Katerina “Rafaela” Dikefalos, M.S.

About Katerina “Rafaela” Dikefalos

Therapy can not only be a place for growth but also a place where an individual can express themselves in their own authentic way without the fear of being judged. In Rafaela’s therapy, this is her philosophy: adopting a person-centered approach and bringing empathy and acceptance to each of her clients. She believes in having a safe space for everyone to express needs, goals, struggles, and fears, focused on a holistic approach. Rafaela works with the LGBTQIA+ community, emerging adults, the neurodiverse community, children, and young adults struggling with anxiety, depression, OCD, and related disorders. As a therapist, she honors each culture and each unique background her clients come from, since she originally came to the United States from Greece as a child and enjoys immersing herself in learning about other cultures and languages. As a therapist, she has experience using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) skills, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) skills when appropriate. Rafaela also uses mindfulness, CBT, interpersonal, person-centered, narrative, creative expressive, sand play, play therapy techniques, and somatic-focused skills. Rafaela is working on becoming a fully licensed therapist in the state of Georgia and specializing in obsessive-compulsive disorders.

Rafaela joined the Summit team in 2025 and brought with her a wealth of experience and compassion. Prior to joining, she worked as an intake counselor at a psychiatric hospital, where she supported individuals across the lifespan—from children to older adults—by conducting crisis evaluations, offering solution-focused interventions, and recommending appropriate care programs. Her person-centered approach provided comfort and reassurance to clients during some of their most vulnerable moments.

Before her time in inpatient care, Rafaela also offered individual counseling in a private practice setting, working with both adults and children. She helped clients navigate a variety of mental health concerns and areas of personal growth, including obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, neurodiversity, body image issues, body-focused repetitive behaviors, depression, and gender identity.

In addition to her clinical roles, Rafaela has also worked in a public library, where she focused on children’s programming and events designed to foster a love of reading and improve literacy. Her warmth, curiosity, and dedication to helping others shine through in every aspect of her work.

Outside of counseling, Rafaela is usually found wandering through nature on a scenic trail, practicing hot yoga, watching cute dog or cat videos, playing video games, or painting with watercolors. She has an adorable pup named Bilbo and enjoys spending time with her friends and family over brunch or while exploring the city. Rafaela has a passion for learning about new cultures and enjoys attending festivals and trying new cuisines, all while embracing her Greek heritage.

Janet Fluker, M.Ed., M.S. Licensed Professional Counselor Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor