Loosening Up: The KA-EMDR™ Podcast
Danielle Ciccone & Michele Topel, Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy Institute
5.0from 10 ratings
- 15
- Episodes
- 10
- Ratings
- Bi-weekly
- Cadence
- 2026
- First episode
About Loosening Up: The KA-EMDR™ Podcast
Loosening Up: The KA-EMDR® Podcast explores how EMDR therapists are integrating low-dose ketamine into their EMDR practices and what they are noticing as clients soften and access opens in the therapy room. Danielle Ciccone and Michele Topel, co-developers of the KA-EMDR® model and co-founders of Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy Institute, talk with clinicians about real-world implementation of this innovative approach and how low-dose ketamine can enhance EMDR therapy, supporting deeper processing and transformational healing for clients.
- Publisher
- Danielle Ciccone & Michele Topel, Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy Institute
- Category
- health & fitness
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 5 Feb 2026
- Latest episode
- 19 Oct 2026
Latest episodes
15 episodes in the feed.
19 Oct 2026
Ketamine-Assisted EMDR: When You Know Your Story but Still Feel Stuck | Ashley Vande Slunt (Ep 14)
You understand where your patterns come from. You’ve talked about your past and gained insight into your trauma. So why do the same emotional reactions, relationship struggles, and protective responses keep showing up? In this episode of Loosening Up: The KA-EMDR Podcast®, hosts Danielle Ciccone and Michele Topel welcome Ashley Vande Slunt, of Hidden Trails Therapy in Portland, OR, to explore Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy as a healing modality to break through this stuck point. Drawing on her work with EMDR, somatic therapy, parts work, and psilocybin-assisted therapy, Ashley shares her perspective on integrating low-dose ketamine with EMDR trauma reprocessing. Together, they discuss how this approach may help clients connect with difficult emotions, approach painful experiences with greater openness, and work with protective parts that keep familiar survival patterns in place. The conversation explores the importance of therapeutic connection, emotional safety, and dual awareness, staying connected to the present while processing experiences from the past. Ashley also shares how feeling supported by an attuned therapist during her own KA-EMDR® training experience helped her revisit a relational rupture from a previous psychedelic experience. Topics include: Why insight into trauma doesn’t always change automatic emotional and bodily responses. How low-dose ketamine may support EMDR reprocessing when clients feel stuck. Working with protective parts through an Internal Family Systems (IFS)–informed perspective. The role of therapist attunement, attachment, and connection in trauma therapy. Differences between ketamine-assisted EMDR, higher-dose ketamine experiences, and psilocybin-assisted therapy. Why the intensity of a psychedelic experience does not necessarily correlate with the depth of therapeutic change. Supporting client agency and choice throughout trauma processing. Whether you’re an EMDR therapist, a clinician exploring ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP), or someone interested in trauma healing, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how the medicine, the therapy, and the therapeutic relationship can work together. Learn More About Our Guest: Ashley Vande Slunt, LMFT Licensed in Oregon and Colorado https://www.hiddentrailstherapy.com/ (https://www.hiddentrailstherapy.com/) Email: hiddentrailstherapy@gmail.com (https://hiddentrailstherapy@gmail.com) Phone: (971) 271-1875 Learn More About Us: Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy Institute: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com) Our published, peer-reviewed research article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41186022/ (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41186022/) KA-EMDR® Training: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/training (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/training) KA-EMDR® Therapist Directory: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/directory (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/directory) Email: info@ketamineassistedemdr.com (mailto:info@ketamineassistedemdr.com)
2 Oct 2026
Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy: Superhighway to the Source for Healing Trauma | Lida Lisowe (Ep 13)
Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy: "A Superhighway to the Source" Combining Ketamine and EMDR Through a Therapist’s Eyes What happens when you understand your past, but still carry it in the way you react, relate, and see yourself? In this episode of Loosening Up: The KA-EMDR® Podcast, Danielle Ciccone and Michele Topel welcome Lida Lisowe, an EMDR therapist and consultant who brings both personal and clinical perspectives to integrating low-dose ketamine within EMDR therapy. She shares how her own work using the KA-EMDR® protocol helped her revisit longstanding struggles and experience a sense of integration she describes as “coming home” to herself. From the therapist’s chair, Lida reflects on the changes she has noticed in clients navigating developmental trauma, deeply held beliefs of not being enough, and protective patterns that can make reprocessing difficult. Together, they explore the difference between intellectually understanding something and experiencing that understanding more fully in the body, and how those shifts can show up in relationships and everyday life. The conversation also explores clinical decision-making, collaboration with medical prescribers, and the value of a therapist’s calm, attuned presence. At