Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy in Calgary: An Option for Treatment-Resistant Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, and OCD
Finding effective mental health care can be challenging, especially for individuals living in Calgary with treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, or OCD. If you or someone you care about has tried multiple medications or therapies without meaningful relief, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) may offer a new pathway forward at Bloom Calgary
At Bloom Institute of Mental Health & Wellness, located in Calgary’s Beltline, individuals now have access to an evidence-based, medically supervised approach that blends low-dose ketamine treatment with structured psychotherapy for transformative results.
In this guide, we’ll explain what ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is, who may benefit, how eligibility works, and what to expect from treatment at Bloom.
What Is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy?
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has been used safely in medicine for decades and is listed on the World Health Organization’s Essential Medicines List. At sub-anesthetic doses, ketamine has been shown to produce rapid antidepressant and anxiolytic effects - often within hours.
When combined with psychotherapy in a structured therapeutic environment, ketamine can help individuals:
Break out of entrenched thought patterns
Process trauma more effectively
Increase neuroplasticity and emotional openness
Experience relief from symptoms when other treatments have failed
Research continues to grow, showing promising results for:
Major depressive disorder (MDD)
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD & C-PTSD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Bipolar II disorder (depressive episodes)
Substance use disorders
Why Consider Ketamine Therapy in Calgary?
Many people seeking mental health treatment in Calgary have tried multiple approaches before exploring ketamine-assisted care. Ketamine KAP offers several unique benefits:
1. Rapid symptom relief
Unlike antidepressants, which can take weeks, ketamine can reduce symptoms within hours or days.
2. Helps when other treatments haven’t worked
KAP is specifically designed for treatment-resistant conditions, Albertans are eligible for Ketamine Therapy when at least two evidence-based treatments have not produced sufficient improvement.
3. Works synergistically with psychotherapy
Ketamine promotes neural growth and increases the brain’s capacity to form new connections, making therapy more impactful.
4. Safe and medically supervised
All ketamine treatments at Bloom are administered and monitored by a team including physicians, nurses, paramedics, and psychotherapists.
How Ketamine Treatment Works at Bloom
Bloom Institute offers a multidisciplinary, step-by-step approach to ensure ketamine therapy is safe, ethical, and effective.
Comprehensive Assessment
Before beginning treatment, each patient completes:
A full medical and psychiatric evaluation
Review of past treatments, current medications, and lab results
Screening for contraindications or safety risks
Treatment may be declined if ketamine is not clinically appropriate.
Preparation Sessions
Therapists guide clients through intention-setting, emotional readiness, and preparation practices to help them enter sessions with clarity and confidence.
Ketamine Dosing Sessions
Administered in a supportive clinical environment, sessions are monitored by medical staff at all times. Ketamine is taken in sub-anesthetic doses, and clients remain conscious.
Integration Psychotherapy
After each session, clients work with therapists to integrate their insights, address emotional material, and apply new perspectives to daily life.
Adjunctive model of care:
Bloom does not replace a patient’s main psychiatrist or physician. Instead, they offer short-term ketamine-assisted treatment while clients continue their primary care elsewhere.
Who Is Eligible for Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy?
To qualify for KAP at Bloom in Calgary, patients must generally:
Be 18 years or older
Have a diagnosis related to depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, bipolar II depression, or related conditions
Demonstrate inadequate response to at least two prior treatments (such as medications or structured psychotherapy)
Be under the care of a physician or psychiatrist who can provide a referral
Provide recent lab results (within 90 days)
Who May Not Be a Good Fit?
While ketamine is safe for many, certain conditions may prevent eligibility, including:
Uncontrolled medical conditions (e.g., severe hypertension, heart disease, liver or kidney failure)
History of psychosis, schizophrenia, or active mania
Severe substance use disorder
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Active suicidal intent or unstable psychiatric condition
Neurocognitive disorders or certain traumatic brain injuries
Each case is evaluated individually to ensure patient safety.
Bloom’s Mental Health Services in Calgary
Alongside ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, Bloom offers:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
Mindfulness-based CBT
Trauma-informed psychotherapy
This holistic approach ensures clients receive well-rounded, evidence-based care.
How to Get Referred for Ketamine Therapy in Calgary
Bloom accepts physician or psychiatrist referrals. Referral forms can be submitted via fax or through an online form.
Patients interested in exploring ketamine therapy should speak with their primary care provider to determine if ketamine is appropriate.
Visit Bloom Institute of Mental Health & Wellness in Calgary
📍 Suite 400 – 628 12 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta
Bloom offers a modern therapeutic space designed to support safety, comfort, and calm throughout the ketamine therapy experience.
Is Ketamine Therapy Right for You?
If you're searching for effective mental health support in Calgary, Alberta, and traditional approaches haven’t given you the relief you need, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy may be a meaningful next step.
Bloom’s team is committed to compassionate, evidence-based care that empowers individuals to heal, grow, and regain control over their lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ketamine therapy legal in Canada?
Yes. Ketamine is a legal, medically approved medication that can be prescribed off-label for mental health treatment under proper clinical supervision.
Is ketamine-assisted therapy safe?
When administered by trained professionals in a controlled clinical setting, ketamine is considered safe for many individuals. Screening helps identify risks or contraindications.
How long do ketamine’s effects last?
Some individuals experience benefits for several days after a single session. Treatment plans typically combine multiple dosing sessions with integration therapy for longer-term results.
Do I need a referral?
Yes—Bloom only accepts patients through a physician or psychiatrist referral to ensure collaborative care.
Looking for Ketamine Therapy in Calgary? Start Here.
If you're ready to explore ketamine-assisted psychotherapy or want to learn more about whether it's right for you, Bloom Institute of Mental Health & Wellness is here to help.
👉 Contact us today or speak with your physician about submitting a referral.
