Your questions
Frequently asked questions
Short, direct answers, grouped by theme. Each answer links to the page that covers the subject in detail.
Neuropsychological assessment
How does a neuropsychological assessment work?
In three stages: a history-taking interview (45 min to 1 h 30), the testing session (1 h 30 to 3 h) and a feedback interview (45 min to 1 h) one to two weeks later, at which a written report is handed to you.
How long does it take in total?
Between three and five hours of contact time, spread over one to two weeks. The testing itself can be split into two shorter sittings if fatigue makes that necessary.
Can the assessment be carried out by video?
No. The tests used are normed for in-person administration under precise material conditions. Administering them remotely would invalidate the comparison with the norms, and therefore the interpretation. Assessments are carried out at your home.
Does the assessment produce a diagnosis?
A neuropsychological assessment is one element within a diagnostic process. It documents cognitive functioning and its impact on daily life. The medical diagnosis itself is made by a doctor.
Do I need a referral from a doctor?
No. You can request an assessment directly. A referral letter setting out the question being asked does make the work more efficient, and it is required for the PCO-TND pathway.
Who receives the report?
You do. The report belongs to you, and you decide who else receives it. Nothing is sent to a doctor, a school or an employer without your explicit agreement.
How long do the results remain valid?
There is no fixed expiry. A cognitive profile in a stable adult remains informative for several years; in a growing child, or after a recent brain injury, it changes much faster and a review may be needed.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
What exactly is CBT?
A structured, evidence-based psychotherapy that works on the interaction between thoughts, emotions and behaviour, in order to identify and change what maintains distress.
How is it different from psychoanalysis?
CBT works on the present and on measurable goals, with exercises between sessions and a defined end point. It does not aim to reconstruct the history of the unconscious.
Is therapy by video as effective as in person?
For most anxiety and mood disorders, studies find comparable results between video and face-to-face CBT. What matters most is the quality of the conditions: a quiet, private place and a stable connection.
Can you prescribe medication?
No. A psychologist is not a doctor and cannot prescribe. Where medication is relevant, it is prescribed by your doctor or a psychiatrist, and can go alongside the therapy.
How many sessions will I need?
There is no standard number. CBT is targeted and time-limited by design; the frequency is adjusted to your progress and your circumstances, and the work stops once the goals are met.
Fees and funding
Are sessions reimbursed?
Not by the French statutory health insurance: the practice is not contracted and does not take part in the “Mon soutien psy” scheme. Many complementary health insurers reimburse part of the fee; check your own policy before starting.
What is the PCO-TND scheme?
A publicly funded French platform that coordinates the early assessment of neurodevelopmental conditions. A partnership is being set up; once it is in place, I will be able to carry out assessments funded in full, with no advance payment, for children under 7 in Meurthe-et-Moselle and under 13 in Moselle. A doctor refers the file; the platform decides on eligibility.
How can I pay?
Cash, cheque or bank transfer. There is no card terminal. For video sessions, payment is made by transfer before the session.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes, on simple request and with no justification needed. If the fee is a barrier, say so before booking.
Practical matters and confidentiality
In which languages can I be seen?
Sessions are held in French. That is not only a matter of comfort: the tests used are normed on French-speaking populations, and interpreting them in another language would invalidate the comparison. Written requests are welcome in English, and this site is available in English. Please tell me which language you would prefer for sessions so that we can check together what is workable.
I live in Luxembourg. Can I be seen?
The practice is established in France. Psychotherapy is delivered by video consultation; assessments require a home visit within the area covered, and cognitive remediation will be held at the practice. If you live outside France, say so in your message and we will look at your situation before any commitment.
Why can I not book by phone?
Because during assessments and therapy sessions the phone is not answered: the person being seen has full attention. Requests come in writing and are answered as soon as I can, usually within the week.
Is what I say confidential?
Yes. Professional secrecy applies without exception, other than in the cases provided for by French law. Nothing is passed on to a doctor, a school, an employer or a family member without your agreement.
What happens to my personal data?
The contact form does not store anything on this website: the request is relayed to the professional mailbox through a self-hosted service located in the European Union. The privacy policy, published in French, sets out the detail.
The French FAQ contains 15 questions, focused on practical matters. It is available at /faq/.