Living abroad is exhilarating – until it isn’t. Between new languages, unfamiliar school systems, cultural codes you’re still decoding, and the quiet pressure of raising children far from extended family, even the most resilient parents can feel unmoored.
Parenting between cultures asks more of you than you ever anticipated. And yet, in Lecce, there is a quiet, often overlooked support system designed precisely for these moments. Centro Psifia offers something rare: a space that holds families through overwhelm and helps transform it into growth – an emotional anchor, and perhaps even a home away from home, for international families navigating life in a foreign land.
Centro Psifia (officially Psi.f.i.a. – Psicoterapeuti per la Famiglia, l’Infanzia e l’Adolescenza) is a social cooperative of psychoanalytic therapists rooted in Lecce. Founded by a group of experienced psychologists, psychoanalysts, and trainees, the center draws on the psychoanalytic traditions of Freud, Klein, Winnicott, and Bion. Their shared mission is to transform psychological distress into opportunities for growth through supportive, meaningful therapeutic relationships.
Although each therapist maintains an independent private practice, they came together to establish Psifia out of a deep commitment to making high-quality psychological support more accessible to the wider community. The cooperative is particularly dedicated to supporting children, adolescents, young adults, and parents – accompanying them through the complex emotional challenges of family life, parenthood, and life transitions.
In a meeting with Anna Vantaggio (President of Centro Psifia) and Sara Scrimieri (Partner and Treasurer), we spoke about parenthood, motherhood, and the challenges of moving to a new city.
Key Services for Immigrating Families
Centro Psifia offers several key services tailored for English and Spanish-speaking international families in Lecce. The programs address common challenges like cultural adjustment, parenting stress, postpartum challenges for mothers and fathers, and school integration, with a focus on inclusion and emotional well-being. Here’s a closer look at services that might resonate most with foreign-resident families:
Lotus: Support for Families with Babies & Young Children (age 0 to 5)
Who it’s for: Parents of children from birth to age 5.
What it does: Lotus provides home-based support to prevent stressors from turning into maternal perinatal depression or harmful family dynamics. In simple terms, trained professionals visit families at home to offer guidance, emotional understanding, and practical support during the sensitive early years of parenthood.
Why this is valuable for expats: For parents adapting to a new culture and the challenges of early childhood, this program blends emotional support with real-life help — without you having to navigate complex systems alone.
Intercultural – multicultural workshops
Who it’s for: Foreign-born children and their families.
What it does: This program creates a safe, inclusive environment where children and parents can connect socially and emotionally, celebrating cultural diversity while nurturing mental well-being.
Why it matters: Newcomer families often struggle with social inclusion. These workshops foster connection and acceptance — helping children build friendships and parents feel seen and supported.
Stories of Children That Help Adults Grow (spazio di lettura e gioco)
Who it’s for: Families with young children.
What it does: Storytelling and play sessions designed to bridge the emotional world of children and adults — especially useful in understanding how kids feel, including the lingering effects of pandemic-era isolation.
Why it’s special: Play and narrative are universal languages — great tools for families navigating cultural adaptation and emotional expression with young children.
Oh!… my child is growing?! – Support for Primary School Transitions
Who it’s for: Parents of children starting primary school.
What it does: Group meetings dedicated to the emotional and relational complexities that come when a child begins primary school.
Why this helps: Enrolling your child in a new school system (especially in Italian) can be both exciting and stressful. These meetings help parents feel emotionally prepared and confident.
little backpacks on shoulders
Who it’s for: Parents of children starting preschool.
What it does: Group meetings to help families navigate the emotional and relational transitions that come with beginning early childhood education. It addresses anxiety for non-Italian speaking families entering Italy’s early education system.
Why it’s impactful: Entering preschool is a big emotional milestone — especially for young children adjusting to routines, new people, and separation from parents.
emotion, thinking, learning – for educators
Who it’s for: Teachers and educators.
What it does: A professional development path focused on the emotional side of learning — teaching adults how affect and cognition work together in classroom relationships, with attention to challenges amplified by today’s world.
Why it’s helpful: If your child’s teachers undergo this kind of training, it’s a win for your child – meaning more emotionally aware, supportive learning environments.
Why It Matters for Expats in Lecce
Moving to a new country brings both exciting opportunities and emotional challenges – for children and adults. Centro Psifia offers several programs that speak directly to the needs of families abroad: support during early childhood, help navigating school transitions, and spaces that build community and belonging.
About the Founders & Approach
Over the past decade, this organization has developed into a trusted hub of psychological support, preventive care, and community integration services – especially for children, parents, and families navigating developmental, educational, and emotional transitions. Founded in 2009 as a youth innovation project funded by Puglia Region’s “Principi Attivi,” it evolved into a social cooperative in 2021, led by psychologists trained at AIPPI and SIPSI schools inspired by Tavistock Clinic methods.
Their philosophy centers on turning emotional difficulties into growth opportunities by strengthening relationships – not just with children, but among families and within the wider community. The team draws on extensive clinical training and psychodynamic theory to support healthy development at every stage of childhood and family life.
Practical Details
Whether you’re navigating early parenthood, helping your child adjust to school, or simply looking for community connection and emotional support in a foreign land – Centro Psifia is a local resource that can make the journey feel a little lighter and more understood.
Where: Via Pietro Marti 9A, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Contact: centropsifia@gmail.com | +39 388 784 2835