What Is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy?
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) pairs a controlled, sub-anesthetic dose of ketamine with real-time therapeutic support. Unlike standard ketamine infusions where you receive the medication in a medical setting without a therapist present, KAP is designed so that a licensed clinician is with you throughout the entire experience.
Ketamine works on the brain’s glutamate system and promotes neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form new neural pathways. In practical terms, this means ketamine can temporarily loosen the rigid thought patterns associated with depression, anxiety, and trauma, creating a window of openness where therapeutic work can go deeper and take hold more quickly.
This approach has shown strong results for individuals who haven’t responded to SSRIs, SNRIs, or other first-line treatments—which is why it’s often referred to as a breakthrough option for treatment-resistant conditions.
Conditions We Treat with Ketamine Therapy
Our ketamine therapy program in Austin is designed for individuals experiencing:
Treatment-Resistant Depression
If you’ve tried multiple antidepressants without meaningful relief, ketamine therapy may offer rapid improvement. Many clients report a noticeable shift in mood within hours to days of their first session—not weeks or months. Ketamine targets the glutamate system rather than serotonin, which is why it can work when traditional antidepressants haven’t.
Chronic Anxiety
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy can help interrupt the cycle of persistent anxiety by promoting new neural connections and allowing you to access and process the underlying patterns driving your symptoms. Combined with therapeutic guidance, many clients experience a significant anxiety reduction that holds beyond the session itself.
PTSD and Trauma
Trauma can keep the nervous system locked in a state of hypervigilance. Ketamine therapy creates a neurological opening—a temporary loosening of the brain’s defense mechanisms—that allows traumatic memories to be revisited and reprocessed with less emotional overwhelm. At Lake Austin Psychotherapy, we integrate this with our expertise in trauma-focused modalities, including EMDR, for a layered and effective approach.
Other Conditions
Ketamine therapy has also shown promise for OCD, chronic pain with psychological components, grief and loss, and existential distress. During your initial consultation, we’ll evaluate whether ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is the right fit for your specific situation.
What to Expect: Our Ketamine Therapy Process
We’ve built our ketamine therapy process around safety, intentionality, and clinical rigor. Here’s what treatment looks like at our Austin practice:
Free Consultation — We start with a phone or in-person consultation to understand your history, current symptoms, and treatment goals. We’ll discuss whether ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is appropriate for you and answer any questions you have about the process.
Medical Screening — Safety comes first. We coordinate a medical screening to ensure ketamine is safe for you, reviewing your medical history, current medications, and any contraindications.
Preparation Session — Before your first ketamine session, you’ll meet with your therapist for a preparation session. This is where we set intentions, discuss what to expect during the experience, and build the therapeutic foundation.
Ketamine-Assisted Session — During the session, you’ll receive a sub-anesthetic dose of ketamine in a calm, private setting at our West Austin office. Your therapist remains present throughout, providing support, gentle guidance, and helping you navigate the experience as it unfolds.
Integration Session — This is where the real therapeutic work comes together. In a follow-up session, you and your therapist process insights, emotions, and experiences from the ketamine session and connect them to your broader treatment goals. Integration is what turns a single experience into lasting change.
Ongoing Treatment Planning — Most clients benefit from a series of ketamine sessions spaced over several weeks. We’ll work with you to build a treatment plan tailored to your progress and evolving needs.
Why Choose Lake Austin Psychotherapy for Ketamine Therapy in Austin?
Austin has a growing number of ketamine clinics, but most operate as infusion-only centers—you receive the medication, sit in a room, and go home. That’s not how we work.
Therapist-guided, not infusion-only: Every ketamine session is conducted with a licensed therapist present. You’re never alone during the experience, and the therapeutic relationship is central to the process.
Integration is built in: We don’t just administer ketamine—we help you make sense of the experience through dedicated integration sessions that drive long-term healing.
Trauma-informed expertise: Our therapists specialize in depression, anxiety, PTSD, and trauma. We bring clinical depth to the ketamine experience—not just medical administration.
Comprehensive care under one roof: Ketamine therapy works best as part of a broader treatment plan. We also offer EMDR therapy, traditional psychotherapy, and telehealth services across Texas.
