Why the Therapist’s Presence Matters During Ketamine Work
When I guide clients through ketamine-assisted therapy, I’m not just there to keep things “safe”—I’m there because the presence of a grounded, attuned therapist can shape the entire experience. This work goes deep. It opens up emotional and physical spaces that can feel unfamiliar, raw, even overwhelming. And having someone with you who knows how to hold that space? It changes everything.
The Medicine Isn’t the Whole Medicine
Ketamine can open doors that are otherwise hard to reach. It can soften defenses, slow down racing thoughts, and make room for buried emotions to rise to the surface. But the medicine alone isn’t what brings healing—it’s what happens in the space it creates. That’s where therapeutic presence comes in.
You’re not meant to navigate those moments alone. Having someone there who understands the terrain—who can remind you that you’re not broken, not lost, not too much—can be the difference between feeling held and feeling adrift.
Somatic Support When the Body Speaks
During a ketamine session, your body might process things in ways your mind hasn’t yet caught up with. This is where somatic therapy becomes essential. I bring a body-based lens into every session, tracking subtle shifts in your breath, posture, and energy. If something gets stuck, we gently work with it. If your system begins to release, I help support that movement.
This isn’t about analyzing or interpreting everything in the moment—it’s about being present to what’s happening and responding in a way that helps you stay connected to yourself, even in the unfamiliar.
Co-Regulation in the Depths
Sometimes during ketamine work, old pain or fear shows up. Not because you’re doing something wrong, but because your system finally feels safe enough to bring it forward. My presence offers co-regulation—meaning, I stay regulated so you can borrow that steadiness. You don’t have to go it alone. I’m right there with you, not trying to fix or direct, but offering calm, compassionate witnessing.
Integration Starts in the Session
The insights and shifts that arise during ketamine experiences often show up in fragments—sensations, images, feelings, memories. Having a therapist present allows us to gently start the integration process in real time. Even if we’re mostly quiet, there’s something powerful about knowing someone else sees what you’re going through and can help you begin to make meaning of it.
Presence Isn’t Passive
This kind of support isn’t about sitting silently in the corner. I’m actively engaged, even when I’m quiet. I’m tracking the session with you, adjusting the environment if needed, offering grounding cues, or simply reminding you that you’re safe. My role is to help you stay with the process—especially when it gets tender or strange.
You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
Healing doesn’t happen in isolation. And while ketamine can open a window, it’s the relationship—the real, human connection—that helps you walk through it with more trust. Whether you’re unpacking trauma, navigating grief, or just trying to feel again, my presence is there to remind you: you’re not alone in this.