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KBS, Inc. and its affiliates (“Innerwell”) provide a platform that connects medical professionals with individuals. Innerwell does not control or direct the activity of the medical professionals providing care through the platform. Innerwell does not provide medical advice and nothing on the platform should be considered medical advice.

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Innewell clients that are on plans that include Psychotherapist-Led Ketamine Experiences begin with two supervised ketamine experiences. These experiences are under the guided care of a licensed therapist who’s been trained in helping you harness the power of psychedelics for introspection and self-exploration. Your therapist is with you from start to finish during your ketamine experience.

You may be wondering what it’s like to work with a therapist while you’re undergoing a psychedelic experience. In this article, we’re going to break down what to expect and provide tips for interacting with your therapist during your virtual ketamine sessions.

Will I feel like talking during my ketamine experience?

Ketamine is classified as a dissociative anesthetic. When you take ketamine, you will most likely feel calm, quiet, and relaxed. Some people compare taking ketamine to going into a very deep meditation. The experience offers a beautiful opportunity to reflect on your life from a more distanced and less emotionally reactive space. During supervised experiences, your therapist will be on-camera and present with you, and their role is to maintain a safe and supportive environment throughout your experience, enabling deep introspection without fear of judgment. Likewise, their job is not to “watch you” during your session*, but rather to keep a pulse on the energy and shifts that take place as your experience unfolds.

Do I need to talk to my therapist during Ketamine Assisted Therapy?

If there is a story, memory, or thought that comes up during your session, your therapist will be happily ready to listen and help you process it. You may exchange dialogue similar to a typical therapy session while you are in your altered state. 

However, it’s important to recognize that you are not required or expected to talk and engage with your therapist throughout your experience. If you feel like putting on your eyemask and simply listening to the music, that is completely fine. In some cases, clients will not speak at all during a ketamine-assisted therapy session, only opening up once the effects have worn off and their session is complete. In this case, your therapist will honor the quiet space while still being attentive..

The dynamics of communication during ketamine experiences are fluid, and will likely change from session to session. At one particular dose, you might have a highly verbal session, and at another dose, you may prefer more silence.

In summary, there is no “right way” to interact with your therapist during the journey. They are there to support you in whatever way you need. 

What happens after my supervised experiences?

After your first two supervised sessions in the Individualized Psychedelic Assisted Therapy plan at Innerwell, you should start to feel comfortable with how ketamine makes you feel. Likewise, your therapist and psychiatric clinician will be working together with you to ensure you’re safe and at the optimal dose throughout the duration of your program.

Subsequent ketamine experiences are self-guided and followed by an Integration Session with your therapist. Integration sessions allow you to work with your therapist during the optimal time window when your brain is benefitting from the neuroplasticity that ketamine induces.

You will always have access to your therapist and psychiatric clinician throughout your entire journey at Innerwell. We want you to feel comfortable communicating anything that comes up for you, whether it’s an insight, question, or concern.

*You’ll have a sitter at home to make sure you’re safe. Plus, all Innerwell sessions start with a series of safety checks to make sure you’re ready to go.

A must-read for anyone considering the Individualized Psychedelic Assisted Therapy plan, this article discusses what it's like to have a therapist with you while you're undergoing a psychedelic experience.

How do I interact with my therapist during my ketamine experience?

Let’s start with something easy. Can you tell us a little about your professional background and areas of focus?

I took a rather circuitous route to become a physician with detours in dentistry and neuroscience. During my first year of dental school at Penn I discovered that the brain is much more interesting than teeth, so I dropped out of dental school and decided to apply to medical school. For two years in between dental school and med school, I worked full-time in neuroscience research studying the effects of antiretroviral drugs on the central nervous system in rats. 

Once I started med school at Albert Einstein, I was immediately drawn to psychiatry, partly because my father is a psychotherapist and he’s always loved what he does, and also because of the opportunity to spend more time with patients compared to other medical specialties. Furthermore, psychiatry gets at the root of the human condition, as mental health is the foundation of everything that makes us who we are.

I’m particularly interested in the use of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in the following areas: 
•Depression                
•Anxiety                
•Compassion fatigue and burnout                
•Career transitions                
•Relationship difficulties                  

How would you describe your approach to therapy?

Straightforward and conversational with a dash of humor. 

I truly listen to them and take time to really understand them. 

How did you become interested in working with psychedelics including ketamine?