Private, comfortable setting: Our West Austin office is designed for calm and privacy. Luxury transportation options are available for clients who need them.
Telehealth preparation and follow-up: While ketamine sessions are in-person, preparation and integration sessions can be conducted via telehealth for clients across Texas.
Is Ketamine Therapy Right for You?
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is not a first-line treatment. It’s designed for individuals who have already tried other approaches—medications, talk therapy, or both—without adequate relief. You may be a good candidate if:
You’ve been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, PTSD, or trauma-related conditions
You’ve tried two or more medications without significant improvement
You feel “stuck” in therapy and are looking for a way to access deeper healing
You’re open to an experiential approach that goes beyond traditional talk therapy
You’re medically cleared and not in active substance use disorder
Not sure if ketamine therapy is the right fit? That’s what the free consultation is for. We’ll talk through your history, your goals, and whether this path makes sense for where you are right now.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ketamine Therapy
How is ketamine-assisted psychotherapy different from ketamine infusions?
Standard ketamine infusion clinics administer ketamine intravenously in a medical setting, typically without a therapist in the room. Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) combines the medication with active therapeutic support—a licensed therapist is with you during the session, helping you process what comes up in real time. This integration of therapy and medicine is what drives deeper, more lasting change.
Is ketamine therapy safe?
Ketamine has been used safely as an anesthetic in medical settings for over 50 years. At the sub-anesthetic doses used in therapy, side effects are generally mild and temporary—they may include dizziness, nausea, or a feeling of dissociation during the session. All clients undergo medical screening before treatment begins, and a therapist is present throughout every session to ensure your safety and comfort.
How quickly does ketamine therapy work?
One of the most notable aspects of ketamine therapy is the speed of response. Many clients experience a noticeable shift in mood and symptoms within hours to days after their first session—compared to weeks or months with traditional antidepressants. However, the full therapeutic benefit typically builds over a series of sessions combined with ongoing integration work.
How many ketamine therapy sessions will I need?
Treatment plans are individualized, but most clients complete an initial series of 4–6 ketamine-assisted psychotherapy sessions over several weeks. After the initial series, some clients benefit from periodic maintenance sessions. We’ll evaluate your progress together and adjust the plan as needed.
Does insurance cover ketamine therapy?
Most insurance plans do not currently cover ketamine therapy for mental health conditions, as it is considered an off-label use. We’re happy to provide a superbill that you can submit to your insurance company for potential out-of-network reimbursement. We’ll discuss all costs transparently during your free consultation.
What does a ketamine therapy session feel like?
Experiences vary, but clients often describe a deep sense of relaxation, expanded awareness, and a temporary shift in how they perceive their thoughts and emotions. Some describe it as a feeling of being “unstuck” from patterns that normally feel fixed. The presence of your therapist helps ground the experience and make it therapeutically productive rather than simply altered.
Can I drive myself home after a ketamine session?
No. You will not be able to drive for at least 6 hours after your session. Please arrange for a ride home. Lake Austin Psychotherapy offers luxury transportation options for clients who need assistance getting to and from sessions.
Schedule Your Free EMDR or Ketamine Therapy Consultation
Taking the first step can feel like the hardest part. We make it easy. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your situation, ask questions, and find out if ketamine-assisted psychotherapy at Lake Austin Psychotherapy is right for you.
Call or text: 512-666-1184
Serving: Austin, West Austin, Lakeway, Bee Cave, Westlake Hills, and telehealth across Texas
For many people living with treatment-resistant depression, chronic anxiety, or PTSD, traditional medications and talk therapy alone haven’t been enough. Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy offers a different path—one that combines the rapid neurological effects of ketamine with the depth of therapeutic support to help you move through what’s felt stuck.
At Lake Austin Psychotherapy, we provide ketamine therapy in Austin, TX as part of a comprehensive, therapist-guided treatment experience. We’re not an infusion-only clinic. Every session is held in the presence of a licensed therapist who helps you process and integrate the experience—because lasting change happens when the medicine meets the meaning.
