FAQ

Is psychotherapy right for me?

No matter what your concerns are, if you feel you cannot cope with your current life situation, call to get help.

How long does each session last?

The first individual session lasts 55 minutes (90 minutes for couples). It helps me to understand your situation and evaluate what we can do together. This initial meeting will be your opportunity to evaluate whether you feel comfortable discussing personal issues with me.

If we decide to work together, the following sessions will typically last 45 minutes for individual patients I see once a week, 60 minutes for individual patients I see less often and 90 minutes for couples.

How often do we meet?

For individual therapy, we usually meet weekly.

For couple counseling, we usually meet once every two weeks. Once things are going better in your relationship, we meet less often (say, once every three weeks or once a month). 

How long will therapy take?

Therapy ends when you have learned to better deal with the difficulties in your life that brought you to my office. It’s impossible to determine the duration in advance. It all depends on your situation and what brings you to therapy.

What’s the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?

A psychiatrist and a clinical psychologist are both professionals trained in mental health.

In France, psychologists are required to have completed a Master Degree in Psychology (sometimes called DESS or DEA). They may but are not required to hold a PhD.

A psychiatrist is a physician (MD), specialized in psychiatry. Only psychiatrists can prescribe medication. The fees for appointments with psychiatrists may be covered, in part or in full, under the French national health insurance system (Sécurité Sociale).

How much do you charge?

I charge 90€ for a 50-minute session, 110€ for a 60-minute session, and 180€ for a 90-minute session for couples. Payment is due at the end of every session, unless it has been agreed otherwise. You may pay in cash or by personal check.

I have a sliding scale for students paying for their own therapy and keep six slots open in my schedule for such patients.

Are therapy sessions refunded by the Securité Sociale and/or private insurances?

Therapy is not covered by the Sécurité Sociale. Private insurances such as French « mutuelles » may refund therapy in whole or in part. You should contact your insurance to check.

What if I am late?

If you arrive late to a scheduled appointment, it will still end at the scheduled end time and the whole session fee will be due.

What if I miss or cancel an appointment?

You are expected to provide a 48-hour notice for any cancellation. Any appointment that has not been cancelled within this time frame is due.

What is the ADELI number?

The ADELI number tells you that the practitioner is a registered Clinical Psychologist.