JUNe 13 - 17, 2024 | tuscany

“Home feels like everywhere and nowhere at once…what I really long for is to finally feel like I belong somewhere.”

“With such an uncertain future, how does one choose where to put one’s roots?”

“I’m searching for connection…to a place, to other humans, to myself.”

“Should I settle where I am? Should I move on to somewhere new? Should I go back to where I came from?”

Camilla Gamba

 I am an Italian American psychotherapist based in Milan. I’ve been working on questions of “Home and Belonging” my whole life, growing up between Italy and the United States (and London in my 20s).

Though I have not yet landed on the answer to the question “Where is home?”, I find that I feel a deep sense of belonging and connection in the process of exploring these themes with fellow human beings.

I’ve been working as a therapist supporting people from all over the world to improve their mental, emotional and relational wellbeing. 

In the past I led a multi-cultural Social Theatre Group using Theatre of the Oppressed techniques to explore issues around migration and social justice. More recently I have been exploring outdoor and nature-connection practices in my work as a mental health practitioner.

Mathilde Tomasella

I am an Italian German anthropologist, facilitator and performer based between Berlin and Italy. In my background in social and cultural anthropology and Global Studies, I researched themes around identity, questions on belonging as well as the idea of "home". This has been influenced by my own background, having grown up and moved between different cultural settings: Italy, Germany, The Netherlands, India, Argentina, Malawi and South Africa.

Throughout my career, I've focused on the social and political aspects of belonging, facilitating processes in active global citizenship education, transcultural exchanges and anti-discrimination workshops, and created spaces for the empowerment of migrant women in society and business.

In recent years, I have been focusing on artistic and performative research, facilitating spaces for embodied and somatic approaches, drawing from Theatre of the Oppressed, social and community theater methods as well as the Work that Reconnects.

I have a certification in Integrated Movement and Performance Practice by arthaus.berlin/ Thomas Prattki Centre and I collaborate with theatre collectives around issues of care, solidarity and the political meanings of the body.

Reflecting on this journey, my quest for home has always been a process involving exploration, challenges and transformation. By recognizing the pursuit of belonging as a profound aspect of the human experience, I’d like us to navigate its complexity together, connecting and empowering each other.

Shelbie Ely

I am an American Counselor, with over 12 years of experience as a School Counselor and a National Certified Counselor in the United States and in Italy. I've dedicated my career to nurturing others' emotional and psychological well-being. Having embarked on an expatriate journey to Milan, Italy, where I've resided for six years, I've embraced the challenges and joys of adapting to a new culture, language, and way of life. Through this experience, as well as living in multiple states prior to my international move, I've recognized the paramount importance of community-building when navigating such transitions, often wrestling with my own questions and feelings surrounding home and belonging.

My primary work experience has been working with children, teens, and their families in a school setting and now private practice, primarily with international families. I love leading workshops for parents on how to support their childs’ overall well-being, as well as transitions when moving. My expatriate journey has also fueled my passion for educating and counseling others about wellness and life balance, advocating for a holistic approach encompassing mental health, physical well-being, and meaningful connections.

Paola Sabatini

I am an Italian British psychotherapist based in Rome. My personal background has encouraged the development of my interest and understanding of other cultures, offering me the opportunity to widen my personal and professional knowledge and experience. Home and Belonging are two concepts which have been an ever present feature of my life and identity over the years. 

As far as my job is concerned, I work privately with the expat community (adults and couples)  in Rome and online with people all over Italy and the world. I draw on different therapeutic techniques, among which, emerging approaches to psychotherapy within the cognitive-behavioral framework. I have many years of experience providing support to asylum seekers, and am pursuing my passion for eco-psychology.

This retreat is organised in collaboration with GRT - Group for Transcultural Relations. 

GRT works around the world to promote psychosocial well-being and mental health through the lens of transcultural psychology.

The projects run by GRT aim to foster community development, social justice, respect for human rights and social inclusion at local and international level.