Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) combines the rapid neuroplasticity of medical-grade ketamine with expert-guided therapy — so you can access, process, and heal from the patterns that keep you stuck.
Physician-led. Therapist-guided. Medically supervised. Located in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California.
You’ve sat in therapy offices. You’ve tried the medications. You’ve read the books, done the journaling, practiced the breathing exercises. And some of it helped — for a while. But the heaviness keeps coming back. The anxiety still wakes you up at 3 a.m. The trauma responses still hijack your day without warning.
Here’s what most people aren’t told: traditional talk therapy can only reach the parts of your brain that are online during a normal conversation. But the patterns driving your depression, anxiety, and trauma often live deeper — in parts of the brain that words alone can’t access.
That’s not a failure of effort. It’s a limitation of the tool.
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a structured treatment that combines the biological effects of ketamine with expert-guided psychotherapy — delivered together, in the same session.
Ketamine temporarily shifts brain activity in a way that increases neuroplasticity — your brain’s ability to form new connections and break old patterns. During this window, a trained therapist works with you to access emotions, memories, and insights that are normally difficult to reach.
Unlike standard ketamine infusions where you simply receive the medicine, KAP uses that neuroplastic window as an active therapeutic opportunity. The ketamine opens the door. The therapy helps you walk through it.
This is not recreational use. It is not a psychedelic trip. It is a medically supervised, intention-driven treatment delivered by a trained medical team.
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is designed for people who are ready to go deeper — not just manage symptoms, but understand and resolve what’s driving them.
You've done good work with your therapist, but progress has stalled. You sense there's something deeper that talk alone can't reach.
SSRIs or other medications have taken the edge off, but you still don't feel like yourself. You want to address root causes, not just manage symptoms.
You've processed your trauma intellectually, but your body and nervous system haven't caught up. Triggers still control your reactions.
Constant overthinking, hypervigilance, or a nervous system that won't calm down — even when you know you're safe.
You're not looking for a quick fix. You want a guided, supported process that creates lasting change — and you're willing to do your part.
You've heard about ketamine therapy but want the full experience — preparation, guided support during the session, and integration afterward.
Every KAP journey follows a structured 4-stage process designed to maximize safety, depth, and lasting results.
Before any medicine is administered, we take time to understand your history, your goals, and what you're hoping to resolve.
Your preparation includes a comprehensive medical evaluation with Dr. Gillin to confirm safety and appropriateness; a psychological intake to understand your mental health history, current symptoms, and treatment goals; intention-setting with your therapist; education about what to expect physically, emotionally, and psychologically; and guidance on how to prepare in the days before your session, including sleep, nutrition, and mindset.
This phase matters. Research shows that the quality of preparation directly influences the quality of the experience and the outcomes that follow.
On session day, you'll arrive at our Cardiff clinic and settle into a calm, private treatment room with ocean views.
Our trained medical team administers ketamine via IV or IM injection at a carefully calibrated dose. As the medicine takes effect, your therapist is present with you — offering gentle guidance and support. You may experience a shift in perspective, vivid imagery, emotional release, or a quiet sense of spaciousness. Vital signs are continuously monitored throughout the session.
Sessions typically last 90 minutes to 2 hours. The experience is deeply personal — some sessions are quiet and reflective, others are emotionally intense. Both are valuable.
The real work of KAP doesn't end when the session does — it begins.
Integration includes a post-session debrief within 24-48 hours, guided reflection on themes or emotions that surfaced, actionable steps between sessions, journaling frameworks, mindfulness practices, lifestyle recommendations, and coordination with your existing care team if applicable.
Without integration, ketamine can feel like a powerful experience that fades. With integration, it becomes a catalyst for transformation.
Healing is not a single event — it is a process. Ongoing support may include additional sessions, continued therapy, metabolic optimization, and structured follow-up to ensure long-term progress.
Ketamine assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is most effective as part of a broader healing plan — not a one-time event.
At Seaside Ketamine, your ongoing support may include:
Additional ketamine assisted psychotherapy (KAP) sessions as clinically appropriate, spaced for maximum benefit.
