We offer KAT for the following conditions:

·         Depression

·         Anxiety

·         PTSD (single occurrence)

·         PTSD (developmental trauma)

·         Suicidal Ideation

·         Bipolar 1 and 2 (non-manic phase)

Ketamine is safe

When administered according to best practice protocols, ketamine is extremely safe. Ketamine has been around since the 1960s and is on the WHO's list of essential medicines. There are hundreds of medical journal articles testifying to its safety and efficacy.

Ketamine is legal

Ketamine is a legally prescribed medication. All The ATT Center clients undergo a complete Psychiatric Medical Intake and screening process with our Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) to ensure treatment is safe and appropriate.

Psychedelic comes from the Latin words for “mind manifesting”. Most of the classic psychedelics such as LSD, Peyote, Psilocybin, and Ayahuasca (DMT) work through common pathways in the brain which involve the serotonin receptors, (i.e. 5HT-2A). Ketamine is a disassociative anesthetic and works through the glutamate system. Leaders in the field agree that the use of ketamine in the doses used for KAT is truly “mind manifesting”, though certain characteristics of the experience are different. Ketamine provides a more introspective experience and we use eye shades and music to enhance the introspective nature of the experience.

Ketamine is a schedule III drug. Drugs in this class tend to have “very minimal potential for addiction”. However abusive and addictive behaviors with relation to the ketamine experience occur. The most common pattern is that there is a desire or preference to be in the ketamine state of awareness as opposed to our day-to-day reality. In KAT, access to the medication is strictly controlled. We monitor for behaviors that might indicate the emergence of dependence and actively guard against it.

Ketamine works on the brain's glutamate system, as does alcohol and nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Many people report the initial feelings of Ketamine feel like a few glasses of wine or dental nitrous oxide. Another first thing clients notice is the "music becomes alive" and deeply felt.

Also, because we use rapidly dissolving tablets, the onset is very gentle. At the doses we use, clients maintain a "sense of agency", which is especially important for clients with trauma histories. It is very common to feel a dissociative effect when taking Ketamine. It is also possible to have very big psychedelic experiences while on Ketamine. Each individual’s response to Ketamine varies, but we are able to adjust the dosing amount to manage the intensity of the experience.

Generally speaking, there are very few rule outs for treatment.

Hard Rule Outs

·         Schizophrenia: Immediate Family History Of

·         Pregnancy or Planned Pregnancy

·         Current Psychosis or Active Mania

·         Uncontrolled Hypertension

·         History of Ketamine or Anesthesia Reaction with or without Malignant Hypothermia

·         Acute Intoxication or Altered Mental Status

·         Taking MAOIs

·         Mental Impairment

·         Needs Substance Abuse Treatment First

Soft Rule Outs (may accept for treatment upon consultation with other client providers)

·         Current Alcohol Dependance

·         Postpartum or Breast Feeding

·         History of Cardiac Rhythm Disturbance

·         History of Cardiac and/or Circulatory problems

·         History of Respiratory problems

·         History of Seizures

·         Liver conditions (Cirrhosis, etc)

·         Hyperthyroid

·         Renal Failure and Dialysis

·         Current Substance Abuse Treatment

Because of its chemical properties ketamine is easy to administer using a number of different routes. In research settings it’s usually administered with an IV or IM. At The ATT Clinic, we use primarily sublingual ketamine in the form of rapidly dissolving tablet (RDT) lozenges. The RDTs are absorbed by the submucosal membranes of the mouth. Clients sit up in the treatment chair, dissolve the medicine in their mouth, and do the "psychedelic swish" for 10-15 minutes. The medicine is spit out into a cup, the chair reclined, and the journey begins.

The RDT experience has a wonderful experience curve, building slowly and steadily to peak experience and then gently curving back to a peaceful and gentle slow return. This slow return to ordinary consciousness is known as the "long tail" and is an incredibly therapeutic part of the experience.

Typically, clients start with six fully prepped and integrated KAT sessions over three weeks. After each KAT session we assess together how you are responding to treatment. It is typical for most people to complete 'booster' medicine appointments once a month for a few months, based on whether or not desired results have been achieved.

After these treatments, clients tend to shift into a "maintenance" phase of between one to three treatments per year. Treatments become part of their mental health and wellness regime, with each treatment providing an opportunity to catalyze deeper growth and resilience.

Ketamine "plays nice" with most medical and psychiatric medications. The are a few exceptions which require a "day of" hold, like benzodiazepines, ADHD medications, or mood stabilizers like lamotrigine, which blunt the effect of ketamine.

Every client receives a full and complete medical intake and screening, which includes an analysis of your current medications. Your PMHNP will inform you of any medications which will need to be stopped or modified for treatment.

Emotional and physical safety is our #1 concern. We currently only provide KAT sessions in our clinic so that you can be monitored for emotional and physical safety. Preparation and integration sessions with facilitating guides are done in person or via telehealth.