{"id":29677,"date":"2025-04-07T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-07T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carexpat.com\/blog\/?p=29677"},"modified":"2025-11-03T11:40:45","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T09:40:45","slug":"expatriate-psychologist-and-psychiatrist-services","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carexpat.com\/blog\/en\/expatriate-psychologist-and-psychiatrist-services\/","title":{"rendered":"Expatriate psychologist and psychiatrist services"},"content":{"rendered":"

Living abroad is an excellent way to discover new cultures. It can also bring its share of psychological challenges, such as cultural adaptation, isolation and estrangement from loved ones. These difficulties can have an impact on expatriates’ mental health<\/a>. Health insurance policies often restrict access to psychological health professionals. Psychological care is frequently postponed or subject to special conditions. It is often excluded or restricted, and the regulation of psychologists varies from country to country. It’s important to anticipate these issues and understand your international health insurance contract, so that you can benefit from appropriate support.<\/p>

The psychological challenges of expatriation<\/h2>

Living abroad means adapting to a new language, foreign lifestyles and an unfamiliar environment. These changes can lead to stress, anxiety and even depression. The absence of a local social network and the lack of cultural references are often the main causes of increased loneliness. These challenges need to be identified if they are to be properly addressed.<\/p>

Psychiatrists, psychologists and psychotherapists: what are the differences?<\/h2>

When it comes to mental health, it’s important to distinguish between psychiatrists, psychologists and psychotherapists. This is all the more true for expatriates, whose access to such care varies from country to country. Some professionals specialize in working with expatriates. They integrate the specificities of expatriation into their therapeutic approach. Intercultural clinical psychology takes into account the cultural dimensions and hybrid identity of expatriates. It offers them personalized support tailored to their specific needs.<\/p>

Psychiatrists: doctors specializing in mental health<\/h3>

Psychiatrists are doctors who have specialised in psychiatry after completing their medical studies. They are qualified to make medical diagnoses, prescribe complementary tests (blood tests, medical imaging, hormone analyses) and prescribe drugs such as antidepressants, anxiolytics or neuroleptics.<\/p>

The profession of psychiatrist is generally highly regulated internationally, ensuring official recognition of diplomas and qualifications in most countries.<\/p>

Psychologists: recognition varies from country to country<\/h3>

In France, the profession of psychologist is strictly regulated by law n°85-772 of July 25, 1985. To hold this title, it is imperative to have obtained a Master 2 in psychology from a recognized university, in accordance with decree no. 90-255 of March 22, 1990.<\/p>

Since 2002, psychologists have been registered in the ADELI file. In 2022, this file was replaced by the RPPS (Registre Partagé des Professionnels de Santé), guaranteeing their qualification and official recognition in the French healthcare system.<\/p>

However, this recognition is relatively recent and evolving. In other countries, training and practice requirements can vary considerably. It is therefore essential for expatriates to carefully check local qualifications, titles and regulations before consulting a psychologist.<\/p>

If the professionals are domiciled in France\/Outre-mer and work within a structure that is itself headquartered in France\/Outre-mer, then they can officiate since consultations are not carried out from the local territory, but depend on the structure. <\/p>

Psychotherapists: regulated but variable training<\/h3>

The title of psychotherapist is even more recent: it was regulated in France in 2010 by the decree of June 8, 2010. To obtain this title, you need to undergo specific training in clinical psychology at a state-approved establishment, including a minimum of 400 hours of theoretical courses and 5 months of internship.<\/p>

It’s important to point out that a psychiatrist or psychologist can be a psychotherapist, but the reverse is not always true. This plays an important role in the way insurers pay for treatment.<\/p>

Internationally, regulation of the title of psychotherapist varies widely. Some countries do not regulate this profession, which exposes it to the risk of charlatanism. For member states of the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland, circular no. DGOS\/RH2\/2012\/431 of December 24, 2012 can be a point of reference for verifying recognition of qualifications.<\/p>

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