Contact details & Information

You can contact me by email at dr.kscanlan@gmail.com, or call me at 06 68 52 99 79.
My office is based in Valbonne village: 13bis rue du Rocher, 06560 Valbonne.

First appointment for free
Once you have contacted me we will arrange a mutually convenient time to meet for an initial 30-minute meeting, in order to discuss what has prompted you to make contact, what your hopes and expectations are and negotiate how we might work together. If possible, I will also email you a referral form to complete before this first appointment.

​Therapy sessions
Appointments are confidential and are held in a private office in Valbonne on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between 9am and 4pm. Sessions lasts between 45 and 50 minutes. They are usually booked on a regular (weekly or fortnightly) basis at the same time and on the same day of the week. Sometimes just a few sessions are enough to get you back on track and sometimes therapy can be a much longer journey. 

Assessments
Assessments tend to be recommended by schools so an initial appointment will be made to gather background information. The assessment appointment is likely to last between 2 and 3 hours, following which a report will be completed and a feedback appointment can be arranged. Further information can be sent upon request.

What is a clinical psychologist?
A clinical psychologist is trained in psychological theories of normal and abnormal mental development across the lifespan. They use a variety of talking therapies based in well researched therapeutic models and do not prescribe medication (which a psychiatrist can). The title is protected and in France psychologists receive an 'adeli' number from the Agence Régionale de Santé, attesting that they are appropriately qualified.
The UK has a high expectation of clinical psychologists who need to study to doctorate level and obtain a significant amount of work experience in order to be qualified. This includes a first degree in psychology, followed by a minimum of 2 years working full-time as an assistant psychologist, and then competing for a place on a 3-year applied doctorate course, including a research thesis, course work and 6 six-month placements covering all major areas of practice.
In Germany you obtain the title of 'Diplompsychologe' after 4 and 1/2 years of study and a 6 month placement.
In France a D.E.S.S. or a D.E.A. (Bac+5), which also includes one placement, entitles you to the use of the title of 'psychologue'. Whilst some private healthcare insurance companies, or mutuelles, reimburse all or part of the costs for psychologist’s fees, French social security currently does not.

Les 'Psys'
Psychiatrist, psychoanalyst and psychotherapist are other terms you may have heard of, and which are all referred to in France as 'psy' alongside psychologists, though they are quite different professions with different training requirements.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has specialised in disorders affecting mental health. They diagnose and treat mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety as well as mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. They can prescribe medication and consultations in France are reimbursed by social security. Some psychiatrists are also trained in psychotherapy but usually offer this separately from their psychiatric practice.
In France, a psychoanalyst is often a psychiatrist or psychologist who has completed their own psychoanalysis, though the practice is not regulated by law so there are no specific training requirements. It focuses on uncovering unconscious processes that influence our behaviour and relationships and is often based on several sessions per week for a number of years.
Since 2010, the title of psychotherapist is protected by law and requires masters level qualifications in a relevant field. A psychotherapist is usually trained to use a specific psychotherapeutic model.