Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy™ for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Investigating the Synergistic Effects of Pharmacotherapy and Psychotherapy

Original Title: Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy™ for PTSD: investigating the synergistic effects of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy
Authors: Michele Topel & Danielle Ciccone
Journal: European Journal of Psychotraumatology
Publication date: 04 November 2025

Translated by: Specialist Psychologist Elena Gizem Pozam

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1OXhPlqUrLx3289xQf0FdZ?si=NJA5YRA7TiyBXJtCH6zUxA

ABSTRACT

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with maladaptive memory reconsolidation and overgeneralized fear responses. EMDR therapy promotes trauma reprocessing by activating the brain's innate memory reconsolidation mechanism, facilitating memory updating, and enabling outdated emotional schemas to be relinquished.1 Ketamine may also facilitate the adaptive updating of traumatic memories through its neurobiological and subjective effects. Research on the combined effects of EMDR therapy and ketamine on PTSD remains limited. Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy™ (KA-EMDR) integrates low-dose sublingual ketamine with EMDR memory reprocessing, offering a potentially synergistic trauma treatment by improving memory access, reducing hyperarousal, and enhancing the adaptive reconsolidation of fear-based memories.2

Objective: To investigate whether incorporating low-dose sublingual ketamine into EMDR therapy reduces PTSD symptom severity and functional impairment in individuals with PTSD.

Methods: A retrospective clinical chart review examined data collected from eight participants with PTSD who received KA-EMDR at a private psychotherapy practice. Sublingual ketamine (37.5–75 mg) was self-administered by participants during EMDR reprocessing following memory activation. The International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) assessed PTSD symptoms and functional impairment at baseline and after four KA-EMDR reprocessing sessions (T1). Paired-samples t-tests analyzed symptom changes. Participants also completed a subjective experience questionnaire.

Results: PTSD symptom scores decreased significantly from baseline (M = 15.50, SD = 2.98) to T1 (M = 9.88, SD = 4.94), t(7) = 3.21, p < .05, with a large effect size (g = 1.01). Functional impairment scores decreased significantly from baseline (M = 8.50, SD = 2.78) to T1 (M = 5.25, SD = 3.24), t(7) = 2.60, p < .05, with a large effect size of g = 0.82.. Participants reported reduced fear, increased self-compassion and emotional clarity, less resistance, and minimal adverse effects.

Conclusions: KA-EMDR may be a promising treatment for PTSD, particularly for those with treatment-resistant trauma. Larger randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings.

 

HIGHLIGHTS

• A Synergistic Approach to PTSD Treatment: The article explores how Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy™ (KA-EMDR) integrates low-dose (psycholytic) sublingual ketamine with EMDR therapy, leveraging ketamine's neurobiological and subjective effects to enhance trauma memory reprocessing during EMDR therapy.


• Mechanisms of Action: It explains how EMDR facilitates adaptive memory reconsolidation and how ketamine enhances neuroplasticity, potentially facilitating the adaptive updating of traumatic memories during reconsolidation when paired with EMDR therapy.


• Clinical Findings and Future Directions: A retrospective chart review of eight participants with PTSD suggests that KA-EMDR significantly reduces PTSD symptoms and functional impairment, supporting the need for larger randomized controlled trials to confirm its efficacy.

1. Introduction

1.1. Background on PTSD

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe and debilitating mental health condition that can arise after experiencing traumatic events. It is characterized by symptoms such as intrusive memories, avoidance of trauma-related triggers, negative changes in mood and cognition, and increased arousal and reactivity (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). The complex nature of PTSD and its significant impact on individuals and communities underscore the importance of ongoing research into its prevalence, underlying mechanisms, and effective treatments.

Continued research and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential to addressing ongoing unmet needs in PTSD care.

1.2. The Current PTSD Treatment Landscape

Treatment approaches for PTSD encompass both psychological and pharmacological interventions. Among psychological treatments, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), exposure therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) have the strongest evidence base (Bisson et al., 2013; Schnyder et al., 2015). EMDR therapy has demonstrated efficacy in reducing PTSD symptoms by facilitating the processing and integration of traumatic memories, reducing emotional and physiological reactivity while promoting more adaptive beliefs. Its mechanisms of action may include enhancing memory reconsolidation processes, reducing emotional arousal, and normalizing neural activity in regions such as the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, as demonstrated in functional MRI studies (Novo Navarro et al., 2018; Rousseau et al., 2019). Advances in psychotherapy have also explored the role of self-relatedness and identity restructuring in alleviating PTSD symptoms, with research highlighting the involvement of the Default Mode Network (DMN) (Ho et al., 2017; Lanius et al., 2020).

