Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy in New York City

Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy (KA-EMDR) is an innovative trauma treatment that blends two powerful tools—Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and low-dose sublingual ketamine—to help easily access the safe processing of traumatic memories and adverse life experiences that are contributing to present-day distress and challenges.

KA-EMDR was developed in 2024 by Danielle Ciccone and Michele Topel, experts in both EMDR therapy and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, and co-founders of the Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy Institute.

This therapy uses low-dose (psycholytic) sublingual ketamine, which clients self-administer with direction from a licensed medical provider. The dose is low enough to keep clients alert and engaged—unlike psychedelic or dissociative doses where people often “go inward” and can’t actively participate in therapy. Instead, the goal is to enhance emotional openness, reduce anxiety, and expand the window of tolerance, making it easier to work through difficult material in session. 

Ketamine is not provided or administered by the therapist. Collaboration with a prescribing medical professional is required and there will be additional costs associated with the medical evaluation and ketamine prescription. Your therapist will connect you with an MD for a medical eval and prescription. 

EMDR therapy supports the brain’s ability to reprocess traumatic or upsetting memories that may be “stuck” or unintegrated, and which can contribute to symptoms such as anxiety, hypervigilance, emotional numbness, avoidance behaviors, emotional dysregulation or a negative self-concept. This process is believed to work by activating the brain’s natural information processing system, allowing traumatic memories to be integrated into broader, more adaptive memory networks.

Ketamine adds another layer of support. There is scientific evidence suggesting that ketamine may support the process of revising and updating emotional memories with new information. When combined with EMDR, ketamine may create a unique window of opportunity where the brain becomes especially open to positive change, allowing old fear-based or negative patterns to be transformed. Ketamine has also been shown to help clients feel more relaxed and more emotionally open. 

Studies have shown that ketamine: 

• Enhances synaptic connectivity and neuroplasticity, helping the brain form new, healthier patterns. 

• Reduces activity in the Default Mode Network (DMN)—the part of the brain involved in rumination and self-critical thinking—promoting a more mindful and open state of awareness.

A recent pilot research study (Topel & Ciccone) exploring the use of Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy found that clients reported noticeable reductions in PTSD symptoms after several reprocessing sessions. Participants described feeling safer, more emotionally connected, and more open to the healing process. Reported side effects were minimal. While these early findings are encouraging, more research is needed to confirm these results in larger and more diverse populations and in randomized controlled trials.