Search Results

What is intravenous infusion therapy? Intravenous infusion therapy (also known as KAP) is increasingly recognised for its potential to provide profound healing and relief for individuals struggling with mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. However, a common concern among those considering this treatment is whether the positive emotional shifts experienced during and after infusions will last. Will they maintain their improved well-being, or will they eventually regress to their previous state of discontentment? The Variability of Lasting Benefits While many individuals report experiencing significant healing and relief in the days, weeks, and sometimes even months following a session, others find that the positive effects diminish after a few weeks. Conversely, some individuals achieve sustained personality changes and emotional resolutions that last for years, even decades, after just one infusion. One is left to wonder: What is responsible for the difference? The “Secret Sauce”: Post-Infusion Integration While various factors contribute to the longevity of the benefits, many clinicians in the field believe that the ‘secret sauce’ of infusion-assisted therapy lies in the therapeutic work completed during the post-infusion integration period. What is Integration We have talked about intention setting in a previous post—your intention serves as a therapeutic compass, directing your healing journey. Now, we will talk about what happens after your infusion and how you can derive the maximum benefit from it. Integration is the process of translating the insights and emotional resolutions gained during the infusion experience into tangible behavioural changes in your daily life. Essentially, it's about taking the profound experiences from the infusion and grounding them in reality to facilitate lasting emotional growth and healing The Role of a Therapist or Guide This integration process is often guided by a trained therapist, sometimes called a guide, who uses principles of behavioural psychology to help you create sustainable changes. The Many Forms of Integration Integration work is highly individualised and can take many forms. Here are some common areas of focus: Health Behaviours: For some, integration involves making fundamental changes to diet, sleep routines, exercise habits, and relationships with substances. Interpersonal Relationships: Others may need to focus on improving their ways of relating to partners, children, colleagues, and friends. Self-Reclamation: Integration might also involve reconnecting with lost parts of yourself through play activities, hobbies, self-gratification or creating a more balanced work routine. Life Purpose: For some, integration involves making changes to pursue a deeper sense of purpose in life. Areas of focus for integration work A Roadmap for Lasting Change Whether your journey requires changes in relationships, biology, self-care, or life purpose, having a practical guide to help you navigate the path seems crucial for achieving lasting change. This kind of lifelong change is our focus at Syntonic.

Concerns about ketamine and ketamine clinics An article published in the Daily Maverick on South Africa’s cowboy ketamine clinics  reported on valid concerns about the use and misuse of ketamine to treat mental health conditions like treatment-resistant depression. The statements made by psychiatrist, Dr Bavi Vythilingum, offered valuable insights into the necessity of appropriate medical screening before ketamine infusions are considered as a treatment option, as well as close medical monitoring by appropriately trained medical practitioners during infusions to prioritise patient safety. Syntonic would like to add another perspective to this important conversation, one that speaks to our very origin. What makes ketamine so valuable to mental healthcare practitioners Ketamine, a fast-acting novel antidepressant medication, is not only unique because of its almost immediate and pronounced effects, but also because of its unique mechanism of action. Unlike other antidepressants, which operate on the serotonin system, ketamine affects the glutamate system. Specifically, Ketamine creates a dissociative effect that helps a person temporarily move beyond their usual mental blocks, making it easier to explore deeper thoughts and feelings. As the philosopher and neuroscientist, Sam Harris, reminds us: “few people are ready to confront the sheer significance of their own minds without handrails”. Ketamine can help people access their deeper emotions that often stem from unmet psychological needs, which can be insightful and liberating. Ketamine infusions not only offer much-needed relief from insufferable depression but can also provide a roadmap to one’s true self, which, when navigated through careful, focused work with a therapist, can become the basis for lasting change. For decades, there has been competition for funding and research between biological psychiatry practitioners, who focus on the organic brain, and interpersonally-focused psychologists, who focus on the abstract mind. The difficulty with this, we have learned, is essentially that this divide means that one approach is brainless  while the other is mindless ! It seems more sensible to recognise, as research on the healing properties of ketamine has shown us, that both approaches are best used together to offer people maximal and sustainable life changes. Syntonic – a balance-based approach to mental healthcare Syntonic was founded on the belief that the magic lies not only in the medicine. We are proud to offer a safe, effective, and compassion-based approach to ketamine therapy, administered by a team comprised of psychiatrists working collaboratively with psychologists. Our experienced psychiatrists provide comprehensive assessments for potential patients and, where appropriate, prescribe ketamine infusions as ONE part of a comprehensive treatment plan. In synchrony, our skilled psychologists, specifically trained to work with the healing effects of ketamine, help patients psychologically prepare for the infusions and make sense of the insights gained during them, co-constructing individualised approaches to heal wounds, improve relationships, and live a more fulfilling life. In contrast to the concept of a “cowboy ketamine clinic” that appears to be a growing concern for so many, Syntonic  offers responsible, compassionate care that combines the best of biological psychiatry with the meaning-making of psychotherapy to maximise the efficacy of this exciting new treatment protocol. We hope to demonstrate that it does offer hope to those who have struggled with depression for so long. Please visit our website , social media platforms, or even our fantastic clinic at 73 Oxford Road if you’d like to learn more.

