What does Ketamine feel Like?

If you’re considering trying Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), one of the things you might be wondering is, what does it actually feel like when you are under the influence of the medicine? 

If you’ve never used any type of psychedelic drug recreationally then it’s difficult to have a frame of reference. 

You may have experiences with alcohol, but Ketamine is nothing like alcohol. 

Everyone’s experience is different and the same person can have very different experiences in each Ketamine journey. 

For most people Ketamine feels like a dream-like state. But most agree that they have more of a felt sense in their body than they would in a dream. 

The experience is also not as fleeting as a dream and it’s much easier to remember than a dream. 

There is often a point where people feel a disconnection from their body and an out-of-body experience. 

You might fear losing control. But unlike being under the influence of alcohol, there’s no slurring, telling of secrets, or uncontrollable or unwanted behaviors. 

KAP clients are safe and comfortable lying down with an eye mask and headphones throughout the experience. 

What makes KAP so different from recreational drug experiences is that you’re using the medicine in a controlled setting with the intention of healing. 

Over the last several months I’ve seen some of the most profound changes for clients using KAP as a part of their treatment. Things we’ve been working on for years are clicking, and there’s so much positive forward movement. 

It’s during these out of body experiences and in this dream-like state that many clients experience a feeling of freedom from their self-defeating thoughts and patterns. 

For the first time their minds are completely clear. There’s no questioning of their every move. They don’t have a to-do list, and they aren’t replaying difficult memories or feelings. 

For the first time ever, they can just be. And it’s unlike anything they’ve experienced before. 

Some people become connected to younger parts of themselves that have felt lost and disconnected, and this creates a profound sense of healing. 

Integration sessions following these dosing sessions help clients return to these states without the medicine in their day-to-day lives. 

This allows People to feel like they can let go and move on from traumatic events that have kept them stuck for so long. 

A recent New York Times Op-Doc was released and it depicts the use of KAP for a firefighter and it does a really great job of showing how a ketamine session actually looks. In the documentary they use an IV which is different from the lozenges that my clients are prescribed, but the depiction is very similar. You can watch it here, it’s only 17 minutes long. 

If this sounds like something you’d like to experience for yourself, click the link here and book your free 15-minute phone consultation.  

Should you go to bed angry?

Let's bust a big fat myth today…

I’m sure you’ve heard that the best way to have a great marriage is to never go to bed angry. 

It’s concerning to me that couples will literally stay up all night going around and around with the same argument because they are trying to stick to this rule. 

I dunno about you but that sounds like a one-way ticket to complete exhaustion and a week of trying to make up for lost sleep. 

This rule is damaging because it doesn’t take into account the amount of damage that can be done by continuing to fight when you’re dysregulated. It doesn’t take into account the quality of communication that you’re having. You could be yelling, throwing things, name calling, and giving the silent treatment.

When couples start working with us not only do they learn how to regulate their emotions, but they understand their body’s warning signals that tell them when they are starting to become dysregulated. 

They learn how to call time-outs and how to respect one another’s requests to stop.  They learn how to return to the conversation when they are feeling more in control of their emotions. 

Our couples learn how to have conflict and still feel connected and loving. 

They don’t turn into enemies and they actually come to agreements about the things they are fighting about. 

There’s no more pushing things under the rug, walking on eggshells, or silent treatment. 

If you want to stop having marathon fights and learn how to improve your communication…

Click HERE and book your free 15-minute phone consultation. We’ll get you started with a couples expert and help you stop the marathon fights that go nowhere. 

Signs you should attend Couples Counseling

One of the hardest things about being a couples therapist is seeing how long people wait before they come to therapy. 

The average couple will struggle with issues for around six years before seeking help.

This is problematic, because the more time that goes on, the more resentment builds and this increases the amount of time couples spend in therapy. 

There are many reasons that couples delay coming to therapy. 

Some include:

❌ If you attend couples therapy that means you’re not strong enough to deal with things on your own. 

❌ If you avoid the problems, then things will get better. 

❌ Believing that your partner is actually the problem and thinking that couples therapy will be pointless.

❌ The belief that talking about things and going to therapy will just make things worse.

None of these are true. 

Here are some signs that you should come to couples therapy: 

✅ Escalating conflict that is occurring more frequently. 

✅ Feeling emotionally, distant, or lonely in the relationship. 

✅ Feeling like you’re falling out of love with your partner. 

✅ Difficulty discussing finances. 

✅ Lack of sexual intimacy or difficulty talking about sexual needs. 

✅ Trust or commitment issues. 

✅ Difficulty communicating about parenting styles. 

✅ Difficulty discussing and/or dividing up household duties. 

✅ Feeling like you’re not a priority in the relationship.

✅ Untreated anxiety or depression that impacts the relationship. 

✅ Trust violations, abuse, or addictions. 