Prior to becoming a psychiatrist, psychedelics had a profound and lasting impact on my emotional and spiritual wellbeing. I knew I wanted to work in a profession where I could make a difference in people’s lives via treatment with psychedelics. During med school I attended the annual Horizons Conference on Psychedelics in NYC, and I realized the field of mental health was in the midst of a psychedelic renaissance. I also assisted with ketamine research at Northwell Health in between my first and second year of med school, and that’s when I first began to appreciate ketamine’s ability to act as a powerful antidepressant.

While in psychiatry residency at NYU, I was a therapist on the psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for alcoholism study, where I witnessed how psychedelics have the power to treat addiction. I also underwent ketamine-assisted psychotherapy training through the Ketamine Training Center with Phil Wolfson during my last year of residency. 

All of these experiences have demonstrated to me the crucial role that psychedelics can play in alleviating suffering. 

What excites you most about the future of psychedelics?

The ability of psychedelics to not only alleviate suffering, but also to help people find greater meaning and fulfillment in their lives.

Enough about work! Let’s try some rapid fire questions;

First, Where do you live? - I’ve been living a nomadic life for the past several years after leaving NYC in January 2020: Bay Area (1.5 years) → Hudson Valley (1 year) → Ohio (since February 2023)

What's a perfect afternoon? -  Either hiking with my wife and our mini goldendoodle, or being curled up on the couch with a big novel and a good jazz album.

Favorite food? Pizza/Pasta - New York-style pizza (John’s Of Bleecker Street or Luzzo’s in the East Village)

Describe yourself in two words. - Adventurous and curious

Dr. Michael Cooper completed psychiatry residency at NYU, where he was a therapist on the psilocybin-assisted therapy for alcoholism study and subsequently completed ketamine-assisted psychotherapy training. Dr. Cooper believes everyone has the potential to become the best version of themselves, and the road toward self-actualization doesn’t need to be traveled alone. Through a trusting therapeutic alliance, he helps patients fully understand their own narratives and realize that their stories can be rewritten.

Clinician Spotlight: Michael Cooper, MD

Clinician Spotlight: 
Michael Cooper, MD

Becoming a psychotherapist has been a life goal of mine, and also a second career. I was employed in the restaurant industry for nearly two decades when I decided I wanted to return to grad school for Mental Health Counseling. I have worked in educational settings from kindergarten to post doc, psychiatric rehabilitation with adults with severe emotional disturbances, with survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence, and youth and adults experiencing homelessness. I've never shied away from helping where it is most needed. Presently, I am working in private practice focusing on life transitions, relationships of all kinds, OCD, and issues affecting the LGBTQIA+ community. In addition to being a therapist, I also manage an outreach program for marginally housed queer youth.

I approach individual therapy as a dialogue; my style is conversational and collaborative rather than strictly clinical, always client-centered and trauma informed. I draw from a variety of theoretical backgrounds, including psychoanalysis, family systems, and CBT, depending upon the individual need of the client. 

I've been told I am warm, wise, compassionate, and easy to talk with.

In my early 20's, I experimented with LSD and psilocybin recreationally, and had mostly positive experiences. Fast forward to recent years, I saw the re-emergence of psychedelics within mental health healing contexts, led by leaders in the fields of PTSD and OCD research. I read everything I could get my hands on related to psychedelics, and then embarked upon the opportunity to work with Innerwell and complete intensive training to utilize Ketamine in a therapeutic context.  

Being hands on within the psychedelic renaissance in healing people's trauma and psychic scars through non-ordinary states of consciousness and inward journeys; witnessing the effects at an individual and macro level is exhilerating. The capacity for this medicine to heal trauma, rather than be managed through traditional big pharma and therapy, provides so much hope. I am honored to be part of this. 

First, Where do you live? - New York City, in the Lower East Side.

What's a perfect afternoon? -Wandering around the wonder that is New York, taking in art and music, discovering a new restaurant.   

Favorite food? Pizza/Pasta - I've never met a potato I didn't like.

Describe yourself in two words. - Curiouser and curiouser. 

Jill is an Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has been providing direct mental health care since completing an MS in Counselor Education from Syracuse University in 2005. She understands the value of establishing trust and unconditional acceptance to help you feel at ease in sharing your thoughts; bringing warmth, empathy and humor to the therapeutic process. In addition to providing KAP and eclectic psychotherapy, Jill is currently pursuing certification as a sex therapist, and is also a part time DJ.

Clinician Spotlight: Jill Twohig, LMHC

Clinician Spotlight: 
Jill Twohig, LMHC

Let’s start with something easy. Can you tell us a little about your professional background?

