Breaking Through Barriers: How Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is Transforming Mental Health

Written By Lydia Luna

As the creator of CLEAR Ketamine + Psychiatry, Dr. Marc Smith’s mission is to provide a more holistic and personalized approach than traditional, one-size-fits-all models. His work is transforming lives by using Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) to create lasting change for those who have felt hopeless or “treatment-resistant.”

From Wall Street to Psychiatry: A Journey of Purpose

Dr. Smith’s path wasn’t straightforward, he began his career in finance before realizing he needed more meaning and human connection in his work. Returning to school for medicine, he discovered psychiatry as the branch where science, emotion, and human connection meet most powerfully.

During his residency, Dr. Smith saw firsthand the limitations of traditional psychiatric treatments. Medications saved lives but often failed a significant portion of patients or took weeks to show any effect. His curiosity led him to explore interventional therapies like ketamine, esketamine (Spravato), and TMS. The profound transformations he witnessed inspired him to open his own practice, a space where he could deliver truly personalized, holistic care.

Understanding Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy

Many people know ketamine from headlines or its party-drug reputation, but as Dr. Smith explains, in the right clinical setting it’s a dissociative anesthetic with over 50 years of safe medical use. When used in smaller, controlled doses, ketamine creates a state of neuroplasticity, allowing the brain to form new connections, break rigid thought loops, and process trauma from a place of expanded awareness.

Dr. Smith emphasizes that set, setting, and integration are essential. Preparation therapy sessions align intention and mindset, the dosing session takes place in a safe, supportive environment, and integration therapy ensures the insights become lasting emotional healing rather than fleeting experiences.

Stories of Transformation and Hope

Dr. Smith shared the powerful story of a young woman with decades of depression who felt a “heavy dark cloud” lift after her very first session. Over time, she regained connection, joy, and inspiration—reminding us that breakthroughs often come when all else has failed.

He also spoke about ketamine’s emerging role in treating end-of-life distress, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts. His message is simple yet profound: Don’t give up hope—there are more tools now than ever before.

Ethical Practice and Safety

With KAP’s growing popularity, Dr. Smith warns that not all clinics follow evidence-based protocols. At CLEAR, patients are thoroughly screened for contraindications (like unstable heart disease or active psychosis) and are carefully monitored throughout treatment. Ethical practice, informed consent, and patient safety are at the heart of his work.

Embracing Intention and Integration

Dr. Smith and I reflected on the importance of intention—not just in therapy, but in everyday life. Approaching each experience with purpose can shift perspective, create emotional resilience, and open new pathways for healing and growth.

Final Thoughts

Dr. Marc Smith’s journey, from finance to psychiatry, from traditional models to cutting-edge therapies, shows that innovation and compassion can coexist. Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is more than a medical intervention; it’s an opportunity for transformation when guided by expertise and integrity.

If you or someone you know feels stuck despite trying traditional treatments, this episode offers clarity, hope, and a fresh perspective on what’s possible.

Listen now on the Moon Collective Sanctuary Podcast—and discover how KAP is changing the landscape of mental health.

Connect with Dr. Marc Smith, M.D.

Join Us in the Sanctuary

Connect with Lydia Luna, PhD on LinkedIn or @lydialunaphd on social media. Follow @mooncollectivesanctuary for more resources.

Lydia Luna
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