Ketamine-Assisted Therapists in Lubbock County, TX

Cody Heath
Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD, LMFT-S
3 Endorsed
Lubbock, TX 79414
I work with couples, individuals, and families, specializing in communication, conflict, self-esteem, and families living with addiction or codependency. I also help people carrying anxiety, depression, trauma, unhappiness, worry, and grief, especially the powerlessness that comes with it. Whether you're facing a major life transition or relationship strain, I believe real, lasting change is possible, even when it feels out of reach right now. In our work together, we'll uncover the patterns behind your pain and build on your strengths to make sense of what's causing you problems.
I work with couples, individuals, and families, specializing in communication, conflict, self-esteem, and families living with addiction or codependency. I also help people carrying anxiety, depression, trauma, unhappiness, worry, and grief, especially the powerlessness that comes with it. Whether you're facing a major life transition or relationship strain, I believe real, lasting change is possible, even when it feels out of reach right now. In our work together, we'll uncover the patterns behind your pain and build on your strengths to make sense of what's causing you problems.
(806) 603-3306 View (806) 603-3306
Pearson Psychological and Evaluation Services
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC, LCPC, CMHC, QMHP
Online Only
Are you a Veteran seeking a Nexus letter/Independent Medical Opinion? My primary focus is on providing Mental Health Evaluations and Nexus letters for Veterans seeking mental health benefits from the VA. I have helped many veterans through the process, including preparing them for their C&P exam, obtaining other medical documentation, and providing support and guidance throughout. The process typically takes 7-10 days, and I work at your pace, as most Veterans have not asked for help.
Are you a Veteran seeking a Nexus letter/Independent Medical Opinion? My primary focus is on providing Mental Health Evaluations and Nexus letters for Veterans seeking mental health benefits from the VA. I have helped many veterans through the process, including preparing them for their C&P exam, obtaining other medical documentation, and providing support and guidance throughout. The process typically takes 7-10 days, and I work at your pace, as most Veterans have not asked for help.
(512) 359-3490 View (512) 359-3490

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Ketamine-Assisted Therapists
What is Ketamine-Assisted Therapy?
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is a treatment method that involves using ketamine’s trance-inducing and pain-relieving properties to help individuals work through various mental and emotional challenges.

Why is Ketamine used for depression?
Ketamine is employed to treat depression, particularly when other treatments have failed, due to its unique, rapid-acting relief of depressive symptoms and its ability to enhance neural plasticity. Unlike conventional antidepressants, which may take weeks to be effective, ketamine can alleviate symptoms within hours, making it especially valuable for severe or suicidal depression. It acts by blocking NMDA receptors, subsequently promoting the release of neurotrophic factors like BDNF, which aid in the formation of new synaptic connections, fostering neural resilience and reducing depressive symptoms. The psychotropic and dissociative effects of ketamine also provide a therapeutic window for patients to explore and reframe distressing thoughts and emotions under guided supervision, potentially resolving underlying psychological contributors to depression. While its use can be transformative, it necessitates cautious administration in controlled settings due to potential side effects and abuse risks.

How is Ketamine used in Psychotherapy
Ketamine can be utilized in therapy to facilitate psychological healing and transformation, particularly in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. When administered in controlled, subanesthetic doses, it induces altered states of consciousness, allowing individuals to access and explore suppressed or unconscious thoughts, emotions, and memories. This dissociative state creates a therapeutic window where patients, guided by a trained psychotherapist, can work through traumatic experiences, reframe negative thought patterns, and address the emotional roots of their mental health challenges. The synergistic combination of ketamine’s psychotropic effects and psychotherapeutic intervention aims to promote lasting change, enhance self-awareness, and improve overall mental well-being, providing a valuable option for those with treatment-resistant mental health conditions.

What happens in Ketamine therapy?
In ketamine psychotherapy, patients undergo a series of sessions where they receive controlled doses of ketamine, typically via injection or infusion, under the supervision of a trained healthcare provider. Ketamine induces a trance-like or altered state of consciousness, which enables patients to access and explore deep-seated thoughts, emotions, and memories that are typically unconscious or inaccessible. Throughout this altered state, a trained psychotherapist guides the patient to help them process their experiences, offering support and intervention to help the individual address and reframe traumatic memories or negative thought patterns. This combination of pharmacological and psychotherapeutic approaches aims to create lasting positive changes in mental health and well-being by resolving underlying psychological issues and enhancing the individual's coping mechanisms and resilience. The process can be particularly beneficial for individuals dealing with treatment-resistant mental health conditions like severe depression, anxiety, and PTSD.