I knew I wanted to be a psychotherapist from before I went to medical school, so throughout my training I focused on both the mind and the brain, relationships and science.  When I was in my residency training, I was blindsided by how many of my patients had suffered severe forms of  childhood trauma that I’d mistakenly thought were rare, and by the multifactorial ways that past trauma continued to affect their lives daily, often in ways they didn’t realize themselves.  I learned to be attuned to trauma histories in my patients at the VA and in my private practice.   I’ve found these patients incredibly rewarding to work with and they do get better but often the treatments are long and arduous.  That’s why my jaw dropped when I heard about the results from studies of MDMA, and more recently ketamine, for trauma survivors.  The amount of pain and years of work these medicines can save is going to change the world.

I often hear from people that I stand out in my capacity NOT to induce shame.  There can be no more meaningful feedback for a trauma therapist than that.  They would also say they know I really care about them, and probably also that I can be too direct at times.  I tend to say it like it is, not mince words.

How did you become interested in working with psychedelics?

I think it’s important for mental health professionals to acknowledge that we’ve often had our own challenging therapeutic journeys, and when nontraditional treatments have helped, to honor that too.   Psychedelics have been of enormous benefit to my own growth and healing.

What has been your most meaningful experience in working with psychedelics?

I’ve worked with two patients in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy who had the kind of abuse histories that led to almost everything in their lives one way or another being shaped by the abuse or reactions to the abuse.  They lived in continuous states of re-experiencing trauma, being assailed by overwhelming painful emotions, and/ or completely shutting down.  Ketamine transformed their lives.  Within weeks, they were doing things they hadn’t been able to do for years, or perhaps had never done before.  They stopped trembling all the time– literally.  They stopped thinking about suicide.  They felt hope for the first time they could remember.  I’m in awe of both of them because it wasn’t just the ketamine, it was their bravery and commitment to doing the therapy they did with the help of the ketamine.

So many things.  Other than short circuiting suffering like I’ve already talked about, I’d say two other things stand out.  One is that psychedelics can bring so much compassion, for ourselves and others.  We can understand and even empathize with those we’ve been angry at or hated.  That’s if we want it.  We always have to work for it.  The other thing is that suffering and illness aside, psychedelics unlock our potential.  The help us become what we can be.  I guess what I’m saying is, everything I value about therapy, psychedelics can facilitate both within therapy and potentially  in other intentional and safe settings.   

What advice would you give to a psychiatrist or therapist just getting started in this industry?

I’ll give the didactic reminders first: Remember that there is no magic bullet.  Nothing works for everyone.  Safety always comes first. There’s no shortcut to becoming a skilled clinician, and no substitute.  However, you’ve got an extraordinary, unprecedented opportunity before you, if you’re learning to work with these awe-inspiring substances early in your career.   Do it responsibly and your work life will be filled with fascination, meaning, and honor of transforming people’s lives for the better.

Enough about work! Let’s try some rapid fire questions.

Where do you live? Proud New Yorker since 1988!🗽 🚕

What’s a perfect afternoon? Reading a good book with a cat in my lap

Describe yourself in two words. Compassionate and intense

Meet Our Clinical Director: Dr. Garrett Deckel, MD, PhD

Meet Our Clinical Director

Whether you’re about to embark on your very first psychedelic experience with Innerwell or you’ve already done one or two sessions, you’re probably looking forward to reaping the mental-health benefits and alleviation of some of the more debilitating symptoms that you feel have been holding you back in life. 

The good news: Innerwell is here to do just that and was created not only to help set you up for success during your psychedelic experience, but also help you come down from that experience and continue to make gains on your journey towards healing and reflection. 

During each session, which tends to hover around one hour, you can expect the medicine to start taking effect in about 10 minutes. This is especially true if you’re taking the medication orally, which is the most straight-forward way to administer ketamine—especially when it comes to treating depressed patients. Depending on your dose, you can expect the experience to be a little different, notes Mike Cooper, M.D., Psychiatrist and Medical Director at Innerwell. “At the lower range of ketamine, the patient might feel very relaxed, almost like they had a glass of wine, and may find it easier to talk about past experiences, memories and even traumatic aspects of their past that they want to work on in therapy,” says Dr. Cooper. “They might look at things from a different perspective or a new angle and sort of reconsider how they're going about their daily life; maybe thinking about ways of building new habits, healthier habits, making some changes in their life.”

As you get higher up in the dose range for ketamine, the experience can become a bit more psychedelic, which might involve bright vivid colors that might even move with the sound of music. Dr. Cooper points out that at these higher doses it’s even possible to see geometric patterns and different types of imagery that can be really pleasing to the mind. “A person in this dose range may experience a very profound shift in how they're feeling about their life and how they think about themselves as a person, as an individual, and in connection to the world around them,” he says. 

