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.

Our published, peer-reviewed research article:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41186022/

Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy Institute:
https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com

On-Demand Introductory KA-EMDR™ Training:
https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/introcourse

Virtual KA-EMDR™ Experiential Training:
https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/experientialtraining

KA-EMDR™ Consultation Offerings:

https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/consultation

KA-EMDR™ Therapist Directory:

https://www.ketamineassistedemdr.com/directory

To contact us, shoot us an email at [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!

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.