Hello English Forum folks

I left Switzerland not long ago for the groovy environs of Berlin, but I wanted to mention some fantastic psychiatric treatment I had in Zurich.

I have ADHD and was also suffering from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder)

My psychiatrist Helen Klieber (stauffacher praxis) helped me through the PTSD with great care and soul. She was spot on with treatment (talk therapy, Brainspotting, IRT and some amazing insights) She attends many conferences and had, through the several years of therapy, always the latest ideas and techniques. She also kept in touch sometimes on weekends when I was really doing badly.

The upshot was that I healed, I don't feel constant fear anymore, the nightmares and shaking have gone and at the age of 43, I feel human once more and can live my life freely.

When describing her, I wouldn't use the words therapist or psychiatrist, I use the word human.

She speaks good English and is also an expert in Bipolar disorder. So here is one ex-patient that would give her a glowing endorsement.

If you read this and decide to give her a go, tell her Foxli (my nickname) sent you. She'll know who it is.

This post makes me wonder how recommending a psychiatrist works in Switzerland - apologies OP - spilt soup on my keyboard in recent days, so currently have limited keyboard capacity - my current understanding is that, unless you've been recommended through your general doc, the costs won't be re-imbursed - so you will pay for it yourself - i would very much like to add a question mark but can't

A Psychiatrist in CH is a Medical Doctor. You can go directly and will be reimbursed from LaMal (check however if you are on a restricted health plan that forces you to go through your general doctor first).

Possibly what you are thinking of is a Psychologist ? To be reimbursed, you need to go via the Psychiatrist (MD).

FYI - You can also go directly to a Chiropractor.

Correct but a psychiatrist is considered a specialist. So depending on your deal with your health-insurance you need the remittance of your "house-doctor". Only exceptions here are the ophthalmologist and the gynecologist - in my contract - which I can book appointments with directly. (The chiropractor would not be in my contract system, btw.)

Ofcourse you can chose/change your psychiatrist (or psychologist who is working with a phychiatrist) anytime, no medical-doctor would force you to go to one of his/her choice.