Sessions are usually about two hours in duration to accommodate for the fact that there may be some pre-medication discussions where the therapist might talk to the patient about their intentions for the session and what they hope it will reveal, as well as for a post-session recap after the ketamine has worn off. This gives some time for the patient to fully recover during which they may experience a little bit of grogginess or a little bit of lightheadedness. “Sometimes patients can have a little bit of nausea from ketamine that can linger for half an hour,” adds Dr. Cooper. The potential for these side effects to occur is one of the benefits to having Innerwell so accessible from your own home—there’s no need to drive to and from your session.

What to expect after your session has ended

While the effects of ketamine will certainly have worn off once your session with your psychotherapist has come to a close, you can expect to feel some post-ketamine side effects, as mentioned above. For this reason, it can be helpful to just take it easy. Here are some key dos and don'ts that Dr. Cooper recommends for the rest of the day and week after your ketamine session has ended. 

Assuming your dose was no more than 200 mg, you should not operate heavy machinery or drive for at least four hours. If your dose was between 200-400 mg, you should avoid driving for at least 8 hours, which will pretty much be the remainder of that entire day. If your dose was above 400 mg, certainly do not consider driving the rest of the day at all. 

“Alcohol, especially, tends to dampen some of the integration of the psychedelic  experience into the person's psyche because of its effects on the brain,” says Dr. Cooper. For this reason, he recommends avoiding alcohol the day before, the day of, and the day after a ketamine session. “Sometimes ketamine can be a little disruptive to your sleep the same night that you take the ketamine and this effect can be exacerbated by alcohol or drugs,” he adds. 

Journaling has long been recognized as a self-care technique that can work wonders for improving a person’s mental health. In fact, research has even shown that journaling can help relieve medical symptoms such as high blood pressure as well as anxiety. Dr. Cooper recommends journaling prior to your session to help get you in the right frame of mind to begin thinking about your intentions and what you want to work out during your session. Depending on the intensity of your dose, you might not be able to focus very well on journaling during your actual session. Journaling once the session is over is also encouraged—even up to a day or two afterwards. “Write about any thoughts, feelings, memories, imagery that came up both during your session as well as following,” says Dr. Cooper. He does point out the importance of not feeling pressured to document everything that you experienced down on paper. “A lot of the healing occurs nonverbally, so don’t worry if you don't remember every detail or record every single thought you had during the experience,” he says.

This one can be somewhat inevitable and outside of your control, however, Dr. Cooper emphasizes the importance of being mindful of any potential triggers that you know of and trying to avoid them during the days following your session. “The brain is very malleable after a psychedelic experience due to the fact that the window of neuroplasticity lasts for the next 72 hours after taking ketamine,” says Dr. Cooper. “During this period of time it's a little bit easier to begin integrating new perspectives and thinking about how to build healthier habits in your life, so it’s important to make space for these changes to occur.”

During this extended period of neuroplasticity, when your brain is more malleable, you might consider putting into practice the things you've been wanting to do that you may have been putting off. “For example, if yoga or meditation are activities you’ve been hoping to integrate into your day-to-day, it will be easier for you to start doing these kinds of things within that 72-hour window where neuroplasticity is taking place,” says Dr. Cooper. “It's an opportunity to really shape your life in a bit of a different way.”

Listen to the playlist you heard during treatment

Listening to music, even relistening to the playlist that you heard during your ketamine session, can be quite helpful during the healing process, notes Dr. Cooper. He recommends revisiting some of the songs that were particularly emotionally evocative for you, as this can sort of take you back to the state of mind you were in and help you process some of the topics that came up for you during your session. 

This is a great tip to incorporate in your life every now and then, but especially after a ketamine treatment, per Dr. Cooper. He recommends being mindful of what you’re putting into your psyche via social media, the Internet and any news sources. “There's a lot of negative content out there and the news can be very anxiety-provoking and depressing,” he says. “Be mindful of what you're putting into your mind and your body after a ketamine experience because it's a really opportune time to gain a new perspective on life and more of an optimistic perspective.” All in all, try to be mindful of what information is going into your brain from the external world and focus on the positive energies as opposed to the negative ones. 

This article covers how to set yourself up for success when you're coming down from your psychedelic experience, and what to do afterwards and over the next few days to promote healing and reflection.

Post-Session Care: What to Do Once Your Psychedelic Experience Has Ended

I have been working in the mental health field for over 10 years, with experiences in both inpatient and outpatient settings. I also have additional certifications in Ayurveda & Holistic Health, as well as Meditation and Mindfulness. 

