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Multilingual therapy in Italy: your questions answered

About Therapsy

Therapsy is a multilingual psychotherapy service designed for adults, students and expats. We offer both online and in-person sessions at our physical locations across the country. Our carefully selected therapists speak multiple languages, ensuring high-quality, personalized care for an international audience. The first assessment call is free!

Therapsy combines the convenience of online platforms with the depth of traditional therapy. Our differentiators: 14 languages, both online and in-person sessions across 23 Italian cities, a free assessment call to test the fit, personalized matching by our Clinical Director (no algorithm), psychiatric services available, transparent pricing starting from €70 per session, and 50+ licensed therapists registered with their Italian professional body. You get accessibility, multilingual care, and the personal touch of traditional practice in one service.

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. Unobravo and Serenis are Italian platforms primarily in Italian (limited English availability). BetterHelp and Talkspace are US-based, not regulated under Italian healthcare law, and don’t issue invoices for Italian tax deduction. All Therapsy therapists are licensed and registered with their Italian professional body: the Albo degli Psicologi for psychologists and psychotherapists, the Ordine dei Medici for psychiatrists.

Both Therapsy and Apricity offer English-speaking therapy in Italy, but they differ significantly. Apricity focuses on English-only counseling primarily in Milan. Therapsy offers therapy in 14 languages (not just English), with both online and in-person sessions across 23 Italian cities, plus psychiatric services. Pricing at Therapsy starts from €70 per session. Both have qualified therapists; Therapsy is broader in language coverage and geographical reach.

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. Our Clinical Director will contact you shortly via WhatsApp to personally guide you through the next step.
  2. Personalized matching: Have a free dedicated conversation with our Clinical Director, who will carefully understand your needs, preferences, and language. Based on this, we will match you with the therapist who best fits your goals and personality.
  3. Free assessment call: Meet your assigned therapist for a free initial assessment call. This session is designed to get to know you, explore your concerns, and explain how therapy works.
  4. Start your journey: Continue with flexible therapy sessions, online or in person across Italy. If needed, we can always rematch you to ensure you feel comfortable and fully supported.

The First Free Assessment Call is a 15-30 minute introductory call with your assigned therapist, after a brief conversation with our Clinical Director who handles the matching. During the call, you’ll meet your therapist, share why you’re seeking therapy, discuss what your therapy path could look like, learn about pricing and session frequency, and decide if online or in-person works best for you. There’s no commitment to continue afterward.

Requesting your free assessment call is simple. Start by filling out the form on our website with your personal details and a brief description of your needs. Once submitted, our Clinical Director will reach out to you to better understand your goals, preferences and language requirements.

Based on this initial exchange, you’ll be matched with the therapist best suited to support you. Your assigned therapist will then contact you to schedule your free assessment call: this first session is designed to get to know you and lay the foundation for your personalized therapy journey.

It’s a quick, supportive process that ensures you’re matched with the right therapist from the start.

No, there is no obligation to continue after your free assessment call. The purpose of this introductory session is to help you understand your options, get matched with the right therapist, and decide if starting therapy with Therapsy feels right for you. You are free to take your time and make the choice that best suits your needs and circumstances, without any pressure or commitment.

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.

Most clients start their first paid session within 3-5 days. The flow: you fill our form, our Clinical Director contacts you within 12 hours, you’re matched with a therapist, then you have your free assessment call within 1-3 days. Italian private therapy waiting lists typically run 2-4 weeks, so we’re significantly faster.

Our Clinical Director typically responds within 12 hours of your initial request, even on weekends. You’ll receive your matched therapist’s name and language within 12 hours, and you can usually schedule your free assessment call within 1-3 days from there.

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. The Clinical Director will match you with a therapist fluent in your preferred language during your free assessment call.

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 at one of our 80+ locations in Italy.

Both – and we tag each therapist with the variant they’re fluent in, so you can tell at a glance. Many of our English-speaking therapists have lived, studied or trained in the US, which means they understand not just the language but the cultural references (yes, including the therapy ones).

