Trauma-Informed Masterclass: Working with Ketamine 

A 90-minute Masterclass with Atira Tan and Dr. Devon Christie

DATE: 10th October 2024

TIME: 10.30 am PST | 1.30 pm EST | 7.30 pm CEST

COST:  $35 USD Early Bird Until 21st September 2024 | $50 USD Full Price

Our live online Trauma-Informed 90 minutes Masterclass: Working with Ketamine with Dr. Devon Christie and Atira Tan will delve into the evolving landscape of Ketamine-assisted therapy, exploring its potential benefits, ethical considerations and contraindications within the context of trauma recovery and working with trauma imprints.

Ketamine is most widely used as an anaesthetic, and is listed as an “essential medicine” by the World Health Organisation because of its safety profile and utility. In recent decades, mounting evidence has demonstrated the efficacy of Ketamine at lower doses, treating a variety of mental health presentations, most notably, depression. 

Dr. Christie will review a range of different therapeutic models for Ketamine-Assisted Therapy, including different delivery methods, dose ranges, and discuss the difference between individual and group settings. She will also share how to combine different therapy modalities with Ketamine for the healing of PTSD and depression. 

This masterclass will be an engaging session that combines theoretical knowledge with practical insights, case studies and unique research - providing a holistic understanding of the potential application of Ketamine to innovative therapeutic approaches.

Participants will receive practical insights into working with Ketamine as well as being offered an opportunity to join in at the end of the discussion for a 30 mins Q & A session.

Our 90-minute masterclass will include an hour of lecture and discussion and 30 minutes of Q&A with participants. 

Your purchase will include:

1. Live Online Zoom Session

2. A 90-minute video recording

2. A 90-minute audio recording

3. PDF Slides and Professional Worksheets

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WORKING WITH KETAMINE

Ketamine-assisted therapy is revolutionizing the treatment of mental health conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Backed by extensive scientific research and clinical trials, Ketamine therapy offers numerous benefits including: 

DEPRESSION:

In 2006, a landmark study by Zarate et al. demonstrated that a single intravenous dose of ketamine produced rapid antidepressant effects in patients with treatment-resistant depression, with improvements noticeable within hours and lasting up to a week. This finding was further supported by a comprehensive review published in the American Journal of Psychiatry in 2017, which analyzed 24 randomized controlled trials and confirmed that ketamine provides rapid and robust antidepressant effects in patients with major depressive disorder and bipolar depression.

PTSD: 

A 2018 randomized controlled trial published in JAMA Psychiatry showed that ketamine infusions significantly reduced PTSD symptoms compared to a placebo, with effects lasting up to two weeks. Additionally, a 2020 study in the American Journal of Psychiatry highlighted that repeated ketamine infusions result in sustained reductions in PTSD symptoms, underscoring its potential for long-term management.

META-PLASTICITY:

Research shows that ketamine enhances synaptic plasticity and increases the density of dendritic spines, which are critical for neural connectivity and communication. It targets the glutamate system, particularly NMDA receptors, playing a key role in mood regulation and cognitive function. This novel approach distinguishes ketamine from traditional antidepressants.

Research indicates that repeated ketamine treatments can provide prolonged symptom relief, making it a viable option for long-term mental health management. Additionally, ketamine's rapid effects enable patients to engage more effectively in psychotherapy, facilitating deeper emotional processing and integration of therapeutic insights.

In addition, trauma-informed care  empowers individuals to be active participants in their healing process.  In the context of Ketamine-assisted therapy, this means involving participants in decisions about their treatment and fostering  collaboration between the therapeutic team and the individual.

Our Trauma-Informed Masterclasses provide bite-sized tools and resources for facilitators to cultivate their trauma sensitivity and awareness. 

* The recording and PDF slides will be available within 24 - 48 hours on our learning platform. 

** Inquiries contact us at [email protected].

Dr. Devon Christie, a Clinical Instructor at UBC Department of Medicine,  is a dedicated family doctor with a focus in chronic pain and mental health.

