Are you feeling trapped in cycles of negative thinking, overwhelming emotions, or treatment-resistant depression?
At Life Cycles Counseling, Dr. Adina Silvestri offers a safe, supportive, and transformative approach to Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, helping you access profound healing and lasting change.
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a groundbreaking approach to mental health treatment that combines the unique properties of ketamine with the guidance of a skilled therapist. While commonly known as an anesthetic, ketamine has shown remarkable promise in treating conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
At the right dose, ketamine gently guides you into a psychedelic experience, affecting your perceptions and sensations. You might feel a sense of floating, deep relaxation, a shift in negative emotions, or enter dream-like states. This temporary change in consciousness, combined with therapy, creates a powerful opportunity for healing.
Think of it as a guided journey into your inner world. KAP allows you to safely process difficult emotions and memories that may be contributing to your mental health challenges. With Dr. Silvestri's expert support, you can gain valuable insights from these experiences, understand their impact on your life, and develop strategies for lasting change.
Ready to learn more about how Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy can help you?
KAP can offer transformative relief for a range of mental health challenges, including:
Ketamine is particularly effective for conditions that haven't responded to other treatments. If you've tried traditional therapies without success, KAP may offer the breakthrough you need.
I’m Adina Silvestri, founder and owner of Life Cycles Counseling, and I’m ready to help you break free from the limitations of depression, anxiety, and trauma.
As a Licensed Professional Counselor with over a decade of experience, I'm passionate about guiding individuals on a journey of healing and self-discovery.
My approach to therapy is deeply rooted in understanding the unique needs of each person. I believe in creating a safe and supportive space where you can explore your inner world, process difficult emotions, and develop the resilience to thrive.
Our team will take a comprehensive approach to your care, collaborating with other health care providers to provide you with the best outcomes. Here is what you can expect from your ketamine-assisted psychotherapy treatment.
Begin by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Silvestri. This is an opportunity to discuss your needs, goals, and explore whether KAP is the right fit for your healing journey.
You'll then undergo a comprehensive medical evaluation with a collaborating physician. This evaluation ensures ketamine is a safe option for you and, if appropriate, results in a prescription for ketamine specifically for your treatment. You'll then fulfill this prescription at a designated compounding pharmacy which will take a few days to create.
Once you have your medication, you'll meet with Dr. Silvestri to prepare for your ketamine sessions. This session focuses on setting intentions, creating a safe and comfortable setting for your experiences, and addressing any questions or concerns you may have.
Your ketamine sessions, typically lasting 60-90 minutes, will be conducted in a peaceful and supportive environment. Dr. Silvestri will be present to guide and support you throughout the experience.
Following the ketamine sessions, you'll engage in integration therapy with Dr. Silvestri. These sessions help you process your experiences, extract valuable insights, and develop strategies for integrating those insights into your daily life.
If you're ready to explore the transformative potential of Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, Dr. Adina Silvestri is here to guide you.
Ketamine is a legal, safe and effective medicine used to treat a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety and PTSD. Ketamine has rapidly-acting antidepressant and mood-enhancing effects, which can begin to take effect within 1-2 hrs. after treatment and last for up to 2 weeks. It works by
blocking the brain’s NMDA receptors as well as by stimulating AMPA receptors, which are thought to help form new synaptic connections and boost neural circuits that regulate stress and mood. Ketamine has also been shown to enhance overall neuroplasticity for lasting symptom improvement. Ketamine can be administered in a variety of ways, including IV infusion, intramuscular injection, via nasal spray and using sublingual lozenges. In my work we only use the sublingual lozenge form.
KAP can be beneficial for individuals with treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health conditions. Dr. Silvestri will conduct a thorough assessment to determine if KAP is appropriate for your needs.
The effects of ketamine, which most patients find pleasant, last for approximately 45 minutes. These effects can make you feel “far from” your body, and facilitate shifts in perception that can often feel expansive in nature. Your motor and verbal abilities will be reduced, so you’ll be lying down in a comfortable position during the experience. Once these effects subsided, we’ll spend the remainder of our appointment giving you space to process and discuss your experience. While it may feel hard to articulate what happened during the experience, patients feel like the insights gained are none-the-less clear. Studies have shown that the benefits to mood and neurological growth can last up to two weeks after the Ketamine experience. Dr. Silvestri will be present to guide and support you throughout the experience.
The number of sessions varies depending on individual needs and treatment goals. Typically, a series of 6-8 sessions is recommended.
Insurance coverage for KAP is currently limited. Dr. Silvestri can provide information about fees and payment options.
(804) 536 - 9143
8100 Three Chopt Rd. Ste. 131
Richmond, VA 23229
© 2024 Dr Adina Silvestri. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
