Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy In Denver CO

We are accepting new clients. Contact us to learn more. 

Are you feeling stuck in your mental health treatment?

Are you experiencing mental health symptoms that months or years of hard work, medication, and therapy don’t seem to fully resolve? 

Have you ever been told your mental health condition is “treatment-resistant”?

Have you tried multiple medications and still haven’t found the relief you are seeking?

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are not alone. Millions of Americans are suffering from depression, PTSD, OCD, and other conditions that have not responded fully to the currently available treatments. 

 

There is hope. You may be a candidate for a cutting-edge mental health treatment:

 

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy

Ketamine is a fast-acting, highly effective treatment for depression that has not responded to other treatments. Additionally, it shows promise in the treatment of PTSD, OCD and Eating Disorders. Ketamine has a completely different mechanism of action from any other antidepressant medication and offers hope to the millions of people who have not found adequate help through therapy and medication alone.

Ketamine is proven to break the cycle of treatment-resistant depression in over 70% of patients

The dissociative experience of Ketamine can disrupt dysfunctional cognitive patterns associated with Depression, Anxiety and PTSD

What is Ketamine?

Ketamine has been used as a safe and effective anesthetic for over 50 years. Ketamine has been FDA-approved since 1970 and has been administered billions of times worldwide. It is most often used as an anesthetic for minor surgeries and emergency pain relief. It is on the World Health Organizations’ list of essential medications. Ketamine is considered a very safe medication when administered under medical supervision to individuals who have been medically cleared, are adequately monitored, and follow basic before and aftercare instructions.

In the last two decades, ongoing research on the mental health application of Ketamine has shown it to have significant antidepressant properties. Studies of Ketamine have shown substantial benefit for people experiencing “treatment-resistant depression” (meaning they had tried two or more medications without substantial benefit) with over 70% of participants responding positively to the treatment.

At the Catalyst Center we believe combining the biochemical benefits and the transformational psychedelic experience of ketamine maximizes the impact of this cutting-edge treatment

Biochemical Benefits

Ketamine normalizes the brain’s default mode network activity. Think of the DMN as your brain’s usual mode of operation, the DMN is active when you are in wakeful rest such as daydreaming or mind wandering, it is also active when you are thinking about others, thinking about yourself, remembering the past, and planning for the future. Resetting the DMN can create an opportunity to get unstuck from negative thinking patterns and establish hope for a healthier future.

Ketamine also enhances neuroplasticity by significantly increasing Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor. Increased neuroplasticity can help undo the loss of neural connection commonly caused by long-term depression.

Finally, Ketamine blocks receptors for glutamate, a neurotransmitter associated with brain inflammation and excitotoxicity. Inflammation is another common factor in people with long-term depression.

These mechanisms are not found in other antidepressants and appear to help explain the rapid, powerful antidepressant effects of ketamine.

Transformational Psychedelic Experience

In the low doses used for mental health treatment (around 5-10% of what is typically used in anesthesia), Ketamine can induce a dissociative psychedelic experience. Most people feel disconnected from their bodies. You might revisit memories from your past, experience emotional release, or gain insight into your life situations. With the proper preparation and dosage, people can encounter a mystical experience. They return to describe feeling connected to a higher power and often report deep personal or transpersonal insights.

Ketamine psychedelic experiences can be deeply meaningful and offer an opportunity for profound personal transformation. Adequate therapeutic support is crucial to integrating the transformational experience of Ketamine, otherwise, your journey may remain an “interesting experience” rather than eliciting profound personal transformation. Our Ketamine therapists are all fully trained in psychedelic integration and will work with you to prepare for and integrate the experience. Together you and your Ketamine therapist will work to bring the insights gained from your experience to fruition in your life.

