Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Theory & Methodology
KAP Theory and Methodology teaches a theoretically grounded methodology for Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). As a 12-week Reading and Study Group it is a core component of the Certificate Program in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy. A portion of the course is also available an On-Demand video series.
Description
This course is the core component of the Postgraduate Certificate in Ketamine-assisted Psychotherapy. The hybrid format includes self-paced learning materials–videos, readings, and assignments–and weekly live-online meetings with trainers for discussion, role plays, case discussions, and Q&A time. Small cohorts of live-online groups provide space for relationship and community building and low student to trainer ratios.
Educational materials for this course have been created and compiled by Dr. Ingmar Gorman, Dr. Elizabeth Nielson, Jeffrey Guss, MD, and Casey Paleos, MD. Between them, these researchers and clinicians have extensive experience in 10 clinical trials of psychedelic-assisted therapy and private practice KAP, clinical work in preparation and integration of ketamine experiences, and training clinicians in psychedelic therapy–both for research trials and private practice settings. Live-online discussion and role play cohorts are led by experienced Fluence Trainers who are knowledgeable of the material and specially trained in Fluence’s experiential training methodology.
Enrollment in this course is available Ketamine-assisted Psychotherapy Certificate Program Participants and KAP practitioners in the general community by application only.
A limited number of Diversity Fund scholarships are available, please complete this application, in addition to the course application.
Learning Objectives
Describe the history and theory behind drug-assisted psychotherapy.
Compare drug-assisted psychotherapy from other psychotherapeutic approaches.
List the ethical standards of drug-assisted psychotherapy and informed consent shared with patients for clinical trial research and private practice.
Describe how integration sessions are designed and implemented in clinical trials of psychedelic-assisted therapy.
List common knowledge gaps patients may have about ketamine-assisted psychotherapy and appropriate knowledge resources.
Describe the proposed psychological mechanisms of ketamine’s role in psychotherapy.
Explain ketamine’s proposed mechanisms of action with regard to neuroscience-based narratives.
Explain how ketamine’s proposed mechanisms of action and neuroscience-based narratives inform clinical processes and practices.
Demonstrate how to prepare patients to safely receive ketamine-assisted psychotherapy so that they benefit from the experience in ways suitable to their life situation, diagnosis, and intentions.
Demonstrate how to prepare patients to engage with the experience safely and meaningfully by cultivating attitudes of openness and curiosity toward their experience.
List a variety of methods to integrate the ketamine experience with patients that align with the practitioner’s existing therapeutic model and the patient’s treatment history.
Demonstrate a conceptual understanding of the arc of treatment and nonlinear change.
Describe the wider sociocultural context of drug-assisted psychotherapy, including the stigma and judgment related to drug-assisted psychotherapy that may be experienced by patient and/or practitioner.
My training at Fluence used a variety of ways to help the experience of learning be interesting and integrative. Between the material, the slide shows, the role-plays, and discussions, I feel better prepared to use this technique in my field. I appreciate that Fluence has made this available for clinicians.
By participating in the KAP training at Fluence I feel very fortunate to have learned from some of the top researchers, practitioners and leaders in the field; I feel so inspired by the work in a way that I have never before experienced in my career.
I found the Fluence training program for Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) to be highly accessible. The program incorporates state-of-the-art technology I found to be compatible with many styles of learning. I gained in-depth research based knowledge about psychedelic assisted psychotherapy. As a result of this training I feel confident about incorporating KAP into my work with clients.
After completing KAP Theory and Methodology and also Understanding Ketamine, I have gained a lot of knowledge and understanding of the KAP process. I’ve also been glad to meet peers in my cohort and start establishing a network of other professionals doing KAP, along with getting to know some of the educators and experts. As a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, therapeutic touch practitioner, and IFS therapist, I am already working in the experiential and mindful realm with clients, and KAP feels very affiliated to these approaches.
The knowledge gained from Fluence has allowed me to continue to embrace mindfulness in my clinical work, particularly with regards to ketamine assisted psychotherapy and the high ethical standards that are required to implement ketamine assisted psychotherapy.
