SEPTEMBER GENERAL MEETING 2024

Understanding Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy Speaker: Rachel Bornfield, LMFT, ATR

By Josie Koger, LMFT

At the September General Meeting, Rachel Bornfield, LMFT, ATR, presented on the topic of Understanding Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy. Rachel is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Art Therapist with over 20 years’ experience in providing psychotherapy to individuals, couples, families and groups in her private practice located in Westlake Village. In the past four years she has collaborated with a local anesthesiologist, providing Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, primarily in a medical setting. Rachel is a recent graduate in the fourth cohort of the Integrative Psychiatry Institutes, Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Certification and Training Program. The purpose of Rachel’s presentation was to help Clinicians explore the emerging field of Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), focusing on its therapeutic potential for various mental health conditions. The Clinicians learned about the indications for use, including the treatment of resistant depression, anxiety disorders, and PTSD. They also became familiar with treatment settings and routes of administration of medication, as well as gained understanding about varying types of KAP protocols, experiences, and outcomes. Rachel’s well-organized and stimulating presentation generated a robust and interactive dialogue with the attendees. Feedback and responses from Clinicians made the meeting a great learning experience for everyone.