Yes. Most language matches are available either in person in Milan or Rome (where most multilingual therapists are based) or 100% online from anywhere in Italy. For less common languages like Hebrew or Arabic, sessions are typically online to expand availability across all cities.

Services and approach

At Therapsy, we believe each person is unique and important. That’s why we conduct a thorough assessment process to understand the individual’s functioning, as well as the dynamics and processes behind their discomfort. Only after this assessment do we create a specialized, personalized therapeutic plan that serves as the gold standard for addressing the specific issues the patient presents. And of course, all of this is infused with a good dose of kindness and empathy!

Therapsy’s primary approach is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), but our therapists are trained in multiple evidence-based methods to fit your specific needs: EMDR for trauma, Schema Therapy for personality and emotional regulation, Metacognitive Interpersonal Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, and Constructivist Cognitive Therapy. The right approach for you is decided together with your therapist after the initial assessment.

Absolutely! You’re in control. Whether you prefer meeting your therapist online via video call or in person at one of our locations, we’re here to make therapy work for you, your way.

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 psychiatric services (medication management). 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 is present in various regions and locations across Italy, including major cities such as Milan, Rome, Florence, Naples, Turin, Bergamo, Bologna, Cagliari, Como, Monza, Padova, Pavia, Piacenza, Rimini, Salerno, Varese, and Verona.

If your area is not listed, feel free to get in touch with us to learn more about other available locations or our upcoming expansions to new areas in Italy.

Therapsy is dedicated to offering accessible services through our network of offices and locations nationwide.

Sessions typically last between 45 and 60 minutes, offering flexibility to ensure that key topics are addressed without feeling rushed. The exact duration may vary based on the depth of the issues discussed and the pace that feels most comfortable for you. Our priority is to provide a space that supports meaningful progress in each session.

Yes, for most conditions. Multiple meta-analyses (including studies published in JAMA Psychiatry and The Lancet) show online therapy is equally effective as in-person for anxiety, depression, PTSD, and many other conditions. The flexibility of online therapy actually improves engagement: clients miss fewer sessions and find it easier to fit therapy into busy lives. Some cases (severe trauma, dissociation) may benefit from in-person work, which Therapsy also offers across 23 Italian cities.

Therapists and psychiatrists

At Therapsy, your therapist will be carefully chosen to match your specific needs and preferences. During your free assessment call, our clinical director will consider factors such as:

  • Your goals and concerns: We’ll match you with a therapist experienced in addressing the issues you’d like to work on.
  • Your language preferences: We have multilingual therapists to ensure you feel understood and comfortable.
  • Your gender preference: If you have a preference for a male or female therapist, we’ll take this into account to ensure you feel at ease.
  • Your personal preferences: Whether you prefer online or in-person sessions, or have specific requests, we tailor the match to your needs.

All of our therapists are licensed, highly qualified, and have been selected for their expertise and ability to create a safe, supportive space. You’ll be in experienced and caring hands throughout your therapeutic journey.

In Italy, only those who are registered in the Register of Psychologists as a Clinical Psychologist or Psychotherapist can practice the profession. However, there are differences between these two roles. The clinical psychologist has completed university studies in psychology and is licensed to provide psychological assessment and support. The psychotherapist is a psychologist or a physician who has additionally completed a postgraduate specialization of at least four years in a recognized therapeutic model, which is what Italian law requires in order to treat mental health disorders with psychotherapy. The psychotherapist, on the other hand, is a psychologist who has also carried out a specialization lasting 4 years, which allows him to have a curative role in the treatment of mental disorders or, more generally, of psychological distress, through scientifically validated techniques and approaches.

The psychiatrist is a medical doctor and, as such, can prescribe drugs to alleviate symptoms and mental distress. The psychiatrist can also be a psychotherapist, but like everyone, to become one, he must have attended specialization school.

For your mental health, rely only on certified psychotherapists!

After the initial sessions, your therapist will assess whether a psychiatric consultation and medication could help improve your well-being. If needed, they can refer you to a trusted psychiatrist who is verified by Therapsy and part of our team. Your therapist will continue to collaborate with the psychiatrist throughout your treatment to ensure you receive the full benefit from both therapy and medication.

