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Transcultural couple therapy

Love without borders: when cultural difference becomes a resource

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In recent years, marriages between people of different cultures, who find themselves facing particular problems inherent to their cultural affiliations, have become increasingly frequent. In fact, they find themselves facing obstacles that couples belonging to the same culture do not have, such as:

  • Religious differences

  • Language barriers

  • Social nets

  • Loss of one's identity

  • Different lifestyle

  • Prejudice

Ours was a professional encounter that began several years ago. We come from two different formations, one systemic and the other dynamic, carried out in different countries. Both moved by the curiosity of everything that is different from us, we have studied and experimented with a therapeutic model that could make diversity its strong point. For several years we have been working with couples from different cultures, helping them in managing conflicts and managing the difficulties they encounter in everyday life. We conduct the couple's sessions in co-therapy, this allows us to act as a model for the couple and allows the client (couple) to have two different points of view regarding the same issue. Sessions are conducted in Italian with minimum support in English.

How was our model born?

When to ask for help?

When conflict jeopardizes the harmony and complicity of the couple. When repetitive dynamics fuel misunderstandings and create a vicious cycle of frustration and disappointment. When one or both partners experience a lasting malaise that pushes them away and makes them feel very lonely. In these cases, couple's therapy turns out to be an excellent help.

Why therapy?

Couple's therapy can help process conflicts that often arise from cultural diversity, making diversity a resource rather than a hindrance. For the couple, therapy can become the shared ground of resources and language while respecting the uniqueness of the individual.

Therapeutic goals

  • Finding an understanding as a couple by honoring and respecting their uniqueness.

  • Listening and understanding each other (different lifestyles, money management, male and female roles, customs and rituals)

  • Think positively about their differences

  • Passing on both cultures to their children

  • Finding a new way to communicate

Co-therapy

Therapy takes place in Italian with minimal support, if necessary, in English.

Dr.ssa Teresa Paolella
(systemic therapist))
psicologateresapaolella.it

Dr.ssa Selvaggia Wild

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