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KETAMINE AND EMDR: A PRIMER

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INTRODUCTION TO DR. ANA OCHOA

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  • 17-year experience in the field.
  • A ketamine assisted EMDR oriented trauma licensed Clinical psychologist based in Los Angeles.
  • Utilizes a range of evidence-based approaches including Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, EMDR 2.0, Somatic Experiencing, Hypnosis and the Trauma Resilience Model to empower her patients.

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EMDR Therapy Primer

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  • EMDR Therapy: Proven method for trauma recovery and personal strength.
  • Phases 1-2: Establish safe, supportive environment. Tailor treatment and coping strategies.
  • Phases 3-6: Explore and address core trauma. Apply bilateral stimulation for insight and relief.
  • Phases 8-9: Final evaluation and progress check. Strengthen foundation for future resilience.

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EMDR 2.0: A PRIMER

  • Advanced EMDR 2.0 therapy integrating an Artificial Intelligence program.
  • Therapy Setup: Both therapist and patient use laptops during sessions.
  • EMDR 2.0 is based on the idea that our brains struggle to do several things at once without failing at them. Essentially, it shows that multitasking often leads to failing at the tasks.
  • Research strongly supports the working memory theory.
  • Involves engaging short-term memory with multiple distractions while focusing on traumatic memories.
  • Distracting tasks reduce the emotional intensity of memories, enabling neutral long-term storage.
  • Enhanced Techniques: Intensifies working memory load with extra stimuli and eye movements to improve therapy success.

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WORKING MEMORY THEORY

  • Working memory is a limited capacity store for retaining information for a brief period while performing mental operations on that information.
  • Working memory is a multi-component system that includes the central executive, visuospatial sketchpad, phonological loop, and episodic buffer.
  • Working memory is important for reasoning, learning, and comprehension.
  • Working memory theories assume that complex reasoning and learning tasks require a mental workspace to hold and manipulate information.

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History of Ketamine

�Here’s a succinct timeline highlighting the key dates in the history of ketamine:

  • 1960s: Synthesized as a derivative of phencyclidine.
  • 1970s: Approved as an anesthetic; also recognized for widespread abuse.
  • Extended Uses: Utilized for pain relief in various conditions and addiction treatment throughout the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
  • Mechanism of Action: Investigated in the late 2010s for its dissociative effects and interactions with the CNS.
  • Properties:
    • Known to increase blood pressure and heart rate.
    • Provides profound analgesia and anesthesia without affecting breathing.
    • Acts as a bronchodilator, suitable for patients at risk of bronchospasm.
  • Opioid System Interaction: Studied in the 2010s for reducing tolerance to long-term morphine use.
  • Side Effects: Recognized for causing hallucinations and delirium, treatable with benzodiazepines.
  • Antidepressant Use:
    • Notable rapid effects observed by 2000.
    • FDA approval for treatment-resistant depression followed extensive research over two decades.

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BENEFITS OF KETAMINE IN PSYCHOTHERAPY

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  • Rapid Relief: Ketamine offers quick relief from depression, acting within hours, essential for severe cases.
  • Effective for Resistant Cases: Ketamine excels in treating treatment-resistant depression, providing an alternative for those unresponsive to other treatments.
  • Long-Lasting Effects: Ketamine's effects are sustained, improving life quality by breaking the cycle of depression.
  • Reduces Suicidal Thoughts: Ketamine significantly lowers suicidal ideation, crucial for those at high suicide risk.
  • Improves Cognitive Function: Ketamine enhances cognitive abilities, supporting better concentration, memory, and decision-making.
  • Benefits Bipolar Depression: Ketamine effectively treats bipolar depression, addressing both depressive and manic phases.

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NEUROLOGICAL IMPACTS OF DEPRESSION AND RAPID RESPONSE TO KETAMINE

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  • Depression impacts critical brain regions like the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus.
  • This leads to reduced mood regulation and cognitive function.
  • Traditional antidepressants often have limited and delayed effects.
  • Ketamine provides rapid and effective treatment within hours.
  • It induces synaptogenesis, reversing deficits caused by chronic stress.
  • Research by Ronald S. Duman and George K. Aghajanian highlights the importance of the synaptogenic hypothesis. (Science, 338:68-72, 2012,DOI:10.1126/science.1222939)

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SYNAPTOGENESIS STUDY OVERVIEW

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Thank you for your Time

  • Please go to mindfulfocusedtherapy.com for more info on combining EMDR 2.0 and Ketamine
  • Dr. Ana Ochoa PsyD
  • 818-850-2990
  • Instagram, twitter, facebook: mindfulfocusedtherapy