Rethinking Adolescent Mental Health With Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy with Dr Suraiya Rahman

Send us Fan MailA common emergency drug changed the way we think about adolescent mental health. Dr Saraya Rahman joins Andrew to share how ketamine, when paired with careful preparation, skilled psychotherapy, and real-world integration, can help teens with treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, OCD, and complex trauma shift from survival to growth.We trace her path from paediatric hospitalist to integrative clinician, unpacking what set and setting truly mean in practice: building trust, regulating the nervous system, and creating the container before a single dose is given. Saraya explains the neuroplastic window ketamine opens, why objective data such as PHQ‑9, GAD‑7, sleep and HRV matter, and how early gains can lower blood pressure, restore motivation, and make developmental milestones feel reachable again. She’s candid about ethics—clear consent, boundaries in altered states, and avoiding the “quick fix” trap—as well as the family systems work that often determines whether change holds.We also zoom out to the wider landscape: school stressors, climate grief, masking in neurodivergent youths, and the rising tide of disconnection. Saraya contrasts international models—from protocol-heavy programmes in Australia to VA-backed access in North America—and outlines a pragmatic care pathway: IV induction with intensive integration followed by lower-cost, intramuscular, group-based maintenance. The goal is not to glorify a molecule, but to build a humane system where adolescents are seen, supported, and equipped to rewrite their stories.If this conversation resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who cares about youth mental health, and leave a review with one insight you’re taking away. Your feedback helps more people find thoughtful, evidence-informed conversations like this one.Guest BiographyDr. Suraiya “Simi” Rahman, MD is a board‑certified pediatric hospitalist, integrative medicine physician, and a leader in adolescent psychedelic‑assisted care. She is the co‑founder of IYAKAP (Adolescent & Young Adult Ketamine‑Assisted Psychotherapy), a global consultation and education group supporting clinicians working at the intersection of youth mental health and psychedelic medicine.With over a decade of experience in pediatric trauma centers, Dr. Rahman brings a deeply trauma‑informed, systems‑based lens to mental health care—integrating ketamine therapy with psychotherapy, somatic practices, narrative medicine, and family‑centered healing. Her work focuses on supporting adolescents with treatment‑resistant conditions while advancing ethical, scalable models of care through education, mentorship, and advocacy.Contact Details and Social Media Handles LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suraiya-rahman-palamedicine/Websites: https://www.palamedicine.com and https://www.ayakap.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/palamedicine.pasadenaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/pala_medicineSubscribe on SubstackVoices in Health and Wellness is published on Substack, as part of The Diagnostician. Every episode lands there with written notes and reflections you won't find in the podcast feed. Free to subscribe.👉 https://thediagnostician.substack.com/s/voices-in-health-and-wellnessAbout the podcastVoices in Health and Wellness features conversations at the intersection of medicine, lifestyle, and human potential, with clinicians, scientists, and thinkers shaping the future of care.About Dr Andrew GreenlandUK-based medical doctor and founder of Greenland Medical, specialising in Integrative and Functional Medicine. Trained in both conventional and root-cause approaches, Andrew helps people optimise health, performance, and longevity, with a focus on cognitive resilience and healthy ageing.