Ketamine Process

Ketamine Therapy: Pre-Screening

Anyone interested in ketamine therapy must complete an initial intake consultation. A required pre-medication visit includes a comprehensive review of medical and psychiatric history, as well as current medications, to determine whether an individual may be an appropriate candidate for treatment. Risks, benefits, and alternatives are discussed, and informed consent is required before treatment.

Instructions for the Day of Your Ketamine Session

Pre-Session Guidelines

• Eating and Drinking: Please do not eat for at least 3 hours prior to your session. Limit fluids for 2 hours before treatment, although small sips of water are permitted if needed.

• Clothing: Wear comfortable clothing with easy access to your upper arms. Most clients choose to remove their shoes during the session, so dress in a way that allows you to fully relax.

• Caffeine: Reduce or limit caffeine intake on the day of treatment to approximately half of your usual amount, as caffeine can increase restlessness or anxiety.

• Medications: You may take your prescribed medications on the day of treatment unless you have been advised otherwise by Robin during your intake or pre-medication visit.

• Transportation and Safety: Driving is not permitted on the day of treatment, and you may not drive until after a full night’s sleep. Please arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home or use a ride service such as Uber or Lyft. Avoid operating heavy machinery, using social media, or making important decisions until the following day.

Set, Setting, and Integration

At Awaken, ketamine is used as a guided tool to help you discover the root causes of your symptoms, often anchored in the unconscious, and to translate the insights gained into practical, lasting change. The process is designed to create a safe, supportive environment in which the nervous system and unconscious mind can relax and open to new perspectives. For this reason, the space at Awaken is intentionally non-clinical in appearance. A tranquil, welcoming environment can help link the unconscious mind to a sense of peace and safety.

Forming Your Intention

Intentions should focus on the state you want to cultivate rather than what you want to avoid. Intention setting is reviewed at the start of every medication session, and you are guided and supported in choosing the intention that resonates most for you. An intention helps guide the mind and nervous system toward what you want to cultivate. Think of it as an internal compass.

Key qualities of an effective intention:

• Present tense

• Approach-oriented language

• Emotionally believable

• Simple and clear

• Embodied

Research suggests that when we reflect on ourselves using identity-based statements, the brain responds differently than when we reflect on generic goals or actions. Statements such as “I am capable” or “I am resilient” are more likely to be internalized and reinforce the qualities you want to embody. Statements focused only on actions, such as “I will try to be capable,” may be less effective. The general rule is to set an intention and then surrender to the experience. This will be reviewed in more detail during your session.

Supporting Practices and Modalities Prior to the Ketamine Journey

Prior to ketamine being administered, optional practices are offered and included with your treatment. The intention behind these offerings is to prepare your mindset by helping your nervous system relax. This time also offers an opportunity to embody your intention and typically takes place 10 to 20 minutes prior to receiving the medication.

• Meditation: A brief meditation may be offered to support this process. Meditation may reduce activity in brain networks linked to rumination and self-focused thoughts, while strengthening attention and awareness of internal sensations.

• Light Hypnosis: Light hypnosis may also be incorporated to enhance receptivity to self-compassion and acceptance, allowing the mind to become more open and flexible rather than guarded. Inner child work may be included when appropriate and aligned with treatment goals.

• Energy Connection: Connecting you to loving, healing energy, often experienced as light or whatever feels supportive and peaceful to the individual client.

• Sound Therapy: Sound therapy may be utilized using a singing bowl. Sound and vibration can lift the space, and clients often report a sense of comfort as they transition into the ketamine journey.

• Sage / Essential Oils: Used to clear the space and support relaxation, releasing and letting go.

Ketamine Medication Experience: The Journey

The ketamine experience, referred to as a journey, lasts approximately 45 minutes. The majority of clients prefer intramuscular (IM) administration. This involves a small injection in the upper arm, with an additional dose administered 10 to 12 minutes into the journey. With the intravenous (IV) route of administration, the medication is infused over 45 minutes. Vital signs are checked regardless of administration route. If you are receiving IV administration, you are placed on a cardiac monitor.

During the journey, clients lie on an extra-wide sectional couch designed for comfort and support. Blankets are provided, and clients use headphones with a curated ketamine music playlist. An eye mask is worn to facilitate an inward journey. Each client’s experience is uniquely individual. Some clients describe their lives as if they were watching a movie, while others report seeing colors or new insights gently floating in. Some clients do not experience visual imagery and instead describe a deep sense of peace.

Other emotions may arise during the journey, occasionally including fear. When this occurs, clients are encouraged to feel and release whatever has presented. Robin remains present, offering guidance and support as needed. The general rule is to surrender to the experience. Whatever arises is right for you, and there is no wrong way to journey. For the most part, the journey is quiet and inward. At times, clients may speak during the journey. If this occurs, the content is written down and later explored during integration. More often, the details of the journey are discussed after the medication has worn off.

Post-Journey Integration

After each ketamine journey, integration is provided to explore the insights that emerged. Information often arises through symbols or abstract experiences, and part of the integration process involves decoding what this means for the individual client and how it may relate to patterns in their life. Aligned action is then discussed, which is a plan for how the client can ground insight into daily life to help alchemize patterns. This is explored during your session and may be expanded upon over time.

For more detailed journeys, Robin types a summary and creates personalized journal prompts for clients to use between sessions. This can help reinforce emerging neural pathways and support the translation of awareness into conscious choice and lifestyle change. Integration sessions are reflective and supportive. They do not replace psychotherapy and are used in conjunction with it. It is never advised to discontinue work with your current therapist.

Recovery

Most clients feel ready to leave after their two-hour session. If additional recovery time is needed, a space is available. Some clients spend time journaling or take a short nap. No one is expected to leave until they feel fully ready.

Getting Home and Self-Care

As outlined in the consent and above, you may not drive after receiving ketamine until the following day and after a full night’s sleep. A friend or family member must pick you up, or you may use a ride service such as Uber or Lyft. Clients are often advised to keep the ride home quiet. After treatment, time in nature is strongly encouraged. Rest, journal, take a bath, go for a walk, and relax. Avoid negative content and people, including news or fear-based media. Create space to nurture yourself. If you have made it to Awaken, your road has likely been long and challenging, and you deserve time to heal.