5 Hours / 5 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Psycholytic Therapy Fundamentals - The Therapeutic Framework is in partnership with Joyous. 

Transform your understanding from "drug" to "medicine" as you explore the philosophical and practical foundations of psycholytic therapy. This section distinguishes psycholytic (partial-dissociation) from psychedelic (full dissociative) approaches, emphasizing the unique therapeutic opportunities of partial dissociation. You'll master the complete treatment arc - from client selection and informed consent through preparation, session facilitation, and integration work. Cultural competency, telehealth considerations, and the Joyous treatment model are woven throughout, along with crucial legal and ethical frameworks. This module bridges the gap between ketamine knowledge and therapeutic artistry, preparing you to hold space for profound healing.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe how psycholytic ketamine therapy differs from SSRIs in mechanism, process, and therapeutic impact
  • 2 Describe the factors used to determine whether a client is an appropriate candidate for psycholytic ketamine therapy
  • 3 Describe the differences between psychedelic and psycholytic ketamine dosing and their impact on therapeutic engagement
  • 4 Describe how partial dissociation creates therapeutic opportunities for emotional processing and cognitive flexibility
  • 5 Describe how ketamine alters consciousness in dose-dependent ways relevant to safe and effective therapy
  • 6 Describe current research findings supporting psycholytic ketamine as an evidence-based therapeutic approach.
  • 7 Describe the essential components of preparing clients for psycholytic ketamine sessions, including intentions, fears, and regulation tools
  • 8 Describe the therapeutic attitudes—presence, compassion, curiosity, and humility—that support effective KAP
  • 9 Describe the purpose of integration and why the neuroplasticity window is critical for translating ketamine experiences into lasting change
  • 10 Describe the core components of informed consent for KAP, including benefits, risks, alternatives, and capacity considerations
  • 11 Describe how cultural identity influences ketamine experiences and how culturally responsive care enhances outcomes
  • 12 Describe the key differences between in-person and telehealth KAP, including safety, connection, and logistical needs
  • 13 Describe the major ethical and legal considerations in psycholytic ketamine therapy, including consent, boundaries, and regulatory issues
  • 14 Describe the key stages of the psycholytic ketamine patient journey, from screening to dosing to ongoing treatment

  • Intended Audience

    Licensed mental health professionals who are actively preparing to deliver, or already delivering, psycholytic (low-dose) ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. This training focuses on the therapeutic frame: how psycholytic dosing differs from psychedelic dosing, the cognitive and somatic mechanisms involved, informed consent considerations, ethical issues, and the therapist's role before, during, and after sessions.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Licensed Clinical Psychologists (PhD/PsyD)
    • Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs)
    • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs)
    • Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs)
    • Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs)
    • Psychoanalysts and psychodynamic therapists exploring medicine-assisted approaches
    • Trauma-focused therapists (EMDR, somatic, IFS-trained) expanding into KAP

  • Experience Level

    Participants should hold an independent clinical license and have working knowledge of ketamine pharmacology and safety (covered in Part 1 or equivalent). Prior experience with psychedelic-assisted therapy is helpful but not required.

    • Intermediate: Licensed therapists with general psychotherapy experience who are preparing to incorporate psycholytic ketamine into their practice. May have limited or no direct KAP experience and are seeking practical guidance on session structure, informed consent, and the therapist's role across the arc of treatment.

    • Advanced: Seasoned KAP or psychedelic-assisted therapists refining their approach to lower-dose, sub-dissociative work, particularly therapists transitioning from higher-dose protocols to the slower, more iterative psycholytic model.

  • Practice Setting

    Outpatient psychotherapy practices where clinicians provide or plan to provide psycholytic ketamine-assisted therapy in collaboration with a prescribing medical provider.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Private practice psychotherapy (solo or group)
    • Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) clinics
    • Integrative mental health practices
    • Telehealth-based psychotherapy practices
    • Trauma-focused therapy practices (EMDR, somatic, IFS)
    • Collaborative care practices working with medical prescribers (e.g., Joyous, KAP programs)
    • Outpatient mental health clinics offering medicine-assisted therapy

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).


Sponsorship Approval Statements

Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Palo Alto University maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073.