Switzerland
Switzerland is an intriguing and multifaceted nation, characterized by its four linguistic regions and 26 cantons, all organized within a Confederation.
This cultural diversity and the decentralized political system lead to a wide range of practices and implementations in the field of Pychomotricity.
Professional Framework in Switzerland
In Switzerland, Psychomotor therapy is incorporated into the educational legislation across all cantons and is recognized as a measure within the framework of specialized pedagogy.
The professional title is
Thérapeute en psychomotricité diplomé·e (CDIP)
Dipl. Psychomotoriktherapeut:in (EDK)
The profession is
recognized
The profession is recognized as such by state health and educational authorities, as well as private institutions and insurance companies.
protected
The title of psychomotrician /psychomotor therapist is protected and reserved for holders of recognized diplomas.
state-regulated
State-regulated means that the education in that country is organized and supervised by the state.
Educationin Switzerland
In Switzerland, two diplomas are approved in order to obtain the title “Thérapeute en psychomotricité diplomé(e) (CDIP) / Dipl. Psychomotoriktherapeut:in (EDK)”.
In Switzerland, psychomotor therapists have access to some postgraduate university degree, under each university conditions. One is specifically dedicated to the field of Psychomotricity.
Master of Arts in Psychomotor Therapy
90 ECTS
German
Zurich – HfH, University of Teacher Education in Special Needs
This degree program is a consecutive Master’s degree, not a Master’s degree with professional qualification. To obtain the professional qualification, the Bachelor’s degree with 180 ECTS must first be completed.
In Switzerland, it is important to distinguish between a profession-qualifying Master’s degree and a consecutive Master’s degree. A professional Master’s degree, such as the one offered in Geneva, must include 120 ECTS credits in accordance with national regulations.
Working
in Switzerland
Get your diploma recognition
In Switzerland, since the entry into force of the CH-EU agreement on the free movement of persons, the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education Application is responsible for recognition of qualifications in psychomotor therapy obtained abroad.
Examinations are carried out in accordance with the principles set out in Directive 2005/36/EC, the minimum requirements included in the Swiss regulations on Recognition, and the judgements of the European Court of Justice. If substantial differences exist between the two training courses, recognition can generally only be granted after the successful completion of “compensation measure.
Holders of a diploma from a non-EU country can also apply for recognition. Examinations of their qualifications are generally carried out in accordance with the minimum requirements stipulated in the Swiss regulations on recognition.
Get to know the professional association
Psychomotorik Schweiz – Psychomotricité Suisse – Psicomotricità Svizzera
is the Swiss professional association for qualified psychomotor therapists, with about 1000 members across the country.
Psychomotricity
in Switzerland
Led by Dr. de Ajuriaguerra and Mrs Bonnet-Hirch, Naville, Solioz-de Pourtalès, and Rothpletz-Oppikofer, Psychomotricity in Switzerland developed through the establishment of the first educational programs in Geneva and later in Zurich, shaping the field’s methodology and practice.
Nowadays, Psychomotricity is considered as a special educational measure in the same way as speech therapy.
Turning points
1959
Pioneer figures
Professor Julian de Ajuriaguerra takes over the chair of psychiatry at the University of Geneva and the direction of the university psychiatric clinic. Coming from the Henri Roussel laboratory in Paris, working closely with Giselle Soubiran, he conductes numerous studies on the indications for psychomotor rehabilitation and tonic dialogue.
1962-1964 – Thérèse Bonnet-Hirch, Suzanne Naville, Vanessa Solioz-de Pourtalès, and Renate Rothpletz-Oppikofer use the body, movement, rhythm, and music as mediators in their interventions. These women, immersed in De Ajuriaguerra’s contributions and his bio-psycho-social vision, conceptualize a methodology for psychomotricity and collaborated closely with him to set up a training program.
1964
First official education
The first official education in psychomotricity is established in Geneva, and the first diplomas were awarded in 1966. The psychomotricity education is integrated into the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences at the University of Geneva from 1977 to 1995.
1970 – A second education program in psychomotor therapy is created by Suzanne Naville at the Heilpädagogisches Seminar, now Hochschule für Heilpädagogik (HfH).
1972
Creation of the professional association
The Swiss Association of Psychomotor Therapists (ASTP) is founded by 34 therapists in Geneva.
1978 – The association gaines national scope after integrating the German-speaking part of Switzerland.
2013 – ASTP becomes Psychomotorik Schweiz- Psychomotricité Suisse-Psicomotricità Svizzera.
1996
European Forum of Psychomotricity
The European Forum of Psychomotricity (EFP) is created,
with Switzerland as a founding member, represented by Vreni Gutzwiller.
Since 1995
More and more recognition
1995 – The diploma is awarded by the Instutes for Social Studies (IES) and the training takes place every year, instead of every 3 years when it was part of the University.
2000 – The CDIP/EDK established Swiss recognition regulations, which both training programs have regularly obtained.
2007 – The degree becomes Bachelor.
2019 – The training becomes a Master’s dregree in Geneva, while the Bachelor’s degree from Zurich remains accredited in the German speaking part.
FAQ
Here are few answers to frequently asked questions
in order to understand better Psychomotricity in Switzerland.
Get to know more about Psychomotricity in Switzerland
