My psychology background makes it easier to consult a registered psychologist, eliminating the financial cost, which is often the reason why people suffering from mental distress do not go to a health professional who can help them. Despite the implementation of this system, difficulties in accessing psychological care remain, in particular the number of registered liberal psychologists and the awareness of general practitioners who must refer patients to them. To be able to benefit from this psychological support, this is the process to follow.
1. My psychological journey: replaced by My psychological support
As stated in the press release Psychological support: My psychological support, published by the My disability journey platform, My psychological journey has been replaced, since 2023, by an equivalent system called My psychological support. The desire does not change: it is to provide access to psychological care for everyone, regardless of income level, by eliminating the financial barrier. My psychological support is based on the same principles as My psychological journey: reimbursement for an assessment interview and one to seven consultations with a psychologist, provided that certain conditions are met. Reimbursement is made by Health Insurance and the patient’s mutual or complementary health insurance depending on the case. Only consultations with psychologists who have signed an agreement with Health Insurance and signatories of a partnership agreement for the My psy support system can benefit from support. As the press release explains, children from 3 years old and adults can benefit from this device. Students can enter a parallel course, called Student Psy Health (Student Psy Health, psychological support for students, Ministry of Higher Education and Research).
2. My psychological journey: how to find an approved psychologist?
To tell the truth, this is where the problem lies: according to the figures reported by a senator, Ms. Laurence Cohen, in a written question to the Minister of Health (Review of the “Mon Parcours Psy” system, Senate, May 2023), only 7.2% of psychologists practicing under a liberal status would be approved by Health Insurance and partners of the My psy journey system. This greatly limits access to a health professional to obtain reimbursement for the consultation. You can search in your geographic area by going to the site Find a psychologist approved by Health Insurance. This directory allows you to contact psychologists specializing in the care of children, as well as health professionals agreeing to carry out consultations remotely, by video.
3. My psychological journey: what steps can I take to benefit from it?
If you feel the need for support from a psychologist, you must first consult your GP or a general practitioner who, given your symptoms, will suggest that you join the My Psy Pathway system. If he does not do so, do not hesitate to insist: less than a third of doctors think about directing their patients suffering from psychological suffering towards this device. Equipped with a letter addressed to a psychologist, the patient searches for a specialist approved in the Health Insurance directory, and makes an appointment with him.
The consultation can take place in person or remotely, via video, if the psychologist carries out remote sessions. During the first consultation, the patient gives the psychologist the doctor’s letter as well as the paper Vitale card certificate indicating their rights. This consultation takes the form of an assessment in order to assess the patient’s needs and expectations. If the psychologist considers that the patient requires psychiatric treatment, he directs his patient to a practitioner or a suitable structure. The first consultation is reimbursed up to €40 – the patient must pay the costs in advance, unless they benefit from an exemption. My psychiatric course authorizes the reimbursement of 7 sessions with the approved psychologist, in addition to the initial assessment. These sessions are reimbursed at €30 per session. The remainder paid by the patient (40% of the consultation amount) is reimbursed by mutual or complementary health insurance. At the end of the sessions, the psychologist writes and sends, with your agreement, a report to your doctor.
Sources
- MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHIATRY, Summary of the roadmap, Ministry of Health and Prevention, March 2023
- Psychological support: My psychological support, My journey handicap.gouv.fr, January 27, 2024
- Review of the “My Psy Journey” system, Senate, May 2023
- Find a psychologist approved by Health Insurance, Health Insurance, August 8, 2022
- Health Student Psy, psychological support for students, Ministry of Higher Education and Research
Read also :
⋙ Why consult a psychologist?
⋙ How to choose your psychologist?
⋙ “Free” psychologist: the conditions for benefiting from fully reimbursed consultations