How Ketamine Therapy Rewires the Brain for Healing

If you’ve ever felt like traditional therapy isn’t sticking, there’s a good reason — your brain may have been stuck in survival mode. When you’re carrying past trauma, enduring current stress, or dealing with ongoing ruptures in your relationship, your nervous system shifts into a constant state of dysregulation. You feel like you’re always on edge, and even the smallest disagreement, inconvenience, or tone shift can turn into a blow-up because you were already at capacity internally.

These patterns don’t just stay inside your head — they show up in your relationship. Your partner may feel like they’re walking on eggshells, while you’re doing everything you can to keep yourself regulated, including numbing or escaping with alcohol, overeating, shopping, or scrolling.

Neuroplasticity: The Brain’s Ability to Change

The good news is that your brain can change. I use tools like Brainspotting and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) to help clients create that change. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to adapt and reorganize itself throughout life — including after trauma.

When you go through overwhelming experiences, your amygdala triggers a fight, flight, freeze, or fawn response. This part of the brain is wired to protect you, but it doesn’t understand time or space. So if you grew up in a home where yelling or punishment was normal, your brain adapted by developing protective behaviors such as dissociation, avoidance, hyper-independence, or hypervigilance.

These responses weren’t “bad” — they helped you survive. But in your adult relationships, they can create real challenges. When your partner expresses irritation, disappointment, or stress, your brain may react as if you’re still in the past. You might shut down, people-please, avoid conflict, or try to control your environment because that’s what your nervous system learned to do to stay safe. It doesn’t automatically know that your partner isn’t your caregiver, and that there is no threat of harm.

This is where ketamine can be incredibly powerful.

How Ketamine Therapy Creates New Connections in the Brain

Ketamine increases neuroplasticity and helps create new neural pathways. That means when your partner sighs heavily, or gets frustrated about a long line at the store, you no longer feel the impulse to shut down, panic, or fix everything. You can respond from your higher self rather than from old survival patterns.

Many clients describe feeling like they can finally show up as who they truly are — not the version of themselves shaped by trauma, fear, or self-blame.

If you’re curious about how this experience differs from IV-only ketamine clinics, I’ve written about it here:
👉 KAP vs. IV Ketamine Clinics: What’s the Difference?

Quieting the Default Mode Network

Ketamine also works on the brain’s default mode network — the area responsible for rumination, hypervigilance, and that inner critic that never seems to turn off. When ketamine softens this network, the brain gets a reset. The inner critic quiets, self-compassion becomes accessible, and your system can finally downshift out of survival mode.

Clients often report:

• feeling more present with their partner

• communicating with less reactivity

• sleeping better

• improved focus on daily tasks

• increased motivation and clarity

This is part of why KAP can be so transformative in couples work as well — calmer nervous systems create safer, deeper connection.

If you want a closer look at what a KAP session actually looks like, you can explore that here:
👉 What Really Happens in a Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Session

Why Integration Matters for Lasting Change

Ketamine creates a window of neuroplasticity for 1–5 days. During this time, your brain is wide open to forming new beliefs, new patterns, and new emotional responses. Integration is the process of taking the insights from the dosing session and grounding them into daily life.

Without integration, insights fade.
With Ketamine Therapy + intentional integration, they take root.

This is why Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is so different from IV-only ketamine clinics — therapy is what helps turn the neuroplasticity window into meaningful, lasting transformation.

A Stronger, Clearer Path Forward

If you’ve been stuck in old patterns for years and traditional therapy hasn’t shifted things the way you hoped, it doesn’t mean you’re broken — it means your brain needs support rewiring itself. Ketamine therapy can create that opening, giving you access to healing, connection, and emotional clarity that were previously out of reach.

If you're ready to explore whether KAP or a KAP intensive could help you or your relationship, I’d love to talk.
Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation, and let’s see what’s possible for your healing.

Ketamine Therapy vs. IV Ketamine Clinics: What’s the Difference?

My personal journey into the world of psychedelics began with a ketamine experience at an IV clinic. It was late 2021, and a friend of a friend was opening the clinic and inviting therapists to go through the experience firsthand to better understand the medicine and refer clients later on.

The clinic was sterile, and the experience lacked any preparation or integration. The session itself felt difficult and confusing—but somehow, I came away feeling more grounded than I had in a long time. It was as if everything in my brain had been taken out, rearranged, and put back in the correct order.

Since there was no integration or follow-up session, it ultimately became just that—an experience. As time passed, it began to feel like a distant dream I couldn’t hold onto.

