Ketamine Therapy
IN DENVER, CO
What Is Ketamine Therapy?
Many of our clients come to us feeling stuck after living with the symptoms of unresolved trauma, treatment-resistant depression, and chronic anxiety has left them feeling stuck. Even after years of therapy and medication, they haven’t experienced the relief they hoped for.
They’re not just seeking symptom relief, they’re searching for a way to break free from painful cycles that impact mental health—such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, OCD, and eating disorders—to discover deeper meaning and purpose. Often, they’ve heard about the potential benefits of psychedelic therapy and are looking for a practice that offers this innovative approach with compassion and expertise in trauma recovery.
At the Catalyst Center, we recognize the interconnectedness of the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of healing. We’re honored to offer ketamine-assisted therapy (KAT) as an essential component of long-term growth and transformation. Ketamine is a fast-acting medication that produces a non-ordinary state of consciousness, allowing your brain to form new connections and gain access to emotions and insights that foster recovery.
Ketamine therapy has shown strong effectiveness in treating trauma, treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, and emotional stagnation. Studies by Zarate et al. (2006) and Murrough et al. (2013) indicate that ketamine can rapidly reduce symptoms of depression, especially in individuals who haven’t responded to traditional treatment. [1] [2]
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How Does Ketamine Therapy Work?
At the Catalyst Center, ketamine-assisted therapy includes an initial consultation with Adrienne Long, our Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (PMHNP-BC), where you will undergo a medical screening and determine your best treatment options. Once she better understands your goals, Adrienne will recommend the best track for you, either a high-dose, psychedelic intensive, low-dose, psycholytic sessions, or perhaps group ketamine therapy.
In higher doses, the dissociative experience of ketamine offers a reset of the default mode network in the brain, allowing you to step outside of entrenched identity narratives, find meaning, and gain a new perspective. In lower doses, ketamine can gently lower your psychological defenses so you can process trauma or explore difficult material with less overwhelm.
We find that the more knowledge our clients have about KAP beforehand, the more effective their sessions are. Before ketamine therapy, you’ll have two prep sessions with your therapist. These sessions not only paint a picture of what to expect but also give you an opportunity to set clear intentions and help us determine how best to establish comfort and safety for you.
Although two hours is allotted for each KAP therapy session, you will experience approximately 45 minutes to one hour and ten minutes under the influence of ketamine. All ketamine-assisted therapy sessions are conducted on-site and fully supported by your therapist and medical team, including our Board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and Certified Ketamine Assisted Therapy Practioner, Adrienne Long, and our medical assistant, Autumn. They will be by your side to support and protect you throughout your journey. For example, they might answer questions, offer reassurance, or take notes of what you say aloud to ensure it’s included in your subsequent integration session.
We typically recommend six KAP sessions as a starting point with integration sessions scheduled the following day, but we can be flexible based on your needs and preferences. Collaboration is central to our approach. We coordinate with your psychiatrist, primary care provider, or primary therapist to ensure your care is aligned and supportive of your healing journey.
Who Can Benefit From Ketamine Therapy?
Ketamine is a highly effective therapy for many mental health conditions, such as treatment-resistant depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)/complex trauma, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, suicidal ideation, grief, and disordered eating. We also work with individuals seeking personal insight, spiritual growth, or healing from religious or existential trauma. Used in conjunction with EMDR, ketamine-assisted therapy can help process trauma more quickly and effectively, leading to long-lasting transformation.
In therapy, we use ketamine as a catalyst for healing—not just a chemical intervention. With its ability to enhance neuroplasticity and normalize the brain’s default mode network, ketamine therapy offers a fast-acting alternative to finally break free from negative, ruminative thought patterns that keep you stuck. After KAT, many clients report profound insights, emotional breakthroughs, and a sense of spiritual connection.
Some clients come to us after trying ketamine infusions without therapeutic support or integration. Many describe those experiences as unsettling or even re-traumatizing—especially for those with a history of trauma. While these treatments may have seemed more accessible or cost-effective, they often lacked the depth and support needed for lasting change.
Ketamine therapy at The Catalyst Center is fully supported by a team of specialists dedicated to integrating psychedelic medicine with evidence-based psychotherapy. In therapist-supported sessions, clients can achieve the neurochemical benefits of KAP while also receiving trauma-informed support. This approach allows them to revisit traumatic memories with a sense of distance and safety, providing emotional release and meaningful insights into life-defining moments.
Why Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Is A Pillar Of Our Practice
For the past several years, the Catalyst Center has offered spiritually integrated care as part of our trauma specialty services. In addition to other modalities, such as neurofeedback, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), and Internal Family Systems (IFS), many of our therapists are certified in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). Ketamine-assisted therapy offers a powerful and transformative treatment, especially for those who haven’t found relief through traditional methods. Because ketamine acts on the brain in a different way than traditional talk therapy or antidepressants, it opens new neural pathways and temporarily enhances neuroplasticity, creating a unique window for healing and therapeutic insight.
When psychedelic or psycholytic experiences are safely supported and carefully integrated, ketamine therapy can help you move through blocks that once felt immovable. With its underlying neurochemical benefits that foster connection to your inner wisdom, values, and purpose, ketamine-assisted therapy not only offers immediate short-term relief of debilitating symptoms but can also foster long-lasting healing and transformation.
Find Out How Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Can Help You
You are not broken—even if you’ve tried other treatments without success, it’s possible to heal. To schedule a free consultation and learn more about ketamine therapy, please contact us to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9207256/
[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40051583/
Our Providers for Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy
CJ Clinkscales, PsyD
Cory Degnen, PsyD
Kendra Doukas, MS, LMFT
Allison Kalivas, MA, LMFT
Sarah Long, PsyD, LCP
Lauren Pinneo, MSW, LCSW, LAC
Katie Godfrey, PhD, LMFT
Adrienne Long, PMHNP-BC
Joey Tadie, PhD, LCP