Children & Adolescents

Psychotherapy

Children and young people with psychological stress

We welcome adolescents with psychological stress, from all social backgrounds, with or without physical illnesses or disabilities.

In addition to systemic psychotherapy, our services are also geared towards the individual needs of the environment (family, school, etc.).

Thanks to donations, we also offer free or reduced-cost therapy places for children and young people with restrictions in financial emergencies and when state funding is insufficient.

Reasons for psychotherapeutic treatment

Spielzeit: Being cared for in an appreciative environment.

Individual appreciation

Our therapy concept is integrative. It follows the principle of social tolerance and the appreciation of every young person in their uniqueness. By accepting physical and mental differences without judgment, adolescents find recognition and experience encounters in which not only purpose and performance count.

The aim of our work is to support mental health and integration into society in order to improve the quality of life of all those affected.

Alternative form of therapy “Spielzeit method”

Children and adolescents with serious illnesses or disabilities are treated by us using the “playtime method” and, if necessary, by a therapy team of two psychologists, depending on the reason for treatment. This therapy concept is an alternative form of psychotherapy developed by Robin Mindell over many years, which has proven to be exceptionally helpful and effective in certain circumstances.

The costs for this form of therapy are partly covered by insurers and partly by donations.

Group therapy for young people aged 12 and over

This offer is currently paused until further notice!

For adolescents aged 12 and over with a chronic illness and/or disability, we have created a supervised space for encounters and shared experiences. Participants can help shape the program, find solutions together and gain experience together: We cook, discuss, exercise, laugh and play.

The group therapies take place every 14 days on Monday from 17.30 to 19.00. For further information, taster sessions and registration, please contact: admin@spielzeit.ch.

Clarification/diagnostics

Independent school clarifications

We offer various independent clarifications and consultations as part of a school- or work-related assessment of the performance and motivation of children and young adults.

Clarifications and advice offered

Consulting

Consultations also by phone and live chat

Our psychotherapists are available for 60-minute short counseling appointments for psychological questions and acute emergencies. These appointments are limited and will be arranged with you personally by our secretariat.

For families of children with serious illnesses or disabilities, counseling can be provided partly free of charge. For all other parents, the normal fees will be charged.

We will be happy to provide you with further information at admin@spielzeit.ch

Parental counseling for conspicuous behavior

Does your child have special needs? Does the child exhibit conspicuous behavior at home and at school? Was it born with a disability or illness? Do you feel that your current parenting methods are not enough to meet the needs of your child and your family? We will be happy to provide you with information, work with you to find alternative ways and show you educational options.

Intervention in cases of violence and aggression

When young people no longer know what to do, aggression, escalation of violence and oppositional behavior occur. These destructive actions not only harm those affected, but also their entire environment. Our Spielzeit team specializes in working with families and schools to find ways out of destructive circles. Concrete and established intervention measures ultimately lead to an improved quality of life for everyone involved.

Family perspectives on divorce and separation

In Switzerland, around 15,000 children are affected by divorce every year. Divorce or separation of the parents increases the emotional strain on many children. This often manifests itself in a lack of interest in school, a drop in performance or feelings of guilt. With targeted help, most children can learn to cope with the divorce situation and develop a new family perspective. We support children, parents and single parents before, during or after a separation or divorce.

Autism spectrum

Living with neurodiversity

When people have a neurobiological characteristic such as autism or AD(H)S, we now speak of neurodiverse people. The other group – those without these characteristics – are referred to as neurotypical.§

The autism spectrum is currently one of the most underestimated neurotypes. This is because autism can hardly be seen in a person and is often difficult to grasp. Unfortunately, this often leads to misunderstandings and misjudgements by professionals, which can cause great suffering for families and those affected.

We advise families and professionals on the assessment, education and supportive treatment of people on the autism spectrum in order to guarantee the most positive child development possible.

If you are interested, please contact us at admin@spielzeit.ch or fill out the contact form .

Integrated special education

Was your child born with a serious illness or a physical or mental impairment? Before your child starts kindergarten or elementary school, the question arises as to what educational opportunities are available to them.

Special education schools are available for children with disabilities who are dependent on a special, segregated, protected space or who learn better in a distinctly special educational environment.

Cooperation

Know-how transfer within the team and interdisciplinary collaboration

All services provided by our psychologists for families with disabilities and illnesses are supervised and professionally aligned with the head of the department in accordance with the dual control principle. This ensures that the data and experience systematically collected over the past decades, which form the basis for specialized concerns, are available to the entire team.

We also work very closely with teachers, parents’ associations, doctors, psychiatrists, authorities and specialist agencies such as the school psychology services of the city and canton of Zurich, the child psychiatry services and departments of the Zurich Children’s Hospital and the special education schools.

The internships of Spielzeit are recognized by Swiss universities and universities of applied sciences.

Costs

Billing models for psychotherapy and counseling

Different billing models

Depending on the therapist and the child’s situation, psychotherapeutic services may be (co-)covered by basic health insurance, supplementary insurance, disability insurance, the Department of Education, through a therapy sponsorship or by the client themselves.

If the state does not cover the costs, we also offer free or reduced-cost therapy places under certain conditions for children and adolescents with severe stress.

Please note our billing models or contact us for further information at admin@spielzeit.ch.

Please clarify your insurance cover or financial possibilities before making an inquiry or registering with Spielzeit. If parents make use of therapy, assessment or counseling for their child without prior cost approval from an insurance company or our sponsoring foundation, they will bear the costs themselves in the event of a subsequent refusal to cover the costs.