I believe that health is the balanced and dynamic integration between our environment, body, mind, and spirit, and all of these areas should be the focus of therapy. 

They would say that I am empathetic and non-judgmental. 

I have had a personal interest in psychedelics for many years and have been following the promising research of the use of psychedelics in treating mental disorders. Many of the patients in my private practice have used ketamine with great success. 

I am excited about the potential of the use of psychedelics in psychiatry without the burden of the side effects that current treatment options can have. 

First, Where do you live? - Manhattan in NYC. 

What's a perfect afternoon? - Quality time with my five year old son, preferably in nature. 

Describe yourself in two words. - Old soul. 

Nudrat is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner licensed in New York State. She has over ten years of experience working in both inpatient and outpatient mental health settings with a variety of populations. Nudrat believes in a holistic and collaborative approach to treatment that can involve medications, psychotherapy, and alternative treatment modalities, with a focus on empathic, compassionate care. She has additional certifications in Holistic Health and Mindfulness and Meditation, and believes in integrating complementary practices in treatment when appropriate. Nudrat is a native New Yorker and resides in Manhattan with her husband and son.

Clinician Spotlight: Nudrat Bisciello, NP

Clinician Spotlight: 
Nudrat Bisciello, NP

I started off providing psychotherapy to college students and then worked in community mental health. During that time, I worked with a wide range of individuals with diverse cultural backgrounds and concerns, including PTSD, substance use, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression. I then went into teletherapy and have been doing that full time and work with depression, substance use, and trauma. Throughout my education and career, I have also been interested in social anxiety because it seemed so fundamental to the human condition and could simultaneously enhance and hinder human connection. To this end, psychedelics appear to have a profound ability to facilitate a sense of social belonging and interconnectedness.

The goal is to enhance flexibility--psychological flexibility. This is the ability to evolve or adapt according to the context--for you to act in accordance with what the current situation calls for you to do. Our behaviors have worked at some point in our lives, but they may now be obsolete. However, entrenched behavioral patterns have been established and we can't easily get out of them. We rely on the mind's interpretation of the world, rather than what is in front of us. 
Thus, I help clients act from the feet up as opposed to the mind down--to take flexible and purposeful action. This means learning how to look at thoughts rather than through them; to accept emotions rather than resist them; to view yourself (your identity) as a spacious container holding multiple--at times, contradictory--experiences, rather than a mere label; and to identify your values with passion and act in accordance with them. 

That I provide a good context for openness and exploration and a balance of challenge, novelty and compassion. I have also been told that I know when to guide them to their own solutions and when to be more directive. 

I've had my own experiences with psychedelics and often wondered how psychotherapy could enhance the impact that psychedelics have on one's life. I knew that part of the goal of psychotherapy was a transformation in perspective and the development of a transcendent self. These are two experiences that psychedelics offer and thus it made sense to me that you would combine the two. I believe that ketamine is specifically positioned for this because it is safe, widely used and has been extensively studied.

Their ability to provide further insight into how the brain works. We know only a little about the human brain, psychedelics offer a window into alternative perceptions that are otherwise inaccessible. I also think the potential to use psychedelics, albeit wisely, for a variety of problems is unlimited and exciting.

What's a perfect afternoon? - Reading, hiking, playing music.

Favorite food? Pizza/Pasta - Give me some cheesy Lasagna!

Describe yourself in two words. - Flexible and Open

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Lance uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which suggests that suffering is partially caused by sailing away from pain. The result is that you never quite make it ashore and you feel lost in the sea of life. Thus, he works to increase your repertoire of behaviors by expanding awareness, openness and movement towards values. He believes in fostering a welcoming environment in which awe and wonder is experienced. He is an avid reader, MMA fan and drummer.

Clinician Spotlight: Lance Johns, LMFT

Clinician Spotlight: 
Lance Johns, LMFT

My professional background started in mental health as a registered nurse. I spent over 10 years working in the inpatient setting, detox, and a psychiatric emergency room. I then transitioned into the field of research as a nurse practitioner where I helped conduct central nervous system trials. 

My therapeutic approach is unique to each person as I take into account their individual needs. I believe in fostering a healthy, supportive relationship that empowers people to grow and overcome their struggles. 

My patients would say I am empathetic and easy to talk to.

Not long after reading about the potential for psychedelics to treat a variety of mental health conditions, I was fortunate to begin working in research where I assisted with clinical trials studying the safety and efficacy of psychedelics for depression, suicidality, and anxiety. I instantly felt drawn to this area of research and knew I wanted to continue working with and learning about psychedelics.  

