Keira Merkovsky  

 
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Ketamine-Assisted EMDR

KA-EMDR® in
​​​​​​​Laguna Hills,
​​​​​​​serving Orange County
Combining a low, non-psychedelic dose of
​​​​​​​ketamine with EMDR to help you heal. 

90
​​​​​​​Minutes

Sessions are 90 minutes, rather than the typical 50
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You stay
​​​​​​​awake

Low, non-psychedelic dose that lasts 20-40 minutes
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Prescribed by a doctor

Medical approval is through
a separate assessment
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Laguna Hills,
​​​​​​​Orange County, CA

In-person, with online being an option we can discuss
arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text

90
​​​​​​​Minutes

Sessions are 90 minutes, rather than the typical 50
arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text

You stay
​​​​​​​awake

Low, non-psychedelic dose that lasts 20-40 minutes
arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text

Prescribed by a doctor

Medical approval is through
a separate assessment
arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text

Laguna Hills,
​​​​​​​Orange County, CA

In-person, with online being an option we can discuss

 ​​​​​​​When self-awareness isn't enough

 ​​​​​​​You have done the work, and can even name the pattern while it is happening. 
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​And it still happens.

Awareness changes a lot. When it is not enough on its own, that usually means the memory underneath is still holding on.
​​​​​​​
This might be worth exploring if:
​​​​​​​

  • Trauma work has felt too big to go near
  • You shut down, or go on high alert, before you can get anywhere
  • Talk therapy has helped, and only up to a point
  • You want something targeted rather than open-ended

 ​​​​​​​When self-awareness isn't enough

 ​​​​​​​You have done the work, and can even name the pattern while it is happening. 
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​And it still happens.

Awareness changes a lot. When it is not enough on its own, that usually means the memory underneath is still holding on.
​​​​​​​
This might be worth exploring if:
​​​​​​​

  • Trauma work has felt too big to go near
  • You shut down, or go on high alert, before you can get anywhere
  • Talk therapy has helped, and only up to a point
  • You want something targeted rather than open-ended

What is ketamine-assisted EMDR?

Combining a low, non-psychedelic dose of ketamine with EMDR therapy

  • EMDR helps your brain re-file painful memories as things that happened, instead of things still driving your reactions
  • KA-EMDR® adds a low, non-psychedelic dose of ketamine, taken as a tablet that dissolves under your tongue, and is discarded after swishing.
  • The dose briefly makes the brain more open to change and allows you to be present with your emotions without becoming overwhelmed
  • EMDR is still the therapy. The ketamine supports it
  • Developed in 2024 by the Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy Institute, where I trained in 2026

What is ketamine-assisted EMDR?

Combining a low, non-psychedelic dose of ketamine with EMDR therapy

  • EMDR helps your brain re-file painful memories as things that happened, instead of things still driving your reactions
  • KA-EMDR® adds a low, non-psychedelic dose of ketamine, taken as a tablet that dissolves under your tongue, and is discarded after swishing.
  • The dose briefly makes the brain more open to change and allows you to be present with your emotions without becoming overwhelmed
  • EMDR is still the therapy. The ketamine supports it
  • Developed in 2024 by the Ketamine Assisted EMDR Therapy Institute, where I trained in 2026

Will I lose control?


  • No. You stay awake, oriented, and able to talk with me the whole session
  • This is a low dose, a different thing from the psychedelic doses people read about. You will be fully in control of your body the entire time
  • Most people describe feeling calmer and a little more open, making it easier to sit with difficult emotions
  • Possible side effects: mild nausea, headache, a floaty feeling. These are usually short-lived, and they settle before you leave
  • I never provide or administer the medication. A licensed medical provider prescribes it and you take it yourself, in-session, as directed by the provider

Will I lose control?


  • No. You stay awake, oriented, and able to talk with me the whole session
  • This is a low dose, a different thing from the psychedelic doses people read about. You will be fully in control of your body the entire time
  • Most people describe feeling calmer and a little more open, making it easier to sit with difficult emotions
  • Possible side effects: mild nausea, headache, a floaty feeling. These are usually short-lived, and they settle before you leave
  • I never provide or administer the medication. A licensed medical provider prescribes it and you take it yourself, in-session, as directed by the provider

How do I get started?

1​​​​​​​ 
Consultation Call 
We'll talk about what is going on, what you have tried, and whether this might be a fit for you from a mental health perspective
​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​2  
Medical evaluation 
Schedule an evaluation with the prescribing doctor, who will review your health history and decide if it is safe for you from a medical perspective.​​​​​​​
​​​​​​
​​​​​​​
3​​​​​​​  
 Preparation sessions  
We will have a minimum of two 90-minute sessions to get a history, prepare you for reprocessing, and choose what you want to work on.
​​​​​​
4  
Reprocessing Sessions 
We will set up and focus on the goal or target you selected. You administer the ketamine yourself, and I guide you through reprocessing.
​​​​​​​

How do I get started?