its heart is a question familiar to many EMDR therapists: What becomes possible when we trust the client’s capacity for healing while providing the support that helps it unfold? Learn More About Our Guest: Lida Lisowe, LCMHC Licensed in North Carolina https://www.lidalisowe.com/ (https://www.lidalisowe.com/) Email: lida@lidalisowe.com (mailto:lida@lidalisowe.com) Phone: (919) 272-3434 Learn More About Us: Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy Institute: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com) Our published, peer-reviewed research article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41186022/ (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41186022/) KA-EMDR® Training: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/training (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/training) KA-EMDR® Therapist Directory: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/directory (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/directory) Email: info@ketamineassistedemdr.com (mailto:info@ketamineassistedemdr.com)
23 Sept 2026
Ep 12: Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy in a Group Practice | Julie McAllister & Deana Charter
What happens when two longtime EMDR therapists bring Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy into a group practice built around EMDR? In Episode 12 of Loosening Up: The KA-EMDR® Podcast, Danielle Ciccone and Michele Topel talk with Julie McAllister and Deana Charter, co-founders of EMDR Transformations Counseling in Gilbert, Arizona. Julie and Deana share what drew them to the KA-EMDR® approach and what they’ve noticed while working with clients who had felt stuck in EMDR therapy. Julie and Deana reflect on the changes they’ve observed since introducing the KA-EMDR® approach to their clients. They describe people becoming able to engage with material that had previously felt out of reach, make connections across different experiences, and move through stuck points with greater ease. They also share how rewarding it has been to see clients carry those shifts into their lives outside the therapy room. Julie and Deana also share what surprised them when they experienced the KA-EMDR® approach for themselves. Deana describes a powerful session that brought up feelings connected to her earliest experiences. Julie’s session felt less conclusive at first, but she noticed a meaningful shift over the following days. Their experiences offer two different pictures of what processing can look like. Throughout the conversation, Julie and Deana return to the reason they pursued this work in the first place: they wanted more options for people who were doing the work in therapy but still felt stuck. Hearing how they’ve brought the KA-EMDR® approach into their practice, and what they’re noticing with clients, makes this an encouraging conversation for clinicians who share that question. More About Our Guests: Julie McAllister, LPC & Deana Charter, LPC EMDR Transformations Counseling in Gilbert, AZ Email: info@emdrinaz.com (https://info@emdrinaz.com) Phone: (480) 550-8340 (tel:4805508340) https://emdrtransformationscounseling.com/ (https://emdrtransformationscounseling.com/) Learn More About Us: Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy Institute: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com) Our published, peer-reviewed research article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41186022/ (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41186022/) KA-EMDR® Training: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/training (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/training) KA-EMDR® Therapist Directory: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/directory (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/directory) Email: info@ketamineassistedemdr.com (mailto:info@ketamineassistedemdr.com)
3 Sept 2026
Ep 11: When EMDR Hits a Wall: A Clinician's Journey into the KA-EMDR® Method with Megan Osborne
In Episode 11 of Loosening Up: The KA-EMDR® Podcast, Danielle Ciccone and Michele Topel sit down with EMDR therapist and consultant Megan Osborne to talk about her journey into the KA-EMDR® method, and what she began noticing when she incorporated low-dose ketamine into her work with clients who had repeatedly felt “stuck” in EMDR reprocessing. After 20 years in private practice, Megan found herself encountering clients who were well prepared for EMDR therapy but continued to hit what she describes as a “wall.” Despite thoughtful preparation, resourcing, parts work, and previous reprocessing, there were places some clients simply could not seem to access or move through. Her search for another way to support these clients eventually led her to the KA-EMDR® method. Megan shares what she began observing clinically, including greater ease and flow during reprocessing, an increased ability to approach previously overwhelming material, and moments of meaningful change in clients who had struggled to move through certain targets in the past. Danielle, Michele, and Megan also explore an important distinction: low-dose ketamine isn’t a way to bypass difficult material or eliminate the need for preparation. Instead, they discuss how it may help make previously unbearable material more bearable, while preserving the essential role of the therapeutic relationship, careful case conceptualization, and the foundational principles of EMDR therapy. Megan also reflects on her own experiences participating in KA-EMDR® experiential trainings and how experiencing the process firsthand changed her understanding of what her clients may encounter. The conversation touches on the AIP model, memory reconsolidation, prediction error, interweaves, and the importance of