Author: Claudia M. Elsig, MD
Mental health problems don’t discriminate. Ultra-wealthy people can experience mental health problems just like anyone else across the socioeconomic spectrum, from addictive behaviours to mental illnesses like depression, borderline personality disorder or bipolar disorder.
In addition, wealthy people experience a unique set of mental health challenges. Loneliness and trust are often exacerbated in the super-rich compared to the average person.1 Most people who grow up in a very rich world face challenges unique to billionaire environments, such as pressure to succeed and stay rich and childhood traumas from experiences like being sent to boarding school at a young age.
UHNWIs also experience stigma, shame, and isolation regarding mental health, which is particularly heightened due to being in the public eye, having celebrity status, or being at the helm of multinational corporations or governments.
Accessing proper treatment in the private sector can be difficult. The super-wealthy have access to the best doctors and clinics in the world, but they can fall prey to experimental and unregulated treatments. The most expensive clinic in the world isn’t necessarily the best.
There are many discreet specialist clinics for the ultra-rich, but nothing is joined up like in the more conventional medical routes. For example, a private plastic surgery clinic may not offer specialist mental health support.
High-profile wealthy people also find it hard to reach out for help. Affluent people face the same negativity and shame around mental health as anyone else.
With these issues in mind, this blog explains why CALDA Clinic only treats one client at a time.
The importance of privacy and trust in mental health treatment
Trust is the most crucial ingredient in developing and maintaining well-functioning relationships.2
It is also fundamental in the patient-clinician relationship, particularly during psychotherapeutic treatment. Research shows the “level of patient trust in the therapist may be critical to working through ruptures in the therapeutic relationship.3”
Yet, many ultra-wealthy people struggle to forge friendships and have developed severe trust issues. There is often a huge worry that people are only befriending them for their wealth, and a suspicion develops early on in life, which prevents the growth of meaningful connections.
Also, constant scrutiny drives social isolation for those in the public eye.
Children in very wealthy families are often cared for by nannies and sent away to boarding school at a young age. This care pattern reinforces attachment difficulties.
The mental health issues of UHNWIs are complex. Difficulties forming attachments have longstanding consequences. In adulthood, social engagements amongst the super-rich often become superficial or work-related, which makes it challenging to create genuine relationships and further drives a vicious circle of dissatisfaction, mistrust, and emptiness.
Because trust issues are often a deep thread within the mental health problems of the ultra-wealthy, a treatment centre must be able to provide 100 per cent confidentiality and discretion. Intensive daily psychotherapy sessions with a professional psychotherapist are critical. The psychotherapist should be experienced in the unique mental health challenges faced by UHNWIs.
Privacy is one of the overriding considerations at CALDA Clinic. We understand the unique position of UHNWIs and the need for absolute privacy for people in high-profile positions. As a private clinic for self-payers, CALDA only treats one client at a time, so absolute discretion and confidentiality are guaranteed.
Many prestigious clinics worldwide offer mental health treatment programs to the upper echelons of society. Most treat a few clients at a time and run strict schedules to ensure guests don’t bump into one another. CALDA is one of the few esteemed mental health recovery clinics that recognise the importance of privacy in its treatment outcomes.
Dr Claudia M. Elsig, Founder and Medical Director at CALDA Clinic, is globally respected for her specialist knowledge in the treatment of addictions, trauma and the complex mental health conditions of UHNWIs.
She has over 30 years of experience in psychiatric and psychotherapeutic medicine and understands the need for integrative treatment for psychological diseases. She developed the CALDA Concept in 2004 and is now a highly sought-after, award-winning psychotherapist, referee, and trainer.
The importance of a personalised and integrative treatment plan
Everybody’s journey with mental health is different. Personalising care plans, therefore, makes sense. Personalised medicine is making great strides in treating many physical disorders, such as cancer and rare genetic disorders, by leveraging advances in genomics.4
In mental health, the benefits of tailoring care and treatment to a person’s needs are also recognised.5 In complex mental illness and long-term mental health conditions where comorbidity exists (more than one diagnosis), a person-centred, tailored approach promises the best outcomes.