At Therapsy, we work with a diverse team of mental health professionals to meet a variety of needs. Our multidisciplinary team ensures that we can offer tailored care, whether you need therapy, psychiatric support, or both. Our team includes:

  • Psychologists
    Experts in mental health who provide support and guidance for emotional and psychological challenges.

  • Clinical Psychologists
    Specialists trained to assess and treat complex psychological conditions with evidence-based approaches.

  • Psychotherapists
    Licensed professionals skilled in helping individuals and couples navigate emotional, relational, and behavioral issues through therapeutic techniques.

  • Psychiatrists
    Medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions, including prescribing and managing medications when needed.

  • Psychoanalysts
    Trained professionals who use psychoanalytic methods to explore deep-seated emotions and unconscious patterns that influence behavior and relationships.

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 a real person, not an algorithm. After your free request, our Clinical Director reviews your needs, language, and preferences, then assigns you to one of 50+ licensed therapists. You’ll get the assigned therapist’s name within 12 hours and have a free 15-30 minute introductory call before committing to anything.

Yes. All Therapsy therapists work under the clinical supervision of Dr. Francesca A. Boccalari, our Clinical Director and co-founder. Complex cases are reviewed and treatment quality is monitored across the team to ensure consistent, evidence-based standards.

Every Therapsy therapist goes through a rigorous selection: verification of registration with the relevant Italian professional body, verification of qualifications including the postgraduate specialization in psychotherapy for those who practise it, clinical interview with our Clinical Director (Dr. Francesca A. Boccalari), and review of areas of expertise and language fluency. We accept fewer than 1 in 100 therapists who apply, ensuring high clinical and linguistic standards.

Conditions we treat

Yes. Anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety, panic, social anxiety, phobias) are among the most common reasons clients come to Therapsy. We treat them with evidence-based approaches including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), schema therapy, and EMDR for anxiety with traumatic origins. Most clients see meaningful improvement within 8-12 sessions.

Yes. Depression is treated at Therapsy through CBT, schema therapy, and metacognitive interpersonal therapy. For moderate-to-severe cases, our team includes psychiatrists who can prescribe medication and coordinate care with your therapist. The free assessment call helps us determine the right approach for your specific situation.

Yes. Cultural adjustment, homesickness, identity shifts, and the loneliness of relocating are core areas of expertise at Therapsy. Many of our therapists have lived abroad themselves or specialize in expat mental health. 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 coordination with our psychiatrists for medication assessment when appropriate. We don’t formally diagnose ADHD via online assessment, but we work with adults who already have a diagnosis or 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 request an LGBTQ+ affirming therapist during your assessment 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 typically held with both partners present (online or in person) and can be conducted in any language both partners share, including with a therapist fluent in both partners’ native languages.

Yes. Therapsy supports clients with eating disorders including binge eating, emotional eating, body image issues, and disordered eating patterns. Treatment combines CBT, schema therapy, and when needed coordination with our psychiatrists. For severe cases requiring inpatient care or medical monitoring, we work alongside specialized centers – your therapist will recommend the right care path during your assessment call.

Yes. OCD is treated at Therapsy with evidence-based approaches: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), CBT, and Metacognitive Therapy. We work with adults dealing with intrusive thoughts, compulsions, contamination fears, perfectionism, and related conditions like trichotillomania. Treatment typically requires 12-20 sessions for meaningful improvement, with ERP being the gold-standard technique.

Yes. Burnout, work-related anxiety, and chronic stress are among the top reasons expats and international professionals come to Therapsy. We use CBT, mindfulness-based approaches, and schema therapy to address both the immediate symptoms (exhaustion, cynicism, reduced effectiveness) and the deeper patterns (perfectionism, boundary issues, work identity). Sessions can be scheduled outside working hours.

