A New Frontier in Couples Counselling
In Vancouver, a city known for its progressive approach to mental health and wellness, a new revolutionary approach to couples counselling is taking root. While traditional couples therapy methods such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or emotionally focused therapy (EFT) have been effective for some, they may not be as effective for couples dealing with deep-seated trauma, emotional disconnection, or they simply might just be having trouble finding success with these methods and are looking to expand. The KISSS Method—(K)etamine-(I)nduced (S)elf and (S)exuality (S)ynchronization—integrates ketamine-assisted therapy with psychotherapy, offering a different approach for couples who may be looking to enhance communication, empathy, and deepen their emotional intimacy. This innovative technique is not just another passing trend within the vast wellness landscape; it's a scientifically backed approach that's showing remarkable results in helping couples break through long-standing barriers and rediscover deeper love and connection.
Angela Leong, the founder of An Elegant Mind™ Counselling Inc., has been instrumental in pioneering this approach. Drawing on her extensive experience as a psychotherapist, Angela has developed a profound understanding of relationship dynamics and intimacy issues, which led her to create the KISSS Method. This innovative approach integrates ketamine’s profound healing potential as a psychedelic within psychotherapy, tantric practices, and the science of neuroplasticity. The KISSS method is designed to help couples heal trauma, deepen emotional and sexual intimacy, and achieve self-actualization.
Understanding the KISSS Method
The KISSS Method (Ketamine-Induced Self and Sexuality Synchronization) is a novel therapeutic framework that utilizes ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) to enhance self-awareness, emotional regulation, and relational intimacy. The method is based on the premise that ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic with profound psychedelic properties, can facilitate deep introspection, reduce psychological barriers, and promote emotional attunement between partners when combined with the Jungian psychology concept of individuation and Sex Therapy principles.
Here’s the expanded definition of each letter and its representation within this method:
(K)etamine-(I)nduced Change
Not only is ketamine a dissociative anesthetic used in medical settings, but it is also a powerful psychedelic with therapeutic potential for treating depression. It can help couples break past long-standing barriers and potentially cultivate deeply intimate experiences. In KISSS therapy, when couples take ketamine they’ll be induced into a psychedelic state by targeting glutamate, a brain chemical that influences mood, allowing them to soften any negative or stuck emotions and look beyond their usual perception of reality. Additionally, your body can respond to ketamine fairly quickly, which allows the brain to form new neural connections. This increased adaptability makes it easier to release outdated patterns, reframe limiting narratives, and integrate healthier emotional and relational responses. When combined with psychotherapy, these changes become deeply embedded, supporting long-term personal evolution.
(S)elf Definition
The first "S" in KISSS represents the Self. The journey of self-discovery within KISSS Therapy™ begins with a deep dive into personal identity, sexual development, and relational patterns. Through guided self-inquiry and therapeutic dialogue, clients can gain clarity on how their past influences their present, where emotional wounds may still reside, and what aspects of their identity remain unexplored. When all aspects of the self—emotional, mental, psychological, and sexual—are healed, a person can fully step into their highest self. Now what does this have to do with Ketamine? Sexuality is an integral part of selfhood, yet many struggle with internalized shame, disconnection, or misalignment between their desires and sense of self. Ketamine’s ability to soften the ego allows clients to explore hidden or repressed parts of themselves in a safe container. This sense of safety and freedom can allow clients to embrace their most authentic selves with greater compassion and understanding, hopefully allowing them to reach self-actualization.
“When one reaches their true self, the self before all the trauma happened to them, or their highest self. One is primed to remain differentiated in the face of relationships, family settings, or group settings that demand sameness. One can confidently, calmly, and assertively remain who they truly are instead of people-pleasing, or using other maladaptive methods to relate with others” (Leong).
(S)exual Trauma Healing
The second "S" in KISSS refers to the healing of deep-seated sexual trauma. Many traumatic experiences and repressed memories reside in the subconscious, making it difficult for couples to fully understand the root of their emotional pain. Therefore, bringing in Ketamine-assisted therapy can allow couples to enter an altered state of consciousness where they can safely access and process these buried emotions in a supportive environment, making it easier to confront past wounds with greater clarity and resilience.
Trauma can often feel like a wrench in the system, keeping individuals stuck in cycles of fear, shame, or avoidance. Therefore, Ketamine's neuroplasticity-enhancing properties have profound ways of rewiring these pathways, allowing clients to break free from patterns of fear, shame, and avoidance. This process is particularly vital for those healing from sexual trauma, as it helps individuals rebuild trust in themselves and others.
(S)ynchronization of Self with Sexuality and the Other
The third "S" in KISSS represents the synchronization of both the core and sexual self. True intimacy arises when individuals can fully show up as their whole, unfiltered selves, without fear of rejection or abandonment. KISSS Therapy™ facilitates this by guiding clients to align their identity, emotional expression, and sexual energy in a way that feels natural and empowering. When ketamine dissolves the barriers of ego and inhibition, it allows partners to experience a profound sense of unity, attunement, and emotional resonance.
