Anne Bethune, a licensed clinical social worker in Kansas City, launched Missouri’s first ketamine-assisted therapy practice in 2019. Bethune spent years treating trauma survivors using traditional talk therapy, but she observed that many clients reached a point of stagnation. Seeking more effective tools, she trained under experts in psychedelic-assisted therapy. Though ketamine therapy is a Schedule III controlled substance rather than a psychedelic, it allows for a clinical application that mirrors the framework of emerging treatments.
Ketamine therapy follows a sequence where clients wear eye masks and listen to calming music while the medication takes effect. The sessions often provide a controlled state of consciousness that Bethune describes as open and expansive. She notes that the treatment often helps clients process heavy or disturbing material with a degree of healthy detachment. The approach relies on the biological property of ketamine, which can trigger a period of increased neuroplasticity, allowing the brain to forge new connections.
Operating this practice was not without significant obstacles. Bethune faced difficulty finding doctors willing to prescribe the medication, receiving dozens of rejections before establishing a stable working relationship with medical professionals. Today, she maintains a sliding scale for veterans, first responders, and public employees, aiming to ensure access for those who may benefit from alternative mental health interventions.
Bethune has become a vocal advocate in Jefferson City, testifying during recent legislative sessions to expand access to alternative therapies. While Missouri lawmakers have stopped short of legalizing psilocybin-assisted therapy, momentum continues to build around the study of these treatments. She remains focused on the future, arguing that the medical community has moved beyond the experimental phase and must now address the persistent mental health crisis through these clinical options.