In her clinical work at the Canadian Pain and Regenerative Institute,  Numinus, and online psychotherapy practice in Vancouver, BC, she brings a holistic approach to her patients and clients.

As a former clinical investigator and study therapist in MDMA-assisted therapy research for PTSD with MAPS, Devon is at the forefront of psychedelic therapy advancements.

Her extensive certifications in Functional Medicine, Mindfulness  Based Stress Reduction, Relational Somatic Therapy, Level 1 Internal Family Systems, MAPS MDMA-Assisted Therapy, and ketamine-assisted therapy underscore her commitment to comprehensive healing.

Formerly the Numinus Senior Lead of Psychedelic Programs, Devon  played a key role in developing and implementing psychedelic-assisted clinical and therapist training programs. Currently, she imparts her  wisdom to therapists in renowned training programs such as CIIS, IPI,  ATMA, VITAL, and Embody Lab, prioritising ethical practice, mindfulness,  and trauma-specific skills.

Devon’s passion lies in reshaping the healthcare paradigm by  integrating trauma-informed, bio-psycho-social approaches. She envisions  the careful introduction of psychedelic-assisted therapies as a transformative step towards a holistic healthcare model, echoing the  principles traditional systems of healing have long embraced.

In her recently self-published e-book “Integrative Somatic Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy”, she outlines important elements of this paradigm shift. 

Learn more about Atira:

A TEDx speaker, author, trauma specialist, and activist, Atira assists women, men, and

children, particularly those who have experienced sexual abuse and complex trauma, in

groups & individually in her private practice and community settings as a somatic trauma

specialist and educator.

With over two decades in international development, Atira Tan has worked on the front

lines as a trauma specialist and educator in refugee camps, disaster relief, and with

survivors of war and torture. She is known for her trauma recovery work, and advocacy for

women’s rights and reproductive health, particularly with sex-trafficked survivors in Asia

and the Pacific. Through Art to Healing, the charity she founded, Atira and her team have

supported thousands of Asian sex-trafficked survivors and their communities in the quest

for freedom from slavery, trauma and oppression.

Equally passionate about creating safer spaces for everybody and bringing healing and

awareness to the “shadowy” areas of life, Atira is currently the Head of Preparation and

Integration at AYA Healing Retreats. She is the pioneer of the Trauma-Informed Plant

Medicine Facilitator Training, and the Somatic Plant Medicine Integration Program.

Atira has played a key role in developing and implementing psychedelic-assisted facilitator

training programs. Currently, she imparts her wisdom in training programs with ICEERS,

the Plant Spirit School, and Inward Bound, and is the co-director of the Somatic

Psychedelic Facilitator Certificate with the Embody Lab.

For more information, please visit www.atiratan.com 

"Wow!! Thank you so much, Atira!!!!! I just want to say thank you for holding space for such an incredible informational experience in this Trauma-Informed Plant Medicine Workshop. I feel that I have SO many resources now to draw upon now. 

You are filled with experience and hold such beauty. vibrant energy that is powerful, but also open and level with the people you work with in such a way that it is easy to feel safe, and seen in your presence! True magic!"

– Molly Moon, Grandmother Facilitator, Isreal.

"This TIPM workshop’s deep dive into the realms of living impeccable service was nothing short of life-changing.

I remembered so much about the nervous system, my life, my purpose, the bridges between paradigms, and the collective trauma on the Earth. I was deeply warmed, inspired, challenged, and excited by the entire experience.

Atira transmits genuine, care, curiosity, understanding, and expertise. She is devoted to providing safe spaces for people to heal and her life’s work is a testimony to her wisdom and character.

If you’re curious to learn about the nature of trauma and how to access and support its healing potential, this body of work is well worth opening your heart and mind to."

