Multilingual therapy in Italy: your questions answered
About Therapsy
Therapsy is a multilingual psychotherapy service designed for adults, expats and international students. We connect you with licensed therapists who speak your native language, online from anywhere or in person across 24 Italian cities. The first assessment call is free!
Therapsy combines the convenience of online sessions with the depth of traditional therapy. What sets it apart: 14 languages, online and in-person sessions across 24 Italian cities, a free first call to check the fit, personal matching by our clinical team led by our Clinical Director (no algorithm), access to independent psychiatrists when needed, transparent pricing from €70 per session, and 50+ licensed therapists registered with their Italian professional body.
Yes. Therapsy works worldwide through 100% online sessions, in 14 languages. We support clients in cities including London, Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Amsterdam, Dublin, Lisbon, Vienna, New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Vancouver, Dubai, Singapore, Sydney, Melbourne, Hong Kong, and Buenos Aires. Sessions are scheduled to fit your local time zone. The service is designed for expats, international students, and professionals seeking a therapist who speaks their own language, regardless of where they currently live.
Therapsy is an Italy-based service offering therapy in 14 languages, with both online and in-person sessions across 24 Italian cities, and matching done by people rather than an algorithm. Unobravo and Serenis are Italian therapy platforms; BetterHelp and Talkspace are international apps based in the US. When comparing services, check which languages you can do therapy in, whether in-person sessions are available near you, whether therapists are registered in Italy, and whether you receive an Italian invoice you can use for the 19% tax credit.
Therapsy is open to anyone living in Italy or abroad, including Italian-native clients. While our main focus is multilingual care for expats and international students, many of our clients are Italians who appreciate our matching process, supervised clinical approach, and the option to work with therapists fluent in multiple languages. Sessions in Italian are fully available.
Getting started
1. Fill out the form: leave your details and tell us what kind of support you’re looking for. Dr. Francesca Boccalari, our Clinical Director, or a member of her onboarding team will contact you on WhatsApp within 12 hours.
2. Personalized matching: in a free conversation, we get to know your needs, preferences and language, and match you with the therapist who best fits them.
3. Free assessment call: you meet your therapist in a free 15-30 minute call, to get to know each other and see how therapy works.
4. Start your journey: you continue with regular sessions, online or in person. If the fit isn’t right, we can rematch you.
The First Free Assessment Call is a 15-30 minute call with the therapist you’ve been matched with, after a free conversation with Dr. Francesca or her onboarding team. During the call you meet your therapist, share why you’re seeking therapy, talk about what your path could look like, pricing and session frequency, and decide whether online or in-person works best for you. There’s no commitment to continue.
Fill out the form on our website with your details and a brief description of what you’re looking for. Dr. Francesca or a member of her onboarding team will reach out on WhatsApp within 12 hours to understand your goals, preferences and language. Based on this conversation, you’re matched with a therapist, who then contacts you to schedule your free assessment call.
No. The free call is a chance to meet the therapist you’ve been matched with, understand your options and decide whether starting therapy with Therapsy feels right for you. There’s no pressure or commitment to continue.
Yes. Your first 15-30 minute assessment call with a Therapsy therapist is completely free, with no commitment to continue. You can use it to meet your assigned therapist, share why you’re seeking therapy, and decide if it’s the right fit. If you don’t want to continue, you simply don’t book a paid session.
Dr. Francesca or a member of her onboarding team replies to every request within 12 hours. How quickly you are then matched and start therapy depends on your availability, on what you are looking for and on our therapists’ schedules.
Dr. Francesca and the onboarding team reply to every request within 12 hours. How quickly you are then matched depends on your availability, on what you are looking for and on our therapists’ schedules. Once you’re matched, you schedule your free 15-30 minute call directly with your therapist.
Languages and multilingual therapy
Therapsy therapists are fluent in 14 languages: Italian, English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Ukrainian, Russian, Greek, Arabic, Urdu, Hebrew, Hindi, and Persian (Farsi). You can do your sessions in the language you feel most comfortable with, whether you live in Italy or abroad, online or in person. During the matching conversation, we find you a therapist fluent in your preferred language.
