Read down to find out about common questions people ask themselves before deciding to start psychotherapy. 

Why do I feel bad if everything in my life is perfect and others have it far worse? 

There is an extremely wide array of difficulties troubling normal people at any age, regardless of outward signs of wealth, success and well-being. It is an underestimated challenge for everyone to face modern occidental life with its load of high expectations, high demands, emphasis on individualism and materialism, denial of other needs, high levels of stress, disjointed family and social support networks, increased migration and instability, changing roles, clashing communication patterns and values… to name only a few external factors related to inner trouble.  

I have good friends, I wonder how talking to a psychotherapist would make a difference?

What happens between psychotherapists and clients is different. Psychotherapists do not - as much as humanly possible -  involve you in their problems. The time you pay for is completely dedicated to you. Psychotherapist focus on you with no preconceived opinions or judgments. They do not intend to make you do things you don’t want to. Their role is only to make a specific process happen (the psychotherapeutic process) .

If I contact a psychotherapist, does it mean that I am crazy? 

If you contact a psychotherapist it does not mean that you are crazy. It means you are healthy enough to know that you need help.  

What if I become dependent on psychotherapy? 

You remain free at all times to book appointments or not.  If you feel you enjoy psychotherapy it’s essentially because it has become helpful. You need not fear dependency for at some point when you've reached a level of comfort you will wish to take a break.  

What if the psychotherapist judges me? 

Psychoherapist’s training and job focuses on shedding light, understanding and unravelling what seems to make no sense, what seems irrational and unacceptable. In order to do that, psychotherapists adopt a neutral, well-meaning and non-judgmental attitude.  

What if the psychotherapist tries to influence me? 

It’s not the psychotherapists' job to give advice or try to make you do what they consider fit. They may express an opinion in certain circumstances such as related to your safety but they will make it clear that you remain the boss at all times.  

What if I don’t like the psychotherapist ?

One of your main tasks at the beginning is to find someone with whom you feel comfortable, respected and listened to. Psychotherapy will not occur if you constantly hold ill feelings towards the therapist.   Trust is essential. Make appointments with several psychotherapists and stay with the one you prefer.   

What if I don’t feel like saying everything and don’t want to dwell on my past? 

You are expected at all times to say only what you feel the need to say. You are neither required to say everything nor requested to dissect your past. Eventually, you will feel free to express the flow of thoughts and feelings as they come up. You will discover that often, it is what seems to be silly, trivial and unrelated which helps shed new light on situations.  

How will I know psychotherapy is helpful? 

The best indicator of psychotherapy being useful is when symptoms gradually disappear and/or you feel you are back on track on the path which leads you towards your goals. This won’t happen immediately though, especially if you’ve been suffering for years. This is why there is another good indicator you need to pay attention to: your subjective experience. Do you “feel” the sessions are useful? Do you feel you are gaining clarity, understanding and new insights? If not, if you feel you are stagnating, discuss it over and proceed to change.  

I’m scared the psychotherapist will determine I’m mentally ill! 

Psychotherapists are trained to focus and enhance resources, capacities, talents and strengths. Everyone has positive sides.  It’s the constructive side of you which is going to get you where you want to be. The latter is always true independently of diagnostics which may change overtime as you evolve.

What are mental illnesses? 

The current occidental categories of mental illnesses were created to describe clusters of symptoms in the cognitive, emotional and behavioural areas. 

These diagnostic categories are useful since they facilitate communication between specialists, with medical insurances and help justify medical decisions such as medication, crisis intervention or hospitalization. They also help clients find comfort in naming what they have at any given moment, and figure out what to do about it.  

Some categories  may feel as dooming and if you fully identfy to them and what is diagnosed about you, it may become very limiting.

What are my rights? 

You are entitled to any information during all steps of the therapeutic process. You are free to think what you want. You are free to consult with any psychologist you want. You are free to break away from any professional relationship which you feel is useless. Within limits set by the law, what you say in a session remains confidential.

Is there anything expected of me? 

Your main responsibility is to attend settled appointments, pay for reserved time slots and tell the psychotherapist when you decide to stop. 

