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.

The KAP treatment program is typically between 8-10 weeks. The treatment process is as follows: Screening and consultation for appropriateness and contraindications Psychiatric evaluation with a medical provider and approval for KAP. We are partnered with SkyLight Psychedelics and Centered. 1 Intake and 2-3 Preparatory session(s) with therapist. (3) Weekly KAP sessions. Each week includes 1 medicine session followed by 1 integration session 1-3 days after the medicine session. Follow up with a therapist to evaluate effectiveness. (3) Weekly KAP sessions. Each week includes 1 medicine session followed by 1 integration session 1-3 days after the medicine session. Evaluation, successful completion, and referral to supportive resources. Please note, 1 round of weekly KAP requires about 3hrs of treatment a week: 2 hours under the medicine and 1 hour of integration. You must have reliable and safe transportation after your medication sessions.

At Activate Counseling Services, we intentionally opted for low-dose sublingual ketamine due to its safety, capacity to foster empathogenic (heart-opening) experiences, facilitate communication throughout the journey, and enable individuals to explore difficult mental states. These factors can enhance the psychotherapy component of KAP. During your medicine journey with us, you can expect to experience a sacred ceremony with: Proper preparation Intention setting Calming rituals A safe medicine journey Closing ceremony with reflection and grounding. Ketamine can be administered and dosed in various ways: IV infusions, IM injections, nasal spray, or sublingual. Each has its own onset, bioavailability, and duration of effects. Overall, weighing your options of ketamine administration is a very personal decision. Factors influencing the selection of administration route and dose include your preferences, treatment objectives, prior ketamine and psychedelic use, body size, and sensitivity.

We are happy to report that portions of KAP treatment can be covered by insurance. Here is a breakdown of services that can be submitted to your insurance: KAP intake Preparation sessions 1 of the 2hrs of medicine dosing sessions Integration sessions. Please note, your cost depends on you behavioral health benefits and insurance coverage is not a guarantee.

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic medication. Ketamine was developed in the late 1960s and has been mainly used in veterinary and surgical settings. In the early 2000s, research and treatment of mental health conditions with Ketamine began. Ketamine is believed to relieve psychiatric disorders by modulating neurotransmitter systems in the brain, primarily glutamate and its receptors. Additionally, the medicine journeys can be therapeutic because Ketamine can temporarily suppress the brain's default mode network (DMN) which can allow individuals to access repressed emotions, memories, and insights, facilitating emotional processing and healing.

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.

Folks experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of treatment resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief, relationship and existential issues.

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.

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.

Cravings and psychological addiction have been reported by individuals with a history of heavy and repeated use. In addition, ketamine can have effects on mood (feelings), cognition (thinking), and perception (imagery) that may make some people want to use it repeatedly. Ketamine is a controlled substance and is subject to Schedule III rules under the Controlled Substance Act of 1970. It belongs to the same group of chemicals as phencyclidine (Sernyl, PCP, “Angel dust”). Phencyclidine and other hallucinogenic compounds do not meet criteria for chemical dependence. Ketamine should only be used under the direct supervision of a licensed prescriber and in an intentional way such as KAP.

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