Integrated treatment of treatment-resistant depression – a case study of Ericksonian psychotherapy assisted by intravenous ketamine

The article presents a case study of a 22-year-old female patient suffering from severe, treatment-resistant depression who did not respond to standard pharmacological treatments and psychotherapy. An integrated, three-phase therapeutic model was implemented, combining Ericksonian psychotherapy with intravenous ketamine infusions. The treatment process included a preparatory phase, a series of 12 ketamine infusions, and a six-month integration therapy phase. In this approach, the altered state of consciousness induced by ketamine was utilized as a therapeutic trance, which facilitated bypassing the patient’s rigid cognitive patterns and accessing her unconscious resources. The therapy resulted in a significant and lasting reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety, confirmed by both quantitative and qualitative analysis. The author concludes that the synergy between a biological intervention (ketamine) and psychotherapy, based on preparation, a catalytic intervention, and integration, represents a promising, personalized method for treating severe mental disorders.