Approaches to ketamine-assisted couple therapy
David O. Avruch
Frontiers in Psychology June 4, 2026 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1843151 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Phenomenological analysis Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 9 |
| Population | Psychotherapists incorporating ketamine into couple therapy |
| Intervention | Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy |
| Topics | Esketamine Ketamine |
| Keywords | Modalities Context archaeology Mainstream Perspective graphical Diversity politics Qualitative research Sample material Interpretative phenomenological analysis Psychotherapist Mental health Cognitive psychology Qualitative property Therapeutic relationship Object grammar Treatment modality |
| Key points | Psychotherapists use ketamine to facilitate attachment processes in couple therapy, reporting benefits such as reduced fearfulness, deeper emotional expression, frank communication, enhanced trust, and trauma resolution. |
Abstract
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is moving from the periphery toward the mainstream of mental healthcare. Research on the use of KAP in the context of couple therapy, however, remains limited. This phenomenological analysis sought data from psychotherapists ( n = 9), representing four different modalities of couple therapy, who are incorporating ketamine into their work with dyads. Qualitative interviews revealed substantial diversity with respect to how and why respondents are using ketamine to facilitate attachment processes. Study respondents described ketamine’s ability to help couples reduce fearfulness, deepen emotional expression, communicate frankly, enhance trust, gain perspective on relational dysfunction, and address issues related to trauma. Strategies around preparation, dosing, and integration were explored. Data also revealed how different modalities of couple therapy conceptualize the use of ketamine in unique ways. This study, though limited due to its small sample size, contributes to the development of the nascent, emergent subfield of psychedelic-assisted couple therapy.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on ketamine, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 29
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and 24 more in the library