Pharmacological treatments, although widely used, face challenges in achieving optimal outcomes. Current options include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which provide moderate symptom relief. The need for novel pharmacological strategies has been emphasized because of the limitations in efficacy and tolerability of current medications (Kelmendi et al., 2017). Emerging treatments such as ketamine- and MDMA-assisted psychotherapy show promise but require further empirical validation.

1.3. EMDR Therapy and Memory Reconsolidation

EMDR therapy has been shown to effectively address PTSD by facilitating the reprocessing of traumatic memories and Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) (Shapiro, 2018). Francine Shapiro, the developer of EMDR therapy, recognized memory reconsolidation as an important mechanism in EMDR therapy (Shapiro, 2018). Ecker and Bridges (2020) define memory reconsolidation (MR), a process first identified between 1997 and 2000, as an intrinsic brain mechanism through which new experiences actively modify previously stored memories. This updating not only alters subjective experience but also changes the underlying neural patterns. They argue that the key to therapeutic change is addressing the deeply rooted emotional learning underlying specific symptoms—a lasting mental model or schema acquired during intense emotional events that continues to influence behavior outside conscious awareness. By disrupting and restructuring this established schema through MR, the source of personal emotional distress can be effectively resolved. Ecker et al. (2023) further elaborate on how EMDR therapy achieves this through what they call the therapeutic reconsolidation process (TRP). Memory reconsolidation may help reduce PTSD symptoms by modifying and integrating traumatic memories and diminishing their emotional impact. When traumatic memories are appropriately reprocessed, they no longer trigger the same distressing responses and can become part of a more balanced, integrated, and adaptive perspective on both past memories and present-moment experiences (Shapiro, 2018).

1.4. Neurobiological and Subjective Effects of Ketamine

Ketamine is a legal medication classified as a Schedule III drug in the United States and is used off-label for psychiatric conditions. Ketamine acts as an NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist, increasing the availability of glutamate, the brain's primary excitatory neurotransmitter (Krystal et al., 2024). Ketamine also reduces functional connectivity within the default mode network (DMN), which plays a key role in PTSD symptoms (Lanius et al., 2020).

At low, psycholytic (subpsychedelic) doses, ketamine also offers anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) and empathogenic properties, promoting feelings of comfort and relaxation, compassion, empathy, and peace (Kolp et al., 2014). Ketamine has been noted to have 'entactogenic' effects that may enhance social connection (Hess et al., 2024). These subjective effects would theoretically support individuals undergoing trauma-focused psychotherapy by widening the window of tolerance for processing difficult material.

1.5. Therapeutic Effects of Ketamine and Its Role in Memory Reconsolidation

Ketamine has demonstrated the potential to influence memory reconsolidation when used strategically. Veen et al. (2018) suggested that ketamine holds promise as an adjunct to trauma-focused psychotherapy for PTSD. Research involving individuals with PTSD indicates that ketamine administered after trauma memory recall and subsequently paired with trauma-focused psychotherapy may produce neural changes consistent with reconsolidation-based updating (Duek et al., 2023). However, caution is needed regarding the timing of ketamine use in relation to fear-based memories, as Honsberger et al. (2015) found that ketamine administered to mice before fear memory activation actually enhanced the fear memory.

Clinical evidence further supports ketamine's positive impact on trauma symptoms. Feder et al. (2014) found that ketamine infusion rapidly reduced trauma symptom severity in patients with PTSD, suggesting that combining ketamine with psychotherapeutic strategies aimed at facilitating memory reconsolidation may enhance treatment outcomes. A systematic review by Sicignano et al. (2024) investigated the effects of ketamine for PTSD and found significant reductions in PTSD scores and an increase in time to relapse compared with the control group.

