How to get free mental health support in France
People who live in France can have eight sessions with a psychologist which are fully reimbursed by the public healthcare system
If you are struggling with your mental health, you can have eight fully reimbursed sessions with a psychologist.
The MonPsy scheme has been in place since April 2022, and even allows people living in France to find a psychologist who speaks English.
It is open to those showing symptoms of ‘light to moderate’ anxiety or depression, tobacco, alcohol or cannabis abuse (excluding dependency), or eating disorders, unless they are serious.
Read more: French teenagers are less interested in alcohol, cannabis and tobacco
The first step
The first step is to make an appointment with your doctor.
They will refer you to a psychologist if they believe this could help and you do not require urgent care.
They will provide you with a courrier d’adressage, a referral letter valid for six months that you must show to the psychologist.
You can find a professional via the directory at monpsy.sante.gouv.fr.
The psychologists listed have all applied to the programme, been selected by a committee of experts according to criteria including training and experience, and signed an agreement with the Assurance Maladie.
The listings include a section titled Autre(s) langue(s) if they speak another language.
To find one who speaks English, use your browser’s search function (Ctrl+F) and search for anglais.
While the first session must be in person, certain psychologists also offer remote sessions for subsequent appointments.
This first visit will involve an evaluation, and up to eight further sessions will be reimbursed.
It is also possible to switch to a different professional midway through the programme if you wish.
How costs work
The first visit costs €40, and the rest €30, but 60% is reimbursed by your public health insurance and the rest can be covered by your mutuelle.
You will receive a treatment form at the end of each session that you must send to your CPAM to request reimbursement after paying for the sessions upfront.
There will be nothing to pay upfront if your treatment is related to a long-term illness, a pregnancy (from the sixth month), or a work-related injury or illness, or if you are signed up to the complémentaire santé solidaire, aimed at low-income groups.
The scheme is also open to children from the age of three, who must have parental consent.
Criticisms
The MonPsy programme has been criticised by psychologists, who say they usually charge twice the price set by the government and have expressed fears that patients will stop coming after the eighth session since they would have to pay, even if they require continuing treatment.
As a result, many psychologists have not signed up to the scheme, although by the end of last year, 2,080 had been approved and added to the online directory.
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