Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Specialist in Los Altos, CA

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is a unique therapeutic method for the treatment of depression, post-traumatic stress, chronic pain, addiction, and certain types of anxiety. Dr. Wender uses psychotherapy and other integrative techniques in conjunction with ketamine to augment, deepen, and prolong the curative effects of the medication.

The effects of ketamine temporarily dissociate the mind from the body. Without negative or painful feedback from your body, you are able to safely work through problems and look deeply at yourself. Your body stops giving you unpleasant physical feedback—like shame, fear, or profound sadness—when you examine a past situation or memory. In your mind, however, you remain completely aware, conscious, and present.

While in that state, Dr. Wender helps you change the way you think and the way you look at the world. Often, patients find they feel better about a situation that has been bothering them for a long time even as the ketamine wears off. Even though trauma is still a part of us as a memory, Dr. Wender’s guided treatment fundamentally changes the context of that memory.

Under Dr. Wender’s careful medical supervision, you will receive your ketamine treatment through a precise, customized IV infusion. As a Board-Certified Anesthesiologist, Dr. Wender ensures the highest level of safety and exact dosing throughout the process. Shortly after the infusion begins, most people experience body-tingling sensations and a deep feeling of relaxation. You will likely notice a mild amount of dissociation—a feeling like you aren’t quite in your own body, or like being in a peaceful trance state where old memories gently resurface.

During the procedure, you will rest comfortably in a serene setting for about an hour while Dr. Wender and our medical staff closely monitor your vitals and overall well-being. Once the IV infusion is complete and you have had a moment to gently transition back, Dr. Wender will sit down with you to discuss the thoughts and feelings that came up.

Then begins the integration process. You will meet with Dr. Wender weekly after your initial ketamine experience to discuss what emotions arose, what those emotions mean to you, what you saw, and how you felt afterward. The use of ketamine allows you and Dr. Wender to explore what you’ve seen and felt in a way that would not be possible with traditional talk therapy alone.

Dr. Wender commonly uses ketamine-assisted psychotherapy to treat anxiety, PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder. In extreme cases of depression, suicidal ideation can be treated immediately with ketamine infusions. Researchers have found that ketamine acts similarly to traditional antidepressants, though monthly sessions are often required to maintain effectiveness.

Those who suffer from anxiety or chronic pain can also greatly benefit from Dr. Wender’s ketamine-facilitated therapy due to the strong psychological components of these conditions.

In order to experience true catharsis, an individual must access both intellectual and emotional memories. It’s easy to tell the story of a car accident that happened ten years ago, but we no longer feel the fear that we had back then. This kind of deeper, emotional access is exactly what Dr. Wender aims to facilitate through KAP.

Through ketamine-facilitated therapy, we can gain safe access to the unconscious. When taken at precise, low doses, ketamine induces a state of hypnotherapy or dreamlike behavior. Normally, a defense mechanism serves to push away unpleasant memories, emotions, and phobias, locking them in our unconscious. Dr. Wender utilizes ketamine to help safely break down those barriers.

As a medical doctor, Dr. Wender carefully calibrates your dosage to induce this ideal dreamlike state, ensuring you reach emotional breakthroughs safely and effectively. Negative emotions can be dealt with far more quickly once a patient reaches this breakthrough. Under his guidance, you may arrive at a point of profound emotional release much faster than you would with just standard talk therapy.

Dr. Wender combines medical ketamine treatment with dedicated therapeutic support to help eligible patients explore emotional experiences, thoughts, and personal challenges in a highly structured setting. His approach focuses on using the ketamine experience alongside psychotherapy to support self-reflection, emotional processing, and a deeper understanding of your personal concerns.

Because the benefits and experience vary from person to person, Dr. Wender personally conducts a thorough evaluation before beginning treatment. He takes a personalized approach by carefully considering your symptoms, medical history, previous treatments, and individual goals. His physician-supervised care focuses entirely on your safety, comfort, and helping you understand whether this treatment is the right path forward.

Both treatments involve the use of ketamine, but they differ in how therapy is incorporated. Ketamine infusion therapy involves receiving ketamine through an IV infusion in our medically monitored setting, while ketamine-assisted psychotherapy actively integrates therapeutic support before, during, and after the treatment process to help you explore your emotions.

During your evaluation, Dr. Wender will consider your health history, symptoms, and treatment goals to determine the most appropriate approach for your specific needs, providing medical guidance throughout your entire care journey.