What is the difference between therapists, psychotherapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, psychoanalysts, counsellors and coaches? 

People who are helpers come from different backgrounds.  This explains the array of terms used to refer to them. 

1. Psychologists are Swiss university graduates (or equivalent foreign qualifications recognized by Switzerland) who have completed at least a Master's level qualification in psychology and have taken the necessary steps to be members of the Swiss Federation of Psychologists (FSP). They can be employed and work under the guidance and supervision of mental health facilities in which case their services could be covered by Swiss public insurances. If operating independently in private practice, their therapeutic assessment, interventions and support services may be partially reimbursed by Swiss supplementary health insurance (LCA), depending on the insurer and the patient’s individual policy.
2. A psychologist-psychotherapist is in Switzerland a psychologist who has additionally completed a lengthy recognized post-graduate training program in psychotherapy in order to guide clients/patients towards their stated psychological goals. The training includes hundreds of hours of supervision as well as personal psychotherapy intended to develop professional self-reflection and awareness of the therapist’s own psychological processes. Their services can be billed to international insurances. Psychologists-psychotherapists can operate within public healthcare organizations, but may prefer to work independently in private practice. In Switzerland, their services can be charged to public insurance (LAMal), as long as they are registered in the SASIS (Santé Suisse) list of LAMal providers and the treatment is provided on the basis of a medical prescription and a mental health diagnosis. If they registered in the SASIS (Santé Suisse) list of Swiss private insurance (LCA) providers, the requirements for coverage vary from insurer to insurer. 
3. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have specialized in psychiatry. Unlike psychologists, they have medical training and can prescribe medication, carry out medical assessments and organize hospital treatment when necessary. Their training also includes psychotherapy, although the requirements to perform as psychotherapists are different.
4. Clinical psychologists are psychologists who have undergone specialized post-graduate training specifically in psychopathology, testing, differential diagnostics, the planning and implementation of psychological interventions, clinical reporting as well as following-up with their clients/patients. In tandem with medical personnel, they may also contribute to the development of prevention programs and treatment approaches for various psychological issues within healthcare institutions. Some choose to work in private practice within a network of mental health specialists. Their services will be reimbursed by Swiss private medical insurances (LCA) if they are registered in the SASIS list of LCA providers. When employed by authorized medical institutions or registered in the SASIS list of LAMal providers, their services will be reimbursed by Swiss public health insurances.
5. Therapists, counsellors and coaches may come from many different professional backgrounds, such as nursing, social work, physiotherapy, kinesiology or others. These titles do not necessarily mean that the person is a psychologist or a regulated mental-health professional. If someone presents themselves as a psychologist or psychotherapist, you should check that they have a recognized postgraduate qualification, and that they are authorized to do so by the canton. This information can be verified in the Swiss Federal Psychology Professions Register (PsyReg).

How come psychotherapists also seem to have at times problems in their personal life?

Psychotherapists are normal people tangled up in life like everybody else.  It is commonly expected from psychotherapists to be magicians, wise know-it-all men & women. But to be a psychotherapist remains first of all a job.  Psychotherapists know a method to make a process happen that will make YOU get where you want to get but psychotherapists do not hold the secret to eradicate life’s difficulties altogether!  

How many types of psychotherapies are psychotherapists meant to know?

Psychotherapists are required to specialize at least in one recognized method in order to be allowed to practice. However most experienced psychotherapists, respectful of the diversity of clients and situations have studied over the years an array of methods and have integrated them in a meaningful, coherent and personal style.

Do all psychotherapists treat all disorders? 

It is the psychotherapists' responsibility to know what they feel comfortable and experienced enough to treat; they will discuss this with you, usually at the beginning. 

Can clients rely on the ability of the psychotherapist to choose what method is best? 

Certified psychotherapists have the training to lead psychotherapy. However, clients’ input remains essential to inform the psychotherapist as to whether they are comfortable with the psychotherapist’s approach and ways. 

Do psychotherapists appreciate feedback? 

Feedback is useful, even years later. It is the only way a psychotherapist can really assess the results of what he does.