An integrative approach honoring mind, body, and the deeper Self
My ketamine-assisted therapy practice is rooted in an integrative approach combining personal experience as a physician, contemporary therapeutic techniques, plant medicine knowledge and the philosophies of ancient wisdom teachings. This integrative approach honors the interconnected nature of mind, body, and the deeper Self, recognizing that healing often unfolds across multiple dimensions.
I draw from over 20 years as an emergency medical physician. In this context I have developed an expertise in pathophysiology and have been steeped in every aspect of human suffering, actively presiding in every aspect of life, from birth to death. As a result I have developed humility, wonder and awe of the human condition and a deep compassion, empathy and connection with my patients. This coupled with a foundation of evidence-based practices and deep understanding of pharmacokinetics and expert use of ketamine make me a uniquely qualified physician in the emerging field of ketamine-assisted therapy.
In respect to therapeutic clinical approach, I draw from principles informed by the analytical psychology theory of Dr. Carl Jung, the somatic therapeutic approach of Dr. Peter Levine, and the Internal Family Systems model of Dr. Dick Schwartz, among others. As a physician I am constantly learning and expanding upon my own knowledge base. I approach each personal encounter with humility, love and compassion and see each as an opportunity for growth.
These aspects of my approach are complemented by a deep respect and knowledge of the ceremonial use of plant medicines in indigenous cultures. As a direct descendant of the Wixárika (Huichol) of northwestern Mexico, my practice is informed by my study of hikuri (peyote) and the important role it plays in healing ceremonies. The use of ayahuasca as a sacrament has also been an area of interest that has informed my approach to ketamine therapy. These perspectives inform my understanding of healing traditions, but my clinical work is grounded in legally regulated, evidence-based medical practice.
My deep appreciation for eastern thought and ancient wisdom teachings also plays a role in my own world view and therapeutic approach. The intersection of these philosophical approaches to the bigger questions of existence—including the concepts of flow, consciousness and Self—are central to my understanding of finding peace and balance and inform my own mindfulness practice.
The importance of an individual’s held beliefs are of utmost importance and will always be deeply respected—whether spiritual, religious, atheist or agnostic. For those who do find it meaningful, spiritual or contemplative perspectives can certainly be integrated into the work.
An evidence-based, trauma-informed therapeutic modality. This empowering, non-pathologizing and less talk-based therapy focuses on guiding individuals to a better understanding and relationship with their inner parts and can be very complementary to ketamine therapy. The goal of both modalities is to unburden ourselves of the tendencies that tend to get in the way of our well-being, creativity, intuitive nature and ultimately our happiness. Dr. Almeida is currently in training toward IFS certification and draws from its principles selectively and in the context of physician-guided preparation and integration.
Ketamine-assisted therapy at Emergence Medicine is a physician-led medical service that includes preparation and integration support. It is not a substitute for ongoing psychotherapy with a licensed mental health provider.
One area where ketamine-assisted therapy shows particular promise is in supporting people who are navigating terminal illness, existential distress, and the approach of death. For many patients, a life-threatening diagnosis brings not only fear and grief, but a profound confrontation with meaning — with what has mattered, what remains unresolved, and what it means to have lived. Fear, grief, unfinished narratives, and a loss of coherence or purpose often arise alongside the physical illness itself. These are not questions that a prescription or a procedure can answer. They require a different kind of space.
In carefully supported settings, ketamine may allow individuals to step outside habitual patterns of thought and experience themselves from a different vantage point — one that can soften fear, broaden perspective, and reconnect them with a sense of meaning, relationship, or peace. This work is not about avoiding the reality of death, but about meeting it with greater openness and less isolation. Some individuals find space to process unresolved emotions, reflect on their lives with greater clarity, or reconnect with what matters most. While these experiences are deeply personal and cannot be prescribed or predicted, they represent an area of active clinical interest and emerging research within medicine and psychology as a dimension of end-of-life care. Emerging literature, including work published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine, supports ketamine's role in reducing end-of-life anxiety and depression while creating space for this deeper inner work.
As a physician who has witnessed death and dying throughout my career, I consider this dimension of the work among the most meaningful. Ketamine-assisted therapy, in this context, is not a cure — it is a complement to medical treatment that addresses not only symptoms, but the deeper human experience of living, and of meeting the end of life with greater clarity, presence, and peace.