Merritt Benz, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Kansas City MO
"The dark does not destroy the light. It defines it. It's our fear of the dark that casts our joy into the shadows."
Brene Brown, PhD.
All experiences, all feelings, all people welcomed.
Every person is unique in what they bring into the world and every journey is your own.
I believe that all of us hold our own deep inner healing intelligence. What that means is that you already have everything you need inside of you for your own healing.
You are the expert of you. Your experiences are yours to own.
You hold the key to unlocking the very best version of yourself. My role is to guide and facilitate YOU unlocking the door to a deeper knowing of yourself and help you navigate what is true and real for you.
In my 25 years of experience as a therapist, I have seen the benefits that talk therapy produces for my clients. I have also seen here it can fall short at times.
There are times where we all need a breakthrough and a different approach.
My approach uses both approaches, the medicine of Ketamine to treat the underlying symptoms of internalized disorders (depression, anxiety, PTSD) and talk therapy for the integration of your Ketamine treatment. All provided in your own home environment so that you can maximize the benefits of each session.
Preparation for your first journey and all those that follow, is a key factor for successful KAP treatment. We will together create the setting, the mindset, intentions and expectations before your journey. Based on client preferences, we can create spiritual spaces, ritual and call on your own personal guides and experiences to join you on your journey.
During my 25 years of experience as a therapist, nothing has excited me as much as offering Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy to my clients. It’s a breakthrough. It’s one of the newest and sharpest tools in the toolbox.
If traditional talk therapy has benefitted you but also left you navigating the same issues and you feel blocked and stuck in the rigid patterns of thinking and living, KAP offers an alternative that can unlock your full potential in ways traditional therapy does not access.
KAP treatment offers a deeply personal experience and who you chose to join you in that space is a critical part of the journey. As a professionally trained KAP therapist and licensed social worker, I am comfortable navigating both the personal and professional aspects of treatment with my clients. The fit between is is important to know beforehand which is why I offer a free consultation for those who are curious about starting KAP treatment.
Experience Matters as Much as the Right fit.
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy is a personal and intimate process. As such, trust and comfort with your therapist is essential. I value and respect the vulnerability that is present when one is exploring Non Ordinary States of Consciousness and building trust starts with our first call.
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) provided virtually or in person, home based treatment.
Setting Matters: It’s important to feel comfortable. Spend your time integrating, not adjusting.
I will come to you and meet you right where you are, literally.
Office based treatment settings for KAP have their value and home based treatment means not having to drive and dive back into your typical day. You can ease in and out of your KAP experience at your own speed and take your time integrating your journey.
Three Parts of KAP Treatment: Assessment, Experience & Integration
Assessment:
Before starting treatment, we will do a full assessment of where you are & if KAP is the right fit for you.
In advance of your sessions with the medicine, you will have a full understanding of what to expect, what not to expect and what your intentions are for treatment.
Experience:
Whether you have past experience with psychedelics or this would be your first time experiencing a non ordinary state of consciousness, I will be with you, by your side during the entirety of your journey.
My role is to create a therapeutic and comfortable space for you to experience the full benefits of the medicine and to guide you on your journey.
Integrate:
Integration an essential aspect of KAP treatment and without it, the gains from your medicine/journey sessions will be limited.
It’s the reason why we journey together and why KAP has proven clinical results in reducing the symptoms of depression, anxiety and PTSD. It’s bringing your journey into your real life where you can feel, know and experience the impact KAP can have in your daily life.
Making the Work, Work for You
It is recommended that you are connected with your own talk therapist or receiving some sort of additional support or coaching related to your presenting issues. I do provide KAP for my own talk therapy clients and also for clients who already have an established relationship with another provider. The work that you put into your KAP sessions will influence the benefit you will receive from the treatment.