CONCEPT
Learn more about our therapy offer
We would like to expand the spectrum of treatment methods for mental illness with an innovative approach. There is broad evidence for the use of ketamine in the treatment of depression (Memon et al. 2020). Similarly, scientific studies show good efficacy in the use of altered states of consciousness in mental illness (Reiff et al. 2020)
Augmented psychotherapy
In augmented psychotherapy, altered states of consciousness are combined with psychotherapeutic methods specifically designed for this purpose. These states are individually prepared in therapy, induced by means of patient-specific administration of ketamine i.v. or with non-pharmacological methods, accompanied therapeutically and the experience integrated psychotherapeutically. We use therapeutic methods of mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic as well as body-psychotherapeutic and humanistic approaches.
Repeated sessions of ketamine infusion with the experience of altered states of consciousness and subsequent psychotherapy sessions for integration can make the rapid antidepressant effect of ketamine more sustained. Thus, we embed the various coordinated therapy elements into an intensive short-term psychotherapy. Ketamine infusions are administered by perfusor by anesthesiologists with monitoring of vital signs. Psychotherapeutic support and treatment is provided by licensed therapists in depth psychology-based psychotherapy and behavior therapy.
Indication and costs
Augmented psychotherapy is a psychotherapeutic approach and therefore the indication for therapy is derived from it. The indication for augmented psychotherapy with ketamine is based on the studies available for therapy with ketamine. The treatment of mental illness with ketamine i.v. is an off-label treatment. After augmented psychotherapy, further outpatient psychotherapeutic treatment may be useful to deepen the experience gained in therapy.
Our treatment is not yet covered by public health insurance and must be paid for by the patients themselves. However, the costs may be covered by the health insurance company and must be checked individually with the respective insurance company.
Augmented psychotherapy as a private medical service is billed according to the official fee schedule for physicians (GOÄ). If the therapy requires a particularly large amount of time or if the patient is being treated in a foreign language, the physician can adjust the GOÄ figure by means of an increase factor according to the time and effort involved.
KETAMINE INFUSION
Ketamine as psychopharmacological agent
Ketamine was developed as an anesthetic and pain reliever and has been used worldwide for over 50 years. At lower doses, it has a rapid onset antidepressant effect without relevant effects on the cardiovascular system and vigilance. Due to this, it has gained importance in the treatment of depression in recent years and is used when classical therapy methods, such as with antidepressants, fail. Combining this with adapted psychotherapy results in increased treatment efficacy (Luckenbaugh et al. 2014). Intravenous administration of the substance allows precisely controlled dosing to enable patients to access altered states of consciousness. Through integration in psychotherapy, this can be a healing, meaningful experience (Luckenbaugh et al. 2014)(Roseman et al. 2018). Furthermore, the rapid antidepressant effect creates therapeutically efficient treatment intervals. The interaction of psychopharmacological effects and embedding therapy often leads to an optimized treatment outcome.
Possible effects at the targeted dosage in combination with the therapy setting include a sense of detachment from usual thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations. Vivid inner images and insights can occur. The experience of feelings is often amplified. There may be a limitation in the ability to communicate and motor skills are more difficult. The ability to breathe is typically not restricted which makes it very safe as a medication.
MIND Foundation Ketamine Lecture Series



ALTERED STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS
Application in our therapy
TREATMENT STEPS
We accompany our patients in the following steps
TREATMENT STEPS
We accompany our patients in the following steps
INTEGRATION-PSYCHOTHERAPY
We also offer in our practice the offer of integration-psychotherapy
What is integrative psychotherapy?
Intense emotional and existential experiences hold great potential for personal change. Often changes i n life do not happen slowly, but in spurts or leaps. Sometimes they are associated with crises. Experiencing altered states of consciousness is such a special, intense experience for many people. It has been shown in academic research that especially existential experiences in altered states of consciousness (for example – but not only – an experience under psychedelic substances) can lead to positive changes in the psychological state of mind (Roseman et al. 2018, Majic et al. 2015).
However, it is not uncommon for very challenging experiences to occur (occasionally also “bad trips“), which are difficult to reconcile with daily life and can be burdensome. In some cases, even new psychological problems can arise from unprocessed experiences. people do not Development from such an experience is not left to chance. In psychotherapy, there is a wealth of experience in dealing with intense psychological processes . Even and especially the challenging experiences that are difficult for individuals to understand and integrate into their lives hold the potential for positive change with the help of psychotherapeutic support.

For whom is integrative psychotherapy useful?
Interested individuals can contact us, if tif they had an intense experience in altered states of consciousness (for example, an experience under psychedelic substances) and want to better integrate it into ttheir lives. For integrative psychotherapy, we draw on knowledge and experience from behavioral therapy, depth psychology-based psychotherapy and humanistic methods.
As a private clinic, we do not require an application process with a waiting period for self-pay patients. The psychotherapy can start directly and we work out with our patients an individual therapy plan with flexible duration of treatment. The provision of services by the statutory or private health insurance funds is checked by means of the health insurance fund substitution procedure, if required.
We also work with our patients to determine the extent to which longer outpatient psychotherapy can be helpful, beyond the scope of pure integration therapy. Either you can do this then with us or we help in the mediation to experienced outpatient psychotherapists. If you have patients in your psychotherapeutic treatment, integration psychotherapy can also take place as a supplement during a break in psychotherapy or as preparation for therapy with you.
Psychiatric co-treatment
Patients can also contact us if they have experienced severe or persistent psychological problems such as anxiety, flashbacks, depressive symptoms, or symptoms of altered perception with, for example, derealization, feelings of persecution, or hallucinations after using psychedelic substances. Often, psychotherapeutic integration of the experiences in the altered state of consciousness can also lead to an improvement of the symptoms. In some cases, additional psychiatric medication may also be helpful. Here we develop an individual therapy plan consisting of integrative psychotherapy and supportive medication, should this be necessary. Furthermore, we can help you find further or even inpatient treatment if needed.