It is important to note that some studies, such as Borgogna et al. (2024), indicate limited efficacy of ketamine as a standalone treatment for PTSD, but these studies did not examine its use as a targeted adjunct to trauma-focused psychotherapy. This distinction suggests that combining ketamine with psychotherapeutic approaches, particularly those focused on memory reconsolidation, such as EMDR therapy, may harness synergistic mechanisms that more effectively reduce trauma-related symptoms.

With an impressive safety profile documented over more than 50 years of research (Li & Vlisides, 2016), ketamine administered in controlled clinical settings with adjunctive psychotherapy appears to offer substantial therapeutic benefits while posing minimal risks (Averill et al., 2020).

1.6. Low-Dose or Psycholytic Sublingual Ketamine

Low-dose or psycholytic sublingual ketamine harnesses the drug's neurobiological and subjective effects while minimizing the adverse side effects typically associated with higher dissociative or psychedelic doses. Sublingual administration is particularly advantageous because of its noninvasive nature, ease of use (it can be self-administered by a participant in psychotherapy), and short half-life (Dutton et al., 2023).

Psycholytic therapy uses low doses of psychedelics to promote increased access to unconscious material, reduce defenses, preserve ego functions, strengthen the therapeutic alliance, facilitate gradual and sustainable change, and reduce the risk of overwhelming experiences (Passie et al., 2022). This approach creates a state conducive to EMDR reprocessing by supporting dual awareness and promoting emotional openness, cognitive flexibility, mental clarity, and awareness of the safety of the therapeutic alliance. Using lower doses of ketamine in KA-EMDR may optimize the efficacy of EMDR therapy by preserving the ability to target specific memory networks while ketamine is active in the participant's system, potentially supporting deeper and more efficient trauma resolution.

This approach is both practical and accessible; the shorter, less intense sessions associated with psycholytic ketamine doses make KA-EMDR treatment more cost-effective and easier to implement in clinical practice than adjunctive higher-dose ketamine treatment. In addition, low-dose ketamine is generally well tolerated with minimal side effects, addressing common concerns about dissociation or loss of control (Veen et al., 2018). Integrating low-dose ketamine with EMDR therapy may provide a structured method for enhancing memory reconsolidation, widening the window of tolerance, and accelerating trauma resolution, particularly in cases of treatment-resistant PTSD.

1.7. Rationale for Combining Ketamine with EMDR

Because of its unique pharmacological properties and subjective effects, ketamine may be an effective adjunct to EMDR therapy. The KA-EMDR approach leverages ketamine's ability to enhance neuroplasticity and support the integration of corrective learning during EMDR reprocessing (Duek et al., 2023). In addition, by reducing activity in the default mode network (DMN), ketamine reduces persistent self-referential thinking and mental chatter, creating a more receptive state that may help patients overcome common barriers to engaging with trauma-related material during EMDR therapy and enable the construction of a more adaptive sense of self. Its glutamatergic modulation further enhances connectivity between critical brain regions and may reverse neurobiological changes associated with chronic stress disorders (Averill et al., 2020). At low doses, ketamine may create an open and calm emotional state ideal for reprocessing challenging material. Collectively, these effects reduce the emotional charge of traumatic memories and create a more receptive neural and psychological state, potentially enhancing memory reconsolidation and improving therapeutic outcomes for individuals with chronic stress disorders.

1.8. Study Objectives

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of incorporating low-dose sublingual ketamine into EMDR therapy for individuals diagnosed with PTSD, with the hypothesis that it enhances the reprocessing of traumatic memories and improves treatment efficacy.

 

2. Methods

2.1. Participants

This retrospective clinical chart review evaluated data collected from participants who received Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy™ (KA-EMDR) at a private psychotherapy practice in Washington, DC, between June and November 2024. The review included all participants at the practice who met the following criteria: (a) meeting full PTSD criteria based on a completed baseline International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ), (b) completing four KA-EMDR reprocessing sessions, and (c) completing another ITQ after four KA-EMDR reprocessing sessions. These data collection procedures were part of the primary clinician's standard practices for evaluating participant outcomes. No participants at the private practice who met these criteria were excluded from this review.

2.2. Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy™ Intervention

Treatment began with a comprehensive screening process. Initially, the therapist assessed each participant for any psychological contraindications to EMDR therapy and ketamine use. If no contraindications were identified, the participant was referred to a medical professional.

