OnlineTherapy in France: A Guide for English-Speaking Expats
Living inFrance as an expat can be full of beauty, opportunity, and adventure. Yet, itcan also come with deep emotional challenges—loneliness, anxiety, identityshifts, relationship strain, and burnout. When you're struggling far from home,trying to find a therapist who truly gets your experience can feel like a jobin itself.
That'swhere online therapy comes in.
In thispost, I’ll walk you through what online therapy in France looks like, how tofind the right English-speaking therapist, and what to expect from theprocess—so you can get the support you need, wherever you are.
Why Expats in France Often Seek Therapy
You mightbe navigating:
- Anxiety and stress from cultural transitions or bureaucratic systems
- Loneliness and isolation, even when surrounded by people
- Relationship or identity struggles, especially when living in a new environment
- Grief, whether recent or unresolved
- Burnout, especially common among high-achieving expats or those juggling multiple roles
Unlike someparts of Europe, France can feel especially isolating for newcomers. While someexpats fall in love with the language and culture, many of my clients share howdifficult it is to connect deeply with others. The love of French language andcultural pride can sometimes create an invisible barrier—leaving you feelinglike you’re always on the outside looking in.
If any ofthis sounds familiar, you’re not alone. And more importantly—you don’t have tonavigate it alone.
Why Online Therapy Is Ideal for Expats
For manyexpats, accessing in-person therapy can be tricky. Barriers often include:
- Language differences with local providers
- Long waitlists in the French system
- Limited availability outside of French working hours
- The emotional exhaustion of trying to “explain yourself” to someone who doesn’t understand the expat context
Onlinetherapy solves many of these problems. Here’s how:
- Access to English-speaking therapists who specialize in expat issues
- Greater scheduling flexibility—evening or weekend sessions are often possible
- More comfort and privacy, especially for those living in rural areas or with limited mobility
- Continuity of care, even if you travel or move to another part of France
What to Look for in an Online Therapist forExpats
Not alltherapists are the same, and finding someone who truly understands your worldmakes a big difference.
Look forsomeone who:
- Specializes in expat mental health, cultural transition, or identity work
- Offers online sessions for clients in France
· Hasappropriate training, experience, and supervision for workingin a therapeutic capacity with international clients
- Has experience with issues you’re facing—like anxiety, trauma, grief, identity, or burnout
And mostimportantly: someone you feel safe, heard, and supported by.
Is Therapy in France Covered by Insurance?
If you’reseeing a therapist within the French system (a psychologue conventionné), somesessions may be reimbursed. However, most English-speaking online therapistsoperate privately, which means:
- Sessions are paid out-of-pocket (some offer sliding scale)
- You may be able to get partial reimbursement through international health insurance (check your policy)
What Happens in Online Therapy?
A goodtherapist won’t just sit and nod. Online therapy is a collaborative space whereyou can:
- Learn how your nervous system responds to stress or threat
- Explore patterns shaped by family, culture, and past experiences
- Develop concrete coping tools for anxiety, rumination, or overwhelm
- Rebuild trust in yourself and others
- Feel seen—not just as a client, but as a full human
Sometherapists (myself included) also integrate tools from CBT, DBT, somaticwork, ACT, and trauma-informed care.
How to Get Started
If you’reready to explore therapy, here’s what to do:
- Search for English-speaking therapists who work online with expats in France
- Look through their websites—check that their tone, approach, and credentials resonate with you
- Reach out to book a free consultation or initial session
- Trust your gut in the first few sessions—do you feel safe? Understood?
Final Thoughts
You don’thave to wait until things feel unbearable to ask for help. Therapy is not about“fixing” you—it’s about creating space to feel more like yourself again, in alife that often asks you to perform, achieve, or adjust.
If you'rean English-speaking expat in France and this resonated with you, I invite youto reach out. I work with clients across France and Europe, and I specialize inhelping people feel more grounded, connected, and self-aware—no matter wherethey are in the world.
>>Book a free 20-minute call with me here: https://www.christinababich.com/contact-me
