What to Expect in Your First Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Session
September 12, 2025
Beginning ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is a big step, and it’s natural to feel both curious and unsure about what the experience will be like. The good news is that your first session is designed to be safe, supportive, and focused on your comfort. Here’s an overview of what you can expect.
Before Your Session
Leading up to your first Ketamine session, you and your therapist will take time to set an intention together. This might be a feeling you’d like to explore, an area of life you’d like to focus on, or a quality you’d like to invite in. Having a clear focus helps anchor your experience and gives you a sense of direction, even if the medicine guides you in a different direction.
To prepare your body, we recommend avoiding food and water for a few hours before your session. These guidelines help reduce the chance of nausea and support your comfort. Together your therapist will check your blood pressure, select a playlist, and begin easing into the experience. You’ll want to set up your space so it feels calm, undisturbed and personal to you. You may bring a comfort object or spend a few quiet minutes journaling before you begin.
During the Medicine
Once the ketamine is administered, you’ll settle into a comfortable position—usually lying down with an eye mask and headphones. The medicine typically begins to take effect within a few minutes, and you’ll be gently guided into this space in a way that feels right for you. For some people, that means resting in silence; for others, the therapist may offer grounding words or guide you through a short relaxation exercise. The medicine experience usually lasts about 60 minutes. Many clients describe it as calming, spacious, or clarifying. Thoughts may feel less rigid, and emotions or memories that are normally hard to access may become more available.
There is also no right or wrong way to experience the session. Some clients choose to speak aloud about what they're noticing during the medicine, while others prefer to remain in an internal, nonverbal space. Throughout, your therapist will be present to support you and ensure your comfort.
Transitioning Out
As the effects gradually fade, you’ll have time to ease back into your regular awareness. This is a gentle process. It’s suggested to take the next few hours after your session to move slowly and remain in your own space if possible. Journaling during this time can be especially valuable, giving you the opportunity to reflect on your experience and note any insights you’d like to bring into your integration session and into your daily life.
Follow-Up and Integration
The medicine session itself is only part of the healing process. What happens afterward, sometimes called “integration”—is where insights are translated into real, lasting change. In follow-up therapy sessions, you and your therapist will explore what came up for you, notice any shifts in mood or perspective, and work together to carry those changes forward.
Every client’s experience with ketamine-assisted therapy is unique, and your session will unfold in its own way. It’s natural to feel curious, excited, or even a little nervous beforehand. Remember that you’ll be supported every step of the way, and the insights you gain—both during and after the session, can help guide meaningful change in your life. Take your time, move at your own pace, and allow yourself to explore the experience with openness and self-compassion.