When considering ketamine-assisted therapy (KAT), one of the most common questions we hear is,
"Why do you recommend starting with three sessions?"
We understand that different clinics have varying approaches—some offer one-off sessions or flexible bundles, while others require a commitment to six or more sessions upfront. So, why three? Through our experience, we’ve found that three sessions provide an ideal balance for most clients. Here’s why.
Building a Therapeutic Alliance
Your first ketamine session is more than just a new treatment; it’s an introduction to a new environment, new people, and often a new medicine. Even though we conduct a thorough medical and therapeutic intake before your first session, this is the first time we—meaning you, our team, and ketamine—are all together in the same space.
In these unfamiliar situations, it’s natural for your nervous system to be on high alert. This is part of your body’s innate self-protection mechanism, and all clients experience some mix of anxiety, trepidation, and excitement as they approach their first session. These feelings are normal and reflect how your protective instincts have served you throughout your life.
We’ve observed that it typically takes about two to three sessions for most clients to start feeling comfortable and at ease. During this time, our focus is on supporting you and creating a safe, strong container for your experience. By the third session, many clients find that their nervous systems have relaxed, allowing them to work more deeply with their intentions and therapeutic goals.
Gaining Fluency in the Ketamine Space
Ketamine doesn’t just change the way you feel; it changes the way you perceive and interact with the world. This altered state is something we refer to as “The Ketamine Space.” Entering this space can feel like traveling to a different place—one that requires time to adjust to.
Just as you’d need time to acclimate to a new environment when traveling, you need time to become familiar with The Ketamine Space. Learning to navigate this altered state and work with your therapeutic intentions is key to making meaningful progress. After three sessions, many clients begin to feel more comfortable in this space and can navigate it with greater confidence. They are also able to integrate their experiences with more ease.
Cumulative Benefits of Treatment
Ketamine-assisted therapy offers more than just immediate relief; it also enhances neuroplasticity, meaning your brain becomes more capable of adopting new habits and changing old patterns of thought. Research suggests that this period of increased neuroplasticity can be extended when sessions are spaced out over days or weeks.
Most clinical research in this area has been conducted in medical settings with IV ketamine, often without therapeutic support. This is known as ketamine therapy. At Horizon Healing, we take a different approach. We emphasize the importance of ongoing therapeutic support during the neuroplastic window, helping you replace old habits and develop new, more adaptive ones—this is the essence of ketamine-assisted therapy (KAT).
While our sessions are not necessarily close together, we’ve found that stacking sessions over time still extends the neuroplastic window and enhances the overall therapeutic outcome.
Starting with three ketamine-assisted therapy sessions allows you to build a strong therapeutic alliance, gain fluency in the unique experience of The Ketamine Space, and maximize the cumulative benefits of treatment. This approach provides a well-rounded, supportive introduction to ketamine-assisted therapy, setting the stage for deeper healing and transformation. While many clients extend their treatment beyond 3 sessions, we prefer to start with 3 to begin the process.
“ While many clients extend their treatment beyond 3 sessions, we prefer to start with 3 to begin the process.”
