Alchemy: A Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Training
As a social worker at Modern Path, I recently completed Alchemy's 7-week Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) training. Having attended two previous KAP trainings, I sought a program that affirmed Queer and BIPOC individuals, and Alchemy, a non-profit supporting marginalized populations, was a perfect fit.
The training offered several invaluable skills and perspectives. As a queer man, I felt completely welcomed and supported by trainers, mentors, and my cohort, allowing me to share my insights and lived experiences freely. Alchemy's curriculum emphasizes harm-reduction, strengths-based, and affirming models for psychedelic therapies. I learned about the origins and appropriation of psychedelic therapy, how to implement affirming models, and how harm reduction applies to collaborating with individuals using substances. I also gained a deeper understanding of KAP's role in working alongside those using substances through the critical lens of a strength-based, person-centered approach.
Alchemy's training equipped me with knowledge on screening, collaborating with psychiatrists, medical professionals, and other therapists, and understanding how ketamine works in the brain. I was impressed by their KAP structures, which aligned with my DBT practice, and I learned to implement safety protocols and flexible care plans. I gained a deeper understanding of holding space for clients and myself, recognizing how my own mindset and setting impact care.
I learned new techniques, such as creating rituals to guide individuals into transcendental states and back to ordinary consciousness, emphasizing the importance of integrating the experience during the session. I also explored Jungian theory through active imagination, utilizing art to access and express deeper insights from KAP sessions, which proved to be a valuable asset in addition to traditional talk therapy.
The final weeks of the training covered ethics, trauma-informed approaches, business applications, and self-care for clinicians, all aimed at providing accessible care while maintaining personal well-being.
I extend my gratitude to Attento and Journey Clinical for their foundational guidance. My deepest thanks go to those who supported me monetarily, emotionally, and physically, my colleagues at Modern Path, and the providers who helped me through my own KAP journey. Special thanks to my home group facilitators, Martha and Ridhi, as well as my cohort at Alchemy, and the inspiring presenters. Finally, I am profoundly grateful to Irina for her belief and welcoming support.
by Jude Powell
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