Issue 1 (Jan-March 2025) - Welcome to Syntonic Why Syntonic? Syntonic is a psychoanalytic term referring to   a state of emotional harmony, which is what we hope to offer our patients through a comprehensive interventional psychiatric offering, including ketamine infusions with psychotherapy and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). Our interventional service is housed in this cosy Cape Dutch house at 73 Oxford Road in Saxonwold that more closely resembles an art gallery than a clinic. In accordance with the famous dictum of ‘set and setting’ being of paramount importance during deep transformational work, Syntonic  aims to provide a welcoming and beautiful holding space that mirrors the unique emotional unravelling and reconstruction that occur during each patient’s journey with us. We are currently in the process of constructing pods, which will house additional interventional spaces, and look forward to sharing pictures of our evolving space in the next edition! Our Inaugural Syntonic Symposium  We were thrilled to host 52 esteemed colleagues and friends at our first interventional psychiatry symposium. We are grateful for the enthusiastic reception of our presentations on our clinic’s offerings and of the current research and literature regarding the ethical and effective practice of ketamine infusions with psychotherapy and TMS.  A summary of the colloquium We began with a joint talk on the ethics of novel treatments in which we covered the levels of evidence for novel treatments such as ketamine infusions with therapy and TMS.  We also discussed the unique ethical requirements of service offerings for treatment resistant conditions and how these have informed our clinical protocols. Next, Dr Laila Paruk (Psychiatrist) outlined the indications, contraindications, treatment protocols and efficacy studies of TMS in the treatment of anxiety and depression in particular. Sr Zakeeya Bhoola (Registered nurse) also presented a moving case study of TMS as a successful intervention for a patient who had struggled with treatment-resistant anxiety.  Dr Joanna Taylor (Psychiatrist) illustrated the mechanism of action of ketamine as a molecule and it’s relation to rapid symptom alleviation for depression. She also provided a comprehensive overview on the state of the evidence regarding ketamine in the treatment of depression, making mention of the value of combining infusions with therapy. Following brunch, Dr Anthony Townsend (Clinical Psychologist) and Mr Brad Kallenbach (Clinical Psychologist) provided a depth discussion on the psychotherapeutic components of ketamine infusions with reference to the necessity of adequate therapeutic preparation and rigorous integration. The value of couching infusions with an evidence-based therapeutic program was illustrated by a case study of one of Syntonic’s very first patients.  A special thanks to Julia Halstead-Cleak and The Day Clinic for hosting this event and providing such a welcoming space for this fascinating conversation with colleagues. We are currently planning an online version for those who missed it! Spreading Syntonic news and knowledge Our website is now equipped with the latest Syntonic news, online patient intake forms, practitioner referral forms and booking systems to smooth the path to healing. It also has loads of information on the modalities we use, and blog articles that delve a little deeper into these. Please also follow us on social media for all the news and updated research on our interventions.  Please check out a recent publication by Dr. Anthony Townsend in Mental Health Matters (MHM) on KAP. Please follow us on Instagram ( @syntonic_73oxford) and LinkedIn for more information on our offerings and for insightful content about interventional psychiatry posted each week! Contact Us Website www.syntonic.me Phone +27 63 782 4975 Email info@syntonic.me