Since that time, I’ve learned so much about psychedelics and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)—and I’ve learned how to provide a process that includes the preparation, guidance, and integration necessary to create lasting emotional change.

Not all ketamine treatments are the same, and understanding the difference between IV ketamine clinics and KAP can help you choose the approach that truly supports your healing journey here in California.

What IV Ketamine Clinics Offer (and Why Some People Start There)

IV ketamine clinics offer medical ketamine infusions to help people struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, or suicidal ideation. Many people start with IV clinics because access is easy and they’re searching for quick relief from painful or persistent symptoms.

These clinics are typically run by medical professionals—doctors or nurse practitioners—who are highly skilled in the medical model of symptom management. However, most have limited training in psychotherapy or emotional integration.

At an IV ketamine clinic, the medicine is administered directly into your arm through an IV while you sit or lie in a recliner with an eye mask and headphones. The infusion typically lasts 30–60 minutes, and patients are often cleared to return to daily life after being driven home by a chaperone.

While IV treatment can bring temporary relief, it often lacks the therapeutic support necessary for deep, lasting transformation.

What KAP Adds: The Healing Power of Integration and Connection

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a much more holistic and therapeutic approach. It combines the healing properties of ketamine with the safety and guidance of a trained therapist who helps you make meaning of your experience.

My KAP protocol includes several preparation sessions before the first dosing session. This ensures we establish trust, explore your intentions, and help you feel safe and supported during the experience.

Typically, a full course of KAP includes 6–8 dosing sessions, with flexibility to adjust based on your progress and needs. You’ll also receive a detailed KAP workbook with journal prompts to deepen your process, clarify your goals, and integrate insights.

Each dosing session lasts about three hours and includes:

• Intention setting

• Guided relaxation or meditation

• The dosing experience

• Initial integration afterward

We then meet again the next day for a dedicated integration session, where we help you apply the insights gained in your session to your daily life and relationships.

Without integration, insights remain fleeting.
With integration, they become lasting change.

If you’re curious what a KAP session actually looks like, I share the full experience in my post, What Happens in a KAP Session?.

Which Approach Is Right for You?

To decide which approach might be right for you, consider your goals:

• Are you looking for immediate relief from symptoms?

• Or are you ready to do the deeper emotional work that leads to lasting healing?

Both IV ketamine and KAP have their place, but if you’re seeking meaningful transformation—not just temporary relief—Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy offers the structure, safety, and integration that help real change take root.

Ready to Learn More or Begin Your Own Healing Journey in California?

If you’re curious about how KAP works, what to expect, and whether it might be right for you, I invite you to read my Ultimate Guide to Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP).

Or, if you’re ready to explore your own KAP experience, you can book a free 15-minute consultation to see if this approach is the right fit for your healing journey in California.

What Really Happens in a Ketamine Therapy Session

If you’ve been curious about Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) but aren’t sure what actually happens in a session, you’re not alone. I get tons of questions about the process of KAP from clients and have presented on the topic to many therapists who are curious about what this powerful process looks like.

👉 (For a deeper overview of what KAP is, how it works, and who it’s for, check out my comprehensive guide to Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy — HERE).

Preparation: Setting the Stage for Safety

Before a dosing session takes place, there are several steps that happen to prepare you. Preparation involves creating safety and building a strong therapeutic relationship because for a session to be truly fruitful, there must be trust — and you must feel grounded.

I meet with clients for several sessions prior to the first dosing session to establish that trust. During those sessions, we discuss your trauma history, relationship history, and goals for treatment. We also begin to work toward those goals in talk therapy. We’ll address any fears you may have about the dosing process and spend a lot of time helping you feel comfortable in your body and with your emotions — an important resource to return to after your dosing session.

I’ll also help you prepare an intention for your session based on your goals, personal history, and the work we’ve already been doing together.

In addition to our preparation sessions, you’ll be referred to a medical provider for a full evaluation. The doctor ensures that there are no contraindications and prescribes the correct dosage for you.

The Medicine Session: What It Feels Like

On the day of your dosing session, you’ll arrive at my office — a space that should already feel familiar and safe since we’ll have been meeting there beforehand. The environment is calm and inviting.

We’ll begin by checking in and discussing any fears or anxiety about the session — this is completely normal, especially if it’s your first KAP experience. Together, we take time to sit with those fears, rather than push them away. We listen to the parts of you that may be hesitant, allowing them to feel heard and supported, and then gently move forward once those parts feel safe.

