Psychology professionals : what is the difference ?
Psychologists
A psychologist is a professional with an advanced degree (in France, only a Master’s degree in Psychology or a Doctorate’s degree in Psychology are legal to practice) who is trained to study human behavior and mental processes. A psychologist is trained to listen, to help patients make decisions and clarify feelings, provide support and can conduct interviews, group therapy, support groups or perform psychological tests.
Psychologists commit to The Psychologists Deontological Code of Ethics and professional secrecy. As they are no medical doctors, they can not prescribe any medical treatment in France and are not reimbursed by French Social Security. Some complementary healthcare reimburse sessions ; please, ask your complementary healthcare directly.
A clinical psychologist (the etymology meaning “to the side/the bed of the patient”) is the most common psychologist and works with adults, teenagers, children, sometimes even newborns but also seniors, couples, families, etc. Clinical psychologists can be found in many fields : institutions, hospitals, in the legal system, the associative sector or being self-employed. Regarding their own approach, your psychologist may offer you different cares (analytical, behavioral, etc.) which means different ways to work on oneself. You are totally free to discuss this with your psychologist as they are legit and important questions regarding your own process.
Work psychologists mostly work in companies or in public services and school psychologists in schools under the Education Nationale’s supervision.
Psychologist’s degree is licensed and protected by the French State since 1985 (law n°85-772 of July, 25th, 1985 published in the Journal Officiel on July, 26th, 1985). Usurping a psychologist’s title (with or without any qualifier) is an offense and may lead to penalties as described in the article 259 of the French Code Pénal.
Every psychologist in activity is committed to register to the Agence Régionale de Santé (ARS) of their department and to get an “ADELI” number. You are free to check the legitimacy and validity of your psychologist’s degree directly with the ARS.
Psychotherapists
A psychotherapist is trained to listen and to help patients with mental health issues regarding their approach (analytical, behavioral, systemic, etc.).
Since 2010 and 2012 (decree n°2010-534 of May, 20th, 2010 relative to the use of the title of psychotherapist and decree n°2012-695 of May, 9th, 2012), the title of psychotherapist is regulated and you have to be trained in clinical psychology (theoretically and with an internship) in order to legally practice as a psychotherapist in France. As a result of their own degrees, psychologists, psychiatrists and all licensed medical doctors but also psychoanalysts can claim the title of psychotherapist subject to conditions. Anyway, the title of psychotherapist must still lead to caution as some patricians keep using it without having the proper training and are not acknowledged by the Agence Régionale de Santé.
A licensed psychotherapist is committed to register to the ARS’ psychotherapists file of their region .
Psychiatrists
A psychiatrist is a licensed medical doctor with a specialization in psychiatry during their academic training. Psychiatrists are the only ones in the mental health sector who can prescribe medical treatments and their care is reimbursed by the French Social Security.
The first goal of a psychiatrist is to diagnose disorders and to offer treatment although many doctors choose to train in psychotherapy or psychoanalysis as they are complementary and offer them better care of their patients.
Psychiatrists and psychologists often work together side by side.
Psychoanalysts
A psychoanalyst is a person who has done a psychoanalysis themselves and chooses to conduct one. A psychoanalysis is a deep, long work on oneself, usually taking many years. Psychoanalysis theory refers to the work of Sigmund Freud and the unconscious mind.
The title of psychoanalyst is not legally acknowledged in France and there is no degree relating to it. Psychoanalysis sessions are hence not reimbursed by Social Security. Many psychoanalysts are also psychiatrists or psychologists.