I want to remind you that early intervention provides the best results but no matter where you are on your relationship journey we are here to help. Click the link below and book your free consultation. 

Tips for Reconnecting in Relationships

Rekindling Connection: Nurturing Your Relationship in Rancho Cucamonga

The Ebb and Flow of Romantic Relationships

The beginning of your romantic relationship is usually when you and your partner feel the most connected. You stay up all night talking on the phone and are in constant contact about how you’re feeling and what you’re doing. You make a lot of time for intentional connection and dreaming together. 

 As time passes, you get the house, the car, the kids… all the things you dreamed of together when you first started your relationship. You don’t stop dreaming, but  you stop talking about your dreams and you get bogged down with your day-to-day responsibilities. 

And then you find yourselves feeling disconnected. 

The feeling of disconnection is painful because you remember all those times you felt so in love and in sync. 

But long term romantic relationships are a series of disconnection and connection. On repeat.  

What makes relationships last is being able to disconnect and reconnect with humility, without blame, and with understanding for one another. 

The relationship will survive the disconnections as long as they don’t last too long and there aren't any damaging behaviors happening during periods of disconnection. 

Overcoming Disconnection: Communication Tips

Here are some tips on communicating when you’re feeling disconnected: 

• The most important topics for reconnection are the ones centered around the heart and emotions.

• Ask questions like, “How are you feeling this week? What are you excited about? Are there things that have been making you feel down or like withdrawing?” 

• My favorite question to ask is, “how is your heart today?” Meaning, how are you feeling emotionally?

• Instead of asking, “how was your day?” Try asking, “what was the best part of your day today? What was the hardest part of your day? How did you feel about that issue that came up?”

• Couples can become disconnected when they talk about WHAT happened, and leave out how they FEEL about what happened.

• The emotional part is the vulnerability piece that creates a deeper connection, so asking how your partner is feeling about what they are sharing is ultimately most connective. 

When Disconnection Persists: Seeking Help in Rancho Cucamonga

If you’re finding it difficult to reconnect with your partner these days or you’re noticing longer and more frequent periods of disconnection, couples therapy can help. Click the link below to book your free 15-minute phone consultation and we’ll help you get back on the track towards reconnection.

Ketamine Therapy VS Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy

Ketamine clinics are popping up all over California. The research is exciting. It reports immediate relief from treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and PTSD. 

Most people experience immediate relief. But, these reports often overlook the importance of integration as an ongoing process.  This is truly what creates lasting change. 

Ketamine Therapy is the process of receiving Ketamine. You can administer it through an IV, a lozenge, or nasal spray. Most Ketamine clinics provide a medical evaluation prior to treatment. Then, the patient arrives and the drug is administered. 

Ketamine remains in the system for 45 minutes to 2 hours. During this time, the person feels sedated and has an internal psychedelic experience. Once the experience is over, a chaperone will wheel the patient out to drive them home. 

Without appropriate integration, the experience is just an experience. It can be difficult to process the learnings from the experience. It can be difficult to allow them to permeate everyday life. 

Why Choose KAP?

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is more fully supported. The emphasis and focus are on the preparation, intention setting, and integration processes. 

Much of the research on psychedelic assisted therapy discusses the importance of set and setting. It determines whether a person will experience a positive outcome. I strongly believe that. 

Set refers to the mindset in which a person is in prior to an experience. The setting refers to the physical space and energy surrounding the experience. 

Many people use psychedelics recreationally. The experience is not therapeutic or healing. It is just an experience. 

The Power of Integration

In my work with KAP clients I first seek to know them, their histories, and their goals for treatment. This sets the stage for the work we will do together and it is about trust building. 

Most of my clients have never used any type of recreational drugs. We spend a lot of time preparing for a dosing session. We focus on answering questions. We also discuss the fears and anxieties that naturally come up. 

We also spend a lot of time discussing goals and intentions. I carefully prepare the space for each dosing session. I incorporate aromatherapy and music to enhance each client’s experience. This also helps with integration. 

Ketamine Journeys are 3-hour sessions. We discuss intentions and practice meditation. I help ease the client into the experience. Once the effects of the ketamine wear off there is plenty of time for clients to return to their bodies and process the experience. 

1-3 days following a journey, clients return to my office for an integration session. In this session, we also use aromatherapy. It helps the client remember the learnings they experienced during their journey. We discuss any insights they’ve had. I also use Brainspotting to anchor in the experience. It helps clients return to the places and feelings they’d like to take away from the experience. 

Real Results, Real Transformation

Last week, I shared some of the amazing results my clients are experiencing after just one Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) session. 

Improved sleep, the ability to be present, implementing healthy lifestyle changes, and seeing oneself positively... the list goes on and on. In case you missed that email you can read it here. 

If you’re ready to embark on a transformative journey click the link below to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation. We’ll answer all your questions and make sure it’s right for you.