Feeling disconnected from life?

Shutting down

multiple forms of creative expression, ‘multi modal’, can deepen and transcend traditional talk therapy. focus on the process not the finished product. Focus on engaging the senses. integrates techniques and tools from specific creative therapy forms (for example, integrates music therapy with poetry therapy, dance therapy with art therapy).

Creativity is therapeutic. Art is a universal language. Self discovery, change, making new meanings, freeing up the rigidity, stuckness, disconnection, hopelessness. emphasis in the mind/body connection, finding release, expressing what has maybe been avoided or finding ways to express what you haven’t been able to convey by talking. and what creativity is in you. Explaining what it means to be human, to be you, cannot be done only via words and talking and explaining. Being human has so much more depth and richness. Expressive arts therapy can also help to integrate imagination, gut feelings with reasoning and logical thought. Balance.

Part of my role as an expressive arts therapist is to give you permission to have complete freedom around how you want to express yourself. You don’t have to color in the lines, you can unlearn that you need to sit in your seat and be quiet. You can explore what often times has been discounted in the dominant culture. You were born a creative person. Look at kids—their ability to play, imagine and express. In some ways, expressive arts therapy is an unlearning.

guided by what emerges uncover strengths that may surprise you feel more alive, feel more whole, feel more connected to life, feel comfortable in your own skin, explore how to be in therapy without needing to talk, and benefitting from a creative approach to being ‘in session’.

Let me give you a personal example. There are two songs that can help me cry and feel deep sadness—the kind of grief that I can’t put into words, but that Nina Simone and Joni Mitchell can. For me, Nina Simone’s Little Girl Blue and Joni Mitchell’s River pierce through any hardened shell I have around feeling deep grief and loss. When I am on the verge of grief, yet can quite get there on my own, I put on one of those songs. When I and my therapist listen to the song together, there is someone with me to see my sadness, so that I 1. don’t have to be alone with it and 2. we can then process after the song is over the ‘stuff’ that came up for me during the song. In true EXA fashion, I might write a few words about the song, my body, my emotions, my thoughts…whatever. Then I might assign a color to a word. Then we’d look at all

Below is a summary of some of the benefits of expressive arts therapy:

Calms the nervous system
Acts as a distraction
Interrupts rumination
Encourages focus on one thing
Increases self-esteem from the act of creating something
Reduces over-stimulation from external sources
Provides tactile stimulation
Venting, releasing stress
Useful when verbal expression is limited
Encourages “play”
Art activities can be undertaken outside of therapy when situations arise

Photo by Samuel Regan-Asante on Unsplash

What is Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)?

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy is a therapeutic modality where psychotherapeutic work is combined with the client taking low, moderate or high doses of ketamine. In low doses, ketamine serves as a support to psychotherapy as it can temporarily soften the psychological defenses. The issues, struggles, emotions and history that may have been hidden or protected by defense structures are more accessible to examine, digest and change. KAP can create an opportunity to slow down, focus inward and explore ways to heal and grow.

A skilled ketamine assisted psychotherapist can make the ketamine experience more understandable and valuable by guiding and supporting you before, during and after your ketamine treatment. Many clients find that ketamine treatments, combined with an empathic, well trained psychedelic assisted therapist, increase their sense of wholeness and their motivation to engage in lifestyle changes, which leads to experiencing long-term positive change.

How Does Ketamine Feel?

In our chaotic and demanding world (and mind!) it can be hard to slow down and notice. During a ketamine dosing session there is space to explore something very different than the daily routine.

Ketamine’s effects last for approximately 45 minutes. During your journey, you may feel distanced from your body, with altered perceptions that can often feel expansive or non-ordinary. Your motor and verbal abilities will be reduced, so you’ll be lying down or reclined in a comfortable position during the experience. Often, eyeshades and headphones playing music are used to allow for maximum benefits.

As you come out of the effects of ketamine, the remainder of the session will be used to process your experiences. I will have on hand art supplies, yoga props, clay, and other sensory tools to help aid you in translating your insights. It is often very clear what was gleaned from the journey and sometimes difficult to put into words. Expressive and integrative activities can help bridge the gap between what is ineffable (beyond words) to that which can be put into words. I will also have tea, water and simple snacks on hand to help your body transition to a more ‘normal’ state.

During the days and weeks that follow a ketamine session, it is a time of ripe opportunity to begin turning insights into actions. Using this window of time effectively is important for your growth—participating in follow up integration sessions can be very helpful to support your treatment goals.

How Do I Begin Ketamine Treatment?

My work with you is based on your past experiences, current challenges, and specific needs and goals. This is done in collaboration with a medical provider or providers, and any other members of your treatment team.

The first step is to schedule a brief consultation call with me, to see if we may be a good fit. The next step is to schedule an appointment with a medical prescriber. I work with Journey Clinical, and within that program there are in-house medical providers who can support you with the medical side (assess for medical clearance, prescription and follow up). I and the Journey Clinical medical provider would then become part of your treatment team. After the initial medical intake, we will meet for 1-3 preparation sessions; these are similar to psychotherapy sessions. We will cover current and past mental health challenges, intentions for the ketamine dosing session(s), and any other topics.

After the preparation session(s) comes the dosing session. (It is necessary to have someone drive you home after the dosing session, as I cannot allow you to drive yourself). You will self-administer the lozenge that was prescribed to you, typically in my office and if appropriate, remotely. The dosing sessions are usually three hours in length. This allows for a check-in, taking the lozenge, experiencing the effect, and transitioning from journey to the beginnings of integration, then leaving the session. I will provide psychotherapeutic support to anything that arises during sessions. After the ketamine dosing session, we will meet for at least one integration session. We will explore any thoughts, memories, and insights that arose, as well as any current challenges, concerns or questions.

What is the Cost of Treatment?

Preparation and Integration Sessions (1hour) $200

Ketamine Dosing Session (3 hours) $600

Payment is due before the session, at the time of booking. There is a 48 hour cancellation policy (unless there is illness or an emergency). If cancelling after the 48 hour mark, you will be charged for the full amount.

it is possible to heal and change

To schedule a free, 20-minute consultation to see if we’re a good match, please contact me for more information.