When someone you love begins ketamine therapy, it can be a hopeful but also an uncertain time. At Eulas, patients are guided through a structured process combining medical expertise with psychotherapy, designed to help those facing depression, PTSD, anxiety, and more. But alongside the medical and therapeutic journey, the role of loved ones is just as important.
This article covers how to support a loved one in ketamine therapy.
Ketamine therapy is not a quick fix. It is a carefully structured treatment involving assessment, supervised ketamine sessions, and intensive psychotherapeutic integration.
These sessions may bring up powerful emotions or new perspectives, which then need to be explored in ongoing psychotherapy. Our approach ensures that patients don’t just have the experience, but also have the therapeutic tools to make sense of it and apply insights to everyday life.
As a supporter, you don’t need to understand the pharmacology in detail. What matters is recognising that this is a serious medical and psychological process. It combines the clinical aspect of psychiatry with the vulnerability of deep emotional work.
For many people, deciding to begin ketamine therapy is itself a very brave decision. They may feel nervous about what will happen, or even doubtful about whether it will help.
One of the most powerful things you can do is talk openly in the days leading up to the appointment. Ask how they feel not just about the treatment, but about what they hope will change in their life. Listen without rushing to reassure or problem-solve. Sometimes, the simple act of being heard helps soothe nerves.
There are of course practical preparations too. If they are attending sessions in person, you might help with getting them to and from the clinic, booking time off work if needed, or ensuring they don’t feel rushed on the day. If their sessions are online, you could help prepare a quiet and private space, free from interruptions, with somewhere comfortable to sit and reliable internet. These may seem like only small details but they contribute greatly to the sense of security with which they enter the process.
You should also prepare yourself. Supporting someone through therapy can stir up your own emotions, concern, protectiveness, and even frustration at times. Taking a moment to process this before the therapy begins allows you to be more grounded when they need you most.
Some days they may want you close by, whereas on others they may prefer space and independence. Flexibility will likely be needed throughout the process.
If they are attending Eulas in person, the environment itself will be supportive and carefully managed by medical staff. Similar to how to approach someone after a standard therapy session, avoid overwhelming them with questions immediately after a session. Instead, follow their lead.
For those undergoing psychotherapy as part of their treatment online, the dynamic can be slightly different. After the session ends, you might be the first person they see or speak to. This means your tone and presence can set the mood, gentle, unhurried, and also open.
One important thing to remember is that after a ketamine therapy session, people can sometimes feel temporarily disoriented or sensitive, so it’s best not to plan stressful activities immediately after.
The experiences and emotions brought up during treatment need to be processed, integrated, and connected to day-to-day life. This is where your support can be especially valuable.
Encourage your loved one to take time to reflect. Integration also involves supporting positive habits that strengthen well-being, such as a consistent sleep schedule, nutritious food, gentle exercise, or calming sessions such as breathwork or mindfulness. You don’t need to manage these for them, but you can join in if you’re comfortable. Suggest a walk together, cook a healthy meal, or even try a mindfulness exercise alongside them. In this way, your support becomes shared growth.
It is equally important to avoid over-interpreting their experiences for them. Insights from ketamine sessions can feel deeply personal and sometimes confusing. Allow them to make their own meaning, while reminding them that they have ongoing psychotherapy sessions with a consultant psychiatrist to help them make sense of it all.
Supporting someone through ketamine therapy is a commitment, and like any commitment, it does require boundaries. Without them, there is a risk of burnout or resentment.
Be clear with yourself about what you can reasonably offer. Perhaps you are available to drive them to appointments, but cannot stay for hours in the waiting area. Maybe you can check in most evenings, but you also need some nights to yourself. Communicating these boundaries gently but honestly helps avoid misunderstandings.
Remember, too, that your well-being matters. If you feel overwhelmed, find your own avenues of support, whether through friends, family, or even professional counselling. Caring for yourself ensures that your support remains steady and genuine rather than stretched thin.
Boundaries are not barriers. They allow you to continue being present with love and patience over the long course of therapy.
At its heart, supporting someone in ketamine therapy is about connection.
Your loved one is stepping into a process that may feel isolating or misunderstood by others. By staying open, curious, and compassionate, you become a grounding presence in their journey. Many people may find that their relationship deepens as a result of this process. The vulnerability of therapy invites honesty, and the care you show can strengthen trust.
So, by preparing thoughtfully, being present during the journey, supporting integration, and balancing compassion with healthy boundaries, you can help create the conditions in which therapy has the very best chance of success.
