KAP and KA-EMDR
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy and/or Ketamine Assisted EMDR
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has been safely used in emergency and surgical settings since the 1970s. It works by targeting a neurotransmitter called Glutamate and enhancing Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which helps regenerate synaptic connections and boosts neuroplasticity in the brain.
Ketamine can offer rapid antidepressant effects, often within just 24 hours, and provides relief from symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and stress. After a series of treatments, the benefits can last for weeks to months. However, without proper preparation and integration therapy, the effects may be short-lived.
As the first clinician-prescribed psychedelic medicine, ketamine works by tapping into your own inner healer to address emotional pain. At Human to Human Counseling, we help you utilize your ketamine prescription to enhance the therapy experience. The KAP process helps to access deeper layers of self-understanding and personal growth. This combination of treatment and therapy allows for lasting change and healing.
Ketamine is not provided or administered by the therapist. Collaboration with a prescribing medical professional is required and there will be additional costs associated with the medical evaluation and ketamine prescription.
What is KAP and/or KA-EMDR?
KAP (ketamine ASsisted Psychotherapy
KA-EMDR (Ketamine Assisted EMDR)
Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy™ (KA-EMDR) is an innovative trauma treatment that blends two powerful tools—Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and low-dose sublingual ketamine—to help clients safely and effectively process traumatic memories and adverse life experiences that are contributing to present day distress and challenges.
This therapy uses low-dose (psycholytic) ketamine, which clients self-administer with direction from a licensed medical provider. The dose is low enough to keep clients alert and engaged—unlike psychedelic or dissociative doses where people often “go inward” and can’t actively participate in therapy. Instead, the goal is to enhance emotional openness, reduce anxiety, and expand the window of tolerance, making it easier to work through difficult material in session.
Ketamine is not provided or administered by the therapist. Collaboration with a prescribing medical professional is required and there will be additional costs associated with the medical evaluation and ketamine prescription.
We provide a trauma-informed approach that embeds therapy services alongside ketamine therapy to ensure effectiveness and durability in treatment. We provide the highest level of ethical practice within ketamine treatments.
Our Approach
Trauma-Informed
COMPASSIONATE CARE TAILORED TO YOUR UNIQUE JOURNEY
What sets us apart is our specialized trauma work through Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), combined with the highest standards of care in a welcoming and comfortable environment. A distinctive feature of our KAP sessions is the integration of therapeutic support that fosters personal growth, emotional healing, and connection to the self in a safe and nurturing space.
Maintenance
SUPPORT YOUR WELL-BEING: SUSTAIN YOUR PROGRESS WITH ONGOING CARE
We focus on helping clients reconnect with their authentic selves—teaching them how to access these deeper parts of themselves even outside of ketamine sessions. Our goal is to empower individuals to no longer rely on the medicine ketamine long-term. Unlike other places you can access ketamine , our maintenance sessions are much less frequent because we integrate therapy throughout the process. We emphasize long-term growth and healing, while building skills as you create new neuropathways in your brain. Each care plan is tailored to the individual, ensuring that treatment is as effective and sustainable as possible.
Integrative Therapy
HARMONIZING MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT FOR HOLISTIC HEALING
At Human to Human Counseling, we prioritize building meaningful relationships with our clients, ensuring a personalized and supportive experience. Our practice is focused on quality, not volume, which allows us to dedicate the time and attention each individual deserves throughout their healing journey.
The KAP Process
1
information Call
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with one of our trained clinician, Jeff, to learn more about the process and ask any questions you may have.
2
Medical Intake
You will complete a thorough medical intake with a Nurse Practitioner external to Human to Human Counseling; we work with a few and can provide you their contact information. This meeting with the prescriber is to ensure Ketamine treatment is safe and appropriate for you. This includes reviewing your medical history, current medications, and any relevant health concerns. An initial treatment plan will be developed in collaboration with you and your counselor.
3
Preparation
After the medical intake, you will reach out to your counselor here at Human to Human Counseling and schedule with them. In your first appointment you will discuss your treatment goals and create a personalized therapy plan. During this session, you'll receive preparation instructions and begin formulating your intentions for the first Ketamine session. Some therapeutic work may be incorporated into this session as well.
4
Experience
Your two-hour Ketamine session will take place in a private, comfortable room with a dedicated Ketamine therapist at Human to Human Counseling You will administer your own medicine as you agreed on with your prescriber - allowing for a smooth onset and a naturally structured experience. The effects typically last 40–60 minutes, and your therapist will provide integration support both before and after the session to help you navigate the experience and your personal healing.
5
Integration
After your Ketamine session, your trained therapist will guide you through deep exploration of your experience, offering strategies for lasting change and helping you set intentions for your next session. Integration sessions last 60 minutes and are scheduled 24-48 hours after your Ketamine experience.
