’re:
Living with PTSD or complex trauma
Feeling stuck in traditional therapy
Experiencing depression that hasn’t responded to medication
Looking for a more embodied or spiritual approach to healing
Searching for a ketamine therapist in Los Angeles or wondering how to find ketamine therapy near you
Ketamine-assisted therapy isn’t a quick fix or a magic pill—but it can be a powerful tool when paired with the right therapeutic support. Whether you're navigating trauma, anxiety, or emotional overwhelm, KAP can help unlock inner healing in ways that feel grounded, supported, and deeply transformational.
Based in Pasadena, I’m Clara Mackinlay, a registered somatic trauma specialist (AMFT #149677) offering ketamine-assisted therapy for clients across California. My practice combines somatic and psychedelic-assisted approaches to help high-achievers break free from anxiety, burnout, and emotional disconnection at the root.
