Toni Raphael
Clinical Psychologist · Psychotherapist · Accredited Family Mediator · Parenting Coordinator
Toni Raphael is a Cape Town-based clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, and FAMAC-accredited family mediator and parenting coordinator with more than 30 years' professional experience.
She works with adults, adolescents, children and families experiencing personal challenges or difficult transitions, including separation and divorce. In addition to therapy, family mediation, parenting coordination and reunification therapy, Toni brings extensive experience in psycho-legal work and assessments.
This experience continues to inform Toni's work today, though her current focus is on therapeutic and non-adversarial approaches.
Toni has a special interest in working with neurodivergent people and their families, including those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and pathological demand avoidance (PDA), also referred to as persistent drive for autonomy.
Her practice is inclusive and welcoming of all, including LGBTQIA+ people and those whose identities, relationships or circumstances may sit outside conventional expectations.
With substantial clinical experience and a warm, down-to-earth approach, Toni works collaboratively and without judgement, recognising that every situation is different and that there are no one-size-fits-all answers.
Fundamental principles
There are no universal solutions
Every person is different. Every family is different. Every relationship is different. Good psychological work starts by understanding the person and their circumstances rather than trying to fit them into a predetermined solution.
Therapy is collaborative
The psychologist brings professional knowledge, experience and perspective; the client brings knowledge of their own life. Therapy is something done collaboratively with people, rather than to them.
The relationship matters
Therapy is not simply about techniques or sharing expert information. Trust, connection and what happens within the therapeutic relationship are an important part of the process.
People cannot be understood in isolation
Our relationships, families, circumstances and wider environments affect how we experience the world.
People do not need to be fixed
Sometimes people come to therapy because something needs to change. At other times, what they really need is greater understanding, acceptance, permission, affirmation or a different way of navigating circumstances and relationships.
Professional experience
Private practice, Fish Hoek
Clinical psychologist and psychotherapist in private practice, and a FAMAC-accredited family mediator and parenting coordinator, working with adults, adolescents, children and families.
South African Police Service
Psychologist with the SAPS Institute of Behavioural Sciences (later Psychological Services), gaining substantial experience in crisis intervention, risk assessment, trauma and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Master of Arts, Clinical Psychology
University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg. Clinical training across child and family, community mental health, general hospital and psychiatric settings.
Professional credentials
- MA in Clinical Psychology — University of KwaZulu-Natal
- Registered Clinical Psychologist — Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), since 1994
- Accredited Family Mediator & Parenting Coordinator — Family Mediators' Association of the Cape (FAMAC), since 2012
- Registered with the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF)