Whether administered through IV infusion or the nasal spray Spravato, ketamine therapy has emerged as a groundbreaking treatment for mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. While the biological effects of ketamine are powerful, the way you approach your treatment can also significantly influence its overall impact. When embarking on this new healing journey, setting clear intentions is an essential part of creating the right positive and hopeful mindset. Identifying areas for growth and defining your goals can amplify the benefits.
Why Setting Intentions Matters
At Keta Medical Center, we emphasize the importance of intention-setting as a way to unlock the full therapeutic potential of ketamine. Ketamine induces a dream-like state and allows your brain to create new neural pathways. During this process, your intentions act as a guidepost to the mind, helping highlight aspects of your life that need attention and further exploration.
Setting intentions help give you a clear direction prior to the ketamine journey, but once you get comfortable in the chair, set up with the music playlist and eye mask for a more immersive experience, then all you have to do is trust the process and LET GO. Allow your inner healer to emerge and guide your journey. You can relax, knowing you are in a safe place and understand that your subconscious mind will only reveal whatever you are meant to see.
Questions to Help You Set Meaningful Intentions
To set powerful and focused intentions, it’s important to reflect on core issues and contemplate your objectives. What do you hope to gain or learn from the ketamine experience? Consider asking yourself the following questions:
- Where am I feeling stuck in life?
- What negative patterns in my life do I want to break?
- What changes do I want to make, and what is holding me back?
- Are my behaviors aligned with my goals, values, and beliefs?
- What past experiences or emotions do I need to heal from?
Pro tip: Don’t just think through these questions…Close your eyes and try to feel them!
The questions above are just some examples that may serve as helpful prompts.
Here are some intention examples:
- Let Go of Past Trauma and Allow the Healing Process to Unfold
- Let Go of Anxiety and Embrace the Adventure of the Unknown
- Better Understand My Relationship to Anger or Fear or Sadness
- Lift Depression and Embrace Joy
- Improve Relationships and Cultivate Gratitude
Reviewing and Refining Intentions During “Integration”
Ketamine therapy is unique for every individual. Some people experience a vivid narrative during their session, while others report feeling deep relaxation or even a sense of spiritual awakening. Regardless of what happens during the treatment, intentions help inform the therapeutic process.
The time immediately following the treatment — known as the “neuroplastic window”— is ideal for creating new neural connections and shifting into healthy habits. Journaling is highly encouraged to help solidify psychological insights which can be further explored during integration therapy.
At Keta Medical Center, we offer Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) so patients can meet with a therapist to help process their ketamine journeys. These are virtual sessions that take place the day after each treatment in order to integrate sensitive material.
Work in these sessions can include:
- Exploring difficult memories and identifying self-limiting beliefs
- Reframing narratives and developing new coping strategies
- Outlining action-oriented steps toward goals to foster positive change
- Embracing healthy habits (nutrition, exercise, journaling)
- Dream analysis
Let Go and Trust Your Inner Healer
While it is important to have thoughtful objectives before going into each ketamine session, this form of treatment is a process of ongoing reflection, refinement, and inspired action. You need to be willing to go wherever your inner healer takes you and just remember to relax and trust the process; don’t try to direct it.
Be curious and use each journey as an opportunity to collect information from your subconscious. Be open to the profound insights that may be discovered. Be willing to explore further in integration therapy. Be cognizant of the opportunities to meet the medicine half way in your daily life. The goal is to feel consciously empowered to utilize new tools that help you achieve lasting emotional relief.
Practical Tips for Setting and Reviewing Intentions
- Be specific yet flexible: While it’s important to set specific goals, leave room for flexibility. Ketamine therapy often brings up unexpected insights, and being open to new directions can support your growth.
- Write it down: Putting your intentions in writing can solidify them in your mind. Journaling before and after your sessions also helps track your progress and identify recurring themes or challenges.
- Revisit your intentions regularly: After each session, review your original intentions and see how they compare with what you experienced. This helps deepen your understanding and reinforces therapeutic benefits.
Support for Your Healing Journey at Keta Medical Center
We guide you through every step of your ketamine therapy, from setting intentions to post-treatment integration. Our dedicated team is here to support your journey toward lasting transformation.
Have questions?
Schedule a free consultation with one of our physicians.