Ketamine-Assisted Therapy

Ketamine-Assisted Therapy

Ketamine-Assisted Therapy · Santa Cruz County

A sanctuary for deep healing and transformation

Evidence-based Ketamine-Assisted Therapy (KAT), guided with clinical expertise, cultural sensitivity, and heart-centered care.

or email usPrefer to talk? Call 831.535.8517.

  • Naropa-trained practitioners
  • Individual, couples & small groups
  • Sliding scale available

What is KAT?

What is Ketamine-Assisted Therapy?

Sometimes, meaningful change begins with seeing things differently.

Two hands raised and gently pressed together against a soft sky

Over time, we can become caught in familiar patterns of thinking, feeling, and responding. Even when we understand these patterns, shifting them can feel difficult. Ketamine-assisted therapy offers a different approach, combining the potential of ketamine to temporarily alter our perspective with the support of a therapeutic relationship.

Ketamine can create a dreamlike, inward-focused state in which thoughts and emotions may be experienced differently. For some people, this can offer a sense of distance from habitual patterns, making room for fresh perspectives, emotional exploration, and a deeper understanding of themselves.

This altered state can offer a temporary sense of distance from familiar thought patterns, emotional defenses, or deeply ingrained ways of responding to life. With greater openness and curiosity, it may become easier to approach difficult feelings, explore new perspectives, and connect with aspects of ourselves that have felt difficult to access.

More than a single session

At SoulCare, the session is only one part of the care. You start with medical screening through our licensed medical team led by Dr. James White and a preparation session with our mental health team. Your session takes place in a calm, held space with practitioners by your side.

Where insights take root

Integration is where insights begin to take root and new ways of thinking, feeling, and responding can be nurtured over time. Through practices such as art, somatic processing, sound healing, movement, and talk therapy, SoulCare offers supportive pathways to explore your experience, reconnect with yourself, and cultivate lasting change. These practices can help reinforce new patterns, deepen self-awareness, and translate insights into meaningful shifts in everyday life.

  • Art
  • Somatic processing
  • Sound healing
  • Movement
  • Talk therapy

Who it’s for

Who We Support

Ketamine-Assisted Therapy may offer relief for a range of persistent challenges.

  • Depression & Treatment-Resistant Depression

  • Anxiety & PTSD

  • Chronic Pain

  • Trauma & Emotional Distress

By promoting new neural connections, KAT can help individuals break free from entrenched patterns and rediscover a sense of wholeness.

What to expect

Your ketamine journey

Your ketamine journey begins with an intake and preparation process designed to help you feel informed, supported, and ready for the experience.

  1. 1

    Preparing for your first session

    Preparation helps create the foundation for a meaningful and grounded experience. Before your first session, we’ll guide you through practical steps, answer your questions, and help you clarify your intentions so you can arrive feeling more at ease.

  2. 2

    Your guided session

    During your session, you’ll be guided in a safe, calming environment, with space afterward to reflect on insights, emotions, and next steps.

  3. 3

    Safety & professional guidance

    Safety is central to the care we provide. Our team follows clear screening, preparation, and support protocols so that each client receives thoughtful guidance before, during, and after treatment.

  4. 4

    Integration & follow-up care

    The healing process continues after the session itself. Integration and follow-up care help you make sense of your experience, apply insights to daily life, and receive ongoing support as new emotions, patterns, or possibilities emerge.

Our offerings

Local sessions for individuals, couples & small groups

We offer both individual and group ketamine sessions, depending on your needs, goals, and level of support desired.

One-on-one

Individual & Couples KAT

One-on-one sessions focusing on your unique journey.

  • Highly personalized attention
  • Shaped around your goals and history
  • Open to individuals and couples
Up to 8 people

Small Group KAT

Intimate groups of up to 8 participants, fostering community and shared healing experiences.

  • Connection and shared healing
  • A sense of community
  • A carefully held container

Sliding scale available if needed.

Our commitment

Diversity & inclusion

Our team comprises women with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+, immigrant, and mixed-race identities. This rich tapestry informs our empathetic approach, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all.

  • BIPOC
  • LGBTQ+
  • Immigrant
  • Mixed-race

Free discovery call

Is Ketamine-Assisted Therapy right for you?

If you’re looking for a new kind of support on your healing path, a free discovery call is a good place to start. We’ll listen, answer your questions, and help you decide if this is right for you.

Book Your Free 15 Minute Discovery Call

or email usPrefer to talk? Call 831.535.8517.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

If you are seeking breakthroughs in your healing journey, new perspectives, or relief from treatment-resistant conditions, KAT may be a powerful option. We invite you to schedule a consultation to explore whether this therapy is the right fit for you.

Book Your Free Discovery Call

or email usPrefer to talk? Call 831.535.8517.