Before beginning Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy™, all participants underwent a comprehensive medical evaluation by a licensed medical professional to determine their suitability for ketamine treatment. Following medical clearance, participants were prescribed low-dose sublingual ketamine, which they self-administered during EMDR therapy sessions with the treating therapist. Therapy sessions were held weekly or every two weeks, depending on each participant's therapeutic needs and goals.

The intervention proceeded with standard EMDR preparation. The therapist conducted history-taking sessions (EMDR Phase 1), during which target traumatic memories for reprocessing were collaboratively identified and incorporated into a treatment plan. During preparation sessions (EMDR Phase 2), participants were assessed for readiness to proceed with traumatic memory reprocessing and guided in skills to help them regulate their emotions throughout the process. Participants also received psychoeducation on the rationale and protocol for Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy™.

To align with current neuroscience research on memory reconsolidation and pharmacologically assisted trauma therapy, KA-EMDR reprocessing sessions followed a structured sequence designed to optimize the timing of ketamine administration relative to memory activation and EMDR reprocessing (Figure 1).

 

Each reprocessing session began with the clinician guiding the participant through a brief target memory activation procedure (EMDR Phase 3). This memory activation occurred before ketamine administration to ensure that the neural network was fully activated without the influence of ketamine.

Following memory activation, participants self-administered a sublingual ketamine troche (37.5–75 mg). The troche was held under the tongue for approximately 10 minutes to allow mucosal absorption and 'swished' as it dissolved, then spat out. Initial ketamine doses were typically 50 mg, with small adjustments (±12.5 mg). All dosage decisions were made by the prescribing medical professional before the EMDR session and documented in the clinical records. The mean dose administered across participants was 56.25 mg.

EMDR reprocessing began approximately 10 minutes after the participant started self-administering ketamine, as subjective effects emerged, and continued throughout ketamine's peak effect window (Rolan et al., 2014). This timing allowed the intervention to occur during the hypothesized neuroplastic window in which reconsolidation mechanisms could be most effectively modulated.

Once ketamine self-administration was complete, bilateral stimulation—through tapping and auditory tones—was introduced to begin the Desensitization phase (EMDR Phase 4). After completing the Desensitization phase, the participant then completed Installation (EMDR Phase 5), Body Scan (EMDR Phase 6), and Closure (EMDR Phase 7) according to the standard protocol, ensuring that the traumatic material was adequately addressed. The typical 75-minute session duration encompassed both the rising and peak plasma concentrations of sublingual ketamine (Rolan et al., 2014), maximizing the opportunity for memory reconsolidation and therapeutic integration during the theorized neurobiologically optimal window for change. Reevaluation of the target memory (EMDR Phase 8) took place at the beginning of the next session, when the participant had returned to their normal state of consciousness.

2.3. Data Collection

Demographic data, including age, gender, race/ethnicity, and previous ketamine experience, were collected at the start of treatment. PTSD symptom severity and PTSD-related functional impairment were assessed using the ITQ at baseline and after four KA-EMDR reprocessing sessions (T1). Qualitative feedback was collected through a subjective treatment experience questionnaire administered after four KA-EMDR reprocessing sessions (T1), which asked about positive subjective effects as well as adverse effects.

2.4. Validity of the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ)

The ITQ is a self-report measure designed to assess symptoms of PTSD and complex PTSD (C-PTSD/CPTSD) as defined within the ICD-11 framework (Cloitre et al., 2018). This framework aligns with contemporary understandings of trauma-related disorders, emphasizing simplicity and global applicability. Research has shown that the ITQ reliably detects clinically significant changes in PTSD and C-PTSD symptoms across various treatment contexts (Cloitre et al., 2021). Its psychometric properties include high internal consistency, strong construct validity, and sensitivity to treatment effects, making it a robust tool for tracking symptom change over time. The ITQ also includes a measure of functional impairment, effectively linking symptom assessment to real-world impact.

2.5. Data Analysis

This study was reviewed by the Sterling Institutional Review Board (IRB00001790) and determined to be exempt from formal ethical review under U.S. federal regulation 45 CFR 46.104(d)(4), which permits the use of deidentified data in retrospective chart reviews without constituting human subjects research. Following the IRB determination, deidentified data were obtained from a secure, HIPAA-compliant electronic health record system. All identifying information was removed before analysis, ensuring confidentiality and data security.

