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Brainspotting and Ketamine Therapy: Breaking Through Trauma and Rewiring the Brain

Writer's picture: Demian Gitnacht, MD, MPH, FAAFPDemian Gitnacht, MD, MPH, FAAFP

At Kalea Wellness, we believe in blending cutting-edge therapies with compassionate care to unlock profound healing journeys. Many individuals navigating the complex challenges of PTSD, anxiety, and depression have found transformation through a combination of brainspotting sessions enhanced by low-dose ketamine, alongside practices like meditation and journaling. This integrative approach not only helps clients process trauma but also empowers them to reclaim a sense of self. Let’s explore how these therapies interweave to catalyze meaningful progress.


Brainspotting is a therapeutic method that accesses emotional and bodily pain areas beyond traditional psychotherapy’s reach. By finding points in a client’s visual field that tap into unprocessed trauma in the subcortical brain, brainspotting allows individuals to process and release deep-seated emotions. The concept hinges on the idea that where one looks affects how they feel, suggesting that the eyes can guide individuals to hidden traumas. Therapists help clients identify these "spots" and maintain focus on them, facilitating the processing of trauma within the brain’s deeper regions.


Adding low-dose ketamine enhances the brain’s ability to reorganize thoughts and emotions, creating new pathways to healing. Ketamine promotes increased neural plasticity, making the brain temporarily more receptive to new ways of thinking and feeling. Additionally, it lowers ego defenses, facilitating access to difficult thought processes or challenging memories. This enhancement is akin to giving the brain a new set of tools – while the old ones were like trying to eat soup with a fork: somewhat helpful, but not quite effective.


Meditation and journaling play a critical role in emotional regulation, each through distinct mechanisms. Meditation cultivates a state of mindfulness, focusing attention on the present moment in a non-judgmental manner. This practice can lead to reductions in cortisol levels, commonly known as the stress hormone, thus promoting relaxation. Neurochemically, meditation increases the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and GABA, which are crucial for mood regulation and reducing anxiety.


Journaling, on the other hand, acts as a form of expressive writing, providing a safe outlet for emotional catharsis. Writing down thoughts and feelings has been shown to lower activity in the amygdala – the part of the brain responsible for managing emotions – which can help in managing stress and anxiety. This process not only helps in organizing thoughts but also makes it easier to cope with overwhelming emotions, promoting a greater sense of psychological well-being.


Many clients integrating these practices into therapy notice significant improvements in their ability to trust and connect with their thoughts and emotions. This newfound clarity and emotional depth are not just transformative; they are liberating. Through meditation, individuals learn to observe their thoughts without judgment, and through journaling, they develop a deeper understanding of emotional patterns, significantly enhancing their brainspotting sessions. This integration allows clients to engage more fully with the therapeutic process, enhancing resilience and reducing symptoms.


Meditation provides the tools to maintain a calm, centered presence, crucial for managing the intense emotions that arise during brainspotting. It’s a moment of quiet reflection, essential for anyone navigating the rough seas of PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

Journaling becomes a daily ritual of self-reflection and consolidation. Coupled with the mind-opening effects of ketamine during brainspotting, journaling helps individuals articulate their experiences, transforming abstract emotions into concrete words, significantly aiding the therapeutic process.


This treatment modality also complements Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) sessions, enriching and accelerating healing, exploring feelings, and fostering recovery. The synergy between these practices is profound, addressing both the neurobiological aspects of trauma and providing the emotional and cognitive integration needed for long-term healing.


Many clients have noted significant improvements in mental health, finding not only relief from symptoms but also a renewed sense of vitality and hope. The combination of brainspotting with ketamine and traditional mindfulness practices allows the mind to rewire itself more effectively, paving the way for deeper healing and long-term growth.


By witnessing the journeys of those who have embraced these therapies, we see the profound impact of integrating advanced techniques with traditional practices. These experiences offer hope to others who may feel overwhelmed, showing that change is possible and healing is within reach. If you're curious about the potential of brainspotting, we invite you to explore how our approach at Kalea Wellness can support your path forward. These are not just stories of recovery but of transformation—a testament to the strength found in seeking help and embracing new possibilities.


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