thoughtful case conceptualization in this work. For EMDR therapists who know the experience of doing “all the things” and still watching a client struggle to move through certain material, this episode offers a thoughtful conversation about what may become possible when another tool is carefully and intentionally added to the process. More About Our Guest: Dr. Megan Osborne, PhD, LCPC Licensed in Idaho Email: osborne@emdrofidaho.com (mailto:osborne@emdrofidaho.com) Phone: 208-734-0022 https://www.emdrofidaho.com/ (https://www.emdrofidaho.com/) Learn More About Us: Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy Institute: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com) Our published, peer-reviewed research article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41186022/ (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41186022/) KA-EMDR® Training: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/training (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/training) KA-EMDR® Therapist Directory: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/directory (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/directory) Email: info@ketamineassistedemdr.com (mailto:info@ketamineassistedemdr.com)
5 Aug 2026
Ep 10: Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy: A Better Way to Treat Trauma | Interview with Cheryl Moore
In this episode of Loosening Up: The KA-EMDR® Podcast, Danielle Ciccone sits down with trauma therapist Cheryl Moore to discuss her experience integrating Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy into clinical practice. Together they explore why Cheryl was drawn to this approach after training in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, how low-dose ketamine can help clients stay engaged during EMDR reprocessing, and why she believes KA-EMDR® offers a more targeted and tolerable way to treat complex trauma. Cheryl also shares her own transformative experience during our live experiential training, discusses how KA-EMDR® is changing the way she works with clients, and tells the inspiring story of a client who experienced remarkable healing after years of feeling stuck. Whether you're an EMDR therapist, a mental health professional interested in psychedelic-assisted therapy, or simply curious about innovative approaches to trauma treatment, this conversation offers valuable clinical insights and real-world perspectives on the potential of Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy. Topics discussed include: **Why experienced EMDR therapists are drawn to Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy **The differences between traditional ketamine-assisted psychotherapy and KA-EMDR® **Using low-dose ketamine to support trauma reprocessing **Increasing the window of tolerance during EMDR **Working with complex trauma and deeply held negative beliefs **The role of experiential training in learning KA-EMDR® **A powerful client transformation and clinical outcomes More About Our Guest: Cheryl Moore, LMHC Licensed in Iowa Email: cheryl@moorelifecc.com (mailto:cheryl@moorelifecc.com) Phone: 515-240-1910 https://www.moorelifecc.com/ (https://www.moorelifecc.com/) Learn More About Us: Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy Institute: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com) Our published, peer-reviewed research article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41186022/ (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41186022/) KA-EMDR® Training: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/training (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/training) KA-EMDR® Therapist Directory: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/directory (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/directory) Email: info@ketamineassistedemdr.com (mailto:info@ketamineassistedemdr.com)
8 Jul 2026
Ep 9: What's Next for KA-EMDR™? Behind the Scenes at the Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy Institute
This episode offers an inside look at what's next for KA-EMDR™. Danielle Ciccone and Michele Topel reflect on two years of collaboration and a year and a half of training, consulting with, and learning alongside clinicians from around the world. Through hundreds of conversations, experiential trainings, and consultation sessions, they've gained valuable insight into where clinicians thrive, where they tend to get stuck, and what concepts deserve a deeper exploration. Those experiences ultimately inspired their newest course, Optimizing KA-EMDR™: Refining Case Conceptualization and Reprocessing. They provide updates on the continued growth of the Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy Institute, reflect on training nearly 500 clinicians, discuss preparations for their upcoming EMDRIA conference presentation, and share their vision for the future of KA-EMDR™. Whether you're already practicing KA-EMDR™, have taken one of our trainings, or are simply curious about integrating low-dose ketamine with EMDR therapy, this episode offers a candid look at the ideas, experiences, and lessons that continue to shape our work and the future of the Institute. Learn More: Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy Institute: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com) Our published, peer-reviewed research article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41186022/ (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41186022/) KA-EMDR™ Training: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/training (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/training) KA-EMDR™ Consultation: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/consultation (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/consultation) KA-EMDR™ Therapist Directory: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/directory (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/directory) Email: info@ketamineassistedemdr.com (mailto:info@ketamineassistedemdr.com)
