Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a unique and relatively recent form of psychotherapy that shows promising results for individuals diagnosed with a variety of mental health disorders, including treatment-resistant depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain, and anxiety.  

Although ketamine has been approved by the FDA since the 1970s, its use in the psychotherapy arena is relatively recent.  It was not until the 2000s that medical professionals noticed an association between ketamine and a reduction in depression and suicidal thoughts, and it is within the past few years that KAP has become part of the conversation on a larger scale.  Practitioners in this emergent field face a number of novel questions, including certain unknowns as to the potential liabilities that could arise from their practicing KAP and the insurance that they might need to protect themselves against any such liabilities.  

This article provides a broad overview of potential liabilities for practitioners of KAP and coverage options that they should consider.  Whether a particular claim or suit is covered will depend on a close analysis of the nature of the allegations as well as the specific policy provisions.