What to expect from Ketamine-Assisted Therapy

Our therapy sessions are designed to provide a safe, nurturing, and integrative experience tailored to your unique needs.

Personalized preparation

Before your first session, we’ll meet with you to:

  • Explore your intentions
  • Review your medical and psychological history
  • Answer your questions
  • Prepare you mentally and emotionally for the experience

This phase is essential for creating the right conditions for a meaningful and healing experience.

Guided sessions in a supportive setting

During your session, you will be in a comfortable and serene environment, guided by highly trained practitioners who specialize in:

  • Psychedelic-assisted care
  • Trauma-informed therapy
  • Mindfulness and somatic awareness

With their guidance, you’ll feel safe and supported as you explore your inner world.

Integration for long-term growth

The insights from your ketamine experience are powerful, but lasting change comes through integration. After your session, we provide:

  • One-on-one and small group integration support in-person and online
  • Tools and practices to apply your insights in daily life
  • Long-term guidance to foster growth and resilience
Why choose SoulCare Studios?

Our practitioners bring a unique combination of expertise and heart-centered care, ensuring a holistic, mindful, and transformative experience.

  • Trained at Naropa University’s Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Program
  • Experts in altered states and their healing potential
  • Skilled in bridging traditional therapy with innovative psychedelic care
  • Committed to creating a safe, ethical, and supportive healing space
  • Led by a diverse team of women with lived experience across cultures, identities, and orientations — including BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and immigrant perspectives — bringing deep empathy and inclusivity to every session
How do I get started?

Schedule a consultation here with our team to determine if Ketamine-Assisted Therapy is right for you. We’ll discuss your history, goals, and the best approach to support your journey.

How does Ketamine-Assisted Therapy work?

Ketamine works by promoting neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form new connections. It allows individuals to access deeper emotional insights and break free from entrenched patterns of depression, anxiety, or trauma.

What does a ketamine session feel like?

Each experience is unique, but many people describe it as:

  • A dreamlike, meditative, or out-of-body experience
  • A state of deep introspection and emotional clarity
  • A feeling of release from past trauma or mental distress

Your session will be guided and supported to help you navigate and integrate your experience.

Is Ketamine-Assisted Therapy safe?

Ketamine has been used in medicine for decades. Like any medicine, it has risks and side effects, which is why every client is screened by SoulCare’s medical and mental health team and supported by trained practitioners throughout.

How many sessions will I need?

Everyone’s path is different. Some people do a few sessions and others a longer series. Your provider will talk through a plan that fits you.

Do I need to stop taking my medications before starting KAT?

Certain medications, such as benzodiazepines or SSRIs, may affect ketamine’s efficacy. During your consultation, we’ll review your current medications and develop a safe plan if adjustments are needed.

Can I drive home after a session?

No. Due to ketamine’s dissociative effects, you will need a trusted person to drive you home after each session. We strongly encourage rest and self-care following treatment.

Will my insurance cover Ketamine-Assisted Therapy?

Currently, most insurance providers do not cover KAT. However, HSA/FSA accounts may be used to cover treatment costs. We can provide documentation for reimbursement where applicable.

Is this the same as recreational ketamine use?

No. Ketamine-Assisted Therapy is conducted in a clinical, therapeutic setting, with trained professionals who guide your experience to ensure safety, support, and deep healing.

How do I prepare for my first session?

We’ll provide detailed preparation guidelines, but in general:

  • Have a supportive environment planned for after your session
  • Set clear intentions for your experience
  • Avoid alcohol or recreational substances beforehand
  • Wear comfortable clothing
  • Stay hydrated and eat light meals prior to your session
Disclaimer

Ketamine-Assisted Therapy at SoulCare Studios is provided in collaboration with licensed medical professionals at InnerWell, who assess eligibility and prescribe ketamine as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. All medical evaluations, prescriptions, and dosing protocols are managed by InnerWell’s clinical team, ensuring safety and adherence to medical best practices.

To schedule your initial intake with InnerWell, visit helloinnerwell.com. If possible, please schedule your intake 1 week prior to the session.

SoulCare Studios offers therapeutic support and integration services to help clients navigate their ketamine experiences in a safe, holistic, and intentional way. We do not provide or prescribe ketamine directly. Ketamine-Assisted Therapy is not a substitute for primary medical care, psychiatric treatment, or emergency services. Individual results may vary, and we encourage all clients to consult with a licensed healthcare provider to determine if ketamine therapy is right for them.

Begin today

Begin your journey today

Rediscover hope, healing, and connection with Ketamine-Assisted Therapy at SoulCare Studios.

or email usPrefer to talk? Call 831.535.8517.

Calm open sea beneath a soft blue sky