Katharine Marder, M.D.
1. Mindset Matters
Your emotional and mental state coming into a treatment session can profoundly influence your experience. If at all possible, avoid rushing to the clinic straight from work or other responsibilities. Consider taking the entire day off to give yourself time and space to prepare. Activities that can get you into a healing mindset include journaling, yoga (Yoga with Adriene on YouTube is perfect for beginners), or guided meditation (Headspace, Calm, or the Waking Up apps are great for beginners).
If that's not possible, even getting to the clinic 5 minutes early, taking a moment in our beautiful waiting room to catch your breath and relax, and doing a brief guided meditation or breathing exercise (try Googling the 4-7-8 breathing exercise) can make a big difference.
2. Set an Intention
An intention is a purpose or goal for the session. It is also a commitment to the process. What are you hoping to get out of the session? Is there an area in which you need clarity? Is there a feeling that has been missing from your life?
We recommend setting an intention as a starting point for the journey, while remaining open to wherever the journey might take you. If you aren’t sure where to start, we will help you set an intention before your treatment begins.
3. Go Inwards
We will provide you with eyeshades and headphones for your ketamine sessions. They are not required, but they are highly recommended. Headphones play specially curated music that can provide direction to the journey by evoking emotions and promoting emotional release.
Eyeshades reduce distraction and allow you to have a deeper experience. To this end, we also recommend turning off your phone for the duration of your session. Similarly, if you choose to have a support person in the room, consider telling them in advance that they should not engage in conversation with you, as this can distract you from the inner journey.
4. Let Go
It can be difficult and even frightening to "let go" of our ordinary state of consciousness and our sense of control, but it is critically important. Remember that your ordinary consciousness is precisely where your suffering lives.
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