Metabolic psychiatry evaluation to address biological root causes through Seaside Longevity.
The Gupta Program for neuroplasticity-based rewiring of anxiety, pain, and trauma patterns.
Lifestyle medicine support including nutrition, sleep, exercise, and stress management.
Medication management and safe taper support when appropriate.
Community-based healing options including group ketamine sessions and guided meditation.
This is what sets us apart from clinics that simply administer ketamine and send you home. We build a complete ecosystem of support around you.
Many clinics offer ketamine infusions in isolation — you receive the medicine, sit in a chair, and go home. KAP is fundamentally different.
| Standard Ketamine Infusion | KAP at Seaside Ketamine | |
|---|---|---|
| Therapist Present? | No — you receive ketamine alone | Yes — trained therapist guides your session |
| Preparation | Minimal or none | Comprehensive: medical eval, psychological intake, intention-setting |
| During Session | Music and monitoring only | Active therapeutic guidance and support |
| After Session | Minimal follow-up | Structured integration therapy within 24–48 hrs |
| Approach | Biological intervention only | Biology + psychology working together |
| Goal | Symptom relief | Symptom relief AND deeper healing |
| Long-Term Support | Repeat infusions as needed | Full treatment ecosystem: metabolic psychiatry, lifestyle medicine, community |
Ketamine has been used safely in medicine for over 50 years — first as an anesthetic, and increasingly as a treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain. What makes ketamine unique among treatments is its ability to rapidly promote neuroplasticity — the brain’s capacity to form new neural connections and break entrenched patterns. Traditional antidepressants work on serotonin and take weeks to months. Ketamine works through glutamate and BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) pathways, often producing noticeable changes within hours to days.
When ketamine is combined with psychotherapy, the results can be more profound and longer-lasting. Research published in journals including the American Journal of Psychiatry and Psychopharmacology has shown that patients receiving KAP report greater reductions in depression and anxiety compared to ketamine alone, deeper processing of traumatic memories with less re-traumatization, improved ability to access and work through difficult emotions, and longer-lasting benefits between sessions.
The therapeutic window created by ketamine — a temporary state of increased openness, reduced defensiveness, and enhanced neuroplasticity — is what makes KAP uniquely powerful. It allows you to do therapeutic work that might otherwise take months or years.
We are present for every ketamine session. You receive genuine physician-level care throughout your treatment.
Our therapists are specifically trained in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, Compassionate Inquiry (Gabor Maté), and trauma-informed approaches. This is not generic counseling.
KAP at Seaside connects to metabolic psychiatry, The Gupta Program, lifestyle medicine, and ongoing integration — so your gains don't fade after the session ends.
Our clinic sits steps from the coast in Cardiff, California. The environment itself is part of the healing — calm, natural, and far from the sterile clinical settings most people associate with treatment.
No two people receive the same treatment. Dosing, session frequency, therapeutic approach, and integration plans are all tailored to your unique needs and goals.
We work with your existing therapist, psychiatrist, or primary care physician. Healing works best when your entire care team is aligned.
KAP can be an effective treatment for a range of conditions, particularly when traditional approaches haven’t provided lasting relief:
KAP is not appropriate for everyone. Conditions including uncontrolled psychosis, certain cardiac conditions, and active substance abuse may require alternative approaches. Every patient receives a thorough medical and psychological evaluation before treatment begins.
A: Traditional therapy relies on conversation in a normal state of consciousness. KAP combines therapy with the neuroplastic effects of ketamine, which temporarily shifts brain activity to allow deeper emotional access, reduced defensiveness, and new perspectives. Many patients describe accessing insights in a single KAP session that would take months to reach in conventional therapy.
A: Standard ketamine infusions are a biological intervention — you receive the medicine and your brain chemistry shifts. KAP adds a trained therapist who works with you during that window of increased openness and neuroplasticity. The combination of medicine and therapy produces deeper, longer-lasting results than either approach alone.
