Understanding Ketamine

Course Description

The Understanding Ketamine online workshop is a two-day training program designed for therapists, psychologists, physicians, and other healthcare professionals who want to learn about the basics of ketamine and its application in treating depression and mood disorders.

The course covers the principles of screening and preparing patients for ketamine treatment, and integrating insights generated from these experiences into follow-up psychotherapy. Participants will learn about various care models, including ketamine-assisted therapy (KAT) and ketamine infusions paired with preparation and integration provided by a separate therapist. They will also learn about the current understanding of ketamine antidepressant mechanisms and the legal and practical hurdles in accessing this treatment. The course includes five video lectures (also available after the course ends), case examples, and opportunities for role-play exercises.

At the end of the course, participants will be able to describe the concepts of drug-assisted therapy, apply and integrate ketamine into their existing frameworks for managing clients with depressive disorders, and describe the appropriate and inappropriate clients for ketamine infusion therapy. They will also be able to list the differences between medical and recreational use of ketamine, plan how to psychologically prepare their clients for the ketamine sessions, and demonstrate psychotherapeutic techniques to maximize behavioural and cognitive changes during the neuroplastic windows opened by ketamine. Additionally, participants will understand how ketamine could play a long-term role in mental healthcare.

Attendance will be verified during the live/online program. Participants will not receive a certificate of completion if they are absent for more than three hours during the live program and role-plays. 12 continuing education (CE) credits are available for this course.