Paired-samples t-tests were used for pre- and post-treatment comparisons of ITQ data. Hedges' g correction was used to determine effect size because of the small sample size. SPSS software was used for quantitative analyses. Subjective experience questionnaires were reviewed and summarized for each participant.

 

3. Results

3.1. Participant Characteristics

The mean age of participants was 41.4 years, with 87.5% identifying as female and 12.5% as male. The racial and ethnic composition was 75% White, 12.5% Asian, and 12.5% African American. None of the participants had previous ketamine experience.

3.2. Quantitative Findings

Total PTSD scores decreased statistically significantly at T1 after treatment ($M = 9.88$, $SD = 4.94$) compared with baseline ($M = 15.50$, $SD = 2.98$), $t(7) = 3.21$, $p < .05$ (Table 1, Figure 2). The effect size was large, $g = 1.01$ (Hedges' correction was used because of the small sample size). PTSD functional impairment scores decreased statistically significantly at T1 after treatment ($M = 5.25$, $SD = 3.24$) compared with baseline ($M = 8.50$, $SD = 2.78$), $t(7) = 2.60$, $p < .05$ (Table 1, Figure 3). The effect size was large, $g = 0.82$.

 

3.3. Qualitative Findings

Seven of the eight participants completed the subjective experiences questionnaire. Participants subjectively reported being able to process their traumatic memories with less fear during KA-EMDR memory reprocessing sessions. Participants stated that they felt more connected to their emotions and experienced less resistance to difficult material. Comments highlighted enhanced emotional connection, reduced self-judgment, and a sense of safety. Minimal adverse effects were reported.

Participants endorsed the following positive subjective effects during KA-EMDR memory reprocessing sessions: compassion for others (6 of 7 participants); clarity (6 of 7 participants); self-compassion (5 of 7 participants); relaxation (5 of 7 participants); peace (5 of 7 participants); enhanced access to memory/traumatic material (4 of 7 participants); expansiveness (4 of 7 participants); mystical/spiritual experiences (4 of 7 participants), feelings of love (4 of 7 participants); joy (3 of 7 participants), euphoria (2 of 7 participants) (Table 2).

 

Participants endorsed the following adverse effects during or after KA-EMDR memory reprocessing sessions: dizziness/grogginess (5 of 7 participants); numbness in the mouth or face (5 of 7 participants); bad taste in the mouth (4 of 7 participants); fatigue/exhaustion (4 of 7 participants); a feeling of heaviness in the body (3 of 7 participants); blurred vision (3 of 7 participants); dizziness/faintness (2 of 7 participants); nausea (2 of 7 participants); vivid dreams (2 of 7 participants); dry mouth (1 of 7 participants) (Table 3).

 

4. Discussion

4.1. Interpretation of the Results

This study aimed to investigate the potential efficacy of KA-EMDR in treating PTSD. The main findings indicate promising results, including a statistically significant reduction in PTSD symptoms and functional impairment following the intervention. When self-administered at low doses after memory activation, within the reconsolidation window, ketamine may enhance the efficacy of EMDR therapy and allow individuals to process traumatic memories more easily. Participants reported positive subjective experiences with minimal adverse effects. Previous research strongly supports the idea that combining ketamine with EMDR therapy may provide faster and more targeted relief from PTSD symptoms than current standard treatments such as CBT or SSRIs.

Pharmacological treatments such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are widely used as first-line interventions for PTSD, but often have limited efficacy, delayed onset of action, and high discontinuation rates (Hoskins et al., 2015). In a comprehensive review, Kelmendi et al. (2017) noted that although SSRIs can provide symptom relief, their effects are generally modest and many patients do not achieve full remission. In contrast, Feder et al. (2014) found that a single intravenous ketamine infusion led to rapid and significant reductions in PTSD symptoms within 24 hours, outperforming midazolam as an active placebo.

From a psychotherapeutic perspective, EMDR has been shown to have comparable or superior efficacy to CBT, often producing faster symptom reduction and being effective in fewer sessions. In a meta-analysis comparing EMDR and CBT, Chen et al. (2015) found that EMDR was more effective at reducing PTSD symptoms, particularly in early-stage treatment. Yunitri et al. (2023) further confirmed that EMDR significantly reduces PTSD symptoms and may outperform trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT) in certain populations. Bisson et al. (2013) reached similar conclusions in their Cochrane review, noting that both approaches are effective but that EMDR may offer advantages in tolerability and speed of response.