Recognising that our bodies and minds are not separate is also vital. Mental health can affect the body, both directly and through lifestyle choices. Likewise, mental health problems, like depression, can come from physical complaints, like headaches, pain, insomnia, digestive issues, etc.
The CALDA Concept is a holistic treatment approach drawing on multiple disciplines. It includes innovative treatment strategies, comprehensive interdisciplinary diagnostics and integrative medicine. The focus is on the consistent personalisation of medical care and individual therapy programs.
By treating one client at a time, CALDA can optimise the outcomes of its individualised and carefully curated programs.
The importance of flexibility in a treatment plan
The treatment of complex mental health problems needs careful consideration, and the right elements of a treatment plan must be implemented at the right time. At CALDA, we specialise in personalised treatment plans for mental health recovery. Every aspect of a person’s health is carefully measured and tested to ensure psychological and physical health are supported throughout treatment to achieve the optimal outcome.
While plans are developed using the latest diagnostics and specialist medical advice, the path to mental wellness can be difficult to predict. At CALDA, we carefully monitor progress every step of the way. Because we only treat one client at a time, we can flex the treatment program to include specific adjunct treatments as the need arises. If a person requires additional physical therapies or extra psychotherapy sessions, this can be accommodated.
Conversely, in treatment centres where several clients are being treated at one time, tight scheduling makes any flexibility in the treatment plan much more difficult, especially if a person is insistent on seeing a specific practitioner.
At CALDA, a team of up to 18 doctors, therapists and specialists are focused on treating one client throughout their stay.
Why a home-from-home environment matters
Undergoing treatment for longstanding complex mental health conditions can be bewildering, especially, as is usually the case, if the person is required to stay at a treatment centre for several weeks. Plunging into an unfamiliar environment can have a negative impact and cause unnecessary stress.
Again, at CALDA, we prefer to treat one client at a time so we can ensure the focus and high attention to detail are on one person. Our exclusive residencies are in a quiet location overlooking Lake Zurich. Spacious and peaceful with divine views, we support clients to feel at home with a personal service team, including a butler, chef, live-in psychologist, and limousine service with a chauffeur.
Every aspect of living has been carefully considered to ensure our UHNWI clients feel comfortable and supported during their stay with us. We have seen that a pleasant stay benefits compliance with the therapeutic program and speeds up healing. Exceptional focus on a client can be achieved consistently when we have one person staying with us at a time.
How client preferences affect treatment outcomes
At CALDA, we involve our clients from the outset. We listen. Research shows that listening to patient preferences and accommodating them when making mental health care decisions can enhance treatment experiences and improve treatment outcomes.6
All our rehabilitation programs are individually tailored to support the interests of the client. A range of alternative and complementary therapies, from art and creative therapy to voice therapy, equine-assisted therapy, meditation, tango dancing, yoga, etc., are proven as successful treatment elements and are built into programs according to individual preferences.
Treating one client at a time, we can ensure the team and program is built around the client’s preferences and needs.
Find out more about CALDA
Absolute discretion, trust, and humanity are our priorities. To learn more about our programs, please contact us. We will be happy to provide you with information and explain the next steps.
References/Sources:
- Simon-Thomas, ER. 01Jun2016. Are the Rich More Lonely? Greater Good Magazine. [Accessed online 15Apr2024]
- Kruglanski, AW & Tory Higgins, E (ed). 2007. Social Psychology Handbook of Basic Principles. The Guildford Press.
- Crits-Christoph P, et al. 30Dec2019. Trust and respect in the patient-clinician relationship: preliminary development of a new scale. BMC Psychol. 2019 Dec 30;7(1):91.
- Nature Mental Health. 06Sept2023. The right treatment for each patient: unlocking the potential of personalised psychiatry. Nat. Mental Health 1, 607–608 (2023).
- Boardman J, Dave S. Aug 2020. Person-centred care and psychiatry: some key perspectives. BJPsych Int. 2020 Aug;17(3):65-68.
- Swift JK, et al. Oct 2021. The importance of listening to patient preferences when making mental health care decisions. World Psychiatry. 2021 Oct;20(3).