You’ll be asked to bring a pillow, blanket, eye mask, your prescribed medication, and any comfort items such as a favorite stuffed animal or photo. I’ll provide headphones and guide you through a short grounding meditation to help you relax and feel at ease.

Once you’re ready, you’ll take a small dose of the ketamine. The medication comes in the form of a lozenge that dissolves in your mouth. You’ll swish it around for several minutes before spitting it into a cup I provide. I keep track of time and remain with you for the entire session to ensure your safety and comfort.

For your first dosing session, a lighter dose is usually recommended to see how your body responds. With a lower dose, you’ll remain awake and able to speak, while feeling deeply relaxed and more connected to yourself. Most people describe a sense of quiet presence — as if the “background noise” in their mind has been turned down — allowing for deep therapeutic work and access to insights that are often difficult to reach through talk therapy alone.

Each dosing session lasts about three hours, with the effects of the medicine lasting between 45 minutes and 1.5 hours. You’ll have plenty of time for grounding, being in the medicine, and gently coming back before we move into integration.

Integration: Making Meaning Afterward

Integration is the most important part of the KAP process. It’s where you take what you’ve been shown and weave it into your everyday life. This is what creates lasting change — when insights move from thoughts into embodied awareness, shaping how you think, feel, and act.

Ketamine creates a window of neuroplasticity in the brain — a period of about 3–5 days when your brain is more open to new pathways and possibilities. During this time, you’ll have a follow-up integration session where we process your experience and begin translating the insights into action.

You’ll also be encouraged to focus on healthy habits such as nutrition, movement, rest, and meaningful connection. During this neuroplastic window, these behaviors “stick” more easily and help you anchor the transformation you’ve begun.

Integration is where the real magic happens. In my intensive work with clients — [link to intensives blog] — this phase is often where people experience the deepest breakthroughs. Old patterns begin to dissolve, and new ways of relating to yourself and others take root.

The Bottom Line: Deep Healing Is Possible

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy isn’t a shortcut — it’s a doorway. When combined with intentional preparation, skilled therapeutic guidance, and deep integration, KAP can help you access parts of yourself that have long been blocked by pain, fear, or shame. Whether you’re working through trauma, relationship wounds, or emotional stuck points, the process offers a profound opportunity for healing and clarity.

If you’re curious about what this might look like for you, I encourage you to read my full guide to Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy — for a deeper understanding of how it works and who it can help.

And if you’ve been considering doing deeper work — individually or with your partner — you can explore my therapy intensives — to see how KAP can be integrated into a transformative, focused healing experience.

✨ Ready to experience what’s possible when science, compassion, and connection meet?
Book a free 15-minute consultation to see if a KAP session or intensive might be the next step in your healing journey.

The Ultimate Guide to Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP): How Ketamine Therapy Can Transform Healing

Healing is never a straight line. Sometimes, no matter how much therapy you’ve done or how many tools you’ve learned, you still feel stuck in old patterns of anxiety, depression, or emotional pain. You might intellectually understand what’s happening — but emotionally, it just doesn’t shift.

If you’ve found yourself here, it’s probably because you’ve tried so hard to feel better. You’ve been open to therapy, maybe medication, maybe even lifestyle changes — and yet something still feels out of reach.

That’s where Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) can make a profound difference.

I’m Alicia Taverner, LMFT, and for over a decade I’ve helped individuals and couples heal from deep emotional wounds — including infidelity, attachment trauma, and anxiety — through therapy and intensive work at my practice in Rancho Cucamonga, California. In the past few years, I’ve also become a certified provider of Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, and I’ve seen how it can unlock breakthroughs that once felt impossible.

This guide will walk you through what KAP is, how it works, what to expect, and why it can be such a powerful addition to your healing journey — whether individually or as part of a couples intensive.

What Is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)?

KAP is a therapeutic approach that combines the safe, guided use of ketamine with psychotherapy to promote emotional healing, insight, and change.

Unlike traditional medication or talk therapy alone, KAP creates a temporary shift in consciousness — quieting the inner critic and opening a space for deep reflection, compassion, and connection.

In a KAP session, you take a small, prescribed dose of ketamine (usually a lozenge that dissolves under your tongue) in a calm, comfortable environment. As your therapist, I’m there with you — helping you prepare, stay grounded, and later integrate what arises into your daily life.

Many clients describe it as “therapy on a deeper level,” where long-buried emotions can surface in a safe and supported way.

