Dr Julia-Rafaella Papantoniou first began her training with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, graduating before going on to complete a Master of Science in Health Psychology from King’s College London and a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology and Psychotherapy. Her path has taken her through community mental health services, health psychology services, and outpatient services, supporting individuals across a wide range of clinical presentations, and into trauma-focused and evidence-based therapy, which has shaped the way she now works with clients.
In the therapy room, Dr Papantoniou brings an authentic, curious, and professional approach. She draws on training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Schema Therapy (ST), and systemic family approaches, as well as Narrative Exposure Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). She has a particular interest in complex childhood trauma, psychosis, complex post-traumatic stress disorder, and neurodiversity-related needs, and adapts her approach to suit the unique needs of each client.
Her therapeutic style is values-based and client-centered, focusing on meaningful changes that resonate with each person. She emphasises the importance of a strong and honest therapeutic relationship, shared responsibility, and active engagement, balancing warmth and comfort with thoughtful challenge. This creates a space where clients can explore difficult experiences while being gently encouraged to approach their growth edge.
She works with individuals facing challenges such as depression, anxiety, stress, anger, obsessive-compulsive disorder (ODC), phobias, trauma, sleep difficulties, learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism (ASD), and has specialist experience in complex trauma, psychosis, and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Whatever someone is struggling with, Dr Papantoniou aims to offer support that recognises and respects their unique needs and experiences.