1​​​​​​​ 
Consultation Call 
We'll talk about what is going on, what you have tried, and whether this might be a fit for you from a mental health perspective
​​​​​​​
2 
Medical evaluation 
Schedule an evaluation with the prescribing doctor, who will review your health history and decide if it is safe for you from a medical perspective.​​​​​​​
​​​​​
3 
 Preparation sessions  
We will have a minimum of two 90-minute sessions to get a history, prepare you for reprocessing, and choose what you want to work on.
​​​​​​
4 
Reprocessing Sessions 
We will set up and focus on the goal or target you selected. You administer the ketamine yourself, and I guide you through reprocessing.
​​​​​​​

What does KA-EMDR® cost?


  • Sessions are 90 minutes and cost $300
  • Insurance may reimburse a portion of this fee if you have a PPO 
  • The medical evaluation with Dr. Justin Yanuk is $400 and not covered by insurance
  • The prescription provides enough medication for 7 KA-EMDR® sessions
  • The number of KA-EMDR® sessions needed varies for every person
  • You may choose to have shorter talk therapy sessions between KA-EMDR® sessions, for extra processing

What does
​​​​​​​KA-EMDR® cost?


  • Sessions are 90 minutes and cost $300
  • Insurance may reimburse a portion of this fee if you have a PPO 
  • The medical evaluation with Dr. Justin Yanuk is $400 and not covered by insurance
  • The prescription provides enough medication for 7 KA-EMDR® sessions
  • The number of KA-EMDR® sessions needed varies for every person
  • You may choose to have shorter talk therapy sessions between KA-EMDR® sessions, for extra processing

Can I do this while pregnant or breastfeeding?

​​​​​​​
  • This type of therapy is not safe to do if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant
  • KA-EMDR® is safe to do while breastfeeding in most cases
  • Nursing mothers of newborns and premature babies are looked at case by case by Dr. Yanuk
  • Very little ketamine reaches breast milk from a single low-dose tablet
  • Most mothers can nurse again once fully awake, alert, and comfortable holding the baby
  • A conservative approach is to wait four to six hours
  • Pumping and dumping is not necessary
  • This information comes from the prescribing doctor's read of the current research. He will discuss your situation in the medical evaluation and decide, with you, if this is a good fit for you

Can I do this while pregnant or breastfeeding?

​​​​​​​
  • This type of therapy is not safe to do if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant
  • KA-EMDR® is safe to do while breastfeeding in most cases
  • Nursing mothers of newborns and premature babies are looked at case by case by Dr. Yanuk
  • Very little ketamine reaches breast milk from a single low-dose tablet
  • Most mothers can nurse again once fully awake, alert, and comfortable holding the baby
  • A conservative approach is to wait four to six hours
  • Pumping and dumping is not necessary
  • This information comes from the prescribing doctor's read of the current research. He will discuss your situation in the medical evaluation and decide, with you, if this is a good fit for you

Is KA-EMDR® a proven method? Is it right for me?


  • EMDR has decades of evidence behind it. Ketamine has a substantial research base for depression, anxiety and trauma symptoms. Combining the two is new
  • A pilot study by Danielle Ciccone and Michele Topel, the founders of KA-EMDR® Institute, found reduced PTSD symptoms and minimal side effects. 
  • As with all types of therapy, there are no guaranteed outcomes, and it is not the right fit for everyone
  • Medical and psychological screening are both required, and will help you make an informed choice
  • If you are not sure whether this, regular EMDR, or something else is the right starting point, let's connect

Is KA-EMDR® a proven method? Is it right for me?


  • EMDR has decades of evidence behind it. Ketamine has a substantial research base for depression, anxiety and trauma symptoms. Combining the two is new
  • A pilot study by Danielle Ciccone and Michele Topel, the founders of KA-EMDR® Institute, found reduced PTSD symptoms and minimal side effects. 
  • As with all types of therapy, there are no guaranteed outcomes, and it is not the right fit for everyone
  • Medical and psychological screening are both required, and will help you make an informed choice
  • If you are not sure whether this, regular EMDR, or something else is the right starting point, let's connect
Curious whether this could help?
 Text CONSULTATION CALL to (949) 293-9643 and I will personally get back to you within 24 hours 
Curious whether this could help?
 Text
​​​​​​​CONSULTATION CALL
​​​​​​​to (949) 293-9643 and I will personally get back to you within 24 hours 
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