Psychedelics can be powerful tools for personal change, but they can also be unpredictable. Sometimes they can even be harmful or traumatizing when used without adequate preparation.

Working with an experienced psychedelic therapist can help you go deeper and get more out of your experiences.

Video of Dr. Anne Metz discussing psychedelic therapy.

What People Are Saying

As someone who has been on a journey of self-discovery and healing, Anne has been invaluable in helping me better manage my emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. She has made me feel safe, heard, understood, and accepted without judgment no matter what subject I broach.

— Client in Denver, CO

“I have inevitably “swiped left” on so many therapists who were not the right fit with me. “Swiping right” on Anne was one of my best decisions; she was a match from the start. She is easy to connect with and has given me validation in regard to feelings that I have questioned myself about while offering me insight on different ways to view and reconcile some of my life-long struggles. I’m a work in progress, but Anne continues to help me make steps forward.”

— Client in Boulder, CO

“Her approach - professionalism with integrity - embraces a holistic view, making space for all the messiness that comes with being human.”

— Client in San Francisco

 FAQs

  • I am here to help. You can schedule a free 15-minute consultation and I can tell you a bit more about psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and we can start to design an approach that will make sense for you.

  • I am based in Taos, New Mexico. Taos is an ideal place to embark on this work due to its natural beauty, spiritual significance, and growing interest in alternative wellness practices. My practice space is a five-minute walk from the Plaza and a 30-minute drive from the Taos Ski Valley. I maintain a partnership with an Airbnb provider in town and can bundle treatment with accommodations.

    As of August 2023, I am also able to provide in-home services in the states in which I am licensed (CA, OR, CO, VA, NM, and soon WA). Travel and time will be depending on distance and duration.

  • I am an out-of-network provider and can provide superbills for reimbursement. I am unable to work with clients who have medicare or medicaid due to federal restrictions.

  • It depends! My prescribing partner recommends a course of six treatments that spread out over a couple of weeks. However, each person is different and we will discuss how best to address your goals in the preparation phase.

  • It depends! My standard hourly rate is $200 per hour. Medicine dosing days run between 2-3 hours each, with several sessions of prep in advance followed by integration sessions after.

  • Yes, for now.

  • Psychedelics are not a magical cure, but rather a tool that can facilitate and hasten the changes achieved through psychotherapy.

    Infusion clinics primarily focus on the physiological changes that psychedelics bring about in the brain, disregarding one of the most significant physiological and anatomical changes, which is neuroplasticity. In contrast, Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy (PAP) is precisely what it sounds like: a form of psychotherapy that is assisted and expedited by the use of psychedelics. PAP harnesses the power of enhanced neuroplasticity to not only facilitate physiological healing but, more importantly, to help patients develop a healthy relationship with their internal and external world. By serving as a catalyst that accelerates the psychotherapeutic process, psychedelics enable people to take full advantage of enhanced neuroplasticity and achieve optimal results.

    In short: medication alone is insufficient; the effort of therapy is essential. With the guidance of a therapist, the work becomes more manageable, and lasting results are often attained more quickly (and cheaply!) with the appropriate use of psychedelics and psychotherapy.

I work with individuals, couples, and families experiencing a range of issues, from acute crises to long-term, persistent unhappiness. Whether you have experienced a recent trauma or are coping with the lasting effects of a difficult childhood, I can help support you on the road to healing.

Who can I help?

I offer Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy as well as psychedelic preparation and integration services. I work with several prescribing partners who offer medical screenings and prescriptions for sublingual and nasal spray ketamine. I will only provide dosing session treatment for ketamine as this is the only currently FDA-approved psychedelic medicine at this time. I work with individuals, couples, and groups in this modality.

I maintain active clinical licenses in the states of New Mexico, Colorado, Oregon, California, Washington (pending) and Virginia. I am also able to provide telehealth services through my counseling compact privileges to clients residing in the states of Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Washington, West Virginia, and Utah.

What do I offer?

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) has various effects, including physiological and experiential levels. Physiologically, ketamine aids in repairing neurons that have been damaged by stress and stress hormones, like cortisol, while also increasing the connectivity between neurons, which leads to greater neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity enables us to train our minds to control how our brains work, and it requires effort to become proficient in the activities that utilize ketamine to alleviate symptoms. Fortunately, these skills are also helpful in reducing discursive thinking, enhancing mindfulness, and calming anxiety in everyday life.

Moreover, KAP has an essential experiential component. When administered in therapeutic doses, ketamine can alter our sense of reality and shift us into an alternate perception field called the "ketamine field of awareness." In this state, our judgmental brain quiets down, and our mind can open up, revealing what needs to be healed. This is known as the "Mind's Healing Intelligence," and it often leads to healing through metaphors, archetypes, or direct insights.

One of the significant advantages of following the mind instead of the brain is that we can address and resolve past traumas without reactivating them, making it particularly beneficial for PTSD or developmental trauma.

How does KAP work?

Ketamine is not a magical cure, but rather a tool that can facilitate and hasten the changes achieved through psychotherapy. Empirical research studies are clear that combining psychotherapy with medication produced better outcomes than either treatment alone. This is especially valid for ketamine therapy. While ketamine can enhance and accelerate the effects of psychotherapy, it should not be viewed as a substitute for it.

Infusion clinics primarily focus on the physiological changes that ketamine brings about in the brain, disregarding one of the most significant physiological and anatomical changes, which is neuroplasticity. In contrast, Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is precisely what it sounds like: a form of psychotherapy that is assisted and expedited by the use of ketamine. KAP harnesses the power of enhanced neuroplasticity to not only facilitate physiological healing but, more importantly, to help patients develop a healthy relationship with their internal and external world. By serving as a catalyst that accelerates the psychotherapeutic process, ketamine enables patients to take full advantage of enhanced neuroplasticity and achieve optimal results.

In short: medication alone is insufficient; the effort of therapy is essential. With the guidance of a therapist, the work becomes more manageable, and lasting results are often attained more quickly (and cheaply!) with the appropriate use of ketamine and psychotherapy.

Why do I need a therapist?

If you are considering ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, here's what you can expect when working with me:

I'll start by conducting a screening process to determine if you're a good candidate for ketamine-assisted therapy. This will involve a mental health evaluation and a review of your medical history to ensure your safety and well-being.

During your therapy session, I will provide a controlled and safe environment, such as my therapist's office or clinic, where you will be closely monitored throughout the session. My goal is to make you feel comfortable and supported throughout the entire process.

You will administer the ketamine through a sublingual lozenge or nasal spray. The dosage will be carefully calibrated based on your weight and other factors to ensure a safe and effective experience.

As the drug takes effect, you may experience an altered state of consciousness, such as a detachment from your body or an altered perception of time and space. This can facilitate deep emotional exploration and introspection, allowing you to work through difficult emotions or past traumas in a constructive way.

After your therapy session, I'll help you integrate the experience into your ongoing therapy and reflect on any insights gained. We'll schedule follow-up sessions to ensure your continued progress and well-being.

It's important to keep in mind that ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is not a one-time cure for mental health issues. It's a process, and results may vary. As a trained and licensed therapist, I will guide you through the process to help you achieve the best possible outcomes.

What should I expect?