About us
Mission Statement
COHOBA is dedicated to fostering healing and empowerment through integrated care that combines transformative mental health practices, artistic expression, and community programming. Recognizing current regulatory limitations, we are committed to creating a safe, inclusive environment that champions responsible drug policy reform and addresses the historical harms of criminalization.
Through comprehensive care, community education, cultural stewardship, and advocacy for policy reform, we aim to expand access to mental health support services and overall well-being for all.
Vision Statement
Our vision is a future where psychedelic therapies are recognized as vital tools for mental health and well-being, accessible to all individuals regardless of background. We envision a society that values compassion, cultural healing, artistic expression, and informed dialogue, leading to systemic change in drug policies. Through our commitment to equity, education, and community empowerment, COHOBA aspires to be a beacon of hope and healing, transforming lives and communities across North Carolina.
Goals
Expand Access to Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
We strive to make psychedelic-assisted therapy accessible to marginalized populations, offering sliding scale services and partnerships with community organizations to ensure that cost and social barriers do not impede access to care.
Foster a Multidisciplinary Healing Environment
Our center integrates mental health services, bodywork, and creative arts therapies, creating a space where clients can experience integrated care. We believe that emotional, physical, and creative expressions are interconnected aspects of human well-being.
Promote Advocacy and Policy Reform
As advocates for responsible psychedelic use, we actively engage in drug policy reform and work to repair the harms caused by criminalization and prohibition. As founding members of the North Carolina Psychedelic Policy Coalition, we offer opportunities for education, public awareness campaigns, and participation in policy discussions to promote legal and responsible access to psychedelics.
Provide Community Education and Training
We offer workshops and educational programs aimed at demystifying psychedelic medicine and fostering safe, informed use. These programs are designed for both the general public and mental health professionals, ensuring that our community is equipped with the knowledge to safely integrate psychedelic healing into daily life.
Advance Scientific Research and Evidence-Based Practices
We support the growth of scientific research in psychedelic therapy by contributing to studies, staying informed on the latest research, and ensuring our therapeutic models are aligned with best practices and scientific evidence.
Cultural Stewardship
Create a partnership with local artists to build community programming centered around the power of artistic expression to promote mental wellbeing to provide healing and personal growth programs through psychedelic-assisted therapies and artistic expression practices in a safe and enriching environment, where individuals can explore, heal, and enhance their creativity. We are committed to educating the community on the benefits of integrating art into therapy and supporting research that validates the ethical and effective use of psychedelics in the field of mental health.
Our Story
Our Name
The word Cohoba derives from the Taino word for a psychedelic snuff ceremony. The snuff originates with the plant Anadenanthera peregrina, a large tree in the legume family native to the Caribbean and South America. The Anadenanthera peregrina produces beans and leaves that contain psychedelic compounds that played an important role in the spiritual ceremonies of the Taíno peoples, indigenous inhabitants of the Caribbean. Cohoba refers to both the finely ground, cinnamon-colored snuff as well as the ceremony itself. The Cohoba ceremony was associated with a deity of the same name.
Our Team