A Little Science: How Ketamine Works in the Brain

Ketamine works by temporarily quieting the Default Mode Network (DMN) — the part of the brain responsible for self-criticism, rumination, and looping thoughts.

When that constant mental noise softens, you can see yourself and your experiences differently. Old stories lose their grip. New perspectives emerge.

This isn’t just emotional — it’s biological. Ketamine increases levels of glutamate and BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), both of which boost neuroplasticity — your brain’s ability to form new, healthier pathways.

Think of it like a fresh layer of snow: old tracks (your automatic thoughts) fade, and new ones can be made.

For 1–3 days after a session, your brain remains especially open to learning and change — which is why integration therapy is so essential.

How KAP Differs from Medical Ketamine Clinics

You may have heard of IV ketamine infusions or nasal sprays like Spravato®. These are medical treatments, typically provided in a doctor’s office without any psychotherapy component.

KAP, however, integrates medicine and meaning.

Here’s how they compare:

In KAP, the goal isn’t just symptom relief — it’s transformation. You’re not left alone to interpret your experience. You’re supported every step of the way.

Who Can Benefit from KAP?

KAP can be incredibly supportive for people navigating:

• Treatment-resistant depression or anxiety

• PTSD and complex trauma

• Attachment wounds from childhood or relationships

• Burnout or emotional exhaustion

• Grief, loss, or life transitions

• Feeling disconnected or “stuck” despite therapy

It’s also deeply meaningful for couples who are trying to reconnect after betrayal, infidelity, or years of disconnection.

In my couples intensives, KAP can help partners move past defensiveness and fear, opening space for genuine empathy and healing. When the protective walls soften, it’s often the first time couples truly see each other again.

Who Shouldn’t Use KAP

While KAP is safe for most people, it may not be appropriate for those who:

• Have uncontrolled high blood pressure or heart issues

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding

• Have a history of psychosis or bipolar mania

• Recently experienced a traumatic brain injury

During your consultation, I’ll review your medical history and collaborate with a licensed prescriber to make sure it’s a safe fit.

The Three Phases of KAP

Every KAP process unfolds in three intentional stages: preparation, dosing, and integration.

Preparation

Before any medicine is involved, we take time to build safety and clarity.
You’ll explore your intentions — what you hope to understand, release, or connect with.
We’ll talk through fears, set up your physical environment for comfort, and discuss how to support yourself emotionally before and after the experience.

This is also where we talk about “set and setting” — your mindset and environment. Both play a huge role in shaping the experience.

The Dosing Session

A dosing session usually lasts around three hours.
You’ll take your prescribed ketamine lozenge and rest comfortably with an eye mask and music that supports inward focus.

During this time, I’m there to hold therapeutic space — quietly ensuring safety, comfort, and presence. Some clients experience vivid imagery, emotional release, or deep peace. Others simply feel relaxed and reflective.

There’s no “right” way for a session to go. Whatever arises is welcomed with curiosity and compassion.

Integration

This is where the real magic happens.

In the days after your session, we meet again to process what came up — emotionally, spiritually, or relationally. Integration helps connect the insights from your journey to meaningful changes in your everyday life.

We might use tools like Brainspotting, Internal Family Systems (IFS), or guided reflection to anchor those insights.

Without integration, the insights fade. With it, they become transformation.

Real Stories of Transformation

One client, a nurse in her 30s, came to KAP feeling exhausted and disconnected after years of people-pleasing and burnout. During her second session, she experienced a wave of compassion for her younger self — the little girl who had learned she had to be perfect to be loved.

Through integration, she began setting boundaries, taking rest seriously, and speaking to herself with gentleness instead of criticism.

Another couple came to me after infidelity had shaken their marriage. Despite months of therapy, they still couldn’t reconnect. Through KAP within their affair recovery intensive, each partner gained a deeper understanding of their pain — beyond blame. For the first time, they were able to speak to each other from empathy instead of defense.

That’s what KAP makes possible: healing at a deeper level that you feel in your brain, your body, and your nervous system.

The Research Behind Ketamine Therapy

Ketamine has been studied for over 50 years and is FDA-approved as an anesthetic. More recently, research has shown its remarkable effects on mood, trauma, and neuroplasticity.

Studies demonstrate that:

• Ketamine increases glutamate and BDNF, supporting brain growth and resilience.

• 6–8 sessions often lead to significant reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms.

• The effects can last for weeks to months — and when combined with psychotherapy, those benefits deepen and last even longer.