Yes. Therapsy is built specifically for this. Our 50+ therapists collectively speak 14 languages: Italian, English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Ukrainian, Russian, Greek, Arabic, Urdu, Hebrew, Hindi, and Persian (Farsi). You can do sessions in your native language whether you’re online from anywhere in Italy or in person in one of the 24 Italian cities where we have locations.
Yes. Many language matches are available either in person in Milan or Rome or 100% online from anywhere in Italy. For some languages, sessions may be online, to widen the choice of therapists.
Services and approach
Tailor-made therapy means we don’t apply a one-size-fits-all protocol. In the first sessions, your therapist gets to know your situation, your history and your goals, and then proposes a therapy plan built around you, using evidence-based approaches. The plan is reviewed together over time.
Our therapists work with different evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR for trauma, Schema Therapy, Metacognitive Interpersonal Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), psychodynamic therapy and systemic-relational therapy. The right approach for you is chosen together with your therapist, starting from your first call.
Yes. Online sessions work from anywhere in Italy or abroad, in any of our 14 languages. In-person sessions are available across 24 Italian cities including Milan, Rome, Florence, Bologna, Turin, Naples, and more. You can also mix online and in-person throughout your therapy.
Therapsy offers individual therapy (anxiety, depression, self-esteem, relationships), couples therapy (including intercultural relationships), therapy for adolescents and young adults, dedicated support for expats and international students, and access to consultations with independent psychiatrists from our network. All services are available in 14 languages, online or in person at our locations across Italy. The first 15-30 minute assessment call is always free.
Therapsy has in-person locations in 24 Italian cities, including Milan, Rome, Florence, Naples, Turin and Bologna: you can see them all on our Locations page. If there is no location near you, online sessions are available from anywhere.
Individual sessions last 50-60 minutes and couple sessions 75-90 minutes, both online and in person.
For common problems such as anxiety and depression, research suggests that video therapy can work as well as in-person therapy. Some situations, such as severe trauma, may benefit from in-person work, which Therapsy also offers across 24 Italian cities.
Therapists and psychiatrists
Your therapist is chosen to match your needs and preferences. During the matching conversation, before your free call, we consider your goals and concerns, to find a therapist experienced in them; your language; your gender preference, if you have one; and whether you prefer online or in-person sessions. All our therapists are registered with their Italian professional body and were selected by our Clinical Director.
In Italy, psychologists are registered in the Albo degli Psicologi, kept by the Order of Psychologists, and can provide psychological assessment, diagnosis and support. Psychotherapists are psychologists or medical doctors who have also completed a postgraduate specialization of at least four years, which allows them to treat psychological disorders with psychotherapy. Psychiatrists are medical doctors: they can diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medication, and some are also psychotherapists.
If during therapy it seems that a psychiatric consultation could help, your therapist or our clinical team can put you in touch with one of the selected independent psychiatrists we work with. With your agreement, which you can withdraw at any time, your therapist and the psychiatrist share the information needed to align your care. Decisions about medication always remain with the psychiatrist.
Therapsy works with licensed psychologists and psychotherapists with different backgrounds and approaches, including some with psychoanalytic training. If medication may help, you can also be put in touch with a network of selected independent psychiatrists, who are medical doctors and can diagnose and prescribe when appropriate.
Yes, absolutely. While our matching process is designed to connect you with a therapist suited to your needs, sometimes personal chemistry isn’t there – and that’s normal. Just reach out to us, share what didn’t work, and we’ll match you with a new therapist who fits better. There’s no extra cost or paperwork: your comfort and progress are the priority.
Yes, all psychologists at Therapsy are registered with the Psychologists’ Register (“Albo degli Psicologi”) in their respective regions, ensuring they meet the professional and legal standards for practice. Additionally, some members of our team also practice internationally, adhering to the regulations of their host countries.
