Ketamine-Assisted EMDR Therapy™ (KA-EMDR)
Ketamine-Assisted EMDR Therapy™ (KA-EMDR) is an emerging, research-informed trauma treatment that integrates Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) with carefully prescribed low-dose ketamine to support deeper, more flexible trauma processing.
Developed in 2024 by Danielle Ciccone & Michele Topel, KA-EMDR is grounded in established neuroscience, EMDR theory, and growing clinical research on ketamine’s effects on neuroplasticity, emotional openness, and memory reconsolidation. This approach is designed for people who feel stuck—even after years of insight, coping skills, or traditional talk therapy.
What Makes KA-EMDR Different
EMDR therapy helps the brain reprocess distressing memories so they are experienced as past, not present. Research suggests that trauma symptoms persist when memories remain unintegrated and continue to trigger the nervous system as if danger is still happening.
Low-dose ketamine may support this process by temporarily:
Increasing neuroplasticity
Reducing fear-based rigidity
Softening overactive self-critical or ruminative thought loops
Expanding the nervous system’s window of tolerance
When combined thoughtfully with EMDR, this state may allow some clients to access and reprocess difficult material with less overwhelm and more emotional flexibility.
What KA-EMDR Is (and Is Not)
KA-EMDR uses a psycholytic (low, non-psychedelic) dose of ketamine. Clients remain awake, oriented, and engaged in therapy throughout the session. This is not a psychedelic journey and does not involve loss of control or dissociation from the therapeutic process.
Ketamine is:
Prescribed and monitored by a licensed medical provider
Self-administered by the client as directed
Never provided or administered by the therapist
EMDR reprocessing remains the primary therapeutic intervention; ketamine is used as a supportive adjunct, not a standalone treatment.
What the Research Currently Shows
EMDR is a well-established, evidence-based treatment for trauma and PTSD.
Ketamine has a substantial research base demonstrating benefits for depression, anxiety, and trauma-related symptoms, as well as effects on neuroplasticity and emotional learning.
Emerging research suggests ketamine may support memory reconsolidation, a key mechanism involved in trauma resolution.
A small pilot study (Topel & Ciccone, 2024) found that clients receiving Ketamine-Assisted EMDR Therapy™ reported significant reductions in PTSD symptoms and functional impairment, along with feelings of increased safety and emotional openness. These findings are preliminary, and larger controlled studies are needed.
Who May Benefit from KA-EMDR
This approach may be helpful if:
Trauma work feels overwhelming or emotionally blocked
Fear, shutdown, or hypervigilance interfere with processing
You’ve had limited relief from talk therapy alone
You’re seeking a gentle but targeted trauma-focused approach
KA-EMDR is not appropriate for everyone, and careful screening—both psychological and medical—is essential.
Important Considerations
KA-EMDR is considered an emerging treatment approach
Medical and psychological screening is required
Ketamine has potential side effects, typically mild and short-lived at low doses
Results vary based on history, readiness, and engagement in the therapy process
Symptom relief cannot be guaranteed
We believe in transparency, informed consent, and using innovative approaches responsibly and ethically.
Curious If This Is a Fit?
If you’re interested in learning whether Ketamine-Assisted EMDR Therapy™ may be appropriate for you, we’ll start with a thoughtful consultation to explore your history, goals, and options.