NeuroSomatic Bliss™ in Newport News, VA

"The prep with Kellyn was just as incredible as the ketamine infusions. I feel like this treatment gave me my life back after trauma. Cannot recommend this clinic enough!"

“I can't say enough positive things about them. Kellyn with her breathwork and bodywork really releasing years of trauma I've been carrying, and Caleb with a calming presence and the best IV placement I've ever experienced they both made tacking the hardest... as easy and safe as one could hope for.”

"This was not my first experience getting ketamine treatment, but it was by far the best! I always felt comfortable and safe with them and the space is very warm and inviting."

"If you're thinking about undergoing this type of treatment, Illuminate is truly the best choice. Individually, Caleb and Kellyn are safe, capable, and highly skilled, but the work they are doing together is nothing short of magic."

"Before this, I had seen at least 10 different pain management or other specialty doctors across several different states I was living in at the time and even a couple of overseas doctors. Kellyn was able to figure out the problems that all of those doctors over a 14 year period or so were not able to figure out."

"The treatment goes beyond just medicine and also provided the tools I needed to address depression, anxiety and PTSD. I would more than 5 stars if I could. This place is AMAZING.."

“Their spectrum of healing is individualized and amazing. They truly care about helping and healing others. They have blessed my life.”

Introduction to NeuroSomatic Bliss™

“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.” – Joseph Campbell

Welcome to the transformative world of NeuroSomatic Bliss™ (NSB). NSB focuses on restoring the brain-body connection through the principles of Nervous System Coherence Recovery and Ketamine Assisted Therapy. We believe that all mental health conditions stem from the same source – trauma. This word is known to describe major traumatic events in someone’s life but can be more accurately used to describe anything that is over the brain’s threshold of tolerance and ability to process. As we experience toxic stress in our daily life – whether through work, family, relationships, or adulting – our brain is not always able to process this “trauma” and compartmentalize it. However, our body still experiences the physical manifestation and symptoms of this trauma and in response, “ramps up” our nervous system. Over time, this sends our body into a chronic sympathetic nervous system state – the “fight or flight” state or hypervigilant state. This hypervigilant state is the source of mental health conditions and emotional regulation and follows the principles of the Polyvagal Theory. NeuroSomatic Bliss incorporates ketamine assisted therapy, somatic therapy and other modalities to target the root cause for recovery.

Nervous System Coherence Recovery

Our body has two nervous systems that we focus on – the parasympathetic (rest and digest) and sympathetic (fight or flight). In a functional, regulated system, the two work in conjunction with each other, shifting between the two as appropriate in day-to-day life. Chronic stress, as described above, sends our body into a chronically activated sympathetic state. The focus of NSB is to restore the connection of the two systems, allowing the body to fluidly shift between the two as they are intelligently designed to do. The primary method of achieving this is to systematically activate the calming nervous system through a holistic approach by directing the therapy to the body, mind, and spirit with the effects of Ketamine to drastically enhance the process. With the neuroplasticity effects of ketamine over the entire treatment series, regulating the nervous system facilitates healthy new thought patterns and beliefs to be formed which are now rooted in a calm, regulated mindset.

This updated perspective, inspired by the book The Body Keeps the Score, suggests that trauma is held in the body, especially as tension within the fascial and muscular systems. With NeuroSomatic Bliss, clients will receive an hour-long session of trauma-informed, body-led occupational therapy before each Ketamine infusion. The goal of this body-led preparation is to create a sense of safety in the body and use manual therapy to systematically release layers of stored trauma as the ketamine treatments progress. This includes a wide range of modalities that occupational therapists are known for, including somatic therapy, ketamine assisted therapy, myofascial release, trigger point release, body-led emotional-sensory processing, and nervous system regulation. These sessions, called preparation sessions, significantly increase the client’s ability to experience the healing effect of Ketamine by releasing stored tension, regulating the nervous system, and educating clients on methods to activate the parasympathetic nervous system and maintaining a safe, calm setting for the transformative process.

