Ketamine-assisted psychotherapies for mental disorders: A historical overview and systematic review.
Clinical psychology review February 2, 2026 J K E Veraart, N Schimmers, J J Breeksema et al. 4 citations
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) combines psychotherapeutic interventions with the rapid-acting effects of ketamine to treat psychiatric disorders. This systematic review of 64 articles (72 studies) up to 2025 found only 11 were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), highlighting limited evidence. Therapeutic approaches varied, with most classified as 'other.' Results suggest transdiagnostic effectiveness for major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, substance use disorders, and eating disorders. Compared to psychotherapy alone, KAP enhanced treatment engagement, symptom reduction, and duration of response. However, only two studies randomized psychotherapy alongside ketamine, neither reporting added effects; one also randomized ketamine and found no significant interaction. This limited evidence does not support added benefit or synergy from combining psychotherapy with ketamine.