After graduating in Logopaedics from UCT (1983), Rafaela emigrated to the UK where she worked in the National Health Service as a Speech and Language Therapist, , thereafter into management of Therapies for East London, (UK). With 30 years in the NHS, her skills include managing therapies across a range of services and providing therapeutic and counselling support to people with disability across all ages.
With the passing of her daughter in 2013 after a lifelong illness, she left the NHS and returned to South Africa.

In September 2018 Rafaela trained with Professor Dr Joanne Cacciatore’s MISS Foundation, Centre for Loss and Trauma in Arizona, USA, (affiliated with the Elizabeth Kubler Ross Trust) and became a Certified Compassionate Bereavement Care Provider. In May 2020 she completed the Soul Carers training under Dr. Mary Ryan and as an active member of the Soul Carers Network she companions end-of-life patients from St. Luke’s; Abundant Life Palliative Care and private referrals, drawing on her extensive professional and personal experiences of over 40 years.
Rafaela offers a compassionate, holistic and spiritual approach to these patients and their families as they prepare for their final journey.

Cell: 071 476 1579
email: rafaelapeerutin@gmail.com