The Low-Down on Low-Dose Ketamine-Assisted Therapy

Meredith Futernick-Gerak, LPC, ACS, C-BSP, C-PAT
Sep 2
3 min read

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) has gained popularity as an alternative to traditional talk therapy over the past several years. Most of the research thus far has focused on a high-dose, highly-intensive, short-term protocol.

It has been both my personal and professional experience that there is much value in being able to experience the dissociative and psychedelic states that these high doses induce. When paired with psychotherapy, the transformation over the course of 8 weeks of treatment has been compared with the benefits of 10 years of traditional talk therapy. I have experienced this transformation myself!

While higher doses can create powerful, immersive states; many people are finding that low-dose or “psycholytic” ketamine assisted therapy offers something different. A more gentle access to insight, deeper presence, and the ability to stay connected to the therapeutic process. It is also more accessible in regards to time commitment, cost of treatment, and intensity.

What Is Low-Dose (Psycholytic) Ketamine Assisted Therapy?

Low-dose ketamine (often 25–100 mg, depending on the prescriber’s recommendation) brings clients into a softer, more flexible state. Unlike a fully dissociative or psychedelic experience, low-dose work allows clients to:

Remain aware and engaged during therapy
Access emotions and memories with more openness
Loosen rigid defenses without feeling overwhelmed
Integrate insights in real time with the support of a therapist

This approach, also referred to as psycholytic therapy, was practiced in Europe decades ago and is now being revisited as a powerful tool for trauma healing and growth (Passie et al., 2022).

Why Choose Low-Dose?

Psycholytic KAP can be especially helpful for:

Clients seeking a more accessible way to move through feelings of "stuckness" in therapy and/or in life.
Folks new to ketamine assisted therapy who prefer a gentler entry point.
Trauma healing that benefits from titration and a slower pace.
Sessions where Brainspotting, somatic therapies, or parts work are integrated.

Many describe it as a way of staying grounded while still reaching new depths. Clients usually find that their defenses soften without the common concern in high-dose KAP that they might completely lose inhibition and control over the material that comes up.

How We Offer This Work

At Integrative Journey Modern Psychotherapy Co., we offer low-dose KAP as one way to support both individual clients and the professional community. Our approach is always client-led, non-pathologizing, and trauma-informed; and we work in partnership with prescribing medical providers.

For Clinicians: Educational Opportunities

We are also committed to training clinicians who want to bring psycholytic work into their own practices and creating supportive communities around this work:

Intro to Psycholytic KAP: A one-day training for clinicians interested in learning how to safely and effectively integrate low-dose ketamine into psychotherapy practice.
Group Psycholytic KAP Process: We are currently accepting applications for a nine-month experiential training for a Group Psycholytic KAP Process that combines the benefits of psycholytic ketamine with group dynamics, Brainspotting, somatic therapies, and parts work. This innovative model allows clients to heal not only within themselves but also in connection with others.
Where You Look, How You Heal: Brainspotting in Psycholytic (Low-Dose) Ketamine Therapy: This training explores one way we practice psycholytic work; by integrating Brainspotting with low-dose ketamine.
Monthly Psycholytic KAP Experiential: The intention of this group is to deepen your understanding of psycholytic ketamine through personal exploration. Experiencing the medicine in a group setting enhances connection with colleagues and also provides a unique perspective to inform your work with clients.

Low-dose ketamine-assisted therapy is about expanding access to deeper healing; whether through individual intensive work, supportive group spaces, or professional training. It brings depth, presence, and transformation together in gentle and approachable format.