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 determine exactly how long your therapy journey will last without first understanding the specific reasons behind your discomfort. After an initial assessment, your therapist will provide feedback on the issues you’ve shared and, together, you’ll set goals. Based on these, the therapist can offer an estimate of the therapy’s duration and the recommended frequency of sessions to achieve the best results. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the length of therapy can change over time, as new topics or situations may emerge, affecting the course and outcome of your journey. Regardless, any adjustments will always be discussed and agreed upon with your therapist—nothing will happen 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 happen on Therapsy’s secure platform via video call: no app to install, no extra software. We recommend headphones for privacy and a closed door whenever possible.

If your connection drops during a session, your therapist will wait 5-10 minutes and try to reconnect. If it can’t be restored, the session is rescheduled at no extra cost. 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. Most clients leave the first session feeling lighter and clearer about the path ahead.

It varies, but most clients notice meaningful improvement within 8-12 sessions for anxiety and mild-to-moderate depression. Trauma and OCD typically require 12-20 sessions. Complex or chronic conditions may need longer-term work (6+ months). Your therapist will give you a clearer estimate after the assessment phase, and progress is reviewed regularly together.

Pricing and payment

The cost of therapy through Therapsy starts from €70 per session and varies based on your location, source, preferences and therapist availability. 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.

Therapsy recommends that you first verify whether your insurance covers all or part of the costs of psychotherapy. If it does, ask your insurance company what specific information needs to be included on the invoice. Once you have the exact details, your therapist will ensure the invoice is prepared accordingly and you can submit it for reimbursement following your insurance company’s guidelines.

Absolutely. In Italy, psychotherapy is classified as a medical expense, meaning you can claim a portion of the cost as a tax deduction. To do so, be sure to keep all your invoices and related documentation. When filing your taxes, you will need to include these expenses under the medical deduction section. We also recommend consulting a tax professional to ensure you are taking full advantage of the available deductions and understand the specific percentage that can be deducted.

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 employs advanced encryption technologies and protective measures to ensure your banking information is handled securely. Additionally, it complies with PCI-DSS security standards, meaning your data is processed with the highest levels of protection to prevent unauthorized access.

Certainly. Invoices will be sent to you by email, and you can also download them from your reserved area on the platform. If you wish, you can authorize us to send your expenses to the Italian National Health Service (through the Tessera Sanitaria system) to deduct the costs from your tax return.

No, Therapsy is not currently part of the Bonus Psicologo network, so the voucher cannot be redeemed directly with us. However, many international clients reimburse therapy costs through their private health insurance (such as Cigna), which often covers a portion of out-of-network mental health care. We provide invoices in English with all the details typically required by insurers.

No. The Italian SSN does not cover private therapy services like Therapsy. SSN-funded mental health care is only available through public ASL services, which often have multi-month waiting lists and don’t offer multilingual therapy. Therapsy is private practice: sessions are paid directly, but invoices are tax-deductible in Italy as medical expenses (19% deduction).

Some private health insurance plans reimburse out-of-network therapy abroad. Cigna is the most common case among our international clients – we have confirmed reimbursements via Cigna. Therapsy issues invoices in English including provider details, patient details, session date, price, and session description. Other plans (Allianz, IMG, GeoBlue) may also reimburse – check with your insurer for their specific requirements 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 ensure the safety and confidentiality of all consultations. Our platform is designed (and our therapists are trained) to protect your privacy and ensure that the information shared is completely secure.

No. Therapsy never records video or audio of therapy sessions. Conversations stay private between you and your therapist, in line with Italian healthcare confidentiality (GDPR + Codice Deontologico degli Psicologi). The only documentation is your therapist’s clinical notes, which are also confidential.

Therapsy is fully GDPR-compliant. Personal data is stored on EU-based servers and accessed only by your therapist and our Clinical Director on a need-to-know basis. Session content is never recorded. Clinical notes are encrypted and stored according to Italian healthcare standards (Codice Deontologico degli Psicologi). You can request access, export, or deletion of your data at any time by contacting info@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 online counseling desk managed by one of our licensed therapists, or a structured partnership where students or employees can request reimbursable therapy sessions. All sessions are held online and managed by multilingual professionals with experience in educational and corporate settings.

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 tailored solution for your school or company. Confidentiality and professionalism are guaranteed throughout the process.

Therapsy vs. others

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