Van der Kolk et al. (2007) conducted one of the randomized controlled trials directly comparing a trauma-focused psychotherapy (EMDR) with a pharmacological treatment (fluoxetine). Although both groups improved by the end of treatment, EMDR led to significantly greater and more sustained symptom reductions at six-month follow-up, including on measures of PTSD and depression. These findings support the idea that trauma-focused psychotherapies may provide more lasting benefits than pharmacological approaches alone.

Collectively, these studies support the rationale for Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy™ (KA-EMDR) as a faster, more durable, and neurobiologically informed treatment that may offer greater symptom relief than CBT or SSRIs alone. By combining ketamine's neuroplastic properties with EMDR's structured memory reprocessing, KA-EMDR may uniquely target both the neurobiological and psychological dimensions of trauma. Furthermore, by potentially accelerating symptom resolution, KA-EMDR may reduce the total number of sessions needed for effective treatment, with meaningful implications not only for clinical outcomes but also for treatment accessibility, time investment, and overall cost—particularly within a mental health system where prolonged care is often financially or logistically burdensome.

Using real-world clinical data from a naturalistic treatment setting, the study provided insights into how KA-EMDR performs in practice. By integrating ketamine self-administration with EMDR therapy, the study offers a unique perspective on how pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions can be combined synergistically to enhance treatment outcomes.

Here is the translation of the final sections of the article, Limitations, Future Directions, and the other sections:

5. Limitations

Despite its strengths, the study has several limitations that should be considered. The study design was retrospective, relying on previously collected data, which may introduce biases and limit the ability to establish causality. The absence of a control group prevents conclusions about the relative efficacy of KA-EMDR compared with other treatments (i.e., standard EMDR therapy) or a placebo condition. Participants selected the treatment themselves rather than being randomly assigned, which may have introduced selection bias. The study did not account for expectancy effects; therefore, participants' beliefs about the treatment's efficacy may have influenced the results. The small sample size limits statistical power and the generalizability of the findings. The dosing protocol was refined during the study, potentially introducing variability in treatment outcomes. Because participants came from a specific clinical setting and met specific inclusion criteria, the findings may not generalize to broader populations. Although the within-subjects design inherently controls for stable individual characteristics such as gender, age, and baseline weight, unmeasured time-varying factors, such as changes in concomitant medications, psychosocial stressors, or other treatments during the study period, may have influenced the results. These potential confounders could not be systematically assessed in this retrospective chart review and should be carefully controlled in future prospective research.

5.1. Future Directions

Additional research is needed to determine how this combined therapy compares in terms of long-term outcomes and cost-effectiveness. Most existing research on the neurobiological effects of ketamine has used higher doses than those used in the present study. This leaves a gap in our understanding of how lower doses may affect neural circuits and memory reconsolidation. Moreover, studies specifically examining the effects of low-dose ketamine in combination with trauma-focused psychotherapies such as EMDR therapy are limited. Further research is needed to establish the efficacy and optimal dosage of ketamine as an adjunct to these therapies. A randomized comparison of standard EMDR therapy and KA-EMDR in treating PTSD is needed.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express our deepest gratitude to the participants whose experiences were included in this clinical chart review. We honor the courage, resilience, and trust required to try this new treatment. Your experiences are invaluable in developing more effective and accessible treatments for others on their healing journeys. This study was reviewed by the Sterling Institutional Review Board (IRB00001790) and determined to be exempt from formal ethical review under U.S. federal regulation 45 CFR 46.104(d)(4), which applies to retrospective chart reviews involving deidentified data. The board concluded that the project did not constitute human subjects research as defined by U.S. regulations.

Declarations

Disclosure Statement: Michele Topel and Danielle Ciccone are co-developers of Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy™ and co-founders of the Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy™ Institute.

Data Availability Statement: The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available in 'Replication Data for Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy™ (KA-EMDR)', https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/QFL7TN.

Additional Information:

Funding: No external funding was received to conduct this study.

 

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