In our opinion, combining the biochemical and transformational psychedelic aspects of ketamine maximizes positive gains for our clients

Change Begins Here

Contact Us to learn more about our Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy Intensives

The Catalyst Center Difference

Our Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy program offers fully supported Ketamine experiences; you will be medically monitored by our on-site medical staff and you will never be left alone during your Ketamine experience. You will be accompanied by your Ketamine therapist or one of our trained Ketamine assistants from beginning to end of your experience. In addition, you will work with one of our team of highly trained Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy clinicians to prepare for your experiences and to integrate your insights following your Ketamine journeys.

We believe The Catalyst Center Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy model prioritizes your comfort and maximizes the effectiveness of Ketamine for mental health conditions.

In contrast to The Catalyst Center model, typical Ketamine Infusion Clinics offer a more medicalized experience. These sites generally administer Ketamine but do not provide any pre or post-therapeutic support (though most recommend therapy, you are on your own to find someone trained to work with psychedelic integration, a very niche specialty). You would typically be in a room alone, or with other patients all being administered Ketamine in a room together with remote medical monitoring (like a video monitor) and a nurse or medical assistant checking in if needed.

People can have very intense emotional experiences during or just after their Ketamine experience, and we believe having adequate therapeutic support is vital to maximizing the benefits and reducing the risks of an adverse experience. The Infusion center model relies solely on the biochemical benefits of Ketamine and leaves out the transformational components we believe are vital to maximizing the benefit you receive from Ketamine.

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy
ketamine therapy
 

Our Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) program integrates Ketamine and therapy into a three-week intensive program designed to maximize the benefits you may receive from Ketamine treatment

You will be guided through each step in the process by our compassionate and highly trained staff.

Ketamine Intensives at The Catalyst Center

We have developed several protocols based upon the existing research on the efficacy of Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy for mental health conditions. Additionally, we have developed programs for people seeking personal and spiritual development and for mental health professionals seeking professional development and a legal, safe psychedelic experiential learning opportunity.

Intake and Medical Screening

You and our Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner will meet to discuss your medical and mental health history, answer any questions you may have about ketamine, and weigh the pros and cons of KAP for your specific situation. If you are medically cleared and together with our medical team determine that KAP is the right treatment for you, then you will move on to one of our KAP programs.

Preparatory Sessions (1-2 sessions before you begin Ketamine)

You and your KAP therapist meet for one or two sessions to discuss your history and set intentions for your Ketamine Experiential Sessions. You will talk through what to expect and explore your preferences for how your therapist can support you during and after your experiential sessions.

Ketamine Experiential Sessions 

You will be fully supported medically and therapeutically throughout each of your Ketamine Experiential Sessions. Sessions are approximately two hours with additional recovery time as needed. Plan to take the rest of the day off on your Ketamine Experiential Session days and to have a ride home.

Integration Sessions 

You and your KAP therapist will meet in the days following each Ketamine Experiential Session to integrate what came up for you in your experiential session and more deeply internalize the experience.

*Additional integration sessions can be booked if desired following the three-week intensive.

Begin Your Journey

If you are interested in learning more about The Catalyst Center Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy program, or to enroll in our KAP intensives, fill out the form below or give us a call at 720-675-7123

Meet The Therapists

Accepting New KAP Clients

Lauren Pinneo, MSW, LCSW, LAC

Lauren Pinneo, LCSW is a passionate advocate for her clients, supporting them as they heal from painful traumas. She uses her expertise in EMDR and psychedelic assisted therapy to help clients heal and grow. She specializes in helping individuals navigate trauma, complex trauma, end-of-life processes, and co-occurring disorders. She finds Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) particularly exciting as it creates an ideal and powerful setting for inner healing. Lauren feels honored to walk alongside individuals on their healing journey and finds this work deeply inspiring...

AJ Grovert, PsyD, LCP

Dr. AJ Grovert is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with expertise in EMDR, perinatal mental health, psychological assessment and psychedelic-assisted therapy. She has significant experience and passion for working with Jewish clients, LGBTQ+ communities, female veterans, and those recovering from religious traumas. She has been in practice for over 10 years and specializes in a number of areas such as trauma, perinatal mental health, anxiety, and emerging adulthood...