Each therapist on our team specializes in specific areas of psychological intervention and brings a unique therapeutic approach, allowing us to match you with the professional best suited to your needs.
Matching at Therapsy is done by people, not by an algorithm: Dr. Francesca A. Boccalari, our Clinical Director, and her onboarding team. After your free request, they talk with you about your needs, language and preferences, then match you with one of our 50+ licensed therapists. They reply to every request within 12 hours; how quickly you are then matched depends on your availability, on what you are looking for and on our therapists’ schedules. You’ll have a free 15-30 minute call with your therapist before committing to anything.
Yes. All Therapsy therapists work under the clinical supervision of Dr. Francesca A. Boccalari, our Clinical Director and co-founder. Each therapist belongs to a clinical group followed by a Case Manager, with regular supervision, and complex cases are discussed with the Clinical Director.
Every Therapsy therapist goes through a careful selection: verification of registration with the relevant Italian professional body, verification of qualifications including the postgraduate specialization in psychotherapy for those who practise it, a clinical interview with our Clinical Director (Dr. Francesca A. Boccalari), and a review of areas of expertise and language fluency. We accept fewer than 1 in 100 therapists who apply.
Conditions we treat
Yes. Anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety, panic, social anxiety, phobias) are among the most common reasons people come to Therapsy. We work on them with evidence-based approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), schema therapy, and EMDR for anxiety with traumatic origins.
Yes. Depression is treated at Therapsy with approaches such as CBT, schema therapy and metacognitive interpersonal therapy. When medication may help, we can put you in touch with one of the independent psychiatrists we work with, who can prescribe privately if they consider it appropriate and coordinate with your therapist. The free first call helps define the right approach for you.
Yes. Cultural adjustment, homesickness, identity shifts and the loneliness of relocating are core areas of our work. Several of our therapists have lived abroad themselves or work specifically with expats. Working in your native language with someone who understands the expat experience is often the difference between feeling understood and feeling lost in translation.
Yes. Therapsy therapists trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Schema Therapy treat trauma and PTSD, including single-event trauma, complex trauma, and migration-related trauma. Trauma work requires specialized training, so we’ll match you specifically with a trauma-trained therapist if this is your reason for seeking help.
Yes. Adult ADHD support at Therapsy includes psychoeducation, CBT for emotional regulation and executive function, and a full psychodiagnostic assessment over three sessions, online or in person, which ends with a written clinical report. The psychiatrists who work with Therapsy can prescribe ADHD medication privately, if they consider it the right option for you. We work with adults who already have a diagnosis and with those who want to explore whether ADHD might be part of their picture.
Yes. Therapsy includes LGBTQ+ affirming therapists with specific training in gender identity, sexual orientation, coming out, family dynamics, and minority stress. You can ask for an LGBTQ+ affirming therapist during the matching conversation, before your free call. We also work with same-sex and non-traditional couples.
Yes. Therapsy offers couples therapy for communication issues, infidelity, parenting conflicts, and the specific challenges of intercultural and bilingual relationships. Sessions are held with both partners present, online or in person, in one language that both partners choose.
Yes. Therapsy supports clients with eating difficulties, including binge eating, emotional eating, body image issues and disordered eating patterns. Treatment combines approaches such as CBT and schema therapy and, when needed, a consultation with one of the independent psychiatrists we work with. For severe cases that need medical monitoring or inpatient care, your therapist will point you to specialized services.
Yes. OCD is treated at Therapsy with cognitive-behavioral approaches. We work with adults dealing with intrusive thoughts, compulsions, contamination fears, perfectionism and related conditions such as trichotillomania. Your therapist will explain how the work is organized after the first sessions.
Yes. Burnout, work-related anxiety and chronic stress are common reasons expats and international professionals come to Therapsy. We use approaches such as CBT, ACT and schema therapy to address both the immediate symptoms (exhaustion, cynicism, reduced effectiveness) and the deeper patterns (perfectionism, boundary issues, work identity). You agree session times directly with your therapist.
