
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)
We aim to host ketamine medicine journeys that are accessible, safe, sacred, and healing. Our Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) program has been built to support you, help you feel better, access your inner healer and gain guiding insights. You will be under the guidance and care of trained professionals. We believe that if you trust this process and do the work, you will feel better in less time than traditional psychotherapy
Expertise in Creating Safe KAP Space


In KAP treatment, "set and setting" are central. "Set" refers to the mindset, intentions, and psychological state of the individual receiving treatment, while "setting" encompasses the physical environment, atmosphere, and therapeutic context.
Set and setting significantly shape the emotional experience and insights gained, fostering a safe and supportive space for healing and transformation.
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What is KAP?KAP is a form of psychedelic assisted therapy that partners the medication ketamine with psychotherapy. The medicine is not a cure-all, rather it is a tool to enhance psychotherapy. The therapy is done before, during, and after you ingest the ketamine.
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What is the KAP program with Activate Counseling Services?Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) Program (10 Weeks) Screening & Consultation We'll assess if KAP is right for you and check for any contraindications. Psychiatric Evaluation In partnership with SkyLight Psychedelics and Centered, you'll receive an evaluation and approval for KAP. Preparation Includes 1 intake and 2-3 preparatory sessions with your therapist. Weekly KAP Sessions Each KAP week involves 1 medicine session (2 .5 hrs) followed by 1 integration session (1 hr), 1-3 days later. Evaluation After completing 3 weekly KAP sessions, we evaluate progress, effectiveness and discuss how to proceed with further medication sessions. Successful Completion After completing KAP treatment, we review the entire process, highlight insights, and identify resources for ongoing support. Note: Each week requires around 3 hours of treatment. You must have reliable and safe transportation after your medication sessions.
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Why sublingual ketamine vs. IV, IM, or nasal spray?At Activate Counseling Services, we choose low-dose sublingual ketamine for the following reasons: Safety: Sublingual administration is gentler and allows for better control over dosing. Psycholytic Dosing: Offers a mild, heart-opening experience that supports emotional exploration while maintaining communication during therapy. Enhanced Psychotherapy: Psycholytic doses allow you to stay connected and engage with the therapeutic process, making it easier to work through difficult mental states. Facilitation of Integration: The experience is less intense than a psychedelic dose, which can make integrating the insights into your therapy and daily life more manageable. Choosing the right method (IV, IM, nasal spray, or sublingual) depends on factors like your preferences, treatment goals, and past experience with ketamine or psychedelics.
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Is this treatment program covered by insurance?We’re pleased to share that portions of your KAP treatment may be covered by insurance. The following services are typically eligible for submission: KAP intake Preparation sessions 1 hour of each 2.5-hour medicine dosing session Integration sessions Important Note: Your out-of-pocket cost will depend on your behavioral health benefits, and insurance coverage is not guaranteed.
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How does Ketamine treat mental health disorders?Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic developed in the 1960s, originally used in veterinary and surgical settings. In the early 2000s, it began gaining attention for its potential to treat mental health conditions. Key points about ketamine for mental health treatment: Neurotransmitter Modulation: Ketamine works by modulating neurotransmitter systems in the brain, particularly glutamate and its receptors. Suppressing the Default Mode Network (DMN): Ketamine can temporarily suppress the brain's DMN, allowing access to repressed emotions, memories, and insights. Facilitating Emotional Healing: This suppression can help individuals process emotions and memories, supporting deeper emotional healing.
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Is it safe?Ketamine is one of the most widely used drugs in modern medicine and is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. With proper medical and therapeutic protocols, Ketamine has been found to be safe, often well tolerated, effective, and fast acting in various mental health conditions.
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What does Activate Counseling Services treat with KAP?Folks experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of treatment resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief, relationship and existential issues.
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What don’t we treat with KAP at Activate Counseling Services?Active and/or chronic suicidality Severe, persistent, debilitating symptoms from depression, OCD, bipolar disorder, or PTSD. If you are experiencing these, you deserve support and treatment. If you’re looking for Ketamine therapy, we believe you would best be treated with IV ketamine infusions vs oral ketamine. Please reach out to us if you need referrals for IV ketamine treatment centers.
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What are contraindications?Ketamine treatment should not be used under the following circumstances: Medical: Untreated hyperthyroidism or hypertension; seizure disorders; heart disease, including heart failure, heart attacks or arrhythmias; severe breathing problems; kidney disease; advanced liver disease; interstitial cystitis (bladder wall inflammation); glaucoma (unless cleared by an ophthalmologist); pregnant or breastfeeding Psychiatric: Psychosis, schizophrenia, and acute mania. Medications: There are several medications that interfere with ketamine. Our medical partners will evaluate your medication list and determine next appropriate steps.
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Can I become addicted?Potential for Addiction: Cravings and psychological addiction have been reported in individuals with a history of heavy, repeated use. Ketamine’s effects on mood, thinking, and perception may lead some to want to use it repeatedly. Controlled Substance: Ketamine is a Schedule III controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act. While it belongs to the same group as phencyclidine (PCP), ketamine does not meet the criteria for chemical dependence. Safe Use: Ketamine should only be used under the supervision of a licensed prescriber and in a structured setting like Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP).
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How can I learn more about Ketamine treatment?We encourage you to research about ketamine as a treatment for mental health and wellness so that you can make an informed decision about whether this treatment is a good fit for you. Here are some resources that we hope are informative. Ketamine Treatment Guide for Mental Health The American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists, and Practitioners patient information center
It is important to us that people seeking this type of treatment have access. We are aware of several barriers that can block access: time, money, transportations, childcare, etc. Please reach out to us if there are barriers and we will offer support where we can. Additionally, we can offer payment plans or a sliding scale to help with any costs not covered by insurance.