Joey Tadie, PhD, LCP

Dr. Joey Tadie is a talented psychologist with a gift for connecting with people and helping them to transform their lives. He is enthusiastic about the healing opportunities psychedelic-assisted therapy brings for clients facing chronic depression, anxiety, and PTSD. These problems are often painful, disruptive, and even demoralizing for clients who have endured them for years. He is excited to offer KAP to clients looking to change these negative patterns and find a new direction...

Sarah Long, PsyD, LCP

As a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS), Dr. Sarah Long believes strongly in the healing potential of psychedelics, including Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), for those suffering from eating disorders and co-occurring trauma, anxiety, and depression. She is also passionate about working with clients who are experiencing burnout, compassion fatigue, and are healing from all types of trauma. Sarah Long is a gifted therapist with over a decade of experience helping people to heal from the impacts of traumatic events and recover from eating disorders...

Kendra Doukas, MS, LMFT

Kendra Doukas, LMFT is the Clinical Director of The Catalyst Center. Kendra is an experienced therapist specializing in complex PTSD, trauma recovery, couples therapy, and psychedelic assisted therapy. Kendra has a centered, wise, and at times irreverent demeanor clients connect with deeply. Kendra is passionate about her work helping individuals struggling with long-standing depression and anxiety, especially when these issues stem from past trauma using KAP. She has been excited to see the effects KAP can have and has watched clients be able to unburden things they have been carrying for a long time...

Erin Jacklin, PsyD, LCP

Dr. Erin Jacklin, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Certified Psychedelic Therapy Provider is a grounded, safe, gentle psychedelic guide and integration therapist. A longtime meditator, Erin brings a depth of presence to her work with psychedelics, and is comfortable holding space for a wide range of experiences. Her decade plus expertise in trauma and mindfulness informs her approach to psychedelic assisted therapy...

Adrienne Long, PMHNP-BC

Adrienne Long is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner dedicated to collaborative, evidence-based, and integrative care for adults, adolescents. She has specialty training in Eating Disorders and psychedelic-assisted therapy. Adrienne is a board-certified, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). She provides Medication Management. She is an integral part of our KAP team. Because our ketamine treatment model begins with a comprehensive medical evaluation, Adrienne is often the first person on our KAP team you will meet with. In addition to being the medical provider who is present during each treatment, clients may choose Adrienne to be their guide and integration therapist...

Katie Godfrey, PhD, LMFT

Dr. Katie Godfrey, LMFT brings deep compassion to her work as a psychedelic assisted therapist. Her expertise in trauma recovery and EMDR help clients to connect with her and feel safe as they engage in this transformative process. Katie believes KAP has the potential to truly help those struggling with the effects of trauma, PTSD, or depression or those who are interested in a more introspective life experience. She loves seeing clients gain a greater connection to the world around them when utilizing KAP. Katie has special interest in supporting members of the LGBTQ+ communities...

Allison Kalivas, MA, MFTC

Allison’s aim is to empower you and inspire your curiosity about yourself. Her work as a psychedelic-assisted therapist helps you get unstuck from old patterns and heal from the past. Her gentle, calm, yet direct approach helps her clients deeply engage in powerful healing...

KAP clinicians not currently accepting new clients

Karmen Thulin, PsyD, LCP

Dr. Karmen Thulin is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist serving clients remotely. She is easy to...

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Let’s Get Started!

There are two easy ways to connect with us. Call our office at 720-675-7123 and press extension “125” to be connected with our KAP team. Fill out the contact form to request an appointment or to learn more and have questions answered about our KAP program.
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy Interest Form
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Do you currently work with a mental health provider? (Therapist, psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, etc.?)
Do you have any previous experience with psychedelics?
We are committed to safety in our KAP program. Please select any of the following that apply to you as they will warrant a longer conversation about whether KAP is appropriate for you.

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