KETAMINE-ASSISTED EMDR THERAPY

Ketamine-Assisted EMDR Therapy

At Head and Heart Collective, we offer Ketamine-Assisted EMDR Therapy in our Plantation, Florida office, as well as virtually for clients throughout Florida.

A novel treatment approach, we utilize a small amount of sublingual ketamine is self-administered by the client during an EMDR reprocessing session to facilitate the adaptive resolution of traumatic memories.

Ketamine, at a low dose, has a calming effect that can reduce emotional overwhelm. During EMDR therapy reprocessing, clients revisit distressing memories, which can feel somewhat intense. Ketamine helps create a sense of emotional safety, allowing clients to approach these memories with less fear and self judgment.

Trauma, EMDR & KAP

Trauma can create rigid thought patterns and emotional responses that keep individuals stuck. Ketamine enhances neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to form new connections—helping clients become more open to new perspectives. This flexibility allows for deeper cognitive and emotional shifts during EMDR therapy reprocessing.

In EMDR therapy, protective mechanisms like avoidance or emotional numbing can sometimes block progress. Ketamine can quiet these defenses, making it easier for clients to access and process the root causes of their distress.

Ketamine often brings clients into a state of curiosity, compassion, and clarity. This state is ideal for EMDR therapy reprocessing, as it allows clients to approach traumatic memories with kindness and openness, rather than fear or self-criticism.

By combining the focused bilateral stimulation of EMDR with the neurobiological and psychological effects of ketamine, clients often experience accelerated healing. Memories that once felt intolerable become approachable, and the emotional burdens they carry can be released more readily.

These sessions can be conducted in our Plantation, FL office, or virtually for any clients throughout the state of Florida.

Your Ketamine-Assisted EMDR Therapy Path

  • History Taking, Preparation & Resourcing

    Before your Ketamine medicine session, we’ll have at least 2-4 sessions to build safety and connection within our relationship, set your goals and intentions, map out your nervous system and better understand your strategies and prepare you for what’s ahead and work on building internal and external resources.

  • Reprocessing & Medicine Sessions

    This is where the magic happens. During a 75 to 90 minute session, you’ll embark on your Ketamine-Assisted EMDR reprocessing session. In this phase, we will revisit distressing memories, which can feel somewhat intense. Ketamine helps create a sense of emotional safety, allowing clients to approach these memories with less fear and self judgment. In this space you’ll receive the right amount of support you need in a peaceful, safe setting. This can be done in person at our Plantation, FL office or virtually in the comfort of your own home. We typically recommend at least 6 to 8 sessions to experience the most post-traumatic growth.

  • Integration, Resourcing & Future Targets

    The journey doesn’t stop at the medicine session and integration is the most important step in KAP. In the next 2-4 sessions, you’ll talk through your experience, uncover new insights, and figure out how to weave them into your daily life. Additional/supplemental EMDR sessions may help with further resourcing and integration; as well as process any new material that may have shown up around the identified theme/target. Together, we will build strategies for a more authentic you, rooted in safety and connection.

PARTNERSHIPS

We deliver Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) at Head and Heart Collective in partnership with an organization Journey Clinical, a specialized medical team which determines eligibility for KAP, prescribes sublingual ketamine, and supports us in monitoring outcomes. If you are interested in learning more about eligibility and next steps, book a consult today or check out this brochure.

We also have partnerships with local Ketamine prescribers in Florida. Rachel will discuss with you the best option for a prescriber based on your treatment goals.

FAQ

  • Usually, our program follows this structure, although it can be adjusted based on the individual needs of each client:

    • An initial series of 2-4 preparation sessions. For existing clients, 1-2 sessions may be needed.

    • A single 3-hour dosing session

    • A series of 2-4 integration sessions

      The necessity for additional dosing sessions will be determined through discussions between the client and their medical professional at Journey Clinical.

  • Your therapist can provide more details on this. For KAP dosing sessions, it's necessary to have a chaperone present, and a consent form must be signed for the chaperone.

  • Our Fort Lauderdale, Florida office provides in-person KAP sessions. Your therapist will make sure you're fully equipped with everything necessary, like a comfortable space to lie down, headphones, weighted blankets, and any other essentials, creating a serene environment for your dosing session. Please be aware that you must arrange for someone to drive you home afterward.

  • We do not accept insurance for psychotherapy services. Our private pay rate is $225 per hour.

  • When scheduling a 3-hour KAP dosing session, a deposit of 50% is necessary. We have a one-week cancellation policy for these sessions since we allocate this time exclusively for you. If a cancellation occurs within one week of the scheduled dosing session, the 50% deposit will be forfeited.