What has been your most meaningful experience in working with psychedelics? 

Seeing patients who have struggled with mental illness for years finally reach a state of peace and happiness they never thought was possible.

I am excited to see greater acceptance of this type of therapy and restrictions to research loosen up allowing us to uncover the full potential of psychedelics.

First, Where do you live? - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

What's a perfect afternoon? - Anything outdoors with my dog

Describe yourself in two words. - Kind and dedicated 

Carrie is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. She completed her post-graduate training at the University of Cincinnati. Carrie has over 12 years of experience working in mental health, including two years in which she helped conduct clinical trials utilizing psychedelic drugs to treat mental health disorders. Carrie strives to empower clients and believes in developing a comprehensive treatment plan focused on the unique needs of each individual.

Clinician Spotlight: Carrie Ademski, NP

Clinician Spotlight: 
Carrie Ademski, NP

I’m originally from California and have a Bachelor’s of Arts (B.A.) in Anthropology from UCLA (Jun 2004) and a Master’s of Arts (M.A.) in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles (Sep 2008). I became a fully licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in October 2015, following therapy internships at San Francisco AIDS Foundation, Girls Inc. of Alameda County, Queer LifeSpace, Lincoln Families and St. Joseph Center. Since March 2018, I’ve maintained a LGBTQ-centered private practice and expanded virtual access to clients in four states.

My approach to therapy is “Psychodynamic-Existential Therapy”. This integrative therapy type examines the interplay between the various levels of consciousness: while awake, dreaming and in non-ordinary states. This approach considers how patterns created in the past are influencing what is happening now, seeking to deepen and develop inner wisdom. I also blend therapeutic techniques from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical-behavioral therapy (DBT), play therapy, and structural family therapy into treatment.

My clients say that I have a “no-bullsh*t attitude”; I think because I’m authentically myself and unusually perceptive in sessions. 

While working in Venice Beach on an outreach team for chronically homeless clients, I noticed that some clients just didn’t seem to get better. I began looking into new treatments for chronic pain, substance use disorders, major depression and post-traumatic stress and was encouraged by research studies using psychedelics. Then I attended a Psychedelic Science conference in 2018 and emerged convinced that psychedelics would revolutionize the future of medicine.

On a personal level, working with psychedelics is a connection to my father. He’s a retired nurse anesthetist who also loves psychedelic rock; his stories about transformative psychedelic experiences during the 1960’s definitely inspired my path towards working with psychedelic medicines. 

In the future, psychedelics may actually ensure the survival of humanity by increasing the overall emotional intelligence of human beings.

First, Where do you live? - Spokane, WA. 

What's a perfect afternoon? - I really enjoy wandering around botanical gardens with a parasol.

Describe yourself in two words. - Intuitive and approachable.

Veronica Newsom, LMFT is an AAMFT Clinical Fellow originally from Los Angeles, California. Veronica holds a B.A. Anthropology from UCLA (Jun 2004) and a M.A. Clinical Psychology from Antioch University LA (Sep 2008). Veronica’s integrative approach to therapy considers how patterns created in the past are influencing what is happening now, seeking to deepen and develop inner wisdom. Veronica was inspired to revolutionize mental healthcare after attending a Psychedelic Science Symposium in 2018. After many years in private practice, Veronica joined Innerwell and trained with Fluence in 2022 to provide Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) to clients through a virtual platform.

Clinician Spotlight: Veronica Newsom, LMFT

Clinician Spotlight: 
Veronica Newsom, LMFT

Ketamine is a medication that has historically been used in hospital settings for anesthesia. However, over the past two decades, it’s been studied and utilized as a treatment for mental health conditions. Several studies have demonstrated that ketamine can be helpful in treating anxiety.

Ketamine is thought to work by regulating neurotransmitters in the brain, which may help to reduce anxiety symptoms. Read on for more about how ketamine is being used by psychiatric clinicians to help patients with anxiety.

Anxiety is a normal emotion that helps us deal with danger. It can become problematic when it is out of proportion to the situation or when it interferes with our daily lives. Symptoms of anxiety can include:

Having a sense of impending danger, panic, or doom

There is not one single cause of anxiety. It is often a combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors.

Genetic: Anxiety can run in families, so it may be partially due to genetics.

Psychological: Anxiety can be the result of trauma or other stressful life events.

Environmental: Anxiety can be triggered by factors in the environment, such as job stress or relationship problems.

There are a number of different types of treatment available for anxiety. These can include:

Psychotherapy: This can help people learn about their anxiety and how to manage it.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy: This type of therapy can help people change the way they think about and react to anxiety-provoking situations.

