Your Complete Guide to Ketamine Therapy in Denver, the High Country and Surrounding Mountain Towns of Colorado!

Your Complete Guide to Ketamine Therapy in Denver, the High Country and surrounding Mountain Towns of Colorado

As you’ve probably heard, psychedelics are becoming mainstream in the mental health world. In the past few years, you’ve probably learned something about the positive effects of ketamine for mental health. There is great research supporting the positive effects and outcomes of using ketamine to treat various mental health concerns and this amazing modality is getting a lot of well deserved attention. On the flip side, with so much information coming out about ketamine for mental health, potential clients can often feel overwhelmed or confused about where to start with ketamine therapy.

The goal for this post is to provide a complete guide to ketamine therapy, address common questions from potential clients, and clarify the different options for ketamine for mental health in Denver, the High Country, and surrounding mountain towns of Colorado including Summit and Eagle County.

Ketamine has been used in medical settings for over 50 years, with the FDA approving ketamine as an anesthetic in 1970. Beginning in the 90s, studies and research on ketamine in the field of psychiatry began. Since then, many research trials and studies have found positive results in using ketamine for mental health. The most supported and significant finding in this research has been the profound antidepressant effects of ketamine.

Ketamine therapy can be used to treat a wide variety of mental health concerns including treatment resistant depression, chronic anxiety, suicidal ideation, substance use/addiction, eating disorders, OCD, and PTSD/trauma.

Most importantly, ketamine works. Research supports a 70-80% positive response rate, whereas traditional medications and psychotherapy have a 30-40% positive response rate.

Explaining the different options for ketamine therapy in Colorado

Ketamine therapy is a broad umbrella term to describe using ketamine as a medication to treat mental health concerns. There are many different options when it comes to ketamine therapy and treatment - the main ones being IV ketamine infusions, and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP).

To help me explain the different options for ketamine therapy in Colorado, I interviewed my colleague Mandy Glasmeyer, CRNA and owner of High Country Infusion & Wellness Center in Frisco, CO. Mandy explained that although both IV ketamine infusion therapy and KAP utilize ketamine as the medication involved, the two experiences can be very different.

IV Ketamine therapy is just that - an infusion of ketamine provided to clients via IV while under medical supervision. IV ketamine is 100% bioavailable due to the route of administration. Mandy described IV ketamine therapy as a “quick on-set, steady state” infusion with some of the benefits being the ability to slow down, pause, or stop the infusion if needed. The experience in itself is described as smooth without any sudden peaks due to the infusion’s programmed rate. Patients will be medically monitored throughout the infusion, and the experience is more of an internal profound and transformative feeling. The Nurse Practitioner or Physician will evaluate you before each infusion, monitor you throughout the session, and follow up after the infusion. There is generally not a therapist present (unless pre-scheduled) but you are able to have a companion with you throughout the experience if desired. You have the option to lie down, relax, and listen to music during the IV Infusion.

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) involves the use of ketamine during a psychotherapy session with a licensed therapist. Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is the process of combining the medicine (ketamine) with the work of a trained, psychedelic therapist (psychotherapy). The combination of using the medicine as the tool, along with the relationship and guidance of the therapist is what makes this treatment extremely effective. Although KAP can be done with several different options for route of administration, most KAP clients utilize oral ketamine lozenges (called “troches”) with this option. Throughout your KAP session, your therapist will be with you the whole time, and you will be able to lie down and relax, and enjoy having an eye mask and relaxing music in the background. You and your therapist will use the ketamine as a catalyst to do deep, therapeutic work. This modality is also focused on a client’s internal experience. Due to the low dosing, most clients prefer to talk and engage with the therapist after the initial peak of the experience (which lasts about 20-30 minutes),

I asked Mandy how she typically differentiates between recommending a client to start IV ketamine infusion therapy or Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). Mandy shared that both modalities are effective for most clients, but a main differentiator is the severity of a client’s symptoms. Mandy recommends that if a client is experiencing moderate to severe mental health symptoms that significantly impact their ability to function in their life, they would most likely benefit by starting with IV ketamine infusion therapy. On the other hand, Mandy explains that for a client with mild to moderate mental health symptoms that feel more manageable but still distressing, KAP could be a better option. In addition, clients with PTSD or attachment-related trauma (child abuse/neglect, history of sexual assault/abuse, betrayal, abusive relationships, etc) benefit more from KAP due to the healing impact and guidance of the positive and safe relationship with the therapist.

