Group Ketamine Assisted Therapy
Join Our Group Ketamine Assisted Therapy Program
Group Ketamine-Assisted Therapy offers a unique path to healing through shared experiences. In this supportive group, you’ll connect with others, gain insights, and explore new perspectives together.
Group KAP is also a more affordable option, making this transformative treatment accessible to more people.
What the Program Includes:
Orientation & Preparation Session: Get familiar with the process and prepare for your journey.
Medical Assessment & Prescription: Conducted by Better U, including your ketamine prescription.
Four Dosing Sessions: Experience 12 hours of therapeutic and nursing support.
Four Integration Circles: Process your experiences in a group setting.
Optional Individual Integration (up to 2 sessions): One-on-one sessions focused on personal goals and intentions.
Your Commitment
Please plan to attend all dosing sessions and, ideally, most preparation and integration sessions. Arrange a ride home for dosing days, as you’ll be unable to drive.
We value your openness and feedback to help us continue improving this program, making it as effective and accessible as possible.
Upcoming Group Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Sessions
Our group ketamine-assisted therapy sessions are held regularly to accommodate your healing journey. Check out the upcoming dates below, and secure your spot early to ensure availability.
Next Scheduled Sessions:
March 2025 Group Ketamine Assisted Therapy
Registration closes 2/18/2025
Our time together will consist of:
One Assessment
Scheduled individually. Lauren Vilar, LCSW, LCAS will assess your readiness for the program and answer questions.
One virtual preparation session
2/25/25 at 9:30 am
Four ketamine workshops
March 4th, 11th, 20th, and 25th
9:30am-11:30 am
Four virtual integration sessions
March 5th, 12th, 21st, and 26th
11:30 am-12:30pm
One virtual follow up and reconnection
April 29th at 11:30 am
How It Works
What Does the Experience Feel Like?
Ketamine creates a dissociative, "dream-like" experience where you may feel detached from your body and surroundings. This can lead to a calm state, distancing you from obsessive thoughts and worries. Some people experience visual or sensory changes, while others notice a lift in mood and an openness to new perspectives. Ketamine often sparks curiosity about the present moment, making it a valuable tool for expanding awareness and promoting healing. In a therapeutic setting, these effects are carefully monitored to ensure a safe and supportive experience.
Pricing
Pricing Breakdown:
Go Inward: $825 (due at registration)
Medical Services: $400 (for the assessment and prescription with Better U
Refund Policy:
All fees, minus a $100 processing fee, are refundable if you do not qualify for group KAP after the assessment or if you withdraw prior to two weeks before the first dosing day.
No refunds are available if you withdraw within two weeks of the first dosing day.
Our Team
Lauren Vilar, LCSW, LCAS
Lauren is the founder of Go Inward and is passionate about healing PTSD. She is also the owner and therapist at LMV Counseling in Wilmington, NC. Lauren’s training for psychedelic assisted therapy include trainings by Fluence Certificate in Psychedelic Therapy & Integration, MAPS MDMA-Assisted Therapy, and Polaris Insight. She was selected as a “vibe patrol” volunteer for the 2023 Psychedelic Science Conference hosted by MAPS in Denver, CO. Her specialties includes trauma-informed care and mindfulness. Lauren’s area of special interest is MDMA for the treatment of PTSD.
Sara Gigliotti
Registered Nurse
Sara is a highly experienced registered nurse with decades of expertise in inpatient and acute care settings. She plays a vital role during ketamine-assisted therapy sessions, carefully monitoring clients' vitals before and after dosing. Sara is also prepared to provide emergency medical care if needed, ensuring a safe and supportive environment throughout the medicine session.
Safety & Potential Risks
We have a registered nurse present at our medicine sessions. The nurse monitors vitals and intervenes in case of a medical emergency.
Ketamine has a long-standing safety record, having been used at much higher doses for surgical anesthesia without causing respiratory depression. However, like any medication, it carries potential risks and side effects that you should be aware of. The most common physical side effects include a temporary increase in blood pressure, pulse, or heart rate, which may pose risks for individuals with heart disease and can sometimes be mistaken for anxiety. Other possible side effects include dizziness, sedation, impaired balance, slurred speech, confusion, excitability, altered sensory perception, headache, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, and reduced awareness of bodily functions, all of which typically resolve within about four hours after the medication's effects wear off.
Chronic, high-dose misuse of ketamine has been linked to urinary tract symptoms and, in some cases, permanent bladder dysfunction or cystitis.
Psychologically, ketamine can exacerbate psychotic symptoms in individuals with schizophrenia or other serious mental disorders.
Important Considerations and Eligibility Criteria
If you're going through a tough time and lack a support system or therapy, it might not be the best time to embark on this therapy. This model is best suited for individuals already utilizing therapy services and have resources to help support them during this journey. Ketamine can lead to deep reflection, and we don't want to add to your distress.
To qualify for this treatment, you need to have had a physical exam within the last six months. Please also review the list below, as the following conditions will exclude you from office-based KAP with Go Inward:
Must be between 18-65 years old
Primary residence in a state other than NC
History of psychotic disorders
Current mania state
Active suicidal ideation
Active homicidal ideation
Ketamine use disorder
Obstructive or Central Sleep Apnea
Hypertension - Blood pressure greater than 140/90
History of Stroke
Heart Arrhythmia
Heart disease or history of cardiovascular event (myocardial infarction, unstable angina)
Acute or chronic kidney disease
Cystitis or bladder issues
Acute or chronic liver disease
Glaucoma or increased intraocular pressure
Increased intracranial pressure
Pregnant or trying to become pregnant
Untreated thyroid disorder
Active alcohol use disorder or unable to abstain for 48 hours pre/post KAP
Unable to abstain from benzodiazepine use for 48 hours pre/post KAP
Polypharmacy (combination of Lamictal, atypical antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, sleep medicine, benzodiazepines, or stimulants)