About educational therapists
Educational therapists (psychopedagogues) support children, teenagers and adults with learning difficulties such as dyslexia or attention problems, study techniques and school guidance, in coordination with families and schools.
Getting mental health care in Italy
Public health system · Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN)
Public mental health care is provided by local Centri di Salute Mentale (CSM) and consultori, usually with a GP referral and a co-payment (ticket). The means-tested Bonus psicologo contributes up to 50 euros per session.
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Consiglio Nazionale Ordine degli Psicologi (CNOP) and regional Ordini. Practising as a psychologist requires registration in the Albo degli Psicologi; psychotherapists must have an additional annotation after a recognised specialisation. Search the official register
- FNOMCeO and provincial Ordini dei Medici. Psychiatrists are doctors registered with their provincial Ordine; the FNOMCeO portal lets you search registered doctors. Search the official register
Insurance and coverage
The 2025 Bonus psicologo, applied for via INPS, covered up to 1,500 euros depending on ISEE income, paid at a maximum of 50 euros per session to participating psychotherapists.
Urgent help in Italy
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 112 · Emergencias
- 02 2327 2327 · Telefono Amico Italia
- 06 77208977 · Samaritans Onlus
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: tg24.sky.it, psy.it
What does a educational therapist do?
An educational therapist, known in Spanish as a psicopedagogo, helps children, teenagers and adults learn more effectively. Day to day they identify how a person learns, assess difficulties with reading, writing, maths, organisation or study skills, and design practical intervention plans. They work individually with students and coordinate closely with families and schools, adapting materials and strategies to each learner.
When to see a educational therapist
It can help when a student works hard but grades do not reflect it, struggles with reading or writing, finds it hard to organise or plan, needs support after a diagnosis such as dyslexia or ADHD, or is changing school stage. If there are significant emotional or behavioural problems, or a formal psychological diagnosis is needed, an educational or clinical psychologist should be involved.
How is it different from other professionals?
A psychopedagogue usually has a background in education and focuses on learning processes and intervention. An educational psychologist is a licensed psychologist who can carry out formal psychological assessments and address emotional or behavioural aspects. A speech therapist works on language, speech and communication. A private tutor teaches subject content, whereas a psychopedagogue works on how the student learns.
What happens in the first session
The first meeting usually involves an interview with the family, or with the adult learner, about school history, current difficulties and what has been tried, followed by observation or initial tasks with the student. Bring report cards, notebooks, previous assessments and teacher comments. Ask what the plan will include, how progress is measured and how they coordinate with the school.
How long does the process take?
Intervention is often organised in one or two sessions a week, frequently aligned with the school year. Some goals, like study techniques, can be worked on in a few months; persistent learning difficulties may need support over a longer period. Duration depends on the student’s age, the type of difficulty, motivation, practice at home and collaboration with teachers.
Online or in person?
Online sessions can work well for older children, teenagers and adults, especially for study skills, organisation and reading or writing practice with shared screens. They also make it easier to meet with families. Younger children, or those with marked attention difficulties, often benefit more from in-person sessions using hands-on materials and close guidance.
How to check their qualifications
Psychopedagogy is not a regulated profession in many countries, so check the professional’s degree in education, psychopedagogy or psychology, any postgraduate training in learning difficulties, and their experience with students of similar age and needs. Membership of professional associations and ongoing training are good signs. If a formal diagnosis is needed, confirm who will be responsible for it.
What affects the price?
Prices vary with the professional’s training and experience, session length and frequency, whether an initial assessment with report is included, the city and modality. Many offer monthly fees for regular sessions. Ask what is included, such as coordination with the school or materials, and whether schools or public education services provide learning support at no cost.
How to choose
When choosing, check the licence and training, the approach they use and whether they have experience with what you need. Consider practical aspects too: language, price, location or online sessions and availability. The relationship with the professional matters a great deal; if after a few sessions it does not feel right, it is fine to change.
Frequently asked questions
Does the public health system in Italy cover psychological care?
Public mental health care is provided by local Centri di Salute Mentale (CSM) and consultori, usually with a GP referral and a co-payment (ticket). The means-tested Bonus psicologo contributes up to 50 euros per session.
How do I check that a educational therapist is licensed in Italy?
Consiglio Nazionale Ordine degli Psicologi (CNOP) and regional Ordini: Practising as a psychologist requires registration in the Albo degli Psicologi; psychotherapists must have an additional annotation after a recognised specialisation.