Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy

Ketamine is a medication that has been safely used in medicine for over 50 years primarily as an anesthetic. In lower doses, it has been found to have powerful effects on mood and thought patterns.

Research shows that ketamine can:

• Reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD

• Support emotional healing by disrupting rigid, negative thought loops

• Increase neuroplasticity, meaning the brain’s ability to form new connections

Ketamine acts on the brain's glutamate system to promote neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form new connections. When combined with psychotherapy, this can reduce rigid thought patterns linked to depression, anxiety, or trauma, making it easier to access new perspectives and emotional breakthroughs.

At Bloom Institute, ketamine is administered in a safe, supportive environment by Psychiatrists and trained professionals who guide you through the experience with care.

Ketamine-Assisted Therapy (KAT) is a treatment approach that combines the medical effects of ketamine with psychological support from trained therapists.

Key Elements of KAT:

●  Set (Mindset): A person’s mental and emotional state going into the experience is critically important. KAT includes preparation sessions to help individuals understand what to expect and to set clear intentions.

●  Setting (Environment): The treatment takes place in a calm, supportive, and safe clinical environment. Comfort and safety are essential for a positive experience.

●  Trained Therapists: Our multi-disciplinary team—including physicians, therapists, nurses, and paramedics—guides and supports clients before, during, and after their sessions.

●  Preparation:  Develop a therapeutic relationship, acquire psychoeducation, clarify and explore intentions, and manage expectations.

●  Integration: Clients participate in integration therapy to make sense of their experience, apply new insights to everyday life and continue to build regulation tools and strategies to support them in life outside of treatment.

In Alberta, strict eligibility criteria are in place to ensure patient safety and optimize outcomes. Our KAT therapies are supervised by a psychiatrist and follow the current Alberta Health and CPSA regulatory guidelines. To be considered for KAT, individuals must meet the following requirements:

Eligibility Criteria (per Alberta Health Services):

●  Diagnosis of a treatment-resistant mental health condition, such as:

○  Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

○  Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

○  Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

○  Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

○  Bipolar Depression

●  Inadequate response to at least two evidence-based treatments, such as:

○  Two or more antidepressant medications, OR

○  One medication and one structured psychotherapy (e.g. CBT, DBT), OR

○  Two structured therapy modalities

●  Must be under the care of a psychiatrist or physician who can provide a referral.

●  Age 18 or older

Each case is reviewed individually by our clinical team to ensure suitability and safety.

Please note that Bloom Institute reserves the right to decline treatment following the initial medical and/or psychiatric intake for individuals deemed ineligible due to medical or mental health considerations.

Ketamine-assisted therapy is not suitable for everyone. Some conditions or circumstances increase the risk of complications or reduce the likelihood of benefit.

Exclusion Criteria:

●  Uncontrolled medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, cirrhosis, renal failure, moderate-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hydrocephalus, brain mass, glaucoma

●  Current substance use disorder (excluding nicotine or caffeine)

●  History of psychosis, schizophrenia, active mania or bipolar

●  History of dissociation

●  Pregnancy or breastfeeding

●  Active suicidal ideation with a plan or recent suicide attempt (requires stabilization first)

●  Unstable psychiatric conditions that require acute inpatient care

●  Neurocognitive disorders, such as dementia

●  Traumatic brain injury with symptoms

Our team conducts a thorough screening process to prioritize client safety. If ketamine-assisted therapy isn’t appropriate, other evidence-based treatment options include antidepressant medications, mood stabilizers, therapy, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).

While ketamine is generally safe when administered in a medical setting, it does carry some risks and side effects, such as:

●  Nausea or loss of appetite

●  Increased blood pressure or heart rate (transient)

●  Disorientation or confusion during sessions

●  Headache or pressure in the eyes

●  Dizziness or blurred/double vision

●  Excitability/agitation or anxiety

●  Bruising at the injection site

●  Fatigue 

Our clinic follows best practices in ketamine administration, including thorough medical screening, continuous monitoring, and psychological support to minimize these risks.

A psychedelic dose is a high dose of ketamine, administered by intramuscular injection, that puts you in a full, non-ordinary state of consciousness. During this time, you will be resting with eye shades and curated music while the ketamine opens up different neuropathways and allow you a different level of internal experience. As ketamine is a dissociative drug, you may feel some disconnection which enables you to view yourself through a different lens.

A psycholytic dose is a lower dose of ketamine, administered intranasally, that allows you to experience a non-ordinary state of consciousness while also able to stay in the present moment and consciously process with your therapist. This allows you to step away from your ingrained defenses to access and address material that may have been too challenging to face in traditional therapy, allowing you the space to safely observe and process this material.

All patients must be referred using our referral form by a psychiatrist, family physician, or nurse practitioner who is able to oversee their care and provide ongoing supervision following the completion of ketamine-assisted therapy. Referrals are first reviewed through an initial screening process to determine basic eligibility. If appropriate, the patient will then be scheduled for a psychiatric assessment with one of our psychiatrists and a medical assessment with a family physician. These intake appointments are covered by Alberta Health Services, meaning there is no cost to the patient.

To respect our physicians’ time, we require a credit card on file when booking these appointments. A $150 fee will be charged for no-shows or cancellations made with less than 24 hours’ notice. Exceptions may be made in cases of extenuating circumstances, assessed individually.

Following the assessments, our team reviews each case collaboratively. If the patient is deemed eligible and safe to proceed with ketamine-assisted therapy (KAT), they may begin the booking process. For our 9-week programs, a 50% deposit is required at the time of booking, with the remaining balance due at the program’s midpoint. For individual packages or single sessions, full payment is required in advance to confirm scheduling.