“Tantra views intimacy as a union of spiritual energies,” says Leong. In KISSS therapy, practices like eye-gazing, synchronized breathing, and guided partner meditations help to align their energies and deepen their emotional and sexual bond. Then, when combined with ketamine’s ego-dissolving effects, couples can easily move beyond past wounds and relational challenges and hopefully will be able to cultivate an even deeper emotional connection. By integrating mindfulness, breathwork, and energy exchange, KISSS therapy also encourages a deeper appreciation of sexuality as a sacred and transformative force. Through this holistic approach, couples not only strengthen their relationship but also embark on a journey of personal growth and healing.
KISSS therapy offers a groundbreaking bio-psycho-spiritual approach to healing and transformation. By combining ketamine's neuroplasticity-enhancing and psychedelic properties with psychotherapy and tantric practices, this integrative method facilitates deep emotional, relational, and spiritual growth.
Why Vancouver is a Hub for Ketamine-Assisted Couples Therapy
Vancouver has a reputation for being a very cannabis-friendly city. However, in recent years it has expanded its reputation from being a cannabis-forward city to a city that also in support of psychedelic-assisted therapy due to its progressive mental health policies, strong community of integrative therapists, and increasing accessibility to legal ketamine treatment. Therefore, Vancouver may be gaining a new reputation for being a great destination for couples seeking innovative therapy options.
Canada has been at the cutting edge of psychedelic research, with Health Canada granting exemptions for the use of substances like psilocybin and ketamine in therapeutic settings. These regulations have allowed for the growth in clinics in Vancouver that have begun offering ketamine-assisted therapy, creating more opportunities for couples to explore this modality legally and safely. Vancouver is also home to a vibrant wellness and mental health community, with many psychologists and therapists continuously adopting new holistic methods for healing. Couples in Vancouver have access to some of the most forward-thinking counselling practices in North America, allowing them to gain access to a plethora of choices for therapy and healing.
What to Expect from a KISSS Method Session
Pre-Therapy Preparation
Before engaging in a ketamine-assisted therapy session, couples must undergo an assessment with a licensed Vancouver psychologist or counsellor to determine if they would be suitable for this treatment. This includes:
- Medical and psychological screening
- Setting therapeutic intentions
- Learning about the effects of ketamine
- Establishing trust and comfort with the Vancouver therapist
The Ketamine Experience
During the session, ketamine is administered in a controlled setting, either via oral lozenges, intramuscular injection, or intravenous infusion. The effects typically last between 45 minutes to two hours, during which couples experience:
- Altered perception of self and reality
- Reduced ego defenses and increased emotional openness
- Heightened sensory awareness and introspective insights
The therapist helps to facilitate guided conversations and emotional processing, that will help the couple to navigate their emotions and experiences together. Having a Vancouver therapist to guide the sessions, can ensure that you meet your intentions and that the time spent is productive.
Post-Session Integration
Any insights gained during the ketamine session are processed in follow-up counselling sessions where couples can work on:
- Applying newfound awareness to relationship dynamics
- Strengthening communication and emotional intimacy
- Reinforcing positive behavioral changes
Every clinic in Vancouver is unique, and An Elegant Mind Counselling, founded by Angela Ivy Leong, worldwide recognized for its KISSS Method, is the pioneer in Ketamine-Assisted Sex & Couples Therapy. We believe that deep intimacy with others starts with healing the self and we are here to support you energetically, emotionally, and psychologically throughout your Ketamine journey. If you have any questions feel free to book a free consultation call through our website, and will be more than happy to help start the process for you.
Is the KISSS Method Right for You?
Ketamine-Assisted Sex & Couples Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but it’s safe and can be a highly effective alternative especially when incorporating all elements of the KISSS Method. Couples who have struggled in the past or have tried traditional couples counselling may still have trouble with, feeling emotionally stuck or disconnected, have unresolved trauma, persistent conflict that feels unsolvable, or they are simply open to exploring altered states of consciousness as a therapeutic tool.
However, ketamine therapy may not be suitable for individuals with a history of psychosis, uncontrolled hypertension, or other contraindicated medical conditions. A thorough evaluation by a licensed professional is necessary to determine eligibility.
The Future of Ketamine in Couples Counselling
The KISSS Method represents a groundbreaking fusion of neuroscience, psychology, psychedelic therapy, and tantric practices. Additionally, by leveraging ketamine’s ability to dissolve emotional barriers and enhance self-awareness, couples can embark on a profound journey toward deeper intimacy, healing, and relational harmony. This diverse model allows couples in Vancouver to embrace a path that incorporates multiple methods of healing, creating a 360 approach to deeper transformation and intimacy.
As research continues to expand and mental health professionals refine their approaches, ketamine-assisted couples therapy is poised to become a mainstream option for those seeking to reignite love and connection in their relationships. For couples in Vancouver looking to go beyond traditional therapy modalities, the KISSS Method offers a promising path forward.
References:
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