Psychologist letter to a GP: template and example

A psychologist's letter to a doctor is the document in which the psychologist tells the GP, or the doctor who referred a patient, what is useful for coordinating care. It can reply to a referral letter, flag a concern during therapy or sum up a completed course of sessions.

Under the French Mon soutien psy scheme, this letter often takes the form of an end-of-care report. This template is for psychologists in private practice, whether or not they take part in the scheme, who want to send a doctor a short, useful letter that respects professional secrecy.

What the letter to a doctor is for

The GP sees the patient for other reasons, sometimes prescribes treatment and is often the first port of call in a crisis. A brief letter lets them know therapy is taking place, understand its aim and adjust their own care.

When to write it

• After the assessment interview, to reply to a referring doctor and confirm that therapy has started.
• During therapy, if something calls for contact (signs of severity, worsening, a question about medication, need for a psychiatric opinion).
• At the end of therapy, to take stock and propose next steps.

The ethical and regulatory frame

The points below describe the French framework. In Belgium and Switzerland, refer to the rules of your own country.

What the code of ethics says

The French code of ethics for psychologists (2021 version) places everything the psychologist learns in their work under professional secrecy (article 7). In exchanges with other professionals, the psychologist shares only strictly necessary information and informs the people concerned beforehand (article 8). When conclusions are passed to a third party, the person's assent or prior information is required, and psychological content is shared only when necessary (article 15). The letter is dated and states your identity, title, registration number, contact details, signature, the recipient and the purpose (article 18).

What Mon soutien psy provides

Since June 2024, patients can see a participating psychologist directly without going through a doctor, and referral by a doctor is still possible. The scheme covers one assessment interview and up to eleven follow-up sessions per year, twelve sessions in all, charged at 50 euros each.

On exchanges with the doctor, the Assurance Maladie sets out several points on its page for doctors.

• At the assessment interview, if the psychologist spots indicators of severity, or has any doubt, they inform the doctor so the patient can be directed to more suitable care.
• The psychologist is treated as a member of the care team. Unless the patient (or the holder of parental authority) objects, they may share with the doctor the information strictly necessary for coordinating care.
• After the last session, the psychologist may send the doctor an end-of-care report, with the patient's agreement, the patient providing the doctor's contact details.
• This report may cover the initial assessment, the patient's current state, change in scores where relevant, the total number of sessions and a proposed course of action.
• A psychiatric opinion is sought in particular when there is no improvement after eight sessions. If there is no improvement after twelve sessions, consultation between the doctor, the psychologist and a psychiatrist is planned.

The end-of-care report is therefore presented as an option, done with the patient's agreement. Check ameli.fr for the rules in force when you write, as the scheme changes over time.

Who can read this letter

The letter goes into the doctor's file, which the patient can access. Write it so you could show it to the patient without discomfort. Many psychologists read it through with the patient before sending it.

The structure, section by section

1. Header

Your name, title, registration number (ADELI or RPPS in France, depending on your situation) and contact details. The doctor's name, the date and the subject ("Psychological follow-up of Mrs L." or "End-of-care report, Mon soutien psy").

2. Context of the request

How the patient came to you (referred by the doctor or direct access), the reason in one sentence and the date of the assessment interview.

3. Initial assessment

The main difficulties described simply and, if you used them, the rating scales and their scores. Keep it factual and brief. The doctor needs a reference point, not a story.

4. Course of therapy

Number of sessions, period, goals worked on and approach in one or two sentences. There is no need to detail session content.

5. Current state

What has changed, what remains fragile, change in scores where relevant.

6. Proposal for next steps

End of therapy, continuation outside the scheme, referral to a psychiatrist or another professional, reassessment. Make a clear proposal, the decision remains shared with the patient and the doctor.

7. Patient agreement and closing

One sentence stating that the letter is sent with the patient's agreement, your availability to discuss it, then your signature.

Worked example

The following example concerns a fictional patient.

Subject. End-of-care report, Mon soutien psy. Mrs L., 34.

Dear Doctor,

Mrs L. came to see me through direct access under the Mon soutien psy scheme. The assessment interview took place on 12 February. She came for marked anxiety since a difficult return to work, with sleep problems and rumination in the evenings.

At the initial assessment, her GAD-7 score was 12. No indicator of severity was found. Mrs L. was not taking any psychotropic medication.

Therapy comprised twelve sessions in all, from February to June, with a cognitive behavioural approach. The work focused on managing worry, organising her working time and returning to activities she enjoyed.

At the last session, Mrs L. reports clearly improved sleep and less intrusive worry. Her GAD-7 score is 6. Some sensitivity to work stress remains, which she can now recognise.

I propose ending therapy at this stage. Mrs L. knows she can get back in touch if difficulties return. A reassessment can be considered if needed.

This letter is sent with Mrs L.'s agreement. I remain available to discuss it.

Yours sincerely.

Common mistakes

• Sending the letter without having discussed its content and sending with the patient.
• Reporting confidences or private details that do not help the doctor care for the patient.
• Writing three pages where ten lines would do.
• Making a medical diagnosis or suggesting medication, which is not the psychologist's role.
• Leaving out the article 18 items (date, identity, title, registration number, signature, recipient, purpose).
• Keeping a doubt about severity to yourself instead of informing the doctor promptly.

Save time with Delta

Delta is the clinical assistant for mental health and allied health professionals. During the session, Delta transcribes what is said. You can also dictate your observations after the session and add written notes. Delta generates the report for each session and updates the patient record (progress summary, tracked goals). It also drafts letters, certificates and assessment reports tailored to your profession, so you can prepare a letter to the doctor from the whole course of therapy. Data is hosted in France with an HDS-certified provider, the patient's name and identifying details are pseudonymised before the AI, no audio file is kept and data is never used to train a model. Discover Delta.

Further reading

• End-of-therapy summary template
• Psychological assessment feedback, structure and example
• Note-taking software for psychologists
• All clinical document templates

Sources

• Ameli.fr, Mon soutien psy, page for doctors
• Ameli.fr, Mon soutien psy FAQ for psychologists
• Ameli.fr, reimbursement of Mon soutien psy sessions
• French code of ethics for psychologists, 2021 version