LaConsultation Couple & Famille

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Individual, Couple & Family Consultation — Find practical information about LAMal billing, intake steps, and our care framework.

Billing (LAMal Basic Health Insurance)

Since July 1, 2022, psychotherapy provided by federally recognized psychologist-psychotherapists is eligible for reimbursement under Swiss compulsory basic health insurance (LAMal) upon presentation of a medical prescription issued by a primary care physician.

Physicians authorized to prescribe include specialists in general internal medicine, pediatricians, psychiatrists-psychotherapists, child and adolescent psychiatrists-psychotherapists, and specialists in psychosomatic medicine.

Once your annual deductible (franchise) has been met, sessions with psychologist-psychotherapists are covered upon presentation of a medical prescription motivated by a mental or somatic health condition.

Depending on your physician's specialty, they can provide:

  1. Specialist in general internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, or psychosomatic medicine: their prescription entitles you to 15 psychotherapy sessions. This authorization is renewable once after a joint consultation between the psychotherapist and the prescribing physician. If treatment exceeds 30 sessions, a clinical report including a diagnosis must be submitted through one of our psychiatrists, and continuation of therapy must be approved by the insurer's medical advisor.
  2. Any other medical specialist: may issue a prescription for crisis intervention or therapy related to a serious illness, authorizing up to 10 sessions. If continuation beyond 10 sessions is required, an assessment by one of the specialists listed above is necessary.
Invoice Copies (Medidata)

Our invoices are issued through Medidata, which provides a secure online portal for viewing copies of your invoices. Only you can access it, either via an SMS verification code or by entering the patient's date of birth.

For further information, please visit the Medidata patient support portal directly:
https://www.medidata.ch/md/web/fr/support/support-pour-les-patientes

Patient Rights

To learn more about your rights as a patient, please consult the official websites of the cantonal health authorities:

Minors and Psychotherapy

What if one parent is against therapy?

In the case of a minor under the joint parental authority of both parents, obtaining the consent of both parents is required.

Can a minor start psychotherapy without parental consent?

The Swiss Civil Code provides that a minor who is capable of judgment (capable de discernement) may exercise strictly personal rights independently, which includes healthcare decisions such as attending psychotherapy.

In practice, young people aged 16 or 17 are generally considered capable of judgment, and depending on maturity and circumstances, adolescents aged 12 to 15 may also be considered capable of judgment.

Can my child's therapist share the content of sessions with me?

In Switzerland, professional confidentiality is a cornerstone of the relationship between the psychotherapist and the patient, even when the patient is a minor. The general rule is that the psychotherapist must respect the confidentiality of information shared during sessions, except in specific situations.

Exceptions to confidentiality apply in the following cases:

In the event of serious danger to the life or health of the patient or third parties—such as acute suicide risk or child abuse/endangerment.

Swiss law generally recognizes adolescents' right to confidentiality within their therapeutic relationship. However, if the psychotherapist assesses a serious risk to the adolescent's life or health, they may be legally required to inform the appropriate parties.

We encourage discussing confidentiality boundaries openly with your child's psychotherapist so that parents, the child/adolescent, and the therapist share a clear mutual understanding.

Why are parents invited to participate in certain sessions?

Involving parents in sessions with their child's psychotherapist offers several key benefits for the therapeutic process:

  1. Understanding the family context: Parents provide essential insight into family dynamics, relationships, and life events affecting the child.
  2. Collaborative treatment support: Collaboration between parents and the therapist helps reinforce emotional support and therapeutic strategies at home.
  3. Improving family communication: Joint sessions offer a space to strengthen parenting tools, improve family communication, and resolve conflicts affecting the child's well-being.
  4. Observing behavior at home: Parents share valuable observations of the child's emotional and behavioral functioning in daily life.
  5. Building continuous support: Parental involvement helps establish a consistent support plan beyond the therapy room.
  6. Identifying family resources: Mobilizing family strengths to support the child's progress.
  7. Considering environmental factors: Understanding school, peer, and social factors that influence the child's well-being.
Emergencies

What should you do in an emergency?

  • In case of a life-threatening emergency, call 144 (Ambulance).
  • If it is not a life-threatening emergency, please contact your physician or your therapist.
  • If your physician or therapist is unavailable, call the Cantonal On-Call Medical Line at 0848 133 133 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
  • For patients currently in care at LaConsultation Couple & Famille, an evening and weekend medical on-call line is available at 079 432 29 36.
  • You can also contact La Main Tendue / Die Dargebotene Hand (143) or Pro Juventute for children and youth (147).
Appointment Cancellation

Can I cancel an appointment?

If you are unable to attend, you may cancel or reschedule your appointment by contacting your therapist or our secretariat.

Any appointment missed or cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice will be billed directly to you (not covered by health insurance). If this invoice remains unpaid after 30 days, your treatment follow-up may be suspended.

Have another question?

Our intake team is available to guide you through your appointment and care process.

Book an appointment online Email us