Hi everyone,

Let's just say I have a couple of issues that I'd like to discuss with a professional, preferably in Zurich area. Does anyone know a decent English speaking psychologist or therapist here? Also, do you have any idea on how much can such a meeting cost?

80-130 per hour afaik


Can't help with suggestions sorry

Thanks, that would be in line with what I was thinking of.

Hi Emstan. The cost of therapy ranges from 80-200 CHF per hour (though many therapists do a 50 min hour). If you find a therapist who works “delegated” (delegierte psychotherapie), the Krankenkasse will pay 90% of the cost. If you have supplemental insurance (zusatzversicherung) the insurance will pay a percentage of the cost. You would have to check with your insurance to see what they cover. There are some generous insurances, but the most pay a minimal amount.

Simple google search

http://www.drsallystern.com

https://www.martina-famos.ch

I can highly recommend Tanja Rom.

She is located right by Central and, if you have supplementary insurance, there is a good chance that they will cover her services (you have to check first).

good luck!

Why only 90%? Health insurance covers 100% of the cost after you have exhausted your excess and contribution.

Yes, I know how to google, but in such matters I'd rather trust someone's recommendation than Google's algorithm. Thanks, though!

In which case you would trust a totally stranger's opinion...But anyway, I get your point. I usually ask for recommendations too (not always happy with them though) but when I get none, I trust google search and then look at those people's credentials and work experience, also check out if they have some online reviews. Good luck, anyway.

Only if it is a "psychiatrist", i.e. a medical doctor.

Psychiatrists in Switzerland are primarily for medical mental health diagnosis and medication. You would also need a referral from your GP to make an appointment with a mental health doctor. Most therapists (i.e. a psychologist/psychotherapist) in Switzerland are not doctors, and therapy isn't covered by insurance, unless the patient has already private supplementary coverage. (Which is expensive and hard to obtain.)

I can highly recommend someone in Basel if anyone should ever need one here: http://praxisbs.ch/en/team/lic-phil-marina-poppinger/

Unfortunately a portion of the information above is not correct.

Yes, a psychiatrist is a medical doctor who diagnoses the mental health problem and can prescribe medication and/or other treatments.

Unless you have a restrictive health plan (which requires you to consult first with a GP), you can make an appointment with a psychiatrist directly.

The psychiatrist then "prescribes" a psychologist/psychotherapist if that mode of treatment is indicated. And in doing so, it is covered by LaMal.

My doctor did that for me and it was rejected by my insurance...

P.S. Also not on a restricted health plan, I am never able to make appointments with specialists directly - its the specialists that always request a referral. (Aside from a gynecologist etc.)

Happier its been easier for you, but I am speaking from direct experience here. Maybe its different by each canton.

This is what is problem with people in Switzerland. Here is a person with obvious mental issues and all you can do is post a typical netizen rude post to make yourself feel superior... jesus. Give it a break please.

And you react to this almost 6 months after that was posted?

There are a lot of therapists that do a bit of everything and a lot of nothing. It is important to find one that specializes precisely in the area that you need help in.

If you don’t they can be very hit and miss and can be a waste of time and money till you find the right one.

Many psychiatrists do, in fact, provide psychotherapy. Sure, they first qualified as medical doctors, then specialised in psychiatry.

Psychologists have a Masters or Doctor title in psychology. And then they have to do several years of supervised practical training before they can practice as a psychologist. Only some psychologists do the full training to become psychotherapists.

In practice, many psychiatrists (of the sort who offer psychotherapy) and psychologists attend the same kinds of further training courses, together, in their chosen areas of interest and/or specialisation.

At that level, in practice, there isn't really much difference in seeing a psychiatrist-who-is-a-psychotherapist or a psychologist-who-is-a-psychotherapist.

Unfortunately, the medical insurances don't see it that way.

• A psychiatrist's bill will always be covered by the basic medical insurance (with the exception of your self-pay portion). Only after long treatment, e.g. 6 months or a year, the medical insurance may ask for a report justifying the treatment's continuing.
• A psychologist's bill will probably be covered, at least in part, by the medical insurance. This varies a great deal from medical insurance company to medical insurance company. Some pay, for example: "70% of the fee, up to a maximum of 12 sessions per annum", or "80% of the fee, up to a maximum of Fr. 3'000 per annum", or "Fr. 100 per session, for a maximum of 10 sessions, thereafter subject to a psychiatrist's assessment and report". Sometimes the cover is provided to those who have the basic insurance only, sometimes one needs a supplementary insurance ("Zusatzversicherung" in German).

Moreover, some medical insurances have a list of psychologists whom they recognise, and others whom they don't. Therefore, if you find a psychologist you like, it is advisable to ask your medical insurance about their cover of this specific therapist.

It is also considered completely fine to "shop around" a bit. You can speak to the therapist on the phone (if they will), read their website, google them, and go to a first appointment without committing yourself to working with them on an ongoing basis. You will have to pay for that first appointment (which is fair enough, it's their time), but it is perfectly okay to say that you're looking around for a good match, and want to take your time deciding with whom you'll be working.