Individually, as a couple, or as a family
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Systemic therapy considers your difficulties in the light of your relationships: family, couple, work, surroundings. It can be carried out individually, as a couple, or as a family, and seeks to help shift the patterns of interaction that maintain distress. At Almaval, it is offered by psychologists and doctors in our team, at our centres in French-speaking Switzerland and, depending on the therapist, via video.
Systemic therapy, or systemic psychotherapy, is based on a simple idea: no one lives in isolation. Everyone evolves within relational systems (family, couple, professional environment, social circle) that influence how they feel and act. A personal difficulty can thus also reflect interactions that have become rigid or painful.
The systemic approach in psychology does not look for someone “to blame”. It focuses on recurring relational patterns and the roles that each person plays, to help the system find a more functional way of operating. Sometimes a change in just one person is enough to shift the whole.
Depending on the situation, systemic therapy can take several forms:
The format is chosen with the therapist during the initial interview, and can evolve along the way.
Systemic therapy can be offered to children, adolescents, and adults, particularly for:
It is less suitable if you are primarily looking for introspection focused on yourself alone, without taking those around you into account: the psychodynamic therapy or person-centred approach may then be a better fit for you. The initial interview is precisely meant to discuss this.
You present, alone or with your loved ones, what brings you. The therapist seeks to understand the situation and the relationships involved, then together you agree on the format and the objectives.
The systemic therapist observes interactions and facilitates change, without acting as an expert holding the absolute truth. Everyone can express their difficulties in a confidential setting.
Depending on your needs, therapy relies on practical tools: genograms (reconstructing family history), reframing difficulties, circular questioning (each person shares how they perceive the others' relationships), role-playing, or tasks to try out between sessions.
Changes are reviewed regularly with you. The duration and frequency depend on the situation and the number of people involved.
Psychologists and physicians at Almaval who practice systemic therapy. Their locations, languages, age groups seen, and acceptance of new patients are updated continuously.
Almaval is an outpatient centre: consultations take place in our centres in French-speaking Switzerland and, for some psychotherapists, via video call. See systemic psychotherapists by location:
Related approaches: cognitive behavioural therapy, psychodynamic therapy, person-centred approach, psychology and psychotherapy, psychiatry.
Psychotherapy conducted by a psychiatrist is covered by the mandatory healthcare insurance (LAMal), under the usual deductible and co-payment conditions. Psychotherapy conducted by a psychologist-psychotherapist is reimbursed by basic insurance upon medical prescription (prescription model, in force since 1st July 2022). For couples or family therapy, coverage conditions may differ: please ask when making your request. To find out how to obtain a prescription, see Finding the right help.
It is a psychotherapy that addresses a person's difficulties by taking into account the relational systems they are part of (family, couple, work) and seeks to evolve the interactions that maintain distress.
No. Systemic therapy can also be individual. The format (alone, as a couple, as a family) is decided with the therapist and can change during the course of the treatment.
A psychologist trained in the systemic approach. They observe interactions and help facilitate change, without assigning blame.
It is a graphical representation of the family across several generations. It helps identify relationships, significant events, and recurring patterns.
This depends on the situation and the number of people involved. Changes are reviewed regularly with the therapist.
Yes, under the LAMal: directly when therapy is conducted by a psychiatrist, and on medical prescription when conducted by a psychologist-psychotherapist. The deductible and co-payment apply. For couples or family therapy, please ask when submitting your request.
Almaval is an outpatient mental health centre in French-speaking Switzerland, without inpatient care. Psychotherapists welcome individuals, couples, and families in Crissier, Morges, Lausanne, Vevey, and Geneva.
Fill in the appointment request form specifying whether this is an individual, couple or family request: you can choose an available therapist or ask to be guided by our secretariat.
Patient or relative
You can choose an available therapist, or ask to be guided by our secretariat.
Physician or healthcare professional
To refer a patient, a couple, or a family for systemic therapy, the dedicated page brings together useful documents, the prescription, and timeframes.
In case of emergency or crisis, consult the page Crisis Reception Service or call 144.