18 Jun 2026
Ep 8: Learning Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy from the Inside Out: Interview with Dr. Dana Girard
In this episode of Loosening Up: The KA-EMDR™ Podcast, Danielle Ciccone and Michele Topel sit down with psychologist Dr. Dana Girard to discuss her journey from traditional psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy to KA-EMDR™. After completing the Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy Institute's introductory course, experiential training, and consultation group, Dana shares how low-dose ketamine combined with EMDR opened the door to a deeply meaningful personal healing experience that continues to shape her work today. Together, they explore the differences between psychedelic and psycholytic ketamine experiences, the unique role of EMDR in facilitating transformational change, and why maintaining engagement, dual awareness, and therapist attunement can be so powerful. Dana also shares a moving account of her own KA-EMDR™ experience, highlighting how unexpected insights, symbolic imagery, and emotional processing led to lasting shifts in her relationship with herself and her father. Whether you're curious about KA-EMDR™, considering integrating it into your practice, or simply interested in the intersection of ketamine, EMDR, and personal transformation, this episode offers a thoughtful and inspiring perspective. Key Topics: Psycholytic vs. psychedelic ketamine experiences The role of dual awareness in KA-EMDR™ Why experiential learning matters for clinicians How low-dose ketamine can enhance EMDR processing Personal transformation, integration, and lasting change Bringing KA-EMDR™ into clinical practice About Our Guest: Dr. Dana Girard, PsyD Licensed in California and Oregon https://drdanagirard.com/ (https://drdanagirard.com/) dgirardpsyd@gmail.com (mailto:dgirardpsyd@gmail.com) (650) 889-8765 Learn More: Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy Institute: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com) Our published, peer-reviewed research article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41186022/ (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41186022/) KA-EMDR™ Training: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/training (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/training) KA-EMDR™ Consultation: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/consultation (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/consultation) KA-EMDR™ Therapist Directory: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/directory (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/directory) Email: info@ketamineassistedemdr.com (mailto:info@ketamineassistedemdr.com)
3 Jun 2026
Ep 7: Gentle but Powerful Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy: Interview with Ashley Hartman
In this episode of Loosening Up: The KA-EMDR™ Podcast, Danielle Ciccone interviews Ashley Hartman, a trauma therapist and yoga teacher specializing in complex trauma, attachment focused healing, EMDR, IFS, somatic therapies, and Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy. Ashley shares her personal journey into psychedelic-assisted healing, what drew her to KA-EMDR™, and why she describes the experience as both gentle and powerful. Together, Danielle and Ashley explore how low-dose ketamine may help clients access difficult material without becoming overwhelmed, creating opportunities for deeper processing, increased self-compassion, and meaningful transformation. They discuss attachment wounds, protective parts, witness consciousness, embodied healing, and the unique ways KA-EMDR™ can help clients who have felt stuck despite years of therapy. Ashley also shares what she has observed in her own clients, including increased access to emotional material, greater agency, and shifts that continue well beyond the therapy session. Memorable themes from this conversation: "Gentle but powerful." Healing does not require losing control. Protective parts are not the problem. They are trying to help. Clients are not broken; their systems are working exactly as designed. Transformation occurs when emotional learning shifts, not just when insight is gained. The client is ultimately the medicine they have been waiting for. Whether you're a therapist interested in integrating ketamine with EMDR therapy or someone curious about innovative approaches to trauma treatment, this conversation offers an inspiring look at what becomes possible when healing feels both gentle and powerful. About Our Guest: Ashley Hartman, LCSW, PMH-C Licensed in Colorado and Illinois https://www.the-sacred-becoming.com/ (https://www.the-sacred-becoming.com/) ashley@ashley-hartman.com (mailto:ashley@ashley-hartman.com) (708) 480-2016 Learn More: Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy Institute: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com) Our published, peer-reviewed research article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41186022/ (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41186022/) KA-EMDR™ Training: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/training (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/training) KA-EMDR™ Consultation: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/consultation (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/consultation) KA-EMDR™ Therapist Directory: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/directory (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/directory) Email: info@ketamineassistedemdr.com (mailto:info@ketamineassistedemdr.com)
