Therapy in Paris is either reimbursed through a state scheme or paid for privately. France reimburses through one specific scheme, and only the psychologists who have joined it can bill, so whether you get money back depends on which therapist you choose.
The scheme is called Mon soutien psy. It covers 12 sessions per calendar year with a participating psychologist, each billed at €50, of which Assurance Maladie reimburses 60%. A mutuelle, the top-up insurance most residents hold, usually covers the remaining 40%. Since June 2024 you can arrange it directly, without a referral from a doctor.
A claim for a therapist outside the scheme will be refused. Scheme membership and qualification are separate things: a psychologue can hold full state registration and years of experience and still sit outside it, in which case you pay for sessions privately.
Professional titles in France are partly regulated. Psychologue and psychothérapeute are protected and require registration. Psychopraticien and coach aren't regulated. A psychiatre is a medical doctor, can prescribe medication, and is reimbursed through the ordinary medical pathway.
The public system also includes centres médico-psychologiques, or CMPs, which are free clinics with multidisciplinary teams. Access works by catchment area, so typically you can only be seen by the CMP that covers your address.
On It's Complicated you can choose any therapist in Paris, whatever their scheme status and wherever in the city you live. You contact them directly, choose by language, approach and rate, and start as soon as you both can.
.png)
.JPG)
