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The Embrace of Space: Music for Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Sessions

The Embrace of Space: Music for Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Sessions

 
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Training Description

Music is an important component of setting in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and has the potential to help catalyze transformational processes in psychedelic sessions. The practice of listening to music itself can be a doorway into a more receptive, meditative state of mind, which can, in turn, facilitate a process of surrendering more fully to the psychedelic experience.

Often referred to as “the language of emotions,” music provides a container for the patient to explore and process emotions while guiding the forward movement of the journey. Stanislav Grof describes the role of music in psychedelic sessions as creating “…a continuous carrier wave that helps patients to overcome difficult parts of the sessions and move through impasses” (Grof, LSD Psychotherapy, 2008). Additionally, as the musical journey unfolds, old memories and associated emotions, previously hidden under the surface of consciousness, emerge and can be processed, understood, and released or integrated.

In this workshop, various aspects of using music to enhance patients’ experiences in ketamine assisted psychotherapy (KAP) will be explored, including track selection and arrangement, matching music and sound effects with drug effects, effective use of transference and countertransference in relation to music. 

We will consider the dual role of the facilitator – one part therapist and one part sonic alchemist – in using various kinds of music to synergize with the dissociative effects of ketamine and enhance a spacious state of mind, often symbolized by transpersonal visions of vast interstellar space, intricate subterranean caverns, and luscious underwater seascapes.

Examples of specific tracks and fully-curated playlists will be shared, and experiential learning exercises will be offered to help participants understand the various phases of the sonic journey. This workshop will ultimately give participants a better understanding of the methods used to prepare and create music sets for ketamine sessions to deepen the patient’s therapeutic process, open their hearts and minds to the vibrational dimensions of consciousness, and support healing from depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

 

Option to earn 4 hours of continuing education (CE)

    Training Curriculum

    Learning Objectives

    1. List two specific elements of music selection and arrangement that should be considered when conducting KAP sessions.
    2. Describe two features of ketamine playlists that facilitate or impede psychedelic sessions. 
    3. Describe two ways to respond skillfully to patients’ distaste or resistance to the music.
    Meet your Training Instructors:
    Eric Sienknecht, PsyD
    Eric is a licensed psychologist who specializes in treating chronic pain, mood disorders, and trauma. He has undergone training in KAP through the Ketamine Training Center and in MDMA-Assisted Therapy through the MAPS MDMA Therapy Training Program and is currently a Sub-Investigator and Co-therapist, and a trainer on the MAPS MDMA-Assisted Therapy Clinical Trials for treatment-resistant PTSD. He presents at conferences regularly on topics such as set and setting, ethics, integration, working with expansive states of consciousness, and music in psychedelic therapy. Eric is a lead trainer in the Polaris Insight Training Program.
    Eric Sienknecht, PsyD
    Clinical Psychologist
    Polaris Insight Center
    Ryan Hoffman, LMFT
    Ryan has dedicated his therapeutic practice to working with anxiety, depression and relationships challenges. He has developed a passion for working with the expanded states of consciousness that arise through psychedelics. Ryan’s approach to therapy is inspired by a number of modalities including transpersonal, existential, humanistic, somatic and EMDR.
    Ryan Hoffman, LMFT
    Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
    Polaris Insight Center
    Extra Info

    4hrs CE credit available, select CE option

    All sessions are held at 9 am – 1 pm (Pacific Time Zone) on Zoom

     

    Available Dates:

    • August 3, 2024

     

    Target Audience:
    This course is designed for mental health professionals – MDs, DOs, NDs, NPs, RNs, PsyDs, PhDs, LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCs, LEPs. Open to the public.

     

    Accommodations:
    To request accommodations for special needs, please email the program administrator at training@polarisinsight.com

     

    Cancellation Policy:
    Participants need to cancel up to 2 weeks in advance to receive a 100% refund (minus a $25 admin fee and payment processing fee). If cancelled after the 2-weeks-in-advance period they can use the credit for a future training or receive 50% refund (minus a $25 admin fee and payment processing fee).