Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD (CPTSD) are deeply disruptive conditions that affect millions of people, often altering the way individuals experience the world, relationships, and even their own sense of self. Traditional treatments such as SSRIs and talk therapy provide relief for some, but for many, they fall short. That’s where IV ketamine therapy, when combined with skilled psychotherapeutic support, offers a powerful and hopeful alternative.
At Innerbloom Ketamine Therapy in San Luis Obispo, California, we provide a comprehensive and compassionate approach to healing PTSD and CPTSD with IV ketamine infusions. Our protocol emphasizes not only precise medical treatment, but also the vital role of integration and psychotherapeutic guidance.
PTSD is a mental health condition that develops after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. CPTSD, or Complex PTSD, often results from long-term or repeated trauma, such as childhood abuse, neglect, or ongoing domestic violence. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, emotional numbness, difficulty with relationships, and chronic feelings of shame or despair. These symptoms are rooted in disruptions to the nervous system—specifically, the brain's threat detection and response systems.
Trauma can dysregulate the autonomic nervous system, keeping the body stuck in a prolonged state of fight, flight, or freeze. Over time, this can impair emotional regulation, memory processing, and the body’s ability to relax or feel safe. Healing PTSD requires more than symptom management; it requires a shift in how the brain and body process and integrate emotional experiences.
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has gained recognition for its fast-acting antidepressant and anti-traumatic properties. Unlike traditional antidepressants that take weeks to work, ketamine begins to exert effects within hours. It acts primarily on the glutamate system, the brain's most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter, by blocking NMDA receptors and enhancing the activity of AMPA receptors. This leads to a surge in glutamate, which is thought to stimulate synaptogenesis—the formation of new neural connections.
In addition to this rapid antidepressant effect, ketamine also opens a "critical period" of neuroplasticity. During this window, which may last several days after an infusion, the brain becomes more receptive to new thoughts, behaviors, and emotional patterns. This is especially significant for PTSD, as the brain's conditioned fear responses and trauma-related neural pathways can begin to loosen their grip, making space for healing and re-integration.
At Innerbloom, we believe ketamine is not a standalone cure, but a catalyst for deeper therapeutic work. The emotional material that can arise during or after a ketamine infusion can be potent, surprising, or at times, overwhelming. That’s why working with a psychotherapist who is specifically trained in ketamine-assisted therapy is crucial.
Our patients work closely with Cindy Nelson, LMFT, a certified ketamine-assisted psychotherapist with deep experience in trauma healing. Cindy provides structure, guidance, and a safe therapeutic container for individuals to prepare for, process, and integrate the insights that may emerge during treatment.
We recommend that all patients meet with Cindy a minimum of three times during their treatment series. For those navigating complex trauma or seeking more comprehensive support, we encourage seven sessions:
It's important to note that at Innerbloom, we use psychedelic doses of IV ketamine, so psychotherapy sessions are conducted on separate days to allow patients to fully rest, recover, and reflect.
Ketamine's effectiveness is highly dose-dependent. In IV form, we can precisely calculate and control each patient's dose based on their body weight, ensuring both safety and efficacy. The therapeutic range for mental health treatment typically starts at 0.5 mg/kg and can go up to about 1.5 mg/kg, depending on individual response and tolerance. This level of accuracy is one of the reasons ketamine infusions are considered the gold standard for ketamine treatment.
While the infusions themselves are powerful, the healing process continues outside the clinic. At Innerbloom, we emphasize the importance of integration practices such as:
These practices enhance the brain's neuroplastic response and support emotional regulation, helping patients build resilience and new coping strategies. We also recommend patients limit stress, protect their peace, and engage in extra self-care during their treatment series. This might mean setting boundaries, taking time off work, or asking for additional support from loved ones.
During a ketamine treatment series, the brain is in a uniquely receptive and reorganizing state. For individuals with PTSD or CPTSD, this is an ideal time to give the nervous system a break from external stressors. We encourage our patients to approach their treatment series with intention—not just for the infusions themselves, but for the surrounding days and weeks.
This might look like:
Creating this kind of internal and external spaciousness allows the therapeutic work to land more deeply and the nervous system to begin healing.
PTSD and CPTSD can make it feel as though healing is out of reach. But with the right tools and support, recovery is absolutely possible. IV ketamine therapy, when paired with trauma-informed psychotherapy, offers a powerful reset for the brain and nervous system. It can patients the boost they need to reconnect to their sense of safety, self, and possibility.
At Innerbloom, we are honored to walk alongside our patients as they reclaim their lives from the grip of trauma. Through precision dosing, intentional psychotherapy with Cindy Nelson, LMFT, and supportive integration practices, we offer more than symptom relief—we offer a new path to wholeness.
If you or someone you love is struggling with PTSD or CPTSD and would like to learn more about ketamine therapy, we invite you to contact our team or schedule a free consultation. Healing is possible. And you don’t have to do it alone.
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About the author:
Libby Rivas serves as the Clinic Manager at Innerbloom Ketamine Therapy, bringing a unique blend of professional expertise, personal experience, and heartfelt compassion to her role. Married to Dr. Ray Rivas, Libby is deeply rooted in the health and wellness community, equipping her with a profound understanding of how to support others. With extensive experience in small business management and customer service, Libby ensures that every patient at Innerbloom receives personalized care and attention.
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