Project Description

This qualitative study aims to describe the lived experiences of patients and therapists involved in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP). By conducting in-depth interviews, we will explore participants' prior experiences, motivations, intentions, therapy experiences, personal and professional insights, changes in mental health, and overall wellbeing. Interviews with therapists will also delve into professional impacts, including burnout and direct personal experiences. This approach will provide valuable reflections on the nature and meaning of their experiences and identify areas for improvement in the intervention.

Despite promising clinical evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of KAP for mental health conditions, detailed descriptions of the content and context of KAP in clinical settings are lacking. Many questions remain about the mechanisms of action and the complex lived experiences of patients and therapists. This study addresses these gaps by investigating patients' prior treatment experiences, motivations, expectations, personal insights, perceived outcomes, broader behavioral changes, and overall wellbeing. It also examines therapists' perspectives and the professional and personal impacts of facilitating KAP.

The study aims to:

1. Elicit feedback from patients and therapists about their motivations, intentions, prior treatments, and impacts on personal and professional lives.
2. Facilitate a deeper understanding of the lived experiences and hypothesized mechanisms of action of ketamine combined with psychotherapy.
3. Explore and evaluate potential changes in mental health symptom severity.
4. Identify knowledge gaps, barriers, and opportunities to improve the delivery, safety, and efficacy of KAP as part of ongoing program evaluation.
5. Engage in knowledge translation and broader public education to inform future research and clinical protocols.

By addressing these objectives, this study seeks to enhance the evidence base for the safety and feasibility of KAP in treating mental disorders and optimize patient care.

We are raising funds to publish in an open-access journal and fund conference presentations.