When to seek Italian-language therapy
Seeking psychological support in your mother tongue is not simply a matter of convenience. For many people, it is a clinical necessity. Emotions, family memories, and our deepest experiences live in the language in which they were first felt. Working in Italian allows you to express nuances, expressions, and cultural contexts that are often lost in translation.
For Italian expats in Dubai, therapy in Italian can be particularly helpful at key moments: during initial adjustment to a new culture, when facing work or relationship challenges, in important life transitions such as marriage, parenthood, or returning to Italy, and in times of grief or family crisis, where support in your mother tongue offers a comfort that English often cannot provide.
Therapy in Italian is also essential for Italian children growing up abroad. Working with a psychologist or psychiatrist who understands Italian culture, family dynamics, and the bilingual experience allows children to feel fully understood without the mediation of a second language.
What to expect at your first appointment
Your first appointment is an opportunity for us to get to know each other. We will ask you to share what brought you to seek help, your personal and medical history, and what your goals are. There is no need to prepare — simply come as you are, with your questions and concerns.
Sessions typically last 50 minutes and can take place in person at our clinic in Dubai or online via secure video call. We will work together to define an individualized treatment plan, and we will check in on your progress at regular intervals. The frequency and duration of therapy vary based on your needs.
We operate on a pay-and-claim basis for insurance: clients pay for sessions directly and then submit invoices to their insurance provider for reimbursement, according to the terms of their policy. Our reception team can provide detailed invoices to make the process as simple as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a native Italian speaker to have therapy in Italian?
No, you do not need to be a native speaker. Italian-language therapy is helpful for anyone who feels more comfortable expressing themselves in Italian, even if it is not their first language. Many of our clients are bilingual or trilingual, and choose Italian for therapy because it is the language in which their most significant emotional experiences were lived.
Can my children have therapy in Italian?
Yes. Italian-language therapy is particularly valuable for Italian children and adolescents growing up abroad. Working with a psychologist or psychiatrist who speaks Italian allows children to express emotions, family memories, and cultural nuances without the additional difficulty of translation. Claudia Adami offers therapy in Italian for children from age 7 and adolescents. For psychiatric consultations, Dr. Enrica Verrengia accepts adolescents from age 14 and Dr. Lara Foresi from age 16.
What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?
A psychologist offers psychotherapy — treatment through conversation and various evidence-based therapeutic techniques. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe medication, review existing pharmacological treatment, and manage conditions that require medical intervention. At Thrive, Dr. Manuela Paone and Claudia Adami provide psychotherapy, while Dr. Lara Foresi and Dr. Enrica Verrengia provide psychiatric consultations.
Can sessions be held online?
Yes. All of our Italian-speaking clinicians offer online sessions via secure video call, in addition to in-person sessions at our clinics in Dubai. Both Dr. Lara and Dr. Manuela offer online sessions via secure video call, in addition to in-person sessions at our clinic in Dubai. Online sessions are particularly useful for clients who travel frequently, those living in other parts of the UAE or abroad, and those who prefer the convenience of working from home.
How long are sessions, and how long does therapy usually last?
Sessions typically last 50 minutes. The overall duration of therapy varies considerably depending on the situation: some specific concerns can be addressed in a few sessions, while deeper work may take months or even years. Frequency is usually weekly at the start, and can decrease over time. We will discuss a realistic plan together based on your needs.
Is what I share kept confidential?
Yes, with a few limited exceptions. What you share stays between you and your clinician. The exceptions are if there is a serious risk to your safety or someone else’s, or a concern that a child or vulnerable person is at risk of harm. Our clinicians also discuss cases in confidential clinical supervision. Your clinician will go through this with you in your first session.
Our wider multilingual team offers therapy in 16 languages: English, Arabic, Italian, French, Spanish, Greek, Bulgarian, Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian, Romanian, Urdu, Hindi, Gujarati, Malayalam, and Afrikaans. Farsi is understood but not used as a therapy language.
Contact us at +971 56 895 2347, email reception@thrive.ae, or use the form below to get in touch.
