Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is an emerging, off-label approach that combines the pharmacological effects of ketamine with the supportive presence of psychotherapy. Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic and NMDA receptor antagonist that can induce a non-ordinary state of consciousness. In this altered state, some individuals may find it easier to access emotional material, shift entrenched patterns, and explore new perspectives. While research is ongoing, preliminary studies suggest that ketamine may enhance neuroplasticity and provide relief for certain individuals with treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, and related conditions. Reported response rates in clinical settings for treatment-resistant depression are approximately 70%, with remission rates ranging from 40–50%, though individual outcomes can vary.

Dr. Dill offers KAP in the comfort and safety of clients’ homes, creating a personalized and grounded setting for inner exploration. Her role is to offer calm, attuned, and non-directive support before, during, and after ketamine sessions, with a focus on preparation, intention-setting, and integration. Dr. Dill draws on in-depth training with Dr. Phil Wolfson, a pioneer in KAP, as well as other leaders in the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy. Each session is thoughtfully tailored to the client’s needs, values, and intentions, with a strong emphasis on emotional safety, collaborative care, and honoring each person’s unique healing process.

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy: Key Components

    • Initial Clinical Consultation
      A collaborative conversation with Dr. Dill to explore your goals, assess psychological readiness, and determine whether KAP may be a supportive fit for your needs.

    • Medical and Psychological Screening by a Licensed Prescriber
      A thorough evaluation conducted by a trusted medical provider to assess overall health, psychiatric history, and potential contraindications to ketamine treatment.

    • Risk Assessment and Safety Planning
      Review of relevant mental and physical health factors to ensure that KAP can be pursued safely and responsibly.

    • Informed Consent and Education
      Detailed discussion of ketamine’s off-label use, its potential benefits and risks, expected effects, and your rights and responsibilities as a participant in this treatment.

    • Collaborative Communication
      Ongoing coordination between Dr. Dill and the prescribing provider to support continuity of care, clinical alignment, and individualized treatment planning.

    • Clarifying Intentions
      Support in setting meaningful, personal intentions to guide and anchor the therapeutic journey.

    • Education on the KAP Process
      Clear, accessible information about what to expect before, during, and after ketamine sessions to foster a sense of readiness and informed participation.

    • Establishing a Trusting Therapeutic Alliance
      Creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients feel seen, supported, and empowered throughout the process.

    • Mind-Body Practices for Grounding
      Introduction to simple somatic, breath, or mindfulness techniques that can help regulate the nervous system and promote a sense of safety before medicine sessions.

    • Self-Administration of Ketamine Lozenges
      Clients self-administer ketamine lozenges as prescribed by a licensed medical provider, following individualized protocols and medical guidance.

    • Personalized and Contained Setting
      Sessions typically last around three hours and take place in the comfort and familiarity of the client’s home, supporting a relaxed and grounded environment for inner exploration.

    • Continuous Support from Dr. Dill
      Dr. Dill provides steady, compassionate presence throughout the entire session, holding a calm and attuned therapeutic space.

    • Intentional Use of Sensory and Ritual Elements
      Music, eye shades, aromatherapy, and breath awareness practices are thoughtfully incorporated to support inward focus. When aligned with the client’s preferences, sacred elements such as candles, crystals, oracle cards, or a simple altar may be included to cultivate a ceremonial, meaningful experience.

    • Altered States of Consciousness
      Ketamine may induce dissociative or psychedelic states, offering a non-ordinary experience of consciousness that can support emotional insight, expanded awareness, and therapeutic processing within a supportive context.

    • Virtual Integration
      Integration sessions are conducted virtually, offering accessible, flexible support as clients reflect on their medicine experiences and continue their therapeutic journey.

    • Making Meaning of the Experience
      Space is held to reflect on and make meaning from the emotional, cognitive, or spiritual material that emerged during the ketamine session.

    • Exploring Emotions, Memories, and Insights
      Clients are gently supported in exploring any thoughts, feelings, or memories that surfaced, with an emphasis on curiosity, acceptance, and insight.

    • Supporting Meaningful Change
      Integration work may involve identifying shifts in thinking, behavior, or self-perception, and nurturing these changes in alignment with the client’s goals and values.

    • Grounding Insights into Daily Life
      Practical strategies and support are offered to help anchor the insights gained into everyday life, fostering sustainable growth, self-awareness, and healing over time.

    • Virtual Psychotherapy Sessions
      Continued virtual sessions provide a consistent and supportive space to process experiences, reinforce insights, and foster emotional integration.

    • Reinforcing and Expanding Insights
      Therapy supports clients in revisiting and deepening insights gained during medicine sessions, while exploring how those shifts relate to broader patterns of growth, healing, and self-understanding.

    • Revisiting Intentions and Adjusting Course
      Clients are encouraged to reflect on their original intentions and adapt their focus as needed to remain aligned with evolving goals and inner guidance.

    • Lifestyle, Self-Care, and Spiritual Guidance
      When appropriate, sessions may include support around self-care routines, lifestyle changes, spiritual exploration, or existential themes based on the client’s interests and values.

    • Flexible Integration of Periodic KAP Sessions
      KAP sessions may be spaced out over time, with psychotherapy serving as an anchor for grounding and integrating each experience into daily life.

    • Collaboration with Ongoing Providers
      For clients who are already working with a therapist, KAP can serve as a time-limited adjunct to their existing care. Clients may return to their primary therapist after the KAP process concludes, with the option for coordination and continuity of care if desired.

Working with Dr. Dill

Dr. Dill has completed over 140 hours of didactic and experiential trainings in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) and MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy through Polaris Insight Center, the Ketamine Training Center (KTC), and the MAPS/Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She has trained with several leading figures in the psychedelic therapy field, including Dr. Phil Wolfson, Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, Licia Sky, and Dr. Michael and Annie Mithoefer. In addition, she has completed workshops in Hakomi Psychotherapy and Internal Family Systems (IFS), which she often weaves into KAP sessions to support deep, integrative work.

Alongside her clinical expertise, Dr. Dill brings over two decades of dedicated meditation practice and meaningful engagement with shamanic and other spiritual/healing traditions—elements that contribute spiritual sensitivity, intuitive presence, and depth to her therapeutic work. Her background helps create a grounded, attuned container that supports clients in navigating expanded states of consciousness with safety and clarity.

Beyond her private practice, Dr. Dill is actively involved in the psychedelic-assisted therapy movement within the VA health care system. She is one of the co-organizers of a grassroots national psychedelic medicine group and a nationally attended didactic series on psychedelic therapy for VA providers.

“Enlightenment is when a wave realizes it is an ocean.”

 – Thich Nhat Hanh

Schedule your appointment