Our Ketamine Assisted Therapy Program
At The Drake Center, we understand that seeking help for mental health struggles can be overwhelming and scary. That's why we want to assure you that our approach to ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is designed with your well-being at its core. We want to make every stage of the process as comfortable and personalized as possible. We treat the following health conditions: Depression, PTSD, Anxiety, Migraines IBS, Chronic Pain CRPS, Stress Related Illness, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue.
Throughout the process, we use the "Way of the Butterfly" paradigm/terminology, which represents the stages of transformation one goes through during the journey. Patients are supported in anchoring the insights gained through guided integration coaching. Jacqueline incorporates guided meditative art therapy into the integration sessions, usually done in person but can also be facilitated virtually when necessary. The use of VR therapy during KAP is included to enhance centering and integration.
our process
Here is a general overview of our ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) process, including the integration of VR therapy:
Step 1: Intake Session In this session, you'll meet Dr. Drake and Jacqueline to discuss your treatment plan, address questions, and schedule future sessions. The session includes history-taking and concludes with a meditation led by Jacqueline, identifying key areas for ketamine support.
Step 2: Preparation Meeting Dr. Drake will explain the logistics of your first ketamine session, including arrival instructions, attire, fasting status, and medication adjustments. You'll learn about potential side effects and benefits, and set intentions for your treatment.
Step 3: Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) You will experience in-person treatment at The Drake Center with Dr. Drake and Jacqueline present. Jacqueline checks your vitals and leads a centering exercise, either through meditation or VR, depending on your needs. You'll receive a ketamine injection and undergo a one-hour treatment with support from Dr. Drake and Jacqueline. The session ends with a brief discussion, and you'll leave with a driver once stable.
Step 4: Integration Sessions Returning for integration sessions, you'll discuss treatment experiences and insights with Dr. Drake and Jacqueline, exploring ways to enhance these through meditation or creative activities. VR technology will also be introduced for creative and meditative uses, empowering you to apply treatment insights in your daily life, like using meditation for stress or creating meaningful art.
The Way of the Butterfly
We employ the "Way of the Butterfly" a guided paradigm for transforming consciousness. As the consciousness of a caterpillar through a journey of readiness, surrender and growth becomes a butterfly, our process supports and guides individuals through this journey of change. The process begins with the intake and preparation visits where we begin to identify those areas where ketamine assisted therapy can be most effective, effectively setting a “north star” for the process.
Following each Ketamine session, patients undergo integration. Modalities used in integration include insight oriented coaching to deeply integrate the experience of KAP, Guided meditative art therapy, available both in-person and virtually is also used. VR therapy is incorporated as needed during Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). Patients are advised to start journaling from the intake session to deepen their treatment insights and support integration.
Sessions are spaced out to allow time for patients to internalize and practice new insights, akin to muscle training or skill learning, fostering long-term change. Patients usually undergo six KAP sessions, but individual needs may vary. Most patients respond well to 6 sessions but some may require additional sessions in the future.