21 May 2026
Ep 6: Healing Complex Trauma with Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy: Interview with Sasha Flores
In this episode, Danielle Ciccone and Michele Topel sit down with therapist and Army veteran Sasha Flores, LCSW to explore her experience integrating Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy into her work with complex trauma. Sasha shares how her own healing journey led her to seek approaches beyond standard EMDR after discovering that parts of her system continued to block access to deeper processing. She discusses how low-dose ketamine combined with EMDR created a sense of safety and nervous system protection that finally allowed difficult material to be fully experienced and processed. Together, they discuss: *Why preparation and stabilization still matter in KA-EMDR™ *How low-dose ketamine may make overwhelming material more tolerable *The importance of relational safety and co-regulation in trauma healing *Working with military veterans, first responders, and complex PTSD *Why therapists doing their own healing work matters *The role of consultation and collaboration with medical providers *How clients can begin accessing joy, playfulness, and connection after years of survival This conversation offers an honest and deeply human look at the transformational potential of KA-EMDR™ when used thoughtfully, relationally, and with clinical intention. About Our Guest: Sasha Flores, LCSW, LCSW-S, SWICL Licensed in Texas, Oregon, Washington, and Colorado https://www.thekindmindcounseling.com/ (https://www.thekindmindcounseling.com/) horizonsofhope@pm.me (mailto:horizonsofhope@pm.me) (361) 202-5238 Learn More: Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy Institute: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com) Our published, peer-reviewed research article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41186... (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41186022/) KA-EMDR™ Training: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/... (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/training) KA-EMDR™ Therapist Directory: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/... (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/directory)
30 Apr 2026
Ep 5: Getting to the Root with Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy: Interview with Jessica Chacon
In this episode of Loosening Up: The KA-EMDR™ Podcast, Danielle Ciccone sits down with Jessica Chacon, an integrative therapist based in Colorado, to explore how Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy is helping clients get to the root of trauma more quickly and effectively. Jessica shares how she integrates EMDR therapy with low-dose ketamine (psycholytic dosing) to support deeper processing, reduce defensiveness, and accelerate access to core emotional memories. Together, they discuss why this approach can create a powerful middle space between traditional talk therapy and psychedelic experiences—making healing both more effective and more accessible. You’ll hear real-world clinical insights on how KA-EMDR™ can support clients struggling with trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief, and substance use, as well as how this model may help clients move beyond feeling stuck in therapy. They also explore: How low-dose ketamine enhances EMDR reprocessing Why clients can reach the root of issues in fewer sessions The role of preparation, pacing, and clinical judgment Why this approach may reduce long-term therapy dependence while increasing transformational outcomes Whether you’re a therapist curious about integrating ketamine with EMDR, or someone exploring innovative trauma treatments for yourself, this conversation offers both practical guidance and a deeper understanding of how real change happens. About Our Guest: Jessica Chacon, LPC Licensed in Colorado https://www.sweetgrasstherapeutics.com/ (https://www.sweetgrasstherapeutics.com/) jessica@sweetgrasstherapeutics.com (mailto:jessica@sweetgrasstherapeutics.com) (720) 695-1372 Learn More: Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy Institute: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com) Our published, peer-reviewed research article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41186022/ (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41186022/) KA-EMDR™ Training: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/training (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/training) KA-EMDR™ Consultation: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/consultation (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/consultation) KA-EMDR™ Therapist Directory: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/directory (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/directory) Email: info@ketamineassistedemdr.com (mailto:info@ketamineassistedemdr.com)
14 Apr 2026
Ep 4: Accessing Self-Compassion with Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy: Interview with Lauren Battista
