Curiosity Is the Right Place to Start

Most people who reach out to our Ottawa clinic do so after months or years of not finding relief through other treatments. Others are earlier in their journey and simply want to understand all their options. Wherever you are, asking the right questions will help you make a decision that’s genuinely right for you — not just a leap of desperation.

1. Have I tried other treatments first?

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is typically recommended after two or more adequate trials of antidepressant medications have not produced relief. This is because KAP comes with real costs — financial and otherwise — and existing treatments should be genuinely explored first. If you’re earlier in your mental health journey, your clinician may recommend other approaches to start.

2. Am I willing to engage with psychotherapy?

KAP is not a passive process. The medicine creates an opportunity; the therapy is what shapes that opportunity into lasting change. If you’re not open to a therapeutic relationship — exploring your thoughts, feelings, history, and patterns — KAP may not deliver its full potential. Come in ready to do some inner work.

3. Do I have a stable enough foundation to begin?

Ketamine sessions can bring up intense emotional material. While this is often the point, it’s important that you have a basic level of stability: a safe living environment, a support system, and no active crisis that would make the process unsafe. Your clinician will assess this carefully during intake.

4. Are there medical contraindications?

Certain medical and psychiatric conditions are contraindications for ketamine — including uncontrolled hypertension, active psychosis or mania, certain liver conditions, and a history of substance use disorders involving dissociatives. A thorough medical screening will identify any concerns before treatment begins.

5. Can I make the financial investment?

We’ve already covered cost in detail elsewhere on this site. It’s worth asking yourself honestly whether the financial commitment is manageable — not just now, but for a full course of treatment. Stopping partway through is not ideal clinically, and understanding the full cost upfront helps you plan accordingly.

6. Do I have realistic expectations?

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is not a cure. For many people, it produces meaningful and lasting improvement. For others, it’s one important tool in a broader healing process. Going in expecting a permanent fix from a single session is likely to lead to disappointment. Going in open to a process of gradual, supported change is a healthier frame.

7. Do I trust the clinical team?

This one matters more than people expect. The therapeutic relationship — especially the trust between you and your therapist — significantly influences KAP outcomes. Before committing, talk to the team. Ask questions. Trust your gut. A good clinic will welcome your scrutiny.

Still not sure?: A discovery call with our Ottawa team costs nothing and carries no obligation. We’ll answer your questions honestly — even if the honest answer is that KAP isn’t the right fit for you right now.