Discovering New Depths: How Ketamine Therapy Revolutionized My Coaching Practice

In the previous chapters of this series, I shared my journey with ketamine therapy, exploring its impact on post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and my inner critic. Last week, in “Deeper into the Ketamine Kaleidoscope: An Executive Coach’s Voyage Through Altered States”, I detailed my initial experiences and the process of preparing for ketamine therapy. In this final chapter, I reveal how ketamine therapy unexpectedly revolutionized my coaching practice, leading to deeper empathy, enhanced resilience, and a renewed passion for personal growth.

Quieting the Inner Critic

The most profound shift I experienced was a dramatic reduction in the volume of my inner critic. That relentless inner voice, a constant source of self-doubt and criticism, became a whisper. Ketamine therapy helped me confront and process these negative thoughts, leading to a significant reduction in their frequency and intensity.

For example, I agonized over whether I had asked the "right" questions in a coaching session. Now, I trust my intuition and move forward with confidence. This newfound quiet in my mind has boosted my confidence and allowed me to be more authentic in my coaching sessions. With the inner critic no longer dominating my thoughts, I am more willing to ask challenging questions essential for my client's growth. This shift has made my coaching more impactful, as I can engage with clients more profoundly and meaningfully.

Deeper Empathy, Enhanced Understanding

Ketamine therapy also enhanced my ability to empathize with my clients. By processing my own emotions and experiences, I became more attuned to the emotional states of others. This heightened empathy allows me to understand my clients' struggles better and offer more compassionate and effective support.

I am more focused, a better listener, and attuned to intuition. I began to view my clients multi-dimensionally, recognizing the complexities of their lives beyond their professional goals.

As my empathy deepened, so did my curiosity about my clients' experiences and challenges. This newfound curiosity and empathy have made me more willing to challenge my clients, which has been a significant growth opportunity. Today, I am far more likely to ask the tough questions that need to be asked and say what needs to be said, ensuring that my clients receive the guidance they need for genuine growth.

Personal Growth and Professional Development

Ketamine therapy has also contributed to my personal growth and professional development. It has taught me the importance of self-care and mental well-being, which I now emphasize with my clients. Integrating mindfulness practices and prioritizing rest have become non-negotiable aspects of my routine. While I have gained many positive insights, it's important to note that I'm not perfect. I still have moments where I make mistakes or say things I regret. However, these moments are far less frequent now, and when they do happen, I own them faster and recover from them more quickly.

Enhanced Resilience, Brain-Based Transformation

As a brain-based coach, mindset was always critical to my practice. However, ketamine therapy gave me a new understanding of how mindset shifts can occur. Ketamine facilitates neuroplasticity, allowing for more flexible thinking patterns and emotional regulation. The therapy helped me become more open to feedback and less triggered by demanding clients—situations that used to cause rumination for days now take less than an hour to process. While I remain a sensitive person, my ability to recover from emotional setbacks has significantly improved. This increased emotional resilience allows me to maintain my focus and effectiveness as a coach, even in challenging circumstances. This resilience allows me to hold a steady space for clients, even when they are navigating difficult emotions or challenging situations.

Reflections on the Journey: An Unexpected Gift

Reflecting on this journey, I realize how interconnected personal and professional growth can be. The changes I experienced through ketamine therapy have not only improved my mental health but have also made me a more effective and compassionate coach. My journey with ketamine therapy has been an unexpected gift, not only for my healing but also for the transformation of my coaching practice. It's a testament to the power of innovative therapies and the resilience of the human spirit.

Let's Connect

Have you ever experienced transformative therapy, or are you considering one? How has it changed you, or what do you hope to achieve? Drop your thoughts or questions below, or feel free to reach out directly—I'm always eager to connect and explore these experiences together.