Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy in the Perinatal Period: Postpartum Applications, Trauma-Informed - 2 contact hours

In the context of KAP, participants will explore how cultural identity and prior experiences with medical and mental health systems impact readiness, safety, and meaning-making in altered states. Attention will also be given to the historical and cultural context of psychedelic substances, including both harm related to prohibition and longstanding traditions of use in some communities. Throughout the training, clinicians are encouraged to engage clients with curiosity and humility and consider power dynamics, avoid imposing dominant cultural narratives about bonding or healing, and adapt care in a way that is responsive to each client’s cultural, relational, and systemic context.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the neurobiological and psychological mechanisms of ketamine relevant to psychotherapy.

2. Differentiate between medical ketamine models and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP).

3. Describe current evidence on ketamine and esketamine use in perinatal populations, including limitations of the research.

4. Assess clinical readiness and appropriateness for KAP in postpartum clients, including psychosocial an…