Rising Stars: Meet Anne Bethune

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anne Bethune.

Hi Anne, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I had been working as a therapist for several years, trained in a variety of modalities. People got better, but it was clear to me that as a community and society, we must have more options for improving mental health.

I quite coincidentally had the chance to work with one of the pioneers in the field of accessing nonordinary states of consciousness for healing. Her name is Veronika Gold. This was something so far out of my exposure, professionally and personally. I approached it slowly and with curiosity. And, a dose of skepticism if I’m being honest. I did the research and eventually decided I wanted to be trained in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) the only legal psychedelic option in the area.

At the time, training programs were much more limited. I was on a waitlist for a while and finally trained in 2019. It took a long time to get traction in the Kansas City area. I knew that would be the case. Yet, the experiences clients had in my office, in addition to my own KAP journeys, motivated me to keep trying.

I have done over 100 KAP sessions with clients. I have been humbled to be with them as they move beyond personality constructs and self-limiting beliefs. Beyond stuckness and the stories we all tell ourselves about who and what we are. As they feel the connection they are longing for and see the bigger picture. And then to coach them as they integrate that experience, creating meaning in their lives.

Nothing in mental health is “one and done.” People are complex. And they are brave. The word for when plants orient themselves to the light is “phototropism.” In my practice, I have seen people, with the assistance of KAP, orient themselves to their own healing light.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road. Thanks for asking!

Ketamine is a schedule III medication that is prescribed by a physician or other medical professional. I contacted about 70+ local potential prescribers to collaborate with to find a fit. I am currently collaborating with an integrative medicine practice that is informed and conscientious.

I was on my own, the only one doing this in the area. At first, other therapists have been dismissive of KAP. I knew this would be the case. I was aware that I was making a big personal investment in something that initially requires a great deal of psychoeducation. It was discouraging, yet I knew the healing potential of KAP. I told myself hundreds of times that I am the first KAP therapist in the area, but I will not be the last. It works.

The IV ketamine model is fairly well known and available in KC. I had a lot of work to do to explain how this is different. I have learned a lot about attitudes toward psychedelics. I have been asked by clients if what I am doing is legal! My EHR (electronic health records) system will not process my payments because I am working with a psychedelic substance.

There is a lot of momentum towards psychedelics to improve mental health. The people that come to me are informed. They have done their research of being referred by their therapist, family member, or friend.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I started KAP Kansas City, the first provider of Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) in the area.

I am a regional provider of KAP, with clients traveling from all over Kansas, Missouri, and surrounding states such as Nebraska, Iowa, and Oklahoma. I have collaborated with a therapy collective in St. Louis to provide KAP. Although trained and credentialed in other talk therapy modalities, my practice is almost exclusively KAP.

Clients can self refer and I get referrals from other helping professionals. Once we establish the KAP is right for a client, then return to me with their medicine for the KAP session. Part of the session is dedicated to preparation, intention setting and integration. The clients will ingest the medicine. The psychoactive part of the experience lasts 45 minutes to 2 hours.

Timothy Leary, the OG psychonaut, wrote that the quality of the psychedelic experience is dependent on set, setting, and dosage. In the KAP experience, each of those factors is attended to. I work to create an optimal set and setting for the client’s experience.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
To find a mentor, look for someone in your chosen field that is doing what you would like to do.

In this field, you must also be prepared to pay them for their time. There are a few more of us offering KAP in the area now. Yet, collectively, we have not done it that long. Most of the most experienced clinicians are in the Bay Area. For the first three years, at a minimum, I recommend staying connected and paying for inclusion in consultation groups with more experienced professionals. Also, and seek ongoing training. Be prepared to do your own exploration with non ordinary states of consciousness.

It was a gift of coincidence, and maybe some love from the universe, that I coincidentally met the person that inspired me to do this work.

Contact Info:

• Email: anne@kapkansascity.com
• Website: https://www.kapkansascity.com/
• Twitter: @kansas_kap

Image Credits
https://samanthalevi.com/