For many new parents, birth can be a profoundly transformative experience—beautiful, sacred, and sometimes, deeply overwhelming. When complications arise, when expectations aren’t met, or when moments of fear, loss, or disconnection occur, those experiences can leave an imprint that lingers long after the body has healed. Birth trauma can manifest in many ways—nightmares, anxiety, panic when recalling the birth, difficulty bonding, or feeling emotionally numb or detached.

At Emotion Alchemy Collective, we believe that healing is possible when body, mind, and spirit are all invited into the process. One powerful and emerging approach to support this deep healing is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP).

What Is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy?

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy blends the use of low-dose ketamine—a legal, FDA-approved medicine—with the support of a trained therapist. Ketamine can help soften the walls of protection that form around painful memories, allowing you to safely access and process emotions that may have felt too overwhelming before.

During a KAP session, the medicine can help quiet self-criticism and bring about a sense of compassion, connection, and openness. This can be especially healing for postpartum people navigating trauma, identity shifts, or emotional pain that feels stuck.

How KAP Can Support Healing from Birth Trauma

Birth trauma often lives in the body, not just the mind. Ketamine can help loosen the grip of traumatic memories by increasing neuroplasticity—your brain’s ability to form new, healthier connections. When paired with skilled therapeutic support, this can create lasting change.

Many clients describe feeling as though they can revisit their birth experience from a new perspective: with distance, gentleness, and understanding rather than fear or shame. Some are able to release long-held tears, forgive themselves or others, or reconnect with the profound strength that birth required of them.

KAP can also ease postpartum depression and anxiety, common companions of unresolved birth trauma, and help individuals reconnect with joy, creativity, and purpose.

What to Expect in a KAP Session

A KAP session typically begins with a thorough preparation process. You’ll meet with your therapist to explore your goals, history, and intentions. Your therapist will help you create a safe, grounded space—whether in person or in a clinical setting—with soothing music, gentle lighting, and a comfortable environment.

During the session, a low dose of ketamine is administered—usually through lozenge or intramuscular injection—while your therapist remains with you to offer guidance and support. You may experience shifts in perception, visual imagery, or a sense of spaciousness and introspection. The medicine journey typically lasts about 45–75 minutes.

Afterward, your therapist helps you integrate what arose—connecting insights to real-life experiences and building pathways toward healing and empowerment. Integration is where the real transformation takes root.

Specialized Support for the Postpartum Journey

At Emotion Alchemy Collective, many of our therapists are trained in both Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) and perinatal mental health and are guided by their founder, Dr. Laurel Hicks, who is an expert in perinatal mental health. We understand the unique emotional landscape of the postpartum period—how joy and exhaustion can intertwine, and how trauma can quietly shape the early months of parenthood.

Our therapists bring not only expertise but also compassion, presence, and reverence for this sacred time. Whether you are struggling with birth trauma, postpartum depression, or a loss of connection to yourself, KAP can be a bridge back to wholeness.

A Path Toward Wholeness

Healing from birth trauma is not about erasing what happened—it’s about reclaiming your story with power and tenderness. Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy offers a doorway into that healing, helping you rediscover your capacity for peace, presence, and love.

If you’d like to explore whether KAP might be right for you, we invite you to schedule a free connection call or contact us at Emotion Alchemy Collective to learn more about our offerings. Our experienced team is here to support you with warmth, skill, and deep respect for your healing journey.