IFS & Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy

The Transformative Power of IFS Therapy and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy

What is Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy?

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is an innovative, evidence-based approach

that combines the therapeutic benefits of ketamine with guided psychotherapy to

promote healing and transformation. Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, has been

shown to enhance neuroplasticity, reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, and

facilitate deep introspection.

In a safe, controlled setting, KAP helps clients explore emotions, memories, and

thought patterns from a new perspective. The altered state induced by ketamine

can create a sense of openness, allowing for deeper therapeutic work and

breakthroughs that may be difficult to access in traditional talk therapy.

Each session is tailored to your needs, ensuring you feel supported before, during,

and after the experience. Integration sessions following ketamine use help you make

sense of insights gained, fostering long-term emotional and psychological growth.

If you’re curious about how Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy can support your

healing journey, feel free to reach out to learn more.

What is Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy?

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a powerful, evidence-based model of psychotherapy

developed by Richard Schwartz, PhD. Rooted in systems thinking and family therapy, IFS

recognizes that the mind is naturally made up of multiple inner “parts”—each with its own

role, emotions, and beliefs. These parts, which can sometimes be in conflict, are guided by a

core “Self” that embodies qualities such as calm, compassion, curiosity, and confidence.

IFS is particularly effective for working with trauma, anxiety, depression, and attachment

wounds. Instead of pathologizing our inner conflicts, IFS offers a non-judgmental,

empowering way to access and heal the wounded parts of ourselves while fostering inner

harmony and self-leadership. According to IFS, we all have:

• Exiles – Vulnerable, wounded parts that hold pain, shame, or trauma from the past.

• Managers – Protective parts that try to prevent the pain from surfacing, often through

control, perfectionism, or people-pleasing.

• Firefighters – Reactive parts that try to suppress painful emotions, sometimes through

impulsive behaviors like substance use, overeating, or self-harm.

• Self – The core essence within us, characterized by the “8 C’s”—calm, clarity, compassion,curiosity, confidence, courage, creativity, and connectedness.

Understanding the Inner System: Parts and Self

According to IFS, we all have:

• Exiles – Vulnerable, wounded parts that hold pain, shame, or trauma from the past.

• Managers – Protective parts that try to prevent the pain from surfacing, often through

control, perfectionism, or people-pleasing.

• Firefighters – Reactive parts that try to suppress painful emotions, sometimes through

impulsive behaviors like substance use, overeating, or self-harm.

• Self – The core essence within us, characterized by the “8 C’s”—calm, clarity, compassion,curiosity, confidence, courage, creativity, and connectedness.

"Healing occurs when we create space for the Self to lead, allowing protective parts to relax and exiled parts to be witnessed and unburdened.”

— Dr. Richard C. Schwart

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) and IFS: A Powerful Integration

Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic with fast-acting antidepressant properties, has gained

recognition for its ability to enhance psychotherapy. When combined with IFS, ketamine-

assisted psychotherapy (KAP) facilitates deep healing by temporarily softening the defenses

of protective parts, allowing for greater access to Self and exiled wounds that are often

difficult to reach in traditional talk therapy.

Dr. Schwartz and others in the field have observed that ketamine:

• Quiets the Manager Parts – By reducing rigid defenses and self-criticism, ketamine

creates an internal environment where true healing can take place.

• Enhances Self-Energy – Clients often report feeling more connected to their core Self,

experiencing profound calm, clarity, and compassion.

• Facilitates Deep Emotional Processing – Without the usual resistance from protective

parts, exiles can be accessed and unburdened more efficiently, leading to lasting change.

• Expands Awareness and Connection – At higher doses, ketamine can induce non-dual

states, where clients experience a sense of unity with the universe. This deep knowing of

being “more than just this body” can be profoundly healing.

The Importance of Preparation and Integration

In IFS-informed ketamine therapy, the work doesn’t begin or end with the medicine

session itself. Preparation and integration are key:

• Preparation involves working with protectors to ensure they feel safe about the

journey ahead. Addressing fears and gaining permission from protective parts reduces the likelihood of resistance or backlash.

• Integration allows insights from the ketamine experience to be anchored into daily life. IFS techniques help clients build lasting relationships with their parts, ensuring that the healing continues long after the medicine wears off.

A New Paradigm for Healing

IFS and KAP together offer a profound, non-pathologizing approach to mental

health. Rather than “fixing” a broken mind, this model acknowledges the natural

multiplicity within us, fosters deep self-connection, and allows for the organic

unfolding of healing. By blending neuroscience, psychotherapy, and spiritual

wisdom, this integrative approach has the potential to revolutionize how we

understand and treat emotional pain.

If you’re interested in exploring IFS therapy or ketamine-assisted psychotherapy as

part of your healing journey, reach out to learn more.

What Does the Ketamine Experience Feel Like Through an IFS Lens?

The ketamine experience in therapy is often described as an inward journey—one

that allows you to explore your inner world with greater openness, curiosity, and self-

compassion. Through the lens of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, ketamine

can create a spacious and nonjudgmental state where different parts of you feel

safer to emerge and be witnessed with compassion.

Imagine floating gently above the usual noise of daily life, where the stresses and

habitual thought patterns that typically dominate begin to soften. From this space,

you can connect with wounded or protective parts of yourself with greater clarity

and understanding. Many clients describe the experience as:

Imagine floating gently above the usual noise of daily life, where the stresses and

habitual thought patterns that typically dominate begin to soften. From this space,

you can connect with wounded or protective parts of yourself with greater clarity

and understanding. Many clients describe the experience as:

• A Deep Sense of Relaxation – Like sinking into a warm, weightless space where

the tension carried by protective parts (such as overthinking, anxiety, or self-

criticism) begins to dissolve, allowing Self-energy—your core, calm, compassionate

presence—to emerge.

• A Shift in Perspective – Ketamine can help you step outside of your usual thought

loops, giving you distance from parts that may feel stuck in pain or rigid beliefs. This

allows for greater understanding, self-compassion, and new possibilities for healing.

• Heightened Awareness & Insight – Parts of you that may have been exiled or

burdened by past wounds can surface in a way that feels profound yet gentle,

offering opportunities for reconnection and transformation. This process is often

accompanied by a sense of deep self-compassion and inner harmony.

• A Dreamlike State – Some compare it to a meditative journey or lucid dream,

where the usual barriers between parts dissolve, allowing emotions and memories

to flow freely without fear or overwhelm. In this state, exiled parts may feel safe

enough to be witnessed and unburdened.

• Vivid Imagery & Sensory Shifts – Some people experience dreamlike visions,

colors, or abstract sensations that can symbolize different parts or emotional

landscapes. Others describe feeling a comforting warmth or a deep sense of

connection to something greater than themselves—a return to Self-energy.

Throughout your session, you’ll be in a safe, supportive environment, guided by a

therapist who helps you navigate your inner landscape with curiosity and care.

Integration afterward is key, as we explore the insights and messages that

emerged, helping you build a more harmonious relationship with your parts and

bring newfound clarity into your daily life.

Every journey is unique, but the goal remains the same—creating space for

healing, unburdening, and a renewed sense of Self.

Find an in-depth article on what the ketamine experience feels like in therapy by

clicking here.

The Protocol

The process begins with two preparation sessions, where clients set intentions, discuss

expectations, and build a foundation for their experience. This is followed by six

integration sessions, where clients process their experiences using Internal Family

Systems (IFS) therapy, a modality that helps explore different parts of the self and fosters

healing. Integration is key to translating insights from the ketamine experience into

meaningful, lasting change.

If you would like to connect to learn more, please contact me to book a 15 free

consultation call!