We recently connected with Anne Bethune and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Anne thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

For seven years, I was engaged in rewarding work at an agency for those affected by sexual assault. Then I met someone in the Bay Area who was involved in using psychedelic medicine in a clinical setting. I was intrigued. There was nothing like this is the Midwest. In 2019, I was ttrained in ketamine assited pscyhtothery (KAP). It changed my view of healing.

No one was asking for or talking about KAP in 2019 in Kansas City. A practice based solely on this was not a sustainable business model. The more I learned, however, the more sessions I led, the more experienced I became, I knew psychedelic therapy would not be a side job. This is what I needed to do,

Anne, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am my brand. KAP Kansas City was the first ketamine assisted psychotherapy practice in Kansas, Missouri, and surrounding states. In 2021, I stopped counting the number of KAP sessions I have provided when I reached 100. It has been a privilege to work with clients. I have been moved so many times in so many ways by their experiences. The human spirit continues to amaze and astound me.

What is KAP? Ketamine is currently the only legal psychedelic substance in the area. It is classified as a dissociative anesthetic. It was a battlefield medicine in Vietnam and Afghanistan. It’s used in pediatrics, emergency medicine, operating rooms, and veterinary medicine. In the dose range for this intervention, it produces a psychedelic experience, a non-ordinary state of consciousness. In that state, people gain distance from self-limiting beliefs, histories, and personality structures. KAP involves psychotherapy, preparation, and integration.

I am still learning. I am part of a larger, geographically diverse community of providers. We exchange ideas and share current research as well as age old wisdom of indigenous cultures that have practiced with plant medicines. I participate in consultation groups with the innovators and experts in the field. I am also working with other substances in a clinical trial that are not yet legal and approved for clinical use, with an eye towards expanding my work in this area. My education is ongoing.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

In addition to a case load of KAP clients, I have been enlisted as a local leader in this field. For the past few years, I have given a presentation to clients of Turning Point, part of the University of Kansas Health System. Later this month, I will be presenting to PhD in Clinical Psychology students at University of Kansas on psychedelic medicine and its applications. In March, I testified in Jefferson City before the Health and Mental Health Policy Committee on increasing access to psychedelic medicines. I have been asked to be part of a panel discussion on research and recovery at the Fearon Institute in October. Psychedelic Spotlight, a national digital source, did a feature on me and the practice of KAP. I am a member if the American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapist & Practitioners Therapist Advisory (ASKP3.org) panel as we work to developed common definitions and best practices in this evolving field. I am a lead facilitator of a phase 1 clinical trial exploring the use of psilocybin for depression.

These opportunities have been an unexpected aspect of my journey. When I was trained to do this work in 2019, I could not have anticipated the growth and interest in these medicines in the political, medical, research and academic fields. Nor that I would be called upon to help educate the larger community. I was on my own, viewed with some skepticism, and just hoping for traction. By the time this became a hot topic in the area, I was well established.

I have acted as a connector. Other therapists and physicians entering the field have reached out to me with questions on how they can get started, who are the prescribers, who fills the prescriptions. I have developed a relationship with a local compounding pharmacy. Due to time constraints, I am not able to spend as much time as I have in the past answering questions from therapists who want to do this work. I have, however, made a commitment to make time for BIPOC clinicians entering this field. Our local community of KAP providers has grown and will continue to grow. However, it is not a diverse group.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson I had to unlearn is to change “Who, me?” to “Why not me?” The back story is that I am one of five children in my family of origin. Second to the oldest, one of four girls. I was not first, I was not last, and am not the only boy. I did not stand out in any way. And I am fine with that. I am an introvert. My work life has been about competently playing a supporting role and not taking risks.

Yet, I have always wanted to do more, learn more, contribute more. I have a persistent a restlessness and curiosity. Prior to opening my practice, I worked in agency mental health. I was trained in a variety of interventions; Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Play Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. People felt better but it was increasingly clear to me that we need better options for mental health. The time was right for me to go all in and do what I can toward that objective.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kapkansascity.com/
• Instagram: kap_kansas_city
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-bethune-lcsw-lscsw-rpt-b6b25810/
• Twitter: @kansas_kap

Image Credits
Samantha Levi Julia Shapiro (headshot)