Clinical Expertise

Every senior member of the internationally trained multi-disciplinary Montrose Place team is qualified and registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

Our clinical team (in-house and consultants) includes:

• Consultant Psychiatrists
• A Clinical Psychologist
• An Occupational Therapist
• Specialist Addiction Counsellors
• An Eating Disorder Specialist
• Art and Drama Therapists
• Psychiatric Nurses
• A Dietitian
• A Biokineticist
• Clinical outreach co-ordinator

Michael Worne

General Manager

In November, Michael Worne joined Montrose as General Manager. Michael is a Chartered Accountant and has worked extensively in the Pharmaceutical Industry both with start-up and Fortune 100 companies.

Johan de Goede

Head of Addictions

Over the past 12 years Johan de Goede has had extensive involvement at all levels of addiction treatment including providing preventative intervention and aftercare at government funded and private treatment centres. Trained at a national level, Johan has also worked as a representative of the Provincial Drug Forum.

Annemarie Louw

Head of Eating Disorders

Annemarie has more than 10 years’ experience in the treatment of addictions and eating disorders. Her expertise in counselling and family therapy allowed her to develop the successful familytherapy programmes at both Montrose Manor and Montrose Place. She has trained under some of the most highly respected helping professionals in the field.From all her experience she has developed a passion for creating and maintaining an excellent client-centred programme, staffed by a cohesive clinical team of dedicated, caring professionals.

Fonnie Hufke

Full Time Addictions Counsellor

Fonnie Hufke is a doyen of the 12-Step movement in South Africa and brings with him more than ten years of addiction counselling experience gathered in two of South Africa’s top addiction treatment centres and a superb knowledge of the Minnesota model which is a key component of the Montrose Treatment programme.

Penny Garden

Full Time Addictions Counsellor

Penny Garden did her honors in psychology and during this time worked as a volunteer at Lifeline. She completed her graduate diploma in counseling with ACAP (Australian college of applied psychology) and completed an internship with Korea UN AIDS whilst working in Korea teaching English. Penny Garden also worked at Stepping Stones for three years and was part of the team setting up Harmony addictions clinic (primary care) where she worked for a year before going on maternity leave.  She has been at Montrose since May 2010 and particularly enjoys working with families.

Peter Powis

Consulting Clinical Psychologist

Peter is a Clinical Psychologist with decades of experience in the fields of Addictions and Eating Disorders. He has developed and run internationally respected programmes and mentors other professionals working in the field.

Gideon Williams

Client Liaison Officer

Gideon initially joined the team at Montrose Place in July 2009 as an Evening and Weekend Counsellor and was recently appointed House Manager.

Prior to joining us Gideon spent thirteen years as Client Services Manager in a corporate environment. With another four years of experience in the residential treatment field and an exceptionally strong understanding of the Minnesota Treatment Model, he is an integral part of our clinical team.

Gideon is also a committed and active member of the 12 Step Recovery Fellowship.

Wilma Thompson

Head Nurse

Wilma Thompson joined the nursing team at Montrose Place in 2009. Wilma qualified in 1985, specialising in psychiatry. Having worked in a State Hospital for sixteen years and the private sector, in South Africa’s first addiction and eating disorder treatment centre, for nine, Wilma brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role.

Patricia Domberg

Senior Nurse

Patricia Domburg has obtained her S.E.N.A. (Senior Nursing Auxiliary) certificate. She has worked for 14 years in the field of psychiatry and for 10 years the field of addiction. Her calm but strong manner and extensive knowledge and experience are wonderful assets to Montrose Place.

Shân Biesman-Simons

Dietician

Shân Biesman-Simons is a registered dietician who qualified at the University of Cape Town. Prior to her work at Montrose Place she worked as the senior dietician at Groote Schuur hospital, has lectured at Florida International University in Miami and worked on numerous dietetic-related projects. For many years she has had a private practice specialising in Eating Disorders and Diseases of Lifestyle. Shân is also the director of Nutrition and Education at the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa.

CONSULTING THERAPISTS

Helen Nicoloplos-Planting

Art and Drama Therapist

With a degree in Clinical Psychology and a Licentiate Drama Teachers Diploma from the Trinity College of London, Helen has many years of experience working with a diverse group of clients in South Africa and abroad. She provides specialised therapeutic programmes for individuals with addictions, compulsive behaviours and eating disorders. As a consultant therapist unique Helen’s skills further enhance the comprehensive treatment offered at Montrose Place.

Elke Hagedorn

Occupational Therapist

Elke Hagedorn is an Occupational Therapist who graduated in 1997 from the University of Stellenbosch. Her 10 years of experience includes working in the United Kingdom in various psychiatric hospitals and mental health teams, lecturing at the University of Cape Town, and working at one of Cape Town’s most prestigious treatment centres within the psychiatric and Eating Disorder departments.