In other words, KAP isn’t just about temporary relief. It’s about rewiring your brain and emotions toward healing.

KAP as Part of Individual or Couples Intensives

At my practice in Rancho Cucamonga, California I offer both individual and couples intensives — immersive, extended sessions designed to create major breakthroughs in a shorter amount of time.

When combined with KAP, intensives allow us to go even deeper.

• For individuals, KAP can help bypass mental resistance and access insight that traditional therapy can take months to reach.

• For couples, it can quiet reactivity, allowing compassion and vulnerability to emerge.

Sometimes we begin an intensive with a KAP session to open the process, or integrate it midway to help digest emotional breakthroughs. The structure is always customized to your comfort level and goals.

Safety and Ethical Care

Client safety and ethical practice are at the heart of everything I do.

All KAP sessions are conducted in partnership with a licensed medical provider — typically through Journey Clinical, a trusted organization that specializes in medically supervised ketamine treatment for psychotherapy.

This means:

• The medication is prescribed safely by a licensed prescriber.

• Your vitals and health history are carefully reviewed.

• I provide the therapeutic preparation, dosing support, and integration work.

This collaborative model ensures your emotional and physical well-being are equally cared for.

What Clients Often Notice After KAP

Most clients describe:

• Feeling lighter, calmer, or more open

• Relief from anxious or depressive thought loops

• A deeper sense of self-compassion

• Improved sleep and emotional regulation

• More meaningful connection to themselves and others

For couples, there’s often a renewed sense of hope — a reminder that healing is possible even after deep pain.

Is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Right for You?

If you’ve been feeling stuck — in therapy, in your relationship, or within yourself — KAP may offer the shift you’ve been longing for.

It’s not about escaping your pain, but transforming your relationship with it. With the right guidance, intention, and integration, KAP can help you reconnect to the parts of you that already know how to heal.

You don’t have to keep struggling alone.

Whether you’re an individual searching for peace or a couple wanting to rebuild trust and intimacy, I’d love to help you explore what’s possible through Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy in Rancho Cucamonga, California.

Ready to Begin?

If you’re curious about whether KAP might be right for you, I invite you to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
We’ll talk about your goals, answer your questions, and create a plan that supports your next steps — whether that’s individual therapy, a couples intensive, or integrating KAP into your healing journey.

👉 Schedule Your Free Consultation Here

How to Find the Right Therapist for Affair Recovery Intensives in California

Choosing the right therapist is one of the most important steps in the affair recovery process. Once you decide that you’re ready to work through something so personal and difficult, you want to be sure you select the right person to help you. Without the right support, you may find yourself floundering through the experience and struggling with more questions than answers.

Having to switch therapists multiple times is an additional challenge you don’t need when you’re already dealing with so much. Hiring the right person from the start will save you time, energy, and emotional strain. Here are some things to look for when researching the right therapist for an affair recovery intensive in California:

Qualifications to Look For

The first thing you’ll want to do is check the therapist’s licensure status. Working with a licensed professional means you’ll be in the hands of someone with significant training and experience—licensed therapists are required to complete 3,000 or more clinical hours before taking multiple exams to earn their license.

A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), or Clinical Psychologist are all good options.

In addition to licensure, look for specializations in infidelity recovery and trauma recovery. You can typically find these details on their website. Many therapists also offer other ways to get a sense of their work—such as blog posts, podcast interviews, or videos—that give you a feel for their voice and expertise.

Experience That Matters

Specific training in therapy modalities should also be listed on their website and ideally include one or more of the following: Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), The Gottman Method, Brainspotting, or EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).

Your therapist should have hands-on experience guiding couples through the infidelity recovery process, and this should be clear in their website copy, free resources, or other professional presence.

The Importance of Fit

Once you’ve narrowed down your list to one or more therapists who meet the criteria, schedule a phone consultation to get a feel for their style and approach. Use this time to ask questions about their process, areas of expertise, experience, scheduling, and what you can expect during your intensive.

This initial conversation should leave you feeling assured, supported, and comfortable—like you could spend a few days sitting across from them while they guide you through one of the most vulnerable experiences of your life.

Final Thoughts

Finding the right therapist isn’t just about credentials—it’s about finding someone you trust with your most vulnerable moments. A skilled affair recovery specialist can help you navigate painful emotions, rebuild trust, and move toward the future you want together.

If you’re ready to take the next step, start by reading The Ultimate Guide to Affair Recovery Intensives. Or, book a consultation today to explore whether an intensive might be the right fit for you and your partner.