Absolute discretion, trust and humanity take first priority with CALDA Clinic, specialised in rehabilitation programs for mental health
An exclusive Zurich facility is taking a unique approach to psychological treatment and recovery.
Dr Claudia Elsig, founder and owner of the CALDA Clinic, cuts an elegant yet business-like figure, projecting the confidence and sophistication of the European cultured classes, together with the intellectual earnestness of a learned medical researcher.
Immaculately dressed in smartly tailored designer couture, Dr Elsig’s appearance hints at a spiritual side through her ornamentation, a 2,000-year-old Egyptian scarab necklace bought in Paris. Trained in Zurich and with over 20 years of experience in psychiatry and psychotherapeutics, she speaks in precise English – though she is equally comfortable in German or French.
The luxuriously furnished surroundings of CALDA Clinic in Herrliberg and Uetikon am See have an exclusive view of the north-eastern ‘gold coast’ of the Lake of Zurich, so named because it bathes in the evening sun - the south-western slopes of the Pfannenstiel mountain are given over to wine growing. But the area also deserves the appellation for its low tax-rates and high property prices.
Health and wealth
A few kilometres away, served by motorway and lake ferry, is the Swiss capital, Zurich, famous for its National Museum, Kunsthaus Art Museum, and Schauspielhaus theatre, as well as for its world-renowned financial services.
So, the setting of the CALDA Clinic – though its precise location is a closely-guarded secret for reasons of security and confidentiality – is ideal for the treatment of high net worth individuals who are used to the best of everything, including medical resources. “We specialize in personalities from business, politics, art, showbiz, nobility. In the banking business one speaks of UHNWI’s (Ultra High Net Worth Individuals)” she explains. “Most commonly, we treat addiction (mostly multi-substance abuse), post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, burnout, chronic stress. But eating disorders (especially bulimia) and borderline personality disorder are also part of our competence. Incidentally, in depression we have developed a special program for postpartum depression where mothers can take their babies with them. That's very important to us.”, explains doctor Elsig.
Trauma and treatment
Dr Elsig’s favourite painting – by Singaporean art collective Kittozutto – shows the subject peeling away a face mask to revealed a beautiful, feathered visage beneath. For the Doctor, this is a perfect metaphor for her Clinic’s treatment, where mental trauma, often resulting from childhood experiences, is brought to light and resolved.
The CALDA technique de-emphasises reliance on psychotropic drugs, replacing them where possible with carefully managed micronutrients.
The therapeutic programme comprises six to eight hours per day, seven days per week, under the supervision of a personal lifestyle and diet coach, and includes intensive psychotherapy.
Also employed are ‘alternative’ therapies. Dr Elsig says: “As proponents of integrative medicine, we extend our spectrum of measures by proven and successful ‘alternative’ techniques such as acupuncture, yoga, voice therapy, art and creativity therapy, meditation and mindfulness, even tango therapy classes and horse assited therapy.”
As the CALDA Clinic’s UHNW patients would expect, treatment is conducted in surroundings of comfort and luxury, with a personal service team consisting of a Client Service Director, an interpreter, a butler who cares for the client around the clock, a Haute Cuisine chef, and a chauffeur with limousine available at any time.
Unsurprisingly, the CALDA Full Program is not inexpensive, with a four-week course of treatment typically costing from € 290,000, not including external hotel costs, medical services by third-party institutes and post-treatment programmes.