In short, the biggest difference between IV Ketamine Therapy and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), is whether or not you will be engaging in therapy while taking the medication or if you’ll be enjoying the experience independently, without a psychotherapist present (IV Ketamine infusions). Furthermore, the dosing is different for both modalities, and therefore the felt experience of the medicine can differ in intensity, with IV Ketamine infusions typically being described as more immersive and intense than doses for Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy.

Common questions about ketamine therapy

Q: Will I need to do ketamine therapy forever?

A: Ketamine is usually not a “one and done” treatment. As with any other medication or healing modality, it is something you will have to participate in with some regularity. However, ketamine is not a daily medication. Most clients find that they have a cumulative effect with ketamine and get to a point of maintenance or as needed treatments.

Q: How does ketamine therapy work?

A: Ketamine works on the glutamate and NMDA receptors in the brain, which create the antidepressant effects. In addition, ketamine works in the default mode network part of the brain, where negative thought patterns and ruminations occur. In addition, ketamine creates positive, relaxing feelings of dissociation, which allows clients to be in a different state than their normal state of being. Furthermore, ketamine creates neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to change, and create new neural networks and patterns.

Q: What does ketamine therapy feel like?

A: Most clients find the ketamine experience extremely pleasant. Most report feeling relaxed body sensations, a positive uplifting feeling, and experience feeling “floaty”.

Q: isn’t ketamine a horse tranquilizer? Will i go into a “k hole”? why would i use a party drug for healing?

A: You probably learned from your middle school DARE class that ketamine is a horse tranquilizer, among many other things. It’s true that ketamine is used recreationally but what I find is underneath these types of questions is the fear that ketamine therapy is addictive. Yes, ketamine does have potential for addiction but it is highly unlikely in the setting of professionally monitored therapy with a medical provider or therapist. When people use drugs recreationally, which often looks like unsupervised use at high doses, yes, they can become addicted to it. That being said, ketamine is the most commonly used medicine globally to safely provide sedation for both adults and children to perform medical procedures and operations. Ketamine is in the low dependence potential, compared to both nicotine and alcohol. Ketamine compared with other medications (like morphine and other opioids) used in hospitals has a much lower potential for dependency.

How to get the most out of ketamine therapy

Although all forms of ketamine therapy are highly effective, it is not a magic pill or silver bullet.

Integration is the process of integrating insights from ketamine therapy into your day-to-day life. Integration is a critical aspect of the process. Research says that although ketamine in itself is a helpful modality, integration is the most crucial piece to maintaining long lasting changes. In other words, ketamine works better when paired with therapy - whether it is during the ketamine experience (i.e. KAP), or as a support after or in between IV infusions. Without integration, some studies have found that depression scores may return to baseline after about four weeks.

All forms of ketamine therapy, including IV infusions and KAP, can be a great addition to the work you are already doing with your individual therapist, or the medications you are currently taking.

In short, you get better results from ketamine when you are also engaging in therapy in addition to ketamine, no matter the route of administration.

The importance of finding a good provider

Like all healing modalities, it’s important to feel comfortable with your provider. With ketamine therapy and psychedelics becoming more popular, it’s more important than ever to make sure you find a good provider. As a KAP therapist, here are my top recommendations when connecting with a ketamine provider.

-In Colorado, it is not required for ketamine providers, including providers at IV ketamine clinic or KAP therapists to have specialized training in using ketamine for mental health treatment. There is no official credential for ketamine therapists or ketamine providers at this time. That said, it’s important to make sure your provider has extensive education, experience, and training in utilizing ketamine for mental health.