Medications: There are a number of different medications that can be used to treat anxiety, such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and beta-blockers. Psychedelics are a new class of medicine that is being leveraged to treat anxiety.

Relaxation techniques: This can help people learn how to control their anxiety symptoms.

Exercise: Exercise can help to relieve anxiety by reducing stress and improving mood.

What are the benefits of ketamine for anxiety?

There are a number of potential benefits of using ketamine for anxiety treatment. These can include:

Relief from anxiety symptoms: Small studies suggest that ketamine may be effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety.

Rapid onset of action: Ketamine is thought to work quickly, with some people reporting relief from anxiety symptoms within a few hours of taking the medication. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac, on the other hand, can sometimes take several months to effectively treat anxiety.

Long-lasting effects: The effects of a single dose of ketamine may last for a few days or weeks, which is longer than most other anxiety medications.

Increased access to treatment: Ketamine is available as an at-home treatment option, which can increase access to care for people who live in rural or underserved areas.

Reduced need for hospitalization: For people with severe anxiety, ketamine may reduce the need for hospitalization.

What is the evidence for anxiety treatment using ketamine?

A small study published in 2016 in the journal Biological Psychiatry found that a single dose of ketamine was associated with a reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression in people with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (MDD).

The researchers noted that the effects of ketamine were not just due to the medication's anesthetic properties. They suggested that ketamine may work by regulating neurotransmitters in the brain, such as glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which are thought to be involved in the development of anxiety and depression.

Another small study, published in 2018 in the journal Nature, found that a single dose of ketamine was associated with a reduction in symptoms of social anxiety in people with social anxiety disorder (SAD).

The researchers suggested that ketamine may work by reducing activity in the amygdala, a region of the brain that is involved in the processing of fear and anxiety.

Ketamine for anxiety is still being studied, and more research is being published each year. If you’re considering ketamine for anxiety, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits.

If you are interested in at-home ketamine therapy for anxiety, you will work with a provider to develop a treatment plan. This usually involves meeting with the provider to discuss your symptoms and create a plan that includes a dosing schedule.

During treatment, you will self-administer ketamine via orally disintegrating tablets. The exact dose and frequency of treatment will be determined by your provider. These tablets are held in the mouth until they dissolve. After ten minutes of swishing, the medicine is either spit out or swallowed. Spitting is recommended for most patients to reduce nausea that is sometimes experienced with ketamine.

For some patients, ketamine is combined with therapy in a process known as ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. KAP usually includes weekly therapy sessions while you are experiencing ketamine, as well as integration sessions that take place after your ketamine experiences. These sessions provide an opportunity for you to discuss your progress and any challenges you are experiencing, and work with your psychotherapist to process your experience. Your provider may also adjust your dose or frequency of treatment based on your response to therapy.

Ketamine for Anxiety

I have been a mental health counselor for most of my professional career. Having worked in outpatient clinics with children and adults I have witnessed the impact of trauma and other mental health challenges on individuals. This led to the pursuit of additional training and gaining experience to support individuals on their healing journeys. I have been fortunate to receive experience in the treatment of trauma from a variety of perspectives. Supporting a client in healing from the past has been my honor. I believe that we all have the potential for change and that the right approach to doing so makes all the difference.

I take a trauma informed eclectic approach in my therapy practice. We can work on building effective solutions to cope with the difficulties you are having as well as to resolve the lingering past hurts. My goal is to help you identify the changes that need to be made and how to implement strategies to achieve your goals. 

I think my clients would say that I am open, authentic and easy to talk with. 

There has been a tremendous amount of research on the benefits of psychedelic assisted therapy. Incredible growth and change can happen in a short period of time. I am very excited about being able to facilitate this growth with others.

There is so much healing potential in this approach to treatment.

First, Where do you live? -Outside of Buffalo, NY in a small town. 

What's a perfect afternoon? - A beautiful day that I can spend outdoors with my loved ones. Perhaps a walk with the dog or exploring a new park. 

Favorite food? Pizza/Pasta - Pasta anything!

Describe yourself in two words. - Curious and creative 

Margaret is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor from New York. She has been practicing therapy for over 12 years and specializes in the treatment of all forms of trauma. Margaret is a strong believer that all people have the capacity for healing and that therapy is a pathway to achieve this. She values the collaborative approach of working with clients to achieve their goals. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, and to be outside in nature.