Yes. Therapsy supports clients through loss of a loved one, end-of-relationship grief, loss of identity (career, role, country), and complicated grief. Grief work is particularly relevant for expats who often face loss while disconnected from familiar support systems. Sessions can be in your native language with a therapist who understands the cultural context of your loss.
Yes. Therapsy supports new parents and caregivers with postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, parenting stress, and the identity shifts of becoming a parent abroad. We also work with parenting issues at any stage, including parent-child relationship difficulties and parenting in a multilingual or intercultural family. Available online for flexibility around childcare.
Therapy journey and logistics
It’s difficult to say exactly how long your therapy will last without first understanding the reasons behind your difficulties. After the first sessions, your therapist will give you feedback on what you’ve shared and, together, you’ll set goals. Based on these, the therapist can estimate the duration of therapy and the recommended frequency of sessions. The length of therapy can change over time, as new topics or situations emerge; any change is always discussed and agreed with your therapist, and nothing happens without your knowledge and consent.
Yes, you can schedule your sessions at times that work best for you. After being matched with your therapist, you’ll coordinate directly with them to agree on the most convenient days and times for your sessions. This flexibility ensures your therapy fits seamlessly into your lifestyle.
Yes, you can reschedule or cancel a session by contacting your therapist via chat. To respect the time and work of our therapists, we kindly ask for at least 24 hours’ notice for any changes. If you fail to provide at least 24 hours’ notice, the missed session will still need to be paid for. This policy ensures fairness and allows us to maintain a high-quality service for all our clients.
Informed consent is a necessary document to begin any psychological treatment. It will be sent to you automatically before starting your journey, and by signing it, you will authorize the assigned professional to provide the healthcare services. Your therapist will be available to clarify the details and purpose of the treatment offered.
Just a smartphone, tablet or laptop with a stable internet connection and a private space where you won’t be interrupted. Sessions take place by video call through Therapsy’s platform. We recommend headphones for privacy and a closed door whenever possible.
If your connection drops during a session, your therapist will try to reconnect with you. If the connection can’t be restored, you agree together how to proceed. Under our terms, connection issues on the client’s side do not cancel the charge for the session, unless your therapist decides otherwise. We recommend joining sessions from a Wi-Fi connection rather than mobile data when possible.
Yes, in most cases. Online sessions can continue from anywhere in the world, and Therapsy already supports clients in cities like London, New York, Berlin, Dubai, Hong Kong, and Sydney. Sessions are scheduled to fit your local time zone. Some countries have specific licensing rules for cross-border therapy: your therapist will confirm continuity at the moment of relocation.
Your first paid session is about laying the foundation, not solving everything at once. Your therapist will explore your reasons for seeking therapy, ask about your history (family, relationships, work, mental health) and start building an understanding of what you want from the work. You’ll discuss expectations and frequency of sessions.
It varies from person to person and depends on what you are working on. Your therapist will give you a clearer estimate after the first sessions, and progress is reviewed regularly together. Change usually shows up over weeks and months rather than session by session, which is why keeping your sessions regular matters.
Pricing and payment
Individual therapy at Therapsy starts from €70 per session and couples therapy from €100; consultations with the psychiatrists we work with start from €110, and the psychodiagnostic assessment from €255 for three sessions. You can find all the details on our Pricing page. You can stop your therapy at any time, for any reason.
Therapy goals can be tailored to fit the time and budget you have available. Be open with your therapist about your financial situation, and together you can prioritize the most important issues and find a solution that works for you, ensuring you still benefit from the sessions.
First check whether your insurance covers all or part of the cost of psychotherapy, and ask which information they need on the invoice. Therapsy invoices include the therapist’s and patient’s details, date, price and session description; they do not include a diagnosis or billing codes. Check with your insurer that this is enough before your first paid session, then submit the invoices following their guidelines.
