Today we’d like to introduce you to Rafaela Antoniadou.
Hi Rafaela, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started working three jobs as a teenager, one of them at a doctor’s office where I met kids with autism who left a lasting impression on me. That experience led me to ABA, where I began as a technician and quickly developed a passion for helping families through behavior support. As I got older, I pursued my BCBA to design treatment plans and mentor staff. Once in the field, I saw how insurance barriers, staff burnout, and inequities in corporate settings impacted care. That’s why I founded The Cove Behavioral Services—a small, values-driven practice focused on ethical, trauma-informed, and family-centered care.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No—nothing truly worth building ever comes without challenges. The road has been anything but smooth. I’ve faced personal, professional, and business hurdles—from working multiple jobs while going to school, to moving, getting married, navigating COVID, managing health concerns, and launching a business. But every challenge came with a lesson, and none of them could be overcome without a rooted support system. I’ve been fortunate to find a community and build a family—both personally and professionally—that continues to uplift and stand beside me. That foundation is what keeps me going.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Cove Behavioral Services/The Cove ABA?
At The Cove Behavioral Services, we provide trauma-informed ABA therapy for children, teenagers, and adults diagnosed with autism. Our programs are tailored to meet the developmental, emotional, and behavioral needs of each age group, with services that include direct therapy, parent training, supervision, and community resource support. Whether it’s early intervention, adolescent skill building, or adult transition planning, our approach is rooted in compassion, clinical excellence, and ethical care.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Providers and clinicians can collaborate with us through referrals, joint programming, or professional development. We also welcome partnerships with schools, advocacy groups, and organizations committed to trauma-informed, inclusive care. We’re always open to meaningful collaboration that uplifts families and empowers care teams. To learn more or get in touch, visit www.thecoveaba.net or email us at [email protected]
Pricing:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield-Michigan
- Blue Care Network-Michigan
- Aetna
- Private Pay
- Other Commercial Insurances
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thecoveaba.net
- Other: [email protected]
