DAVID SCHIESHER

Relationship-based Psychological Counseling and Couples Therapy
I am an American Clinical Social Worker practicing individual and couples therapy in Geneva, Switzerland with English-speaking adults and adolescents since 2006. I offer both in-person sessions in my office or teletherapy (online therapy via Zoom)

The therapeutic relationship is the factor which has been shown to best determine the effectiveness of treatment in talk therapy. Therefore, when seeking a therapist to suit you, it would be best to find a therapist with whom you can well connect. In most cases, you won’t sense this until your first face-to-face session. But to assist you in knowing who I am, I offer you the following descriptions of my professional training and experience. More information is available on my WEBSITE.

Professional and Academic Training
I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology at the University of Notre Dame in 1980. I earned my Master of Social Work degree from Rutgers University in 1985. I was licensed in Minnesota, USA as a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) in 1989 and as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in 2003.

I completed my certification in Hakomi, a mindfulness-based somatic therapy in February 2021 and I am currently in the certification track of the Gottman Method couples therapy. Additionally, I completed a 5-day training in EMDR in May 2021.

Diverse Work Experience
I have worked with adolescents in residential psychiatric treatment, with frail elderly in a nursing home, with developmentally disabled adults in a group home, with orphaned and unaccompanied refugee children in foster families, with learning disabled middle school children, with refugees in Albania, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Bangladesh and with internally displaced persons in Indonesia after the tsunami of 2004. Since 2006 I have worked in my private practice with a wide variety of individuals and couples

Therapeutic Orientation
I focus on the particular needs and issues that clients bring to me and after the initial assessment we decide which mode of therapy may be best for them. Based on their situation, issues, age, personality, and therapy style preference, we design a unique treatment plan drawing from an array of therapy models.

I use a mix of Hakomi, Cognitive Behavioural, Psychodynamic, Person-Centered and the Gottman Method for my work with couples. My holistic approach deals with the health of the person's body, mind and spirit together as one integrated whole.

Therapeutic Techniques
I have training in EMDR, Hypnosis and the Energy Psychology methods of Thought Field Therapy and Emotional Freedom Technique (aka Tapping). I have 11 years of experience with breath work, energy work in natural surroundings and guided imagery.

Psychotherapy Services Offered
Therapy for individuals, couples, and families dealing with:

• Stress, Anxiety, Phobias
• Depression and Grief
• Insomnia
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
• Isolation and Loneliness
• Addictive Behaviours
• Relationship Issues
• Parenting Issues (divorce, blended families)
• Adjustments to Changes
• School problems and learning disorders

Fees For Services
For a 60 minute session, I charge 160 CHF for the first session. A sliding fee scale then applies starting with the second session. More information can be found in my Professional Services Agreement. A free telephone consultation before the initial assessment session is available to ask any questions you may have about our suitability of working together.