Online Ketamine Treatment Available in: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, NY, OR, TX, and WA.
Online Ketamine Treatment Available in: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, NY, OR, TX, and WA.
Therapist Spotlight
This is part of our ongoing series to feature KAP therapists from diverse backgrounds, highlighting their journeys and unique approaches to therapy. Today, we’re pleased to introduce you to therapist Sari Neave, LMSW, based in New York.
1. What inspired you to become a therapist?
“My journey to becoming a therapist wasn't a straight line but rather a gradual reawakening of my authentic self. I believe that the closest path to contentment lies in honoring who we truly are at our core. Although I didn't always practice psychotherapy, when I finally embraced this calling, I was honoring my genuine nature and purpose. … When I help others reconnect with their authentic selves and find greater peace, I'm not just practicing therapy—I'm living my truth.”
2. If you could describe your therapy style in three words, what would they be?
“Authentic, Insightful, Compassionate.”
3. Many therapists have a “moment” when they realize therapy is their true calling. What was yours?
“I noticed a pattern—everyone around me was asking if I was a therapist. They would often suggest that I should be. … They recognized my natural ability to hold space for others, to listen deeply, and to offer perspective in a way that felt helpful. Once I started paying attention to these observations, I recognized the truth in them—this was work I was already doing informally. … Looking back, I'm grateful for the people who saw this potential in me before I fully saw it in myself.”
4. How do you personally approach therapy?
“I don't believe therapy is a one size fits all approach. Rather, I incorporate many approaches and modalities to custom tailor the therapeutic experience to each individual client. … I pay close attention to the interplay between emotions, behaviors, and inner narratives, recognizing that these elements are deeply interconnected. … My personal approach to therapy is integrative and adaptive, drawing from various therapeutic frameworks based on what will best serve each unique person.”
5. What role does Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) play in your practice?
“Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) serves as a powerful component in my practice, offering a unique pathway for clients who may benefit from its neuroplastic properties. … I see ketamine as a catalyst that can accelerate the therapeutic process when combined with intentional integration work. The medicine opens doors, but it’s the therapeutic relationship and the client’s willingness to walk through those doors … that creates lasting transformation.”
6. If a patient is nervous about trying KAP, what would you tell them?
“I would acknowledge their feelings as completely valid. … I would share my belief in them that they can handle this experience and emphasize that with my support, they're never alone. … Their anxiety may actually signal that meaningful work is at hand, as the most profound healing often lies just beyond our comfort zones.”
7. What’s something people misunderstand about KAP or therapy in general?
“One common misunderstanding about KAP and therapy in general is the expectation of immediate and significant improvement after a session. … Sometimes, individuals may actually feel worse before they feel better, as ketamine can bring deeply buried emotions and personal truths to the surface. … Therapy, especially in the context of psychedelics, isn’t about quick fixes—it’s about deep transformation, which takes time. … Trusting the process, even when it feels difficult, is where real growth happens.”
8. If you weren’t a therapist, what would you be doing?
“I would likely still be in a field that involves deep connection, healing, or guiding others in some way. Maybe something like a writer focused on mental health and personal growth, or even working with altered states of consciousness in a different capacity—perhaps through research or holistic healing practices.”
9. What’s a book, quote, or experience that has deeply influenced your work as a therapist?
“One quote that has deeply influenced my work … is the ancient Japanese proverb: ‘When the student is ready, the teacher appears.’ … True change doesn’t happen because someone else wants it for you; it happens when you are ready to step into the work. My role isn’t to force healing … but to be there when [clients] are—to support, guide, and hold space … .”
10. What’s one small daily habit you recommend to your clients for mental well-being?
“I recommend practicing mindfulness, even for just a few minutes, to pause, breathe, and observe the present moment without judgment. … Mindfulness creates space between experience and reaction, allowing for greater self-awareness and intentionality.”
Thank you, Sari, for sharing your journey and insights with us! Sari also offers Psychedelic and Ketamine Integration Group in her practice for those who are interested in working with an integration group along with your treatment.
If you’re interested in learning more about Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy or would like to connect with Sari, feel free to reach out. We hope this Q&A has offered a glimpse into the heart of her therapeutic work, and how it might resonate with your own path toward healing and self-discovery.
Stay tuned for more features in our KAP Therapist Series, where we highlight the stories and expertise of therapists from diverse backgrounds.
Ready to explore Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy with expert guidance?
➡ Learn more about Sari Neave, LMSW on our therapist directory.
➡ Book a consultation with an Isha Health doctor to see if KAP is right for you.
This website has been reviewed by Isha Health California, P.C. and should not be used as medical advice in place of a licensed psychiatric clinician.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY:
If you are in a life-threatening situation, don’t use this site. Call, text, or chat 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or use these resources to get immediate help.
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