– Melanie Gunn, Naturopath and Transpersonal Art Therapist, Australia

"I’m super grateful for this unique program. Atira’s extensive knowledge on the subject of trauma and working within the PM context has been immensely beneficial. I’ve gained a deeper sense of how to hold the container of healing, which in turn, opens doors for journeyers to be met with more compassion, understanding, and safety to move through their process.

This program is essential for anyone supporting or facilitating PM ceremonies and the process of preparation and integration."

– Simone McKay, Somah Journeys Founder, Canada

"I just came out of the 1st Trauma-informed Plant Medicine Facilitation online training with Atira Tan from Aya Healing Retreats and wow!!

I cannot recommend this training enough for anyone working in the PM space – whether you are pouring medicine, a supporter/facilitator, a pre or post-ceremonial integration specialist, or even a student of the plants.

In fact, I feel that this should be a basic foundational training (alongside 1st Aid) for all healers and support staff.

As the medicine continues to gain momentum in its spread across the globe- we are beginning to see and hear more and more stories of harm from its unskilful use, the lack of quality screening and preparation beforehand, the lack of integration support afterward, and/or the limited understanding of trauma activation and re-traumatization during retreats and ceremonies.

I feel that, in addition to traditional training, this community would benefit hugely from having facilitators and spaces rooted in a basic understanding of the nervous system and how to work skillfully with trauma survivors (and of course, how to work with our own trauma when it shows up in these spaces).

I personally feel that Atira is an excellent bridge and guide into the intersectional realms of plant medicine and trauma therapy."

– Skye Cielita Flor, Wilderness Therapist, South Africa

"My mind and heart are in deep amazement and gratitude as I apply all that I learned in the Trauma-Informed Plant Medicine workshop. 

Now more than ever, the world is in need of people who have the ability to listen and hold open space, as the entire human population is currently undergoing a traumatic event. This course is filled with gems on how to meet and support those who are intensely impacted by trauma at any stage of life. I highly recommend this course/workshop, not only to those who are interested in the relationship between trauma and plant medicine but to anyone who is curious about understanding human relational patterns to self and society.

Atira shares in-depth knowledge and expertise in trauma studies while offering takeaways that are applicable for ceremonies, friendships, and even common conversations during the COVID time. Atira and Elio’s work is much needed in the world."

– Betty Gottwald, Photographer & Kambo Facilitator, USA.

"If you are ready to engage in serious trauma healing work, Atira is the practitioner to go for. Her own genuine humanness is consistently lived and embodied, and her outstandingly compassionate nature creates a strong and safe therapeutic container that cannot be surpassed. 

After a search for decades for the right trauma therapist, all thumbs up for her, as the healing and transformation, I’ve been looking for has finally become real!"

– Jessica Bertram, Eco-Tour Guide, Germany.

"Learning from Atira is a reconnecting journey of the mind, heart, and soul. Her caring empathy, sensitivity, and guiding leadership are only shadowed by her multi-faceted and deep knowledge of the matter of trauma. 

With her guidance as an experienced teacher, I felt truly grateful for discovering and learning about new perspectives which will make me not only a better teacher in the future, but a more understanding and loving human being towards anyone I encounter. And all of that in a welcoming community of like-minded, caring individuals. I wholeheartedly recommend Atira to anyone who desires to learn more about understanding and healing trauma, and the human experience as a whole."

- Kai York, Photographer, Art Director, New York

"Atira’s course is a valuable in-depth introduction to trauma and the various ways it can manifest in a ceremonial setting. 

Since taking the course, I’ve changed the lens through which I review applications and screen potential journeyers. The course has taught me how to use trauma-informed language to empower people to make their own decisions. 

Atira creates a beautiful, safe container for her students to dive into sensitive topics. I appreciate her making herself available for questions during the class and through additional one-on-one sessions and small group calls. 

I highly recommend this program to anyone who would like to facilitate plant medicine sessions."

—Leti Passemier, co-founder of Global Alliance of Psilocybin Practitioners, France