6
CHECKOUT
Following your Ketamine treatment series, you'll meet with your counselor for a checkout appointment to review your progress. This session gives you a chance to discuss whether your treatment goals were met, ask any questions about your experience, and go over a maintenance plan going forward.
The KA-EMDR Process
1
information Call
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with one of our trained clinician, Katrina, to learn more about the process and ask any questions you may have.
2
Medical Intake
You will complete a thorough medical intake with a Nurse Practitioner external to Human to Human Counseling; we work with a few and can provide you their contact information. This meeting with the prescriber is to ensure Ketamine treatment is safe and appropriate for you. This includes reviewing your medical history, current medications, and any relevant health concerns. An initial treatment plan will be developed in collaboration with you and your counselor.
3
Preparation
After the medical intake, you will reach out to your counselor here at Human to Human Counseling and schedule with them. In your first appointment you will discuss your treatment goals and create a personalized EMDR therapy plan. During this session, you'll receive preparation instructions and begin formulating your intentions for the first KA-EMDR session. EMDR preparation will be incorporated into this session as well.
4
Experience
Your two-hour Ketamine session will take place in a private, comfortable room with a dedicated KA-EMDR therapist at Human to Human Counseling You will administer your own medicine as you agreed on with your prescriber - allowing for a smooth onset and a naturally structured experience. The effects typically last 40–60 minutes, and your therapist will provide EMDR processing during this time and will help after the session to assist you in navigating the experience and your personal healing and insights.
5
Continued Processing
After your initial KA-EMDR session, your trained therapist will guide you through deep exploration of your experience, offering continued KA-EMDR sessions as necessary until you have met your goals.
6
CHECKOUT
Following your Ketamine treatment series, you'll meet with your counselor for a checkout appointment to review your progress. This session gives you a chance to discuss whether your treatment goals were met, ask any questions about your experience, and go over a maintenance plan going forward.
Frequently asked questions
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Ketamine helps to facilitate a dissociative experience that allows individuals to access parts of themselves they may not be able to reach through talk therapy alone. The medicine can enhance neuroplasticity in the brain, increase emotional processing, and deepen the therapeutic work.
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The number of sessions will be determined based on evidence-based protocols for the treatment issues identified and in collaboration with you and your team. This may range from 1-9 sessions, with 6 being the average. All decisions will be discussed at intervals throughout treatment with you and your counselor.
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After each session, you will work with your therapist to integrate your experience. This might include processing insights gained during the session and creating actionable goals for ongoing healing. Integration is key to making long-term progress and creating lasting durability of the medication effects.
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We provide the therapeutic support and are specifically trained to do so, but as there are only a few providers in Iowa who prescribe Ketamine - you will need to connect with a prescriber ahead of time, meet with them, and discuss the dosage and any questions related specifically to the medicine.
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Yes, when taken in a controlled, clinical setting with trained professionals, ketamine is considered safe. It's been used for decades in emergency and surgical settings, and in recent years, it has been shown to have powerful therapeutic effects for mental health conditions.
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Yes, KAP can complement other forms of therapy (like with KA-EMDR), including talk therapy or medication management. Discussing your full treatment plan with your provider is important to ensure the best outcomes.
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KAP is not currently covered by insurance, but we are actively advocating to get some portions or all of KAP covered in the future. However, your medical intake, prep session, and integration sessions are covered if you're in-network with Human to Human Counseling. We are committed to making this valuable treatment as accessible as possible and will continue to update you on any changes regarding insurance coverage.
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While ketamine has psychoactive effects, it’s not the same as recreational drugs. It allows for a dissociative experience that helps you gain insight into your emotions and experiences, but you will be under the guidance of a trained professional throughout.
With KA-EMDR prescribers typically will suggest a lower dose so that the EMDR work can be done without too much dissociation.
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Sobriety and recovery require a healthy mindset and attitude. We are careful to not introduce ketamine too early into recovery as sobriety from the substance and development of personal and psychological safety is recommended before doing a deeper dive into the roots of addictions. Ketamine therapy can be used to treat the core issues that caused addiction. When used with the right timing and attitude, ketamine has the potential to break old patterns of behavior that lock us into painful addictions. Having a recovery-oriented mindset is key to establishing that neuroplasticity.
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Ketamine therapy is not for everyone. Certain medical and psychiatric conditions such as personal or family history of psychosis, active or poorly controlled substance use disorder, cardiac impairment that may be jeopardized with an increase in blood pressure, moderate/severe dementia, or severe obesity may be conditions that are not appropriate for ketamine.
READY TO BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY HOME TO YOURSELF?
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