Famous Swiss Psychiatrists

Widely regarded as the father of analytical psychology, Carl Jung is one of the most important contributors to symbolization and dream analysis. The concepts of socionics and a popular psychometric instrument called Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) were developed from Jung's theory. Apart from working as a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, Carl Jung was also an artist, craftsman, builder, and prolific writer.

Remembered for inventing the inkblot test to uncover the hidden traits of a subject’s personality, known as the Rorschach test, Swiss psychiatrist Hermann Rorschach was born to an art teacher in Zürich and had thus wished to be an artist initially. His Rorschach test was later criticized for its subjectivity.

Twentieth-century Existentialist Karl Jaspers had initially followed in his father’s footsteps to study law, but had then switched to medicine. One of the pioneers of clinical psychiatry, he applied phenomenology to study mental illnesses and also developed psychopathological research. He was highly influenced by Immanuel Kant’s ideas.

Though a qualified psychiatrist and a lecturer of hypnosis, Bertrand Piccard is better known as an aviator. The son of oceanographer Jacques Piccard and the grandson of explorer Auguste Piccard, Bertrand completed the first solar-powered flight and the first non-stop balloon trip around the world.

Known for his application of the concepts of phenomenology to psychotherapy, psychiatrist Ludwig Binswanger was a pioneering figure in the field of existential psychology. He had been a close associate and follower of Sigmund Freud since his early days and later penned Sigmund Freud: Reminiscences of a Friendship.

Swiss-born American psychiatrist Adolf Meyer is best remembered for introducing the concept of ergasiology, or psychobiology. Not only was he associated with the Johns Hopkins Hospital throughout his life, but he also led the American Psychiatric Association as its president. He was also a pioneering figure in occupational therapy.

Renowned Swiss neuroanatomist and psychiatrist Auguste Forel is known for his lifelong research on the human brain structure. He also devoted himself to social causes, such as the prevention of alcoholism. His early interest in insects led him to study the psychology of ants, too.

Known for his pioneering work in the fields of child and educational psychology, Édouard Claparède was also the co-founder of the journal Archives de psychologie. A professor at the University of Geneva, too, he also conducted research on animal psychology and the biological theory of sleep.

Better known as Albert Einstein’s second son, Eduard Einstein initially showed a lot of promise in music but was a sickly child. He later studied medicine and explored psychiatry but was himself affected by schizophrenia by his early 20s. He lost much of his speech and cognitive abilities due to electroconvulsive therapy.