How much does a hypnosis session cost in France, and will your mutuelle cover it?
A hypnotherapist's fees are not regulated: depending on the city, the practitioner's experience and the length of the session, prices vary a lot from one office to another. At Solutions Hypnose in France, a session of about one hour costs €60 to €110 depending on the practitioner. Some offer a reduced rate, for students for example, and long two-hour sessions cost up to €125.
France's national health insurance (Assurance Maladie) does not reimburse hypnosis sessions. Many supplemental health plans (mutuelles), however, include an alternative medicine allowance that can cover part of it. It all depends on your contract: check it before the first session, and ask your practitioner for an invoice or a receipt.
The cost of a hypnosis session at Solutions Hypnose
There is no regulated rate for hypnosis: each hypnotherapist sets their own fees. From one office to another, prices vary with the city, the practitioner's experience, the length of the session and what it includes. Comparing two rates only makes sense for sessions of the same length.
A session of about one hour costs €60 to €110, depending on the practitioner and the city. The first session is sometimes longer: it is a time to get to know each other, understand what brings you and set your goals, before a first piece of work under hypnosis.
Some practitioners adjust their rates. One offers a reduced price for students and jobseekers.
Some partners offer longer sessions for certain goals, such as quitting smoking or weight: up to €125 for a two-hour session.
Each practitioner's exact rate is listed on their profile, under "Our team". You know it before you book, with no surprise at the end of the session.
Sessions with children
With a child, the part under hypnosis is often shorter than with an adult. The consultation is not limited to it, though: it also includes the conversation with the parents, to understand the situation, set the goal with the child and review what is changing at home. Depending on the practitioner, the rate is the same as for an adult, or lower for a slightly shorter session: €60 for 45 minutes to an hour, for example. With some practitioners, parents can stay in the room during the session if they wish.
French national health insurance does not reimburse hypnosis
The Assurance Maladie does not cover hypnosis sessions. The procedure does exist in the medical nomenclature, as a "hypnosis session for pain relief", but its rate is set at €0.
One nuance: if a contracted physician uses hypnosis during a consultation, the consultation may be covered under the usual rules. The hypnosis session itself remains at your expense. Our practitioners are not physicians, so their sessions fall outside the Assurance Maladie.
What your mutuelle may reimburse
Many mutuelles include an alternative medicine allowance (« forfait médecines douces »). It is an amount per year, or a number of sessions per year, covering all or part of practices such as osteopathy, sophrology or hypnosis. Not all of them do, and amounts vary widely from one contract to another, sometimes even between two plans from the same mutuelle.
Your practitioner gives you an invoice or a receipt after each session. That is what you send to your mutuelle.
Before the first session, ask these questions, by phone or through your online account:
- "Does my contract include an alternative medicine allowance? Is hypnosis part of it?"
- "How much is reimbursed per session, and what is the yearly maximum?"
- "Does the practitioner need a specific training or certification?"
- "Are video sessions reimbursed the same way as office sessions?"
- "Which documents should I send: the invoice alone, or something else?"
If the answer is unclear, ask for it in writing. Conditions sometimes change from one year to the next.
A hypnotherapist is neither a psychologist nor a psychotherapist. Our practitioners support well-being: they make no diagnosis and do not replace medical or psychological care. If you are going through significant distress, depression or a diagnosed condition, talk to your physician first, who can refer you, to a psychologist if needed. Hypnosis can support ongoing care, never replace it. Suicidal thoughts in France: 3114, free, 24/7.
How much does a full course of sessions cost?
The price of one session does not tell the whole story: you also need to know how many sessions to plan for. No one can tell you before meeting you, and an honest practitioner will not announce a number before the first appointment. You discuss it together at the end of the first session, and review it along the way.
For typical ranges by topic, read our article How many hypnosis sessions do you need?. It also explains what makes support longer or shorter.
Between sessions, you leave with a short self-hypnosis exercise to practise at home. It costs nothing, and it is often what makes the changes last.
Where would you like to consult?
You now know the rates and the questions to ask your mutuelle. All that is left is to choose the practitioner who suits you.
Our hypnotherapists see clients in Paris, the Île-de-France region, Lille, Strasbourg, Montpellier and Voiron, and anywhere by video. Have a question? Contact us, or book an appointment.
Frequently asked questions about the cost and coverage of a hypnosis session
Prices vary from one hypnotherapist to another, since fees are not regulated. At Solutions Hypnose, €60 to €110 for a session of about one hour, depending on the practitioner. Some offer a reduced rate, and long sessions cost up to €125. Each practitioner's rate is listed on their profile.
It depends on the practitioner: some charge the same rate as for adults, others a lower rate for a slightly shorter session. In every case, the consultation also includes the conversation with the parents.
No. The Assurance Maladie does not cover hypnosis sessions. If a contracted physician uses hypnosis during a consultation, only the consultation may be reimbursed; the hypnosis session itself remains at your expense.
Often in part, if your contract includes an alternative medicine allowance: an amount per year, or a number of sessions. Amounts and conditions vary widely from one contract to another. Ask your mutuelle before the first session, and keep your practitioner's invoice or receipt.
No. Our practitioners are neither physicians, psychologists nor psychotherapists. They support well-being and make no diagnosis. For a mental health condition or significant distress, talk to your physician first.
Sources
- Assessment of the effectiveness of hypnosis (in French), Inserm, 2015: the Assurance Maladie does not cover hypnosis sessions (CCAM code ANRP001, rate set at €0); when a contracted physician uses it during a consultation, the consultation remains covered under the usual rules; some supplemental health plans offer partial or flat-rate reimbursement.
- Assurance Maladie answer on its policyholder forum (in French), updated 11 June 2024: the hypnosis session remains at the policyholder's expense and may be covered by the mutuelle if the contract allows.
Hypnosis as practised by the members of Solutions Hypnose is a complementary support approach. It is neither a medical act, nor a diagnosis, nor psychotherapy in the regulatory sense, and it in no way replaces a consultation, follow-up or treatment prescribed by a health professional.
Our practitioners do not assess and do not treat mental disorders or illnesses. They never ask for an ongoing treatment to be stopped or changed: that decision rests exclusively with your doctor.
No result can be guaranteed. The testimonials and examples presented on this page describe individual experiences and do not predict what you will experience.
In case of significant distress, unexplained physical symptoms or suicidal thoughts, contact a doctor, emergency services or a helpline without delay.
Page written by Guillemette Moreau
hypnotherapist and NLP coach,
founder of Solutions Hypnose.
English version reviewed by David Veilleux
Published .