Dr. Kenneth Carter

Dr. Kenneth “Khensu” Carter is the current President of the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA). This role is preceded by many years of practice first as a NADA Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist (ADS) then a NADA Registered Trainer (RT).  He feels extremely fortunate to have trained as an ADS and to have initiated his comprehensive acupuncture education–as a rising 3^rd year medical student, in fact—in 1982 at Lincoln Detox under the tutelage of Mr. Carlos Alverez, Mr. Jose Aponte and Dr. Michael  Smith.

Dr. Khensu practices as an Integrative Psychiatrist and Comprehensive Acupuncturist,  he is also first and second author on a number of NADA Protocol (NP) research, concept and policy related publications.  As a physician board certified in both psychiatry (ABPN) and acupuncture (NCCAOM)  Dr. Khensu has worked hard throughout his career to see the widespread implementation of NP become a reality.  He is a spokesman and a champion for the seamless integration of NP as an adjunct to usual and customary mental health care services including substance use disorder/addiction, medication management,  peer support, psychotherapy and crisis/trauma support in individual/group/community and wellness settings.

Dr. Khensu’s  “compass and call-to-action” is the seminal 1979 publication by Drs. Shakur and Smith which documents their early observations and successes in using the unique procedures and approach that became formalized with establishment of NADA in 1985  as the NADA Protocol.   Devoted to the preservation of this tradition, Dr. Khensu will spend his NADA presidency and the rest of his career working to further the unfinished business of making NP available as a culturally competent, patient-centered, trauma-informed and compassionate tool for mental health care that is accessible to all.