Yes, if you pay taxes in Italy. Psychotherapy counts as a health expense: you get a 19% tax credit on the part of your yearly health expenses above €129.11, as long as the payment is traceable: at Therapsy you pay by card, so it always is. Keep all your invoices; a tax professional can help you with your tax return.
You can pay for therapy through our platform, which is powered by Stripe, using your credit, debit, or prepaid card (other payment methods are not accepted). You will need to enter your card details only once, and after that, payments will be processed automatically in the first days of each month.
Yes, your banking details are protected. We use Stripe as our payment platform, which is widely recognized for its security. Stripe uses encryption and complies with the PCI-DSS security standards, which protect your card data against unauthorized access.
Yes. Invoices are sent to you by email. When you register, you choose whether Therapsy sends your health expenses to the Sistema Tessera Sanitaria, so that they appear in your pre-filled Italian tax return.
No, Therapsy is not currently part of the Bonus Psicologo network, so the voucher cannot be redeemed with us. Some international clients get part of the cost reimbursed by their private health insurance: some of our clients have been reimbursed by Cigna. We provide invoices in English with the therapist’s and patient’s details, date, price and session description; they do not include a diagnosis or billing codes.
No. The Italian SSN does not cover private therapy services like Therapsy. Psychological care funded by the SSN is available through public services (ASL) for those registered with the SSN, often with long waiting lists and mostly in Italian. Sessions with Therapsy are paid directly and, if you pay taxes in Italy, they count as a health expense for the 19% tax credit, above €129.11.
Some private health insurance plans reimburse therapy abroad, and some of our clients have been reimbursed by Cigna. Therapsy issues invoices in English including provider details, patient details, session date, price and session description; they do not include a diagnosis or billing codes (such as CPT), which some insurers ask for. Other plans may also reimburse: check with your insurer before your first paid session.
Safety and confidentiality
Therapsy may not be the right fit for you if:
- You are under 18 years old and cannot provide documented consent from both parents or a legal guardian.
- You are in an emergency situation and require immediate assistance.
- You need urgent psychiatric care that prevents you from engaging in a calm and structured online therapy process.
- You have thoughts of harming yourself or others.
- You are required to attend therapy as part of a court order.
- You do not have access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone or lack a reliable internet connection.
Unfortunately, due to legal and service policies, we cannot provide direct assistance in these situations.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, experiencing a mental health crisis, or having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please call 112 (valid throughout Europe) or contact your local emergency services right away.
Therapsy does not provide emergency services and is not available 24/7.
Due to legal and professional limitations, we are unable to offer immediate crisis intervention.
If you’re unsure whether your situation is an emergency, we encourage you to err on the side of caution and reach out to emergency services.
Your safety always comes first.
Yes. We protect the safety and confidentiality of all consultations: our platform is designed, and our therapists are trained, to protect your privacy.
No. Therapsy never records video or audio of therapy sessions. What you share stays confidential, protected by professional secrecy, in line with Italian healthcare confidentiality (GDPR and the Code of Ethics of Psychologists). The only documentation is your therapist’s clinical notes, which are also confidential.
Therapsy processes personal data in line with the GDPR, as described in our Privacy Policy. Data is processed in the EU and, for some service providers, in other countries such as the US, as listed in the Privacy Policy. Session content is never recorded, and clinical information is shared only with those who need it to provide your care. You can exercise your rights, such as access, rectification and, where the law allows, deletion, by writing to privacy@therapsy.it.
For schools, companies, and organizations
Yes. Therapsy supports both schools and businesses with accessible mental health services. We offer two flexible models: a dedicated counseling desk managed by one of our licensed therapists, or a structured partnership where students or employees can request reimbursable therapy sessions. Sessions are usually held online, and in-person options can be agreed with your organization.
To start a collaboration with Therapsy, simply email us at info@therapsy.it. We’ll schedule an introductory call to understand your needs and propose a solution for your school or company.
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