By Dr. Anthony Townsend, PhD, Clinical Psychologist Are “negative” emotions your enemy—or your ally? Many of us have learned to view emotions like anxiety, sadness, and anger  as problems to be eliminated. This belief is partly shaped by the medical model, which often treats emotions as symptoms of disorder rather than natural responses to life’s challenges. Take anxiety , for example. Despite how it’s commonly discussed, anxiety is not a disease—it’s an adaptive emotion with an essential role in our survival. Unlike fear, which responds to immediate danger, anxiety arises from uncertainty about the future . It helps us prepare for potential risks: we study to avoid failure, save money for financial security, and build relationships to prevent isolation. In this way, anxiety acts as a protective guide  rather than an enemy—it might be annoying, but it serves a purpose. Emotions are messengers, not problems Because some emotions feel unpleasant, we assume they’re bad . But in reality, they are signals —messengers alerting us to unmet needs. A helpful comparison is homeostasis , the body’s ability to maintain balance. Just as hunger signals the need for food and thirst signals the need for water , emotions like sadness, loneliness, or frustration  signal emotional needs that require attention. When these needs are met, we experience relief and fulfilment. Understanding your emotional needs Beyond basic survival needs, we also have complex emotional needs , such as: ✔️ Safety & certainty ✔️ Love & connection ✔️ Variety & stimulation ✔️ Growth & contribution ✔️ Self-worth & esteem When these needs go unmet, unpleasant emotions arise . For example, depression can signal a lack of meaningful connection or purpose . If you feel isolated after losing a close friend, your sadness is a natural response to that loss . The feeling persists until you find a way to meet your need , reconnecting with others or developing new relationships. However, if you avoid  the feeling through alcohol, overwork, or excessive sleep , it may temporarily numb the pain,  but it won’t resolve the underlying issue. The need remains unmet, and the emotion persists. Decoding your emotions: The role of infusion-assisted therapy At Syntonic , our approach helps you understand and respond to your emotions effectively. Through infusion-assisted therapy , you can: 🔹 Deepen your understanding  of your emotional world 🔹 Identify unmet emotional needs  and their impact on your well-being 🔹 Assess whether your current coping strategies  are effective 🔹 Explore new approaches  to meeting your emotional needs Our goal is to help you decode your emotions  so you can align your needs, feelings, and behaviours  to create a more fulfilling life. Want to learn more? Discover how Syntonic’s Intravenous Infusion Programme (with optional integration therapy) can support your healing. Visit our website  or call +27 83 765 8341  to explore your options.

Understanding the role of intentions in infusion-assisted therapy Welcome to our comprehensive guide on intention setting in intravenous infusion therapy. In this article, we'll explore how setting intentions enhances the effectiveness of therapeutic infusions for treating depression, particularly treatment-resistant depression. What is intention setting in intravenous infusion therapy? Intention setting is a fundamental component of the infusion-assisted therapy at Syntonic. While the concept of "set and setting" is crucial for therapeutic outcomes, effective intention setting involves more than maintaining a calm and introspective mindset. The journey metaphor in therapeutic infusions In infusion-assisted therapy, each session represents a transformative journey. This therapeutic process facilitates emotional transformation, helping patients move from current emotional states to improved mental well-being, characterised by reduced trauma, enhanced self-awareness, and increased compassion. The role of intentions in iv infusion therapy for mental health Your intention serves as a therapeutic compass, directing your healing journey. It helps create a clear destination for your emotional and psychological growth during the infusion experience and will also be useful to you during the integration work you will do with a psychologist after your journey. Evidence-based guidelines for setting therapeutic intentions Research-backed principles provide useful tips for effective intention setting, which include: Focusing on one to three specific intentions per session is advised to maintain clarity and purpose. One is often ideal if it is specific and attainable. Create concrete, personally relevant goals rather than abstract philosophical questions like “ What is the meaning of life ?” Frame intentions using the structure: " At the end of my journey, I would like to arrive at a place where I can.. ." Develop intentions through self-reflection or with the assistance of a trusted friend, spiritual advisor, or therapist. From intention to integration: Turning insights into lasting change Successful intention setting creates actionable pathways for healing. At Syntonic, we can help you transform therapeutic insights into lasting lifestyle or behavioural change through our structured integration process. To find out whether  Syntonic's  Intravenous Infusion Programme (with optional integration therapy) is the right option for you, please complete our intake form  on our website or phone our rooms on +27 83 765 8341.