Pernette Steffen

After completing my Master’s in Clinical Psychology, I have undertaken continuous postgraduate training in a wide range of psychotherapeutic approaches.
In my current practice, I integrate different aspects of my training - systemic therapy, solution-focused therapy, psychotraumatology (EMDR), symbolic creative expression, sensorimotor therapy - to take into account internal and relational functioning as a whole.

I am providing mainly psychotherapy,
aiming at identifying, defusing and transforming repetitive dysfunctional patterns in case of :

• relational issues within family, couple, professional and social environment
• Life crises that challenge dominant coping modes
• psychotrauma preventing the person, couple, family to move on
• self managment issues (difficulties in articulating rational mind, emotions, and bodily experience)

My clinical approach includes : 

• Solution focused therapy, role play, as a way to :
  • disentangle external circumstances and personal issues
  •  explore options for change
• Systemic therapy, as a way to :
  • address conflict with close ones
  • identify and deconstruct toxic patterns as well as transgenerational conditioning
  • restore functionnal communication
• Symbolic expression, NLP, EMDR, Sensorimotor therapy, PITT, as a way to :
  • address inner conflict
  • explore old roots in the person's life history and/or trans-generationally 
  • activate self-healing mechanisms.
  • foster a constructive inner dynamic between rational mind, emotions and bodily experience.

Practical modalities :Consultation days: Geneva: Tuesdays all day and Wednesday morningsLeysin: Thursdays
Online consultations: Mostly Monday afternoons and Friday mornings, subject to at least one initial session in person.
I am sometimes quite busy, therefore follow up might also depend on how much our available time slots can match. Participation of significant others : To be discussed; required for minors or individuals dependent on close relatives.
Appointments: Please contact by email, providing your first name, surname, age, reason for your request, and available time slots.
Geneva: ps-psy.geneve@psysp.ch
Leysin: ps-psy.leysin@psysp.ch
Initial one to three sessions to assess core difficulties, to ensure alignment between the person’s expectations and the therapist’s approach, and to outline the therapeutic project.Financial conditions: LaMal rate upon medical prescription / 140.- per 50-minutes session. Fees are negotiable when therapy is fully self-funded.

I also provide : 

• Short term focused therapeutic intervention, usually in coordination with other therapist in charge of global therapy
• Prevention focused counseling  :
  • Preparation for new challenges (new job, increased responsibilities, public performance, exams, medical procedures, important meetings/interviews, parenting challenges, etc.)
  • individual and family life transition management 
  • pre/post humanitarian mission briefing / debriefing
• Supervision/mentoring of psychologists in psychotherapy training/early career (140.-/45 minutes, recognised for training in systemic therapy)
• Symbolic expression workshops using collage and drawing

Professional experience
Adult psychiatry: Internships at the Bel-Air Psychiatric Clinic (Geneva) and the Medical-Psychotherapeutic Consultation Centre in La Celle-St-Cloud (Paris region).
Clinical psychology and psychotherapy for children, adolescents and families: Neuchâtel Centre for Psychiatry, children and adolescents sector (CNPea) from 1986 to 2016.
Psychotherapy for adults : Private practice in Geneva since 1993
Mental health consultant for international organisations and companies, including Médecins Sans Frontières, United Nations Medical Service, and Procter & Gamble.
Humanitarian psychology/development aid :
Missions in Indonesia, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Palestine for various NGOs between 2005 and 2012
Supervision and mentoring:

• Supervision and mentoring of trainee psychologists at CNPea from 1999 to 2016
• Supervision of psychologists and psychosocial workers in private practice
• Mentor to psychologists training in systemic therapy at the Belmont Clinic since 2023