In this episode of Loosening Up: The KA-EMDR™ Podcast, we sit down with Lauren Battista, an EMDR therapist based in Colorado, to explore how Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy can help clients access deeper self-compassion and move through emotional blocks that often keep them stuck in traditional trauma work. Lauren shares how integrating EMDR therapy with low-dose (psycholytic) ketamine has transformed her work with clients experiencing complex trauma, rigid defenses, and chronic self-criticism. Through powerful clinical examples, she describes how KA-EMDR™ supports adaptive information processing (AIP) and memory reconsolidation, allowing clients to access and reprocess experiences that previously felt unreachable. Together, we explore: How KA-EMDR™ helps soften protective blocks and reduce emotional avoidance Why combining ketamine assisted psychotherapy with EMDR creates both structure and flexibility in trauma treatment The emergence of self-compassion, especially in clients with deep shame and self-judgment How “loosening” the system supports nervous system regulation and deeper trauma processing What it looks like when therapy shifts from feeling stuck to meaningful, accelerated healing Lauren also reflects on how this modality has deepened her trust in the therapeutic process—and in her clients’ innate capacity for trauma healing when the right conditions are in place. This conversation highlights a core principle of KA-EMDR™: when blocks soften, the system opens—and new learning becomes possible. About Our Guest: Lauren Battista Licensed in Colorado https://denvermetrocounseling.com/lauren-battista (https://denvermetrocounseling.com/lauren-battista) lauren@denvermetrocounseling.com (mailto:lauren@denvermetrocounseling.com) (303) 809-3341 ext. 6 Learn More: Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy Institute: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com) Our published, peer-reviewed research article: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12587818/ (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12587818/) On-Demand Introductory KA-EMDR™ Training: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/introcourse (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/introcourse) Virtual KA-EMDR™ Experiential Training: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/experientialtraining (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/experientialtraining) KA-EMDR™ Consultation Offerings: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/consultation (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/consultation) KA-EMDR™ Therapist Directory: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/directory (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/directory) Email: info@ketamineassistedemdr.com (mailto:info@ketamineassistedemdr.com)
16 Mar 2026
Ep 3: From Surviving to Thriving with Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy: Interview with Jennifer Taylor
This episode explores the transformative potential of KA-EMDR™, revealing how clinicians are helping clients access deep change like never before. Jennifer Taylor, a licensed clinical social worker practicing remotely across three states in the U.S., shares how integrating low-dose ketamine into EMDR sessions creates a gentle, profound shift in healing complex trauma. In this episode, Jennifer shares: Her journey from traditional EMDR to incorporating KA-EMDR™ How learning the scientific foundation and receiving experiential training built her confidence How ketamine facilitates deeper emotional access and memory reconsolidation Differences between psycholytic and psychedelic ketamine-assisted therapy sessions Real-life changes she is seeing with her clients If you're a clinician eager to elevate your practice, or a client seeking new pathways to healing, this conversation offers inspiration and a new way to think about what’s possible. Discover how this innovative approach is enhancing client outcomes, shifting clinician perspectives, and expanding therapeutic possibilities. About Our Guest: Jennifer Taylor, LCSW Licensed in Texas, Florida, and Kentucky https://jennifertaylorcounseling.com/ (https://jennifertaylorcounseling.com/) jennifer@jennifertaylorcounseling.com (mailto:jennifer@jennifertaylorcounseling.com) (575) 201-3029 Learn More: Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy Institute: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com) Our published, peer-reviewed research article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41186022/ (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41186022/) On-Demand Introductory KA-EMDR™ Training: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/introcourse (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/introcourse) Virtual KA-EMDR™ Experiential Training: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/experientialtraining (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/experientialtraining) KA-EMDR™ Consultation Offerings: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/consultation (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/consultation) KA-EMDR™ Therapist Directory: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/directory (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/directory) info@ketamineassistedemdr.com (mailto:info@ketamineassistedemdr.com)
27 Feb 2026
Ep 2: How Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy Enhances Trauma Healing: A Conversation with Laura Bell
Unlock the transformative potential of combining EMDR with low-dose ketamine — a breakthrough that's changing trauma therapy. If you're a therapist feeling stuck with clients who can't access deep material or move past ingrained trauma patterns, this episode is for you. Discover how skilled practitioners are integrating Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy (KA-EMDR™) to unlock neuroplasticity, accelerate healing, and open pathways long blocked by trauma and the resulting adaptations. Laura Bell, a certified EMDR clinician, consultant and facilitator with the Center for Excellence in EMDR Therapy, shares her compelling journey from traditional EMDR to this powerful integration. She reveals how incorporating low-dose ketamine has expanded her clinical toolkit, supporting clients with complex PTSD in accessing, processing, and resolving trauma that previously felt