
Dr Antonesei has studied and practiced in the field of psychology and mental health for 20 years in the UK and abroad. She has extensive experience working with adults who are neurodiverse and/or who have (chronic and severe) mental health issues in the community, psychiatric and general hospitals, custodial environments, and private practice.
She is a Chartered Psychologist with British Psychological Society (BPS 316374) and a Clinical Psychologist registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC PYL039120).
Her educational background involves:
- a PhD in Psychology (University of Reading) on the effects of rewards and punishments on learning and decision making in depressed adults (fully funded by the Medical Research Centre);
- a MSc distinction degree in Forensic Psychology (Roehampton University) on sex offenders' treatment in mental health services;
- a MSc degree in Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience (Maastricht University, the Netherlands) on reward learning and memory in depressed adolescents;
- a MSc degree in Clinical Psychology (Babes-Bolyai University, Romania);
- a BSc degree in Psychology (Babes-Bolyai University, Romania).
Family Law
Dr Antonesei runs full psychological and cognitive assessments to assist the Court, the Local Authority, the Children's Services, solicitors, and parents in conducting and taking part in family (pre)proceedings.
She runs comprehensive assessments with regard to:
- neurodevelopmental conditions (e.g., autism, ADHD, learning disabilities);
- mental health conditions (e.g., PTSD, personality disorders, alcohol and substance misuse, suicidal ideation and self-harm, OCD, depression, anxieties);
- (complex) trauma, associated disorders and attachment styles;
- domestic abuse;
- parents' risk for child abuse;
- parenting capacity.
She provides comprehensive reports mainly with regard to:
- the parents' level of cognitive, psychological and interpersonal functioning;
- parents' level of insight;
- the impact of mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions on the parents' ability to provide optimal care;
- the parents' ability to meet their child/ren's developmental timescale, as well as their psychological/emotional needs;
- therapy suggestions for parents, prognosis to achieve and sustain change, willingness to engage with professional agencies, recommendations for intermediaries/advocates, recommendations for local resources/facilities.
Criminal Law
Dr Antonesei runs full psychological, cognitive, risk, and sexual risk assessments to assist the Court, Parole Boards, Mental Health Tribunals, solicitors, and clients in conducting and taking part in criminal proceedings.
She runs comprehensive assessments with regard to:
- neurodevelopmental conditions (e.g., autism, ADHD, learning disabilities);
- mental health conditions (e.g., PTSD, personality disorders, psychopathy, paraphiliac disorders, alcohol and substance misuse, suicidal ideation and self-harm, OCD, depression, anxieties);
- (complex) trauma and associated disorders;
- risk for violence;
- risk for sexual violence towards adults, children, and the general public;
- domestic violence.
She provides comprehensive reports mainly with regard to:
- mental capacity;
- the impact of mental health and/or neurodevelopmental conditions on offensive behaviour;
- risk for violence and risk for relapse;
- risk for sexual violence and sexual deviance;
- vulnerability and suggestibility;
- deception;
- capacity to cope in custodial environment;
- recommendations for intermediaries/advocates.
Immigration Law
Dr Antonesei runs full psychological and cognitive assessments to assist the Immigration and Asylum Chamber, solicitors and clients in conducting and taking part in immigration procedures.
She runs comprehensive assessments with regard to:
- mental health conditions (e.g., PTSD, personality disorders, alcohol and substance misuse, suicidal ideation and self-harm, OCD, depression, anxieties);
- (complex) trauma and associated disorders;
- neurodevelopmental conditions (e.g., autism, ADHD, learning disabilities);
- domestic abuse.
She provides comprehensive reports mainly with regard to:
- mental health diagnosis/es and prognosis;
- recommendations for psychological treatment and timescales;
- ability to recount (details of) relevant life events;
- ability to testify and engage with relevant authorities;
- vulnerability and suggestibility;
- the psychological/emotional effects of deportation and/or being detained in an immigration centre;
- ability to cope and re-adjust in the country of origin.
Dr Antonesei accepts cases that are funded by the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) or privately.