Looking after your mental health already takes courage. Working out the difference between a psychiatrist, a psychotherapist and a psychologist shouldn't be one more obstacle. Here are the differences, simply put.
Content validated by Dr Cécile Besson Duvanel, Medical Director
A psychiatrist is a doctor who specialises in mental health. They make a diagnosis, offer psychotherapy and can, if necessary, prescribe medication and monitor how it is working. Their consultations are covered by compulsory basic health insurance (LAMal), like any medical consultation, subject to your deductible and retention fee.
A psychologist has completed a university degree in psychology. A psychotherapist, on the other hand, is specifically trained to conduct psychotherapy. In Switzerland, the services of psychologist-psychotherapists are reimbursed by basic insurance on medical referral: your doctor refers you, and the therapy is covered.
The real question isn't the title, but what you need. A difficult period, anxiety, bereavement, exhaustion: psychotherapy is often the right place to start. More pronounced disorders, a question about treatment, a complex situation: the psychiatrist is the right person to see. And if you don't know where to begin, your GP is an excellent first port of call: they listen, assess and refer, without judgement.
At Quai Santé, our psychiatrist and our psychotherapist work alongside the centre's GPs: referrals happen smoothly, without juggling multiple practices or telling your story three times over.
The first appointment is often the hardest to make. Ours takes a single call, on 021 964 30 00.
This information is general and does not replace a medical consultation. In a life-threatening emergency, call 144. Medical disclaimer
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