Meet Rafaella
Rafaella Karydi
You Don’t Have to Carry This Alone: We are here to help
You may have found your way here because life feels overwhelming, painful, or stuck. Trauma, anxiety, complex PTSD, or emotional struggles can leave you feeling isolated but healing is possible.
I’m Raf, an integrative therapist offering a safe, compassionate space where you can begin to make sense of your story, explore the roots of your pain, and build new ways forward. Whether you’re dealing with intense emotions, relationship challenges, past trauma, or simply feeling lost we can work together to help you reconnect with yourself.
About Me: Therapy Tailored to You
I’ve always felt called to support people through life’s most difficult chapters. Originally from South Africa, now based in the UK, my own mixed heritage and lived experience as an expat give me a deep appreciation for how our unique stories shape us.
I believe we carry narratives — written by our past experiences, relationships, and environment, but these do not have to define us. In therapy, we’ll explore these patterns together, gently untangling what holds you back, and helping you find strength, clarity, and healing.
As an integrative therapist, I adapt my approach to meet your individual needs. I draw from a range of evidence-based models, including DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), person-centred therapy, psychodynamic approaches, and holistic mind-body work. My aim is always to create a supportive, culturally sensitive space where you feel seen, heard, and empowered.
In addition to private practice, I’ve supported individuals through domestic violence services, housing, homelessness, and social care; experience that has deepened my understanding of trauma, resilience, and complex life challenges.
Specialist Therapy for Trauma, Complex PTSD, Anxiety & Emotional Dysregulation
Trauma leaves deep marks — sometimes obvious, sometimes hidden. If you’re living with complex PTSD (C-PTSD), past abuse, childhood trauma, or emotional dysregulation, you may experience:
- Flashbacks or intrusive memories
- Emotional overwhelm or numbness
- Anxiety, panic attacks, or hypervigilance
- Chronic low self-esteem or self-criticism
- Relationship difficulties and fear of abandonment
- Difficulty trusting others or feeling safe
- Intense mood swings, anger, or shutdown
- Shame, guilt, or feeling “broken”
My therapeutic approach is designed to help you safely process trauma and rebuild emotional stability.
I offer trauma-informed therapy using integrative methods, combining:
- DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy): to help you regulate intense emotions, reduce impulsive behaviours, improve relationships, and build distress tolerance.
- EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): to help process traumatic memories and reduce the emotional impact of past events.
- Psychodynamic & Humanistic Therapies: to explore underlying patterns, attachment wounds, and relational trauma.
- Mind-Body Awareness: recognizing how trauma affects both your mind and nervous system, supporting holistic healing.
I work with adults experiencing complex PTSD, BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder), generalised anxiety, depression, dissociation, emotional abuse, and long-standing relational trauma. Whether your trauma stems from childhood, relationships, or life events, therapy can provide a path toward healing, self-understanding, and emotional regulation.
Whether you’re ready to begin therapy or just considering your options, you’ve already taken an important first step by being here.
I offer a contained, non-judgmental space where we can explore your story together, at your pace. Healing is possible, even if it doesn’t feel that way right now.
If you feel ready to talk, I would be honoured to support you.
Sessions are £55 for 50 minutes. Concessions are available for low income, keyworkers, trainee counsellors, unemployed individuals, and refugees.
Cancellation fee of £55 applies for less than 24 hour notice.
I am happy to reschedule sessions in the same week if possible.