An employer, cofounder, board member, chief of staff, executive assistant, or trusted colleague may notice that someone needs help before the person asks for it. You can help them explore treatment, reduce practical barriers, and clarify next steps while keeping their health decisions and confidential information separate from business interests.
This page explains how to begin a discussion with THE BALANCE about another adult. For the person’s own treatment considerations, see Private Treatment for CEOs, Founders and Business Leaders.
Start with a private, factual conversation
Describe what you have noticed and ask what support would be useful. For example: “You seem exhausted and have said you are struggling. Would you like help arranging an assessment?” You do not need to diagnose the person or secure their agreement to a particular treatment before asking general questions.
Avoid using colleagues, investors, or board members as a pressure group. A business role, concern about performance, or an offer to pay does not by itself give authority to make health decisions for another adult.
If there is immediate danger, suspected overdose, severe withdrawal, acute confusion, or medical instability, contact local emergency or hospital services. Do not wait for an admissions response or arrange an international journey in place of urgent local care.
Begin an initial admissions discussion
Call +41 44 500 5111 or email admissions@thebalance.clinic to request an initial discussion. State your role and ask how to proceed. Contact can begin before the prospective client has agreed to admission; it does not authorize treatment or unrestricted disclosure of information.
For the first contact, provide only the information needed to explain the concern and arrange a conversation. Ask admissions to confirm the appropriate process before sending medical records or detailed personal information.
Prepare information that helps assess suitability
- The person’s current location and the reason help is being sought now.
- Specific changes or concerns, including any immediate safety or medical issue.
- Whether the person knows about the inquiry and what involvement they want.
- Existing treating professionals who could contribute with appropriate authorization.
- Practical constraints such as language, dependents, essential work, travel, and funding.
The clinical team needs to assess whether the proposed setting can meet the person’s needs. An inquiry, available funding, or a preferred arrival date does not establish acceptance. Review Program Suitability and Entry Criteria and How Admission Works.
Agree consent, confidentiality, and each person’s role
Identify the prospective client, clinical contacts, practical coordinator, and payer separately. The client may want an assistant to organize travel while keeping treatment discussions private. Permission for scheduling or invoices does not imply permission to disclose diagnoses, therapy content, medication, or clinical progress.
Agree who may receive which information, for what purpose, and how permissions can be reviewed. An employer or sponsor does not automatically receive confirmation of attendance or clinical updates. Consent, capacity, safeguarding, and applicable legal requirements govern the arrangement. See Privacy, Discretion and Security.
Keep funding and work arrangements explicit
If a business or another party is funding care, clarify the contracting party, invoices, spending authority, additional costs, and cancellation or extension terms. The Program Fee and What Is Included page supports that discussion. Financial support does not confer clinical authority.
Essential work contact, devices, visitors, and meetings need to be considered with the treatment plan. Read Working During Treatment before promising continued availability. Employment decisions, occupational health assessments, and fitness-for-work documentation require separate clarification with the relevant professionals; they should not be assumed to form part of a treatment inquiry.
Coordinate with clinicians, family offices, and trusted people
A treating clinician can use For Referring Professionals to discuss clinical suitability, records, responsibility, and handover. A family office or private adviser can use the international treatment referral guide to organize practical responsibilities.
If you are also a friend or relative, the family and loved-ones guide explains supportive involvement and boundaries. When the person declines treatment, seek advice about a safe next step rather than using funding, employment, or disclosure as pressure.
Confirm the next step before making arrangements
Ask who will assess the inquiry, what information is needed, and how the prospective client and any authorized professionals will participate. Confirm suitability, consent, funding, and practical arrangements before committing to travel or admission.
Full programs are available in English, German, and Spanish. Assessments are also available in Arabic, French, and Italian. Confirm the language needed for the proposed care; a translated website does not establish that a full program is delivered in that language.
