Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of an Asian American patient with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): a case study

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) may offer a viable treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Asian American patients, who face cultural barriers such as stigma and collectivist values that complicate mental health care. In a case study of a 26-year-old Asian American woman with chronic PTSD from childhood abuse and neglect, 11 intramuscular ketamine sessions (mean dose 88.2 mg) over eight months, paired with integration therapy, led to symptom improvement on standardized measures (PCL-5, PHQ-9, GAD-7). The patient's choice to work with an Asian therapist highlighted the importance of cultural concordance. KAP remains understudied in Asian communities.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Background Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains a challenging condition to treat. Nonpsychedelic pharmacotherapies have modest efficacy, and trauma-focused therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) demonstrate higher response rates than medications, yet they suffer from high dropout rates (25–35%) and limited accessibility. Recent advances in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP), including ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) are being investigated as an alternative treatment. However, cultural, legal, and structural barriers hinder both the accessibility and acceptance of KAP within many Asian communities. Their deep-rooted skepticism toward mental health treatment, alongside collectivist values like filial piety and the prioritization of family harmony, can further complicate the management of PTSD. KAP could be a viable, but understudied option for treatment of PTSD in this population. Case Presentation This case study examines the use of KAP in a 26-year-old Asian American woman with chronic PTSD stemming from childhood abuse and neglect. Mary had undergone years of psychoanalytic psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy with minimal symptom relief. Over eight months, she received 11 intramuscular ketamine sessions (mean dose = 88.2 ± 12.5 mg) paired with integration therapy. Treatment progress was assessed via standardized measures (PCL-5, PHQ-9, GAD-7) and qualitative reports. The cultural aspects of how patient’s Asian heritage shaped her trauma experience (e.g., filial piety, stigma) and treatment process were discussed. Her choice of working with an Asian therapist supports the importance of cultural concordance in KAP.