What is Ketamine
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic developed in the 1960s, originally used for surgical anesthesia. It works by blocking NMDA receptors in the brain. Research on ketamine dates back to 1964, when it was first synthesized. Over time, studies expanded beyond anesthesia to include its rapid-acting antidepressant effects, especially for treatment-resistant depression, beginning in the early 2000s.
What is EMDR
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy developed by Francine Shapiro in 1987 to treat trauma. It uses guided eye movements to help the brain process and integrate distressing memories. Research on EMDR began in the late 1980s and has since grown significantly, showing effectiveness in treating PTSD, anxiety, and other conditions.
KAP + EMDR
Combining EMDR with Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) may enhance trauma processing by leveraging ketamine’s ability to reduce defenses and increase neuroplasticity, making clients more receptive to EMDR. This pairing can deepen emotional access, accelerate memory reprocessing, and improve treatment outcomes for PTSD, depression, and complex trauma.
My Training
Very few therapists in the Kansas City area offer both Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy and EMDR in an integrated format. Tina Quarles, LSCSW, brings nearly three years of specialized EMDR training through EMDRIA certification alongside immersive KAP training under Dr. Phil Wolfson — the creator of Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy and director of the Ketamine Research Foundation. This means your care is grounded in both clinical excellence and cutting-edge psychedelic-assisted therapy research.
How it works
While every client's journey is unique, here is a general framework for how KAP + EMDR works at Centered Mind Therapy. Your treatment plan will always be personalized based on your specific needs and goals.
01
Initial assessment and preparation
with participating psychiatrist
Assessment
02
Ketamine Dosing Session
1.5-2.5 hours
depending on psycholytic or psychedelic route
Both include phases
1-8 of EMDR
03
Integrative Session
1 hour
Processing the experience
Developing Coping Strategies
04
Repeat session 2
as needed
Who is KAP + EMDR for?
This approach is especially effective for people who:
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Have tried traditional talk therapy without lasting results
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Are living with treatment-resistant depression or anxiety
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Carry complex or childhood trauma that feels stuck
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Struggle with PTSD and find it difficult to access or process memories
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Feel emotionally shut down or disconnected from themselves
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Want a deeper, accelerated path to healing
Frequently Asked Questions
Is KAP covered by insurance? Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is not currently covered by insurance. Sessions range from $200-$500. The therapeutic integration sessions may be covered depending on your plan.
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Is ketamine safe? Ketamine has been used medically since the 1960s and is FDA approved. In a therapeutic setting with proper screening and clinical oversight it has a strong safety profile. An initial assessment with a participating psychiatrist is required before any dosing session.
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How is this different from a ketamine clinic? Unlike standalone ketamine infusion clinics, KAP at Centered Mind Therapy integrates the ketamine experience directly with EMDR therapy. This means the altered state ketamine produces is used therapeutically — not just for symptom relief but for deep trauma reprocessing and lasting change.
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Do I need a referral? No referral is needed. You can contact Centered Mind Therapy directly to schedule an initial consultation.
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