A: Experiences vary widely. Some people feel a deep sense of calm and spaciousness. Others experience vivid imagery, emotional release, or shifts in perspective. Some sessions are quiet and reflective; others are more intense. Your therapist is present throughout to provide guidance and support. Most effects of the medicine resolve within 1-2 hours after the session.
A: Treatment plans are individualized. Many people begin with 3-6 sessions and adjust based on response and goals. Some conditions respond quickly; others benefit from a longer course. We discuss realistic expectations during your evaluation and adjust as we learn what works for you.
nuri status, gut healt analysis, and genetic testing when appropriate. These aren’t standarscreening labs—they’re deep dives into the biological systems that affect brain function.
A: Ketamine has been used safely in medicine for over 50 years. When administered in a controlled medical environment with proper screening and monitoring, it has a strong safety profile. At Seaside Ketamine, Dr. Gillin personally supervises all ketamine administration, and vital signs are monitored throughout every session.
A: In most cases, yes. Many patients begin KAP while on existing medications. Certain medications may need to be adjusted for optimal results, and we’ll discuss this during your evaluation. When appropriate, we also offer safe, gradual medication taper support.
A: No. KAP uses sub-anesthetic doses of ketamine — meaning you remain conscious and aware throughout the session. You may feel deeply relaxed, experience altered perceptions, or feel a sense of detachment from your usual thought patterns. This is the therapeutic window your therapist works within.
A: Integration is a critical part of the process. Between sessions, you’ll have follow-up with your therapist, guided reflection exercises, and practical steps to reinforce what emerged during your session. We may also recommend complementary support including mindfulness practices, The Gupta Program, metabolic evaluation, or lifestyle adjustments.
A: Absolutely. We encourage collaboration with your existing therapist, psychiatrist, or care team. Integration is most effective when everyone involved in your care is aligned. We can share session notes and coordinate treatment with your permission.
A: KAP pricing depends on the treatment plan we develop together. IV and IM ketamine sessions are typically cash-pay. Spravato (esketamine) may be covered by insurance for eligible patients. We discuss all costs transparently during your consultation so there are no surprises.
A: The first step is a free 15-minute phone consultation. We’ll discuss what you’re experiencing, answer your questions, and determine if KAP might be a good fit. If it is, we’ll schedule a comprehensive medical and psychological evaluation with Dr. Gillin.
“After years of getting nowhere with my regular doctor, I finally feel like someone is actually listening and figuring out what’s really going on. I have more energy, I’m sleeping better, and I’ve even lost 15 pounds without trying. This has been life-changing.”
“I’d been on four different antidepressants over ten years. No one ever checked my thyroid, my inflammation, my gut. Within weeks of starting the metabolic protocol, I felt clearer than I had in a decade.”
Best decision I’ve made. For years I’ve had a love/hate relationship with alcohol. After just one session, I stopped and haven’t craved it one bit. I completed the protocol and not only have I not drank for the past 7 weeks, I’m sleeping better and am a happier person, husband, and father.”
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is powerful on its own — but it becomes transformative when combined with our full approach to healing. The Seaside Method combines rapid relief (KAP), root-cause treatment (Metabolic Psychiatry), neuroplastic rewiring (The Gupta Program, Compassionate Inquiry), and lifestyle medicine (nutrition, sleep, exercise, stress management) into one physician-led system.
When you start with KAP, you’re not just getting a treatment. You’re entering a complete ecosystem designed to help you heal — and stay healed.
Stabilize symptoms quickly using medically supervised ketamine therapy to create space for deeper healing work.
Comprehensive metabolic and psychological assessment to identify the biological and emotional drivers of distress.
Guided integration and therapeutic support to help reshape patterns, beliefs, and nervous system responses.
Long-term metabolic optimization, lifestyle medicine, and continued support to sustain transformation.
If you’ve been doing the work but still feel stuck, Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy might be the missing piece. The first step is a free 15-minute call with our team — no pressure, no commitment. Just an honest conversation about whether KAP could help you.