Clinician Spotlight: Margaret Morrow, LMHC

Clinician Spotlight: 
Margaret Morrow, LMHC

I have over 10 years of experience in the mental health field, working in various settings such as inpatient psych, rehabilitation centers, and social work in the medical setting. My areas of focus are in existential and humanistic therapy, with a specialty in working with depression, anxiety, addiction, and trauma.

My  approach to therapy is rooted in existential and humanistic principles. I value building an authentic and trusting relationship with my clients, as I believe that connection and a sense of belonging are essential to facilitating growth and change. I aim to help clients gain a deeper understanding of their unique experiences, feelings, and values, and encourages them to take an active role in their own healing process. I also place a strong emphasis on the importance of self-exploration and personal growth.

My patients appreciate my ability to build an authentic and trusting relationship with them. I believe that connection and belonging are essential to helping clients make positive changes in their lives. I enjoy using existential psychology, Adlerian, and Jungian techniques in his work, as they help clients gain a deeper understanding of their unique experiences and values. I find motivation in witnessing his clients grow and achieve their goals, and I am dedicated to empowering them to take an active role in their own healing process.	

There is growing interest and research into the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelics, particularly in the treatment of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health conditions. As a mental health professional, I understand the importance of exploring alternative or complementary treatments to traditional talk therapy, and recognizes the potential value that psychedelics may have in facilitating healing and personal growth. I also recognize that the use of psychedelics in a therapeutic setting is a new and evolving area of practice, and believe that it is important for mental health professionals to receive specialized training and education before incorporating these substances into their practice.

I would say that what excites me the most about the future of psychedelics is the growing body of research that suggests their potential therapeutic benefits. I believe that substances such as psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine may offer new options for patients who have not found relief through traditional talk therapy or medication, and may provide a unique and powerful tool for facilitating healing and personal growth. As a mental health professional, I'm excited about the potential for these substances to help address the mental health crisis that many people are facing today. I'm also eager to explore the potential benefits of psychedelics in his own practice, and is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest research and developments in this area. I believe that incorporating psychedelics into my work could provide an innovative and effective approach to helping my clients achieve their therapeutic goals.		

What's a perfect afternoon? - time with my family

Favorite food? Pizza/Pasta - I do not discriminate 

Describe yourself in two words. - curiously cautious 

Christian brings with him over 10 years of experience in the mental health field, from inpatient psych to rehabilitation centers. Christian cares deeply about bringing authenticity to the therapist-patient relationship, and believes that connection and belonging are paramount to help clients make the changes they want to see in their lives. “I am motivated by witnessing others grow.” In his free time, Christian enjoys snowboarding, surfing, Jujitsu, and spending time with his wife and three dogs.

Clinician Spotlight: Christian Castaneda, LCSW

Clinician Spotlight: 
Christian Castaneda, LCSW

By now, you have probably heard quite a lot about ketamine—the new, but not-so-new, medication that is gaining traction and worldwide recognition as a game-changing solution to the mental-health crisis that our world is currently facing. 

In fact, one in every 8 people globally—an estimated 970 million—suffers from some degree of mental illness—and this number is only rising, per data from the World Health Organization (WHO). Considered an “essential medicine” by that very same organization, ketamine just may be the key to unlocking the treatment that can help millions of people living with a myriad of mental health disorders. 

In its essence, ketamine is a dissociative anaesthetic that provides short-acting relief for pain. It has been around since the 1950s and was discovered by Parke-Davis and Company in their Detroit laboratory. They were on the hunt for the ideal anaesthetic and gave ketamine the developmental code name CI-581. The earliest clinical research on ketamine was performed on animals before it was then used on prisoners of war as an alternative to phencyclidine (PCP) for anaesthetic purposes. It was not until the 1970s, during the Vietnam War, when ketamine’s use was extended for the purpose of surgical anaesthesia. 

Ketamine has a wide range of utilization and can be used operatively at both high and low doses. At low doses, it has been shown to be instrumental in treating mental health and pain disorders, explains Mike Cooper, M.D., Psychiatrist and Medical Director at Innerwell. We all have NMDA receptors throughout our brain that play an integral role in both memory and learning. What ketamine does, Dr. Cooper explains, is antagonize these receptors and blocks a neurotransmitter that binds to these receptors, called glutamate. “Ketamine essentially blocks the binding of glutamate to those receptors, which in turn increases activation of a different kind of receptor called AMPA,” he says. “By increasing activation of AMPA you increase the release of BDNF, or brain derived neurotrophic factor, which is a protein in the brain that increases neuroplasticity.”

Learn about the history of ketamine, the science behind its amazing neuroplasticity-inducing effects, and how it is being harnessed for mental health to help patients heal.