-Make sure your provider takes integration seriously. Like we discussed above, integration is vital to successful treatment and your ketamine provider should focus on that. Focusing on integration looks like taking the time to prepare you thoroughly before you begin ketamine therapy, recommending you to engage in talk therapy in addition to ketamine, and sharing integration recommendations as a way to sustain the changes you are making.

-A provider that focuses on provider-client relationship first. There are many options when it comes to ketamine therapy, and many of them feel medical or clinical as some ketamine providers work in a hospital or doctor’s office. I always recommend finding a ketamine provider that focuses on creating an open, safe relationship with each client and values creating a holistic healing experience for each client in a relaxing environment.

If you’re looking for a trusted KAP therapist, I highly recommend the therapists trained through Innate Path. Innate Path is a wonderful organization that trains therapists to provide safe and effective psychedelic assisted psychotherapy. The reason I highly recommend therapists trained at Innate Path is because unlike many other trainings, Innate Path teaches a specific model as well as requires therapists to undergo an experiential component to the training. That means that any therapist trained at Innate Path has undergone their own psychedelic assisted psychotherapy and understands the clinical model and psychedelic experience both from the classroom setting in addition to their lived experience as a participant.

Effective Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) in Denver

At Alchemy Therapy and Wellness, we provide Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy in our Denver location. We specialize in using KAP to treat depression, trauma/PTSD, attachment trauma, anxiety, and substance use. For more information about Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy in Denver, click here.

Reputable and Safe IV Ketamine Therapy in Summit County, Eagle County, Vail, and surrounding areas

High Country Infusion & Wellness Center is the best recommendation for IV ketamine therapy in Summit County, Eagle County, Vail and surrounding areas. I would send any of my clients, friends, or loved ones to this ketamine clinic due to Mandy Glasmeyer’s extensive expertise and experience working with ketamine. In addition, her innate ability to connect with clients so they feel safe and comfortable, and the importance she places on mental health and therapy in conjunction with IV ketamine therapy is second to none. The feedback from clients that I’ve referred to Mandy and High Country Infusion Center has been consistently positive.

Effective Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) in Summit County, Eagle County, Vail, and surrounding areas

At Alchemy Therapy and Wellness, we provide Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy in our Frisco location. Our KAP therapist is highly trained and knowledgeable in using KAP to treat a variety of mental health concerns. For more information about Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy for clients in Summit County, Eagle County, Vail and surrounding areas, click here.

Introducing Group Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy in Summit County!
Due to the increased need and demand for Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy in the High Country, Mandy Glasmeyer of High Country Infusion Center and Hannah Buzzo of Alchemy Therapy and Wellness are introducing the first Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) Group in Summit County! Group KAP is a great option for those looking to start the process of KAP, where cost may be a barrier. In addition, group KAP provides a sense of community and connection between group members. Our next 5 week program begins on March 2, 2023. For more details about our upcoming group KAP option, click here.

Hannah Buzzo LPC LAC is the owner and licensed therapist at Alchemy Therapy and Wellness LLC. Hannah has over 5 years of experience blending traditional and alternative approaches (including KAP) to treat trauma/PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance use concerns. Hannah was trained in somatic, trauma-focused psychedelic assisted psychotherapy at Innate Path. In addition to providing quality individual, group, couples and KAP therapy services, Hannah teaches and supervises masters level graduate students, and trains other therapists in psychedelic assisted psychotherapy.

Mandy Glasmeyer APRN CRNA is a nurse practitioner and owner of High Country Infusion and Wellness Center. Mandy has over 16 years of experience using ketamine in a variety of different settings across all generations and ages. She creates a welcoming, holistic, and personal experience for each client. She is passionate about bridging the gap between physical and mental health in our community.

Hannah BuzzoFebruary 1, 2023ketamine, ketaminetherapy, ketaminetherapyincolorado