Adding Psychedelic Coaching to Ongoing Ketamine or Esketamine Maintenance Treatment for Adults with Treatment-Resistant Depression at Massachusetts General Hospital

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating whether adding psychedelic coaching can improve the effects of ketamine or esketamine maintenance treatments in adults with treatment-resistant depression. This study focuses on patients already receiving ongoing maintenance intravenous ketamine or intranasal esketamine at the Massachusetts General Hospital Ketamine Clinic. The goal is to explore the feasibility and acceptability of this coaching alongside existing treatments. Participants will continue their current ketamine or esketamine maintenance therapy while receiving 12 weekly, 50-minute one-on-one coaching sessions via Zoom. These coaching sessions are designed to help process and integrate ketamine experiences to support personal growth and symptom improvement. The study includes a 3-month coaching period followed by a 1-month follow-up. During the study, participants will complete monthly remote assessments with a clinician and self-report questionnaires measuring depression severity, trauma symptoms, well-being, stress, and self-compassion. Researchers will monitor changes in treatment frequency, dosage, and use of anxiety medications. The study will assess these outcomes from screening through the 3-month coaching phase and the 1-month post-intervention follow-up, with total participation lasting about 4 months.

Coaching as an Adjunct to Ketamine Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression