How therapy works

Registration

Enquiries and registration are made by e-mail or WhatsApp. Questions are generally answered in writing, and where appropriate by telephone. An appointment for a first meeting can then be arranged. You subsequently receive a registration form containing the essential information.

First meeting

The first meeting serves to establish an initial working relationship and to clarify the concern and the situation of those involved. The framework of the therapy and the next steps are also discussed. In the course of this meeting we decide together whether further sessions are indicated.

Getting acquainted and assessment

This phase serves to develop a fuller understanding of the concern, the situation and the problem and of the resources already available. Clinical interviews, questionnaires and standardised tests are used for this purpose. Findings already available from other services are obtained with the written consent of those involved. An independent second opinion is also possible. This phase equally serves to establish a stable therapeutic relationship.

Therapy planning and indication

On the basis of the information gathered, a deeper understanding of the difficulties and of the underlying processes emerges. These findings are presented and discussed together – here too you have a clear right to be heard and to decide. The therapeutic indication is established jointly and the different treatment options are set out. If we decide together in favour of therapy, goals are defined and appropriate therapeutic elements are selected.

Therapy

Treatment is carried out in accordance with the Swiss guidelines and the applicable legal requirements. The therapy is continuously evaluated, reviewed and adapted. With children and adolescents, the principal attachment figures are involved as required. Treatment follows a multimodal approach tailored to the specific needs at hand: sessions with the child, individual, parent, family, couple or network sessions. Talking therapy, behavioural therapy, play therapy, family and couple therapy and further therapeutic strategies are applied.

Conclusion

As the situation improves, the intervals between sessions are extended, with occasional follow-up appointments. Spacing out the sessions and concluding the therapy are always agreed together. The current situation and the course of the therapy are evaluated against the goals formulated jointly. Therapy can be ended at any time without further justification. Feedback that helps to improve the quality of the treatment is always very welcome.