Hypnotherapist, doctor, psychologist, psychotherapist: who to see, and when?
In France, these four professions do not have the same status. A doctor, whether a GP or a psychiatrist, makes a diagnosis and prescribes. A psychologist holds a title protected by law, reserved for graduates of a university degree in psychology. A psychotherapist holds a title reserved for professionals listed in the national register of psychotherapists. A hypnotherapist has no legal framework: they support well-being and changes in habits, without making any diagnosis.
The rule is simple: if you are in significant distress, have an unexplained symptom or are unsure, start with your GP. Hypnosis can then support medical or psychological care, never replace it.
Four professions, four statuses
You have been sleeping badly for weeks, anxiety is taking up more and more room, or you finally want to quit smoking. You are looking for help, and the titles all sound alike. Yet French law treats them in very different ways.
The doctor
Your GP (médecin traitant) is your point of entry. They examine you, make a diagnosis, order tests, prescribe medication and, when needed, refer you to a psychiatrist, a psychologist or another specialist. A psychiatrist is a specialist physician: they diagnose and care for mental health disorders, and can prescribe. Only a doctor can rule out a physical cause for a symptom: a sleep problem, fatigue or palpitations sometimes have a medical origin.
The psychologist
The title of psychologist is protected by law. Its professional use is reserved for holders of a degree from a university course in psychology. A psychologist assesses your situation, listens and supports you over time; they do not prescribe medication. Through the Mon soutien psy scheme, up to 12 sessions a year with a partner psychologist are partly reimbursed by the Assurance Maladie, with the rest usually covered by your mutuelle.
The psychotherapist
Since 2010, "psychotherapist" has been a reserved title. Only professionals listed in the national register of psychotherapists may use it, after training in clinical psychopathology open to holders of advanced university degrees. Doctors and psychologists may be fully or partly exempt from that training. One nuance matters: the law protects the title, not the practice. Hence the value of checking who you are seeing.
The hypnotherapist
The title of hypnotherapist is not regulated. As Inserm pointed out in its 2015 report, hypnosis has no precise legal framework in France. A training course of a few days and one of several years give the right to use the same word. A hypnotherapist who is neither a doctor nor a psychologist makes no diagnosis and prescribes nothing: they work in the field of well-being, such as relaxation, everyday stress, self-confidence or specific habits like quitting smoking.
That is the case for the practitioners at Solutions Hypnose: they are not doctors, psychologists or psychotherapists, and they say so.
It is not the tool that counts, but the issue
Hypnosis belongs to no one. Doctors, psychologists and psychotherapists use it in their practice, and hypnotherapists make it their profession. What changes from one professional to another is what they are entitled and qualified to take care of.
Depression, an anxiety disorder, an eating disorder or the aftermath of trauma call for a diagnosis and follow-up by a doctor or a psychologist. If they use hypnosis, so much the better: it is then part of supervised care.
On the other hand, learning to relax, taming exam nerves, getting past a specific fear or quitting smoking are about well-being. A well-trained hypnotherapist can support you with them, on their own or alongside other care.
Who to see, and when?
Your GP first, if you have:
- a physical symptom that worries you or has no explanation: pain, fatigue, palpitations, digestive problems, insomnia that is settling in;
- distress that lasts, takes over your days, or stops you from working or sleeping;
- an ongoing treatment, which only the doctor who prescribed it can change.
A psychologist or a psychiatrist, if you are going through depression, panic attacks, an eating disorder, the aftermath of trauma, or distress that will not ease. Your GP can refer you.
A hypnotherapist can support you with a well-being goal: quitting smoking](/en/hypnosis-to-quit-smoking/), taming the stress of an exam or of public speaking, regaining self-confidence, getting past a specific fear such as flying, learning to relax through [self-hypnosis.
And both together? That is often the best option. If you are followed by a doctor or a psychologist, hypnosis can support that follow-up, to sleep better or handle stress better, for example. Talk to the professional who follows you, and tell your hypnotherapist that you are being followed: a serious practitioner will ask you anyway.
If you are in distress, do not wait. Talk to your doctor as soon as you can. Suicidal thoughts: call 3114, free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, anywhere in France: a healthcare professional trained in suicide prevention will answer. Immediate danger: 15 or 112.
Checking who you are seeing
For a psychologist or a psychotherapist, ask for their degree or their registration: a professional in good standing will give it to you without hesitation. To benefit from Mon soutien psy, choose a psychologist who takes part in the scheme.
For a hypnotherapist, there is no official register. Ask about their training, their school, and what they will do if your situation falls outside their field. Our article How to choose a hypnotherapist goes through these questions and the warning signs.
As for budget, hypnosis sessions are not reimbursed by the Assurance Maladie, but some mutuelles cover part of them: we explain this in How much does a hypnosis session cost in France.
A serious hypnotherapist knows how to say "this is not my field". If they make a diagnosis, promise you a cure or advise you to stop a treatment, they are stepping outside their role: walk away.
Where would you like to consult?
Your goal is about well-being, and you would like to try hypnosis? Choose the practitioner who suits you.
Our hypnotherapists see clients in Paris, the Île-de-France region, Lille, Strasbourg, Montpellier and Voiron, and anywhere in France by video. Each one describes their training on their page. Not sure what suits you? Contact us: we will tell you honestly whether hypnosis is a good option, or whether you should see your doctor first.
Frequently asked questions about choosing between a hypnotherapist, a doctor, a psychologist and a psychotherapist
No. As Inserm pointed out in its 2015 report, hypnosis has no precise legal framework in France. A training course of a few days and one of several years give the right to use the same word, so it is up to you to check the practitioner's training.
The title of psychologist is reserved for holders of a university degree in psychology. The title of psychotherapist is reserved for professionals listed in the national register of psychotherapists, after training in clinical psychopathology. A psychologist can also be listed in that register.
Yes, through the Mon soutien psy scheme: up to 12 sessions a year with a partner psychologist, partly reimbursed by the Assurance Maladie, with the rest usually covered by your top-up insurance (mutuelle). The conditions are set out on ameli.fr. Hypnosis sessions are not reimbursed by the Assurance Maladie.
It is not required for a well-being goal. It is essential if you have an unexplained physical symptom, distress that lasts or a diagnosed disorder: your doctor first rules out a cause that needs medical care, and hypnosis can then support their follow-up.
Call 3114, the national suicide prevention line: free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, anywhere in France. A healthcare professional trained in suicide prevention will answer. In an emergency, dial 15 or 112.
Sources
- Article 44 of Law no. 85-772 of 25 July 1985, Légifrance (in French): professional use of the title of psychologist is reserved for holders of a degree from a university course.
- Article 52 of Law no. 2004-806 of 9 August 2004, Légifrance (in French): use of the title of psychotherapist is reserved for professionals listed in the national register of psychotherapists.
- Evaluation of the effectiveness of hypnosis practice, Inserm, 2015 (in French): hypnosis has no precise legal framework in France.
- Mon soutien psy, Assurance Maladie (in French): up to 12 sessions a year with a partner psychologist, 60% reimbursed by the Assurance Maladie.
- 3114, national suicide prevention line (in French): free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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 .