How does psychotherapy work?
Psychotherapy enables people to take their lives into their own hands and to overcome crises over time without professional help.
According to current research, the most important condition for successful psychotherapy is a good and trusting relationship between the therapist and the patient. The exact type of treatment method plays an important, but comparatively secondary role.
The central working tool in psychotherapy is conversation. All aspects of human behavior and experience are the subject of psychotherapy.
Depending on the psychotherapeutic method, in addition to cognitively oriented procedures, experience-oriented approaches such as working with imagination techniques, movement or other creative means of design are also used.
The psychotherapist tailors the approach to the individual problem and works with the patient to develop tailor-made solutions.
When should I start psychotherapy?
When it comes to mental problems, there is no measurement value, as is the case with many physical complaints, that if exceeded we consult a doctor. This is why many sufferers find it difficult to decide whether to start psychotherapy.
Some people are afraid of other people's prejudices or think of themselves as "crazy" when they see a psychotherapist for support.
But on the contrary, anyone who organizes professional help acts wisely and responsibly. Those who recognize problems in good time and secure helpful professional support can overcome them more quickly and sustainably and are better prepared for the future.
So if there is something in your life that is bothering you and that you would like to talk to someone independent about, get in touch for a non-binding initial consultation. There's nothing to lose!
In the initial consultation we can find out together whether psychotherapy is an option for you.
What can I expect in the initial consultation?
The initial consultation is the introduction to psychotherapy.
Normally we quickly develop a feeling for whether and how likeable someone is to us. Sympathy also plays an important role in psychotherapy; After all, these are very private and personal matters that we don't want to discuss with everyone. So please take your time to form an opinion about what you like or don't like about me as a therapist.
To get you started, I will familiarize you with the administrative processes in our practice, the general conditions of therapy and my therapeutic training.
The questions you will hear at the beginning of the actual therapy conversation are usually very similar. They help me to get an idea of you, your complaints and your concerns. In the beginning I often ask: “What brings you here?” Or: “What problems/difficulties do you have?” Then I'll let you tell me, ask questions if I don't understand something, but won't go into detail yet. It is usually also briefly discussed how the symptoms have developed, how you have dealt with the difficulties so far and whether you have already made other attempts at therapy.
You don't have to know the right answer to every question and be able to describe your symptoms completely.
I usually also ask how you came to know me (whether there were recommendations or who referred you) and why you want to start therapy at this time. Among other things, I would like to find out how urgently you need treatment.
Towards the end of the initial consultation I will ask you what you expect from therapy. Questions about your goals (for example: “What do you want to achieve through therapy? Do you have a treatment goal? If so, what?”) help me to identify and name my treatment task more clearly and to ensure that I am doing it correctly have understood.
Finally, I will make you a therapy offer by suggesting how I think I can best support you so that we can achieve your therapy goal together. I will then leave it up to you to decide whether you agree and would like to arrange further sessions. You are welcome to take your time if you are still unsure at the end of the initial consultation whether therapy is an option for you.
Questions are expressly permitted! Ask for as much information as early as possible that can make it easier for you to decide whether or not to continue therapy.
If you feel uncomfortable during the initial consultation or had something different in mind, be sure to talk about it. The therapy relationship is one of the most important factors for successful therapy, which is why it is important that you feel comfortable and taken seriously in my treatment.
How long does psychotherapy last?
The duration of psychotherapy depends on the patient's progress.
At the beginning of therapy, we set your goals, which we can use to continually orient ourselves and determine whether we are on the right path. As soon as we determine that the therapy goals have been achieved, the end of the therapy can be planned. How long this process takes is very individual and depends on various factors.
The most important factor is probably the goal. A problem that can be described precisely can be changed more quickly than a complex behavioral pattern, the basis for a single decision is easier to find than for a decision that affects the entire life, a disturbing symptom can be easier to understand than a diffuse mood, a disorder caused by an individual Event is more easily curable than one caused by long-term stress or deprivation.
However, in the course of psychotherapy, something that seemed simple often turns out to be more complicated, involving more areas - as if the original problem was just the tip of an iceberg. Then you are always faced with the question: What dare, what dare I dare, do I want to go further? Psychotherapy is always a process of change, and engaging in it is not always pleasant.
Psychotherapy is a healing process; The duration of psychotherapy is therefore closely related to how severe, how profound, how limiting the suffering or disorder is, and how long it has existed.
What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?
The psychotherapeutic psychologist has studied psychology and completed at least four years of further training in psychotherapy in accordance with the guidelines of the psychotherapeutic and psychological professional associations. The psychologist cannot prescribe medication. If necessary, he will work with a psychiatrist or family doctor.
The psychiatrist studied medicine and after graduating received the specialist title of “specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy”. He can prescribe medication and issue medical certificates.
What can I expect from psychotherapy?
Successful psychotherapy enables people affected by mental illness to fully or at least partially regain their autonomy in their lives.
psychotherapy
- increases well-being
- promotes personal and social competence
- increases the ability to work and have relationships
- increases psychological resilience
- promotes performance
From an economic perspective, psychotherapy for dealing with mental disorders is also an effective and practical investment. Psychotherapy used in a timely manner efficiently and comparatively inexpensively prevents unnecessary economic costs associated with psychological suffering.
The effect of psychotherapy is lasting. It leads to lasting changes, even after treatment is complete.
Who covers the costs of the therapy?
There are two ways to bill for sessions:
- Costs are covered by basic insurance:
As a delegated psychotherapist, I bill the sessions using the TARMED tariff. The basic insurance of every health insurance company covers the costs, less the annual deductible and the deductible of 10%.
You do not need a referral unless you are insured under the family doctor model.
- Self-payer:
You pay for the psychotherapy yourself, 180 CHF per session.
This approach is particularly useful if there is an interest in the greatest possible anonymity, as there is only a personal treatment relationship between psychotherapist and client.