unreachable. In this episode, we discuss: How psycholytic ketamine enhances neuroplasticity, softens defenses and protective parts, facilitating trauma processing during EMDR The essential role of EMDR case conceptualization and preparation in safety and effectiveness The impact of receiving experiential training and consultation in navigating this new frontier How KA-EMDR™ can radically transform the lives of clients suffering from complex trauma Why does this matter? Because in a field where many therapists feel limited by traditional methods, integrating ketamine opens doorways to healing that once felt impossible. It offers a way to facilitate deep, lasting change without overloading the client or the therapist. This is more than a protocol; it's a paradigm shift in trauma recovery, with ripple effects extending into families, communities, and beyond. Perfect for EMDR-trained clinicians ready to innovate and accelerate healing in a safe, ethical way. If you're curious about expanding your practice or seeking a powerful adjunct to traditional trauma therapy, this episode provides the insight, support, and inspiration you need. About Our Guest: Laura Bell, LPC Licensed in Virginia & Vermont www.pathwaysfcs.com (http://www.pathwaysfcs.com) laura@pathwaysfcs.com (mailto:laura@pathwaysfcs.com) (703) 239-3268 Learn More: Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy Institute: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com) Our published, peer-reviewed research article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41186022/ (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41186022/) On-Demand Introductory KA-EMDR™ Training: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/introcourse (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/introcourse) Virtual KA-EMDR™ Experiential Training: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/experientialtraining (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/experientialtraining) KA-EMDR™ Therapist Directory: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/directory (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/directory) info@ketamineassistedemdr.com (mailto:info@ketamineassistedemdr.com)
12 Feb 2026
Ep 1: What Is Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy? Developing an Integrated Model for Trauma Treatment
What is Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy (KA-EMDR™), and how did it begin? In this inaugural episode, EMDRIA-Approved Consultants Danielle Ciccone and Michele Topel share the clinical and collaborative journey that led to the development of KA-EMDR™ — an innovative, integrative psychotherapy model designed to strategically combine low-dose ("psycholytic") ketamine with EMDR therapy to enhance reprocessing and support transformational trauma treatment. As we worked with our own clients, we began noticing meaningful shifts as defenses softened, deeper material became available for processing, and adaptive information came online much easier. What began as curiosity in our respective therapy rooms evolved into a structured, research-informed approach grounded in the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, the science of memory reconsolidation, and responsible, trauma-informed care. In this conversation, we discuss: • The early clinical observations that shaped the KA-EMDR™ model How we met and began collaborating with incredible synergy How our research and training institute evolved from this work Why we felt called to launch this podcast, creating a platform for KA-EMDR™ trained therapists to share how this approach is impacting their clinical work and the clients they serve Whether you are an EMDR therapist curious about the integration with ketamine assisted therapy, a clinician interested in innovative trauma treatment approaches, or someone exploring potential psychotherapy approaches for yourself, this episode lays the foundation for everything to come. Welcome to the beginning of the conversation. Learn More: Our published, peer-reviewed research article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41186022/ (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41186022/) Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy Institute: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com) On-Demand Introductory KA-EMDR™ Training: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/introcourse (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/introcourse) Virtual KA-EMDR™ Experiential Training: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/experientialtraining (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/experientialtraining) KA-EMDR™ Consultation Offerings: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/consultation (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/consultation) KA-EMDR™ Therapist Directory: https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/directory (https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/directory) To contact us, shoot us an email at info@ketamineassistedemdr.com (mailto:info@ketamineassistedemdr.com). We'd love to hear from you!
5 Feb 2026
Trailer
Hosted by Danielle Ciccone and Michele Topel, co-founders of the Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy Institute, this podcast explores how EMDR clinicians are integrating Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy (KA-EMDR™) into their practices and what they’re noticing as clients soften, defenses ease, and EMDR reprocessing deepens. Through clinician conversations and shared reflections, we discuss the clinical observations and transformational shifts that can emerge when low-dose ketamine is thoughtfully paired with EMDR therapy.
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