Immediately after each body-led preparation session, Ketamine is administered via IV to target the mind and spirit, inducing a dissociative state that breaks down psychological barriers and emotional “armor,” enhancing the patient’s receptivity to processing emotional experiences in a safe setting. During the infusion, patients will use these nervous system regulation techniques learned in preparation sessions to facilitate the safe, calm feeling of Ketamine, helping them navigate their thoughts and emotions inward, where the greatest change occurs through the rewiring of our thoughts and belief systems. These new thought patterns will now be rooted in a calm, safe mindset. Each preparation session is individualized to scale with the treatment, offering more bodywork, tension release, and processing before each infusion.

Why Occupational Therapists?

Occupational Therapy is deeply grounded in mental health, with each treatment session focused on enabling the client’s full engagement in meaningful activities, roles, and routines. OTs are experts in mental health, sensory integration, nervous system regulation, movement, and physical dysfunction. Occupational therapists utilize a biopsychosocial-spiritual approach to treatment and provide trauma-informed intervention, specifically tailored to individual needs. OTs are uniquely trained to utilize a holistic lens while assessing each client’s specific strengths, weaknesses, and environmental factors that either facilitate or inhibit functioning in their daily life.

Here at Illuminate, ketamine preparation sessions are facilitated by highly experienced and licensed Occupational Therapists. Our therapists are certified as Clinical Trauma Specialists and have specialized training in Psychedelic Therapy and Integration. Standard approaches to psychedelic medicine including Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) and Ketamine Assisted Therapy (KAT) are limited in therapeutic benefit because they are restricted to approaches like CBT and DBT which are rooted in brain-first and cognition approaches.These modalities leave behind the body, which is a significant piece of the healing puzzle. At Illuminate, we are rewriting psychedelic therapy by utilizing an emphasis on body-led preparation. We believe knowledge is power, and by understanding how our body and nervous system work, we can empower ourselves to create lasting change in how we perceive the world and respond to adversity.

Preparation

Effective preparation is key to maximizing the benefits of ketamine and nervous system coherence recovery. All our Ketamine infusions require one initial NSB preparation session. After the client’s first Preparation and Ketamine infusion, patients choosing to continue incorporating NSB into their treatment plan will schedule an NSB Preparation Session immediately prior to each infusion.

Our initial sessions are foundational, focusing on building trust, setting intentions, creating a sense of safety, and preparing for the psychedelic experience. The initial preparation will primarily focus on nervous system regulation and breathwork to ensure the best outcome for the infusion. Subsequent sessions will be tailored to each client, adjusting with the treatment and dosage to address and integrate emotional and sensory blockages. We’ll also review your history, psychological well-being, and any specific concerns or goals related to the therapy.

Integration

After each ketamine treatment session, patients recover for a period at least 30 minutes. This downtime time is key to translating the profound experiences from treatment into practical steps for daily life. Over the next few days, more insights may come into clarity and will be discussed at the next preparation session. The occupational therapist aids the patient in understanding and contextualizing their feelings and thoughts, promoting a deeper comprehension of their emotional and psychological landscapes. Journaling is recommended for assisting with integration.

At Illuminate, we recognize that each individual’s journey is unique, so our approach is flexible and tailored to each person’s specific needs and responses. We are committed to supporting our patients throughout their journey, ensuring it is meaningful, safe, and conducive to growth and healing.

Safety Measures

Safety is paramount at Illuminate. Following the recommendations set forth by the American Psychiatric Association and the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, all sessions are conducted under strict medical supervision with emergency protocols in place. Patients are continuously monitored, and their vital signs are checked regularly to ensure their physical well-being throughout the session.

This therapeutic setting is not only safe but also nurturing, designed to foster a sense of security and openness. This environment, combined with professional guidance, allows patients to explore deep psychological processes and start on their path toward healing.