Who are the «écouteurs de rue», the free psychologists on the streets of Paris?

A chair, a bit of free time, and a compassionate ear: that's all it takes to ease a tough moment or a long week where you just need to vent. This is exactly what Les Écouteurs de Rue provide—a group of psychologists and psychotherapists in Paris' Goutte d'Or neighborhood offering free consultations in the streets for those in need, especially for those without the resources to visit a private practice. A noteworthy initiative on this World Mental Health Day, often overlooked. Their approach is simple and effective: chairs are placed under a banner indicating the position of the volunteer psychologists and psychotherapists. No bureaucratic hassle or impossible appointments; simply go to their setup outside the Friche de la Table Ronde and experience the kindness and empathetic listening of the volunteers.

The initiative began in April 2019, created by Séverine Bourguignon, a local artist and therapist. "From the Friche, I saw residents walking by a marabout tent set up on the sidewalk. He offered unparalleled listening, and when he left, they were left without that attentive ear. That's when the idea took shape. I later watched videos of Sidewalk Talk in the U.S., and it clicked,” she explains. Each session lasts 2 hours, with 11 listeners participating on one Saturday each month. Their goal is simple: make mental health accessible to everyone. "That's the idea," continues Séverine Bourguignon, "to show that it can be easy to meet with us, that a psychologist isn't just an authority figure, someone behind a desk. It's about listening, not therapy, but it can still have therapeutic effects, even if it's just one time."

The audience is diverse, from migrants with multiple traumas to families where communication is strained. The street, though it may seem an unlikely setting for sharing, is actually the perfect space to reach a wide range of people, not just women, who are often more open to beginning a therapeutic journey. To meet the needs of such a varied audience, the street listeners agreed on a single effective method for all: Gestalt therapy. Developed in the 1950s within the humanistic existential psychology movement in the U.S., it focuses on creating meaning in the present moment. The street listeners are not there to provide ongoing psychological support but rather to offer one-time listening. If further help is needed, they can guide individuals to appropriate services or associations for continued support. Inspired by this example, other cities like Rennes and Nantes now offer street listening as well.

This project is supported by the Fonds de Participation aux Habitants (FPH) and was created by therapists who see it as an opportunity to connect with the community and each other. It's clearly making an impact: last year, 200 passersby spoke with volunteers in Paris. For 98% of them, it was their first time speaking with a psychologist. On this day dedicated to mental health, let’s remember that seeking support from a psychologist or therapist should never be a source of shame, and it is entirely normal to reach out for professional help when needed. We too often forget that humans are meant to live in community, to share and express themselves, whether in a professional setting or over a cup of coffee with a friend. To find out when the next street listening sessions will be held, check out their listening calendar on their website. You can also join the ranks of volunteers. For more information, visit their online platform, or contact them at 524 874 856 00015 or [email protected].