Ketamine-Assisted Couples Therapy Intensive
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy for Couples, Integrating evidence-based
and research-supported modalities for relational transformation.
A committed series for couples who want to break patterns and reconnect. We will use the latest affective neuroscience and the tried and true Gottman Method to soften defenses and open the heart while building new skills that support healthy connection. Please note that this is a committed series and not on-going couples therapy.
Gottman Method Assessment — Four 90-minute sessions
These sessions illuminate the strengths and challenges in the relationship. You have a chance to meet together and individually with Dr. Jenna. At the end of this phase, we collaborate on a treatment plan and dive in to the therapeutic work. Ketamine treatment is not guaranteed by participation in assessment ~ psychological, relational, and medical eligibility criteria must be met.
Building the Therapeutic Container — Six 90-minute sessions
These sessions allow you to establish trust and safety in the therapeutic relationship and for Dr. Jenna to build familiarity with your particular struggles and desired outcomes. At the end of this phase, we decide, along with prescribing PMH-NP, if we will proceed with the ketamine intensive.
The Ketamine-Intensive — Six 3-hour ketamine sessions with preparation and integration.
For eligible couples, Six 3-hour ketamine sessions with 60 minutes of preparation and 60 minutes of integration for six weeks. During these sessions, Dr. Jenna supports you in exploring and healing core relationship issues, while ketamine facilitates new perspectives on old problems. We add to this the skills and safety you've developed during the previous two phases of therapy.
A note on structure: This is a bounded package with a clear beginning and end — it is not a substitute for ongoing couples therapy, and it does not continue past the final integration session.
Not every couple who completes the assessment will be eligible for the ketamine phase. Eligibility is determined by Dr. Jenna and PMH-NP.
Contact for pricing & availability
Dr. Jenna Labbe-Watson, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist · PSYPACT Member
Trained in AEDP, Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy & the Gottman Method
In-person in Rockport, Maine · Telehealth across PSYPACT states
Frequently Asked Questions
Ketamine-Assisted Couples Therapy Intensive
How often do sessions happen during the first two phases?
The assessment and the 6 sessions to build the therapeutic container happen weekly.
What does the assessment actually involve?
The four assessment appointments are broken down into an initial session where I get to learn a bit about your history as a couple and what is bringing you in for therapy at this time. Next, you complete some detailed forms/questionnaires online through the Gottman software. The next assessment appointment is actually individual appointments with me for 45 minutes each — these can happen in a single 90-minute block or you can each schedule your 45 minutes with me on different days, whatever fits your schedule and needs. After that, I integrate all the information and meet with you together for a 90-minute session where I go over the strengths and challenges of the relationship and see if it matches how you are both experiencing things. During this conversation, you will have a report that describes the strengths and challenges so you can use that visual to conceptualize a treatment plan with me.
What happens if ketamine isn't a good fit for us?
If at this point in the process I/we have determined that ketamine is not a good fit, I would refer you to another couples therapist. There are several that I would recommend and you could feel out which ones might be a good fit. There could be a wait to get in with someone.
What happens during the six weeks of building the therapeutic container?
If instead we decide to move forward, we would meet for 6 consecutive weeks (without the use of ketamine). This lets us get more of a sense of how we work together and to establish trust in the therapeutic relationship all while you two build relational skills. Holidays might cause us to skip a week.
What if we decide not to continue with the therapy?
If for any reason we opt to not continue with the therapy, I would not leave you in a situation where you had taken the chance to open up important dialogues without closure. I would support you in bringing this work to a point where you could transition to another therapist or continue to work on the relationship on your own. You would only be financially responsible for sessions you attended (not the whole of phase 2).
How is scheduling handled once we move into the ketamine sessions?
If we move forward with the ketamine sessions, the intervals between sessions become more flexible. It's important that there is sufficient time and space to process material that arises in the ketamine sessions. Sometimes that happens in the single integration session but sometimes we might choose to add in an extra integration session or two before having additional ketamine sessions.
What's the difference between a psycholytic and a psychedelic dose?
Dosing could be psycholytic or psychedelic. A psycholytic dose helps you slow down, soften defenses, and open your heart while remaining oriented to time, place, and purpose and being conversational. Both members of the couple may take a psycholytic dose in a given session (and arrange to have a ride home after the session). On occasion, I may recommend in coordination with the prescriber, a psychedelic dose for one member of the couple, while the other member offers support. A psychedelic dose can facilitate a mystical experience, sometimes nonverbal, and occasionally accompanied by a dissolution of a sense of self.
What if the experience becomes difficult?
Within this therapeutic framework there are no "bad trips." Difficult experiences can be incredibly healing when supported in the therapeutic container.
Can any of the ketamine sessions be done via telehealth?
Once we have had a minimum of one in-person ketamine session, the possibility for future ketamine sessions to be conducted over Telehealth can be discussed.
What's the overall timeline for the whole program?
The four weeks of phase 1 and the six weeks of phase 2 happen in a row, and then we can be flexible about the remaining six weeks of therapy.