Well-being | 5.2.2026
Do you tend to overthink or often feel low or anxious? Mental health struggles are on the rise, but in-person therapy can be hard to access with long waits common. Online psychotherapy can be a good and equally effective alternative that enables you to start treatment sooner. We look at whether online therapy can help, the options available and what health insurance covers.
Computer or app-based online psychotherapy involves programmes designed to support mental health and treat mental disorders. A therapist supports you during the one-to-one therapy over video call, chat or e-mail.
With web-based self-help programmes, also known as digital health applications (DiGA), you largely complete exercises yourself using an app. A specialist will assess whether the programme is suitable for you prior to you starting it. Depending on the model, consultations take place via chat or e-mail.
Many people are hesitant about seeking professional help for mental disorders. This can be due to various reasons, ranging from shame to apprehension about visiting a therapist. Online therapy offers multiple advantages in such cases. It can make starting therapy easier if you:
Online therapy is not suitable for people with serious mental disorders, alcohol and drug problems, depression or suicidal thoughts. In such cases, treatment may need to involve medication and even inpatient treatment, which is not possible with online therapy.
If you find yourself in an acute crisis, please phone the 24/7 crisis line on 143, where specialists will provide you with free, anonymous assistance.
In Switzerland, there are various providers of online psychological self-assessments, apps and online training courses, digital directory platforms and online therapy services. The Federation of Swiss Psychologists (FSP) provides a guide to help people find legitimate and high-quality services. We present some of these below.
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According to the Department of Psychology at the University of Zurich, numerous studies have shown that the effectiveness of online psychotherapy is similar to that of conventional psychotherapy. Online therapy is most effective when used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social phobia and panic disorders.
As a pioneer of online psychotherapy, Thomas Berger, Professor of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy at the University of Bern, has empirically proven the effectiveness of this form of therapy on multiple occasions. He found that the effectiveness of online programmes is similar to that of conventional psychotherapy as long as a specialist is involved. He believes that blended therapies, which combine in-person sessions with online tools, have a particularly promising future.
Pulse supplementary outpatient insurance from KPT focuses on the early detection and prevention of health risks. It provides you with a comprehensive range of benefits and cost contributions that go beyond those offered by basic health insurance, including contributions towards digital psychological services, cardiovascular and other medical check-ups, cancer screening as well as the cost of medication, emergency rescue, treatments and visual aids. Pulse furthermore provides you with contributions towards fitness and sport activities that promote good health. It even includes travel and holiday insurance.
Well-being means different things to different people. With Pulse, you take charge of your health and decide what you really need.
Stefania Cortesi is a KPT product manager and passionately committed to the development of advanced health insurance products. She uses her extensive experience in product development, market analysis and trend monitoring to share valuable insights into the world of insurance solutions on our blog.
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Basic health insurance
Basic health insurance only covers the cost of psychotherapy subject to a diagnosis and a medical prescription. In some cases, registered psychotherapists can provide the therapy online.
Supplementary insurance
Supplementary insurance generally pays contributions towards online psychotherapy without a diagnosis as a form of early intervention or early detection. Payment depends on the psychotherapist’s training and the therapy programme selected.
Please contact your health insurer for advice on your individual situation.
Pulse supplementary outpatient insurance from KPT focuses on early detection and prevention. It provides you with benefits that go beyond those offered by basic health insurance, including contributions towards digital psychological services, check-ups, cancer screening, a wider range of medication, emergency rescue, glasses and/or laser vision correction. It also helps to subsidise fitness and sport activities, and comes with travel and holiday insurance included.
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In Switzerland, the HMO model is an alternative, cost-effective insurance model for basic health insurance. HMO stands for health maintenance organisation. With the HMO model, you choose a doctor from a doctors’ network to be your first point of contact. They may refer you to other specialists as and when necessary. An HMO model can also include group practices in which general practitioners, specialists and therapists collaborate to provide care.
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