ABOUT
US
Our story begins with a simple truth: recovery is about restoring hope, dignity, and a renewed self
Behind every recovery story is a team that cares deeply.
Our team is united by a commitment to your healing journey.
Clive’s passion for helping others heal from addiction comes from deeply personal experience. Having faced and overcome a severe substance abuse problem, he knows first-hand the courage and commitment it takes to rebuild your life. Now, more than twenty years sober, Clive sees it as his life’s work to guide others out of the chaos of addiction and towards lasting recovery. Together with his wife, Yonit, he founded Journey Recovery & Wellness Centre: a compassionate space where people can break free from addiction, work through trauma, reconnect with themselves and others, and reignite their passion for life.
Yonit Blumenthal is the co-founder and managing director of Journey Recovery & Wellness Centre, and a dedicated addiction and trauma counsellor with more than 15 years of hands-on experience in rehabilitation and halfway-house management. Her work centres on helping individuals and families heal from addiction and deep emotional pain through trauma-informed, family-centred care.
As a Compassionate Inquiry practitioner, trained in the psychotherapeutic approach developed by Dr Gabor Maté, Yonit guides clients to uncover and release the childhood trauma, emotional constriction, and suppressed pain that often lie beneath addiction and mental illness.
Her personal journey has profoundly shaped her purpose. Having lived through the challenges of supporting a spouse in recovery for over two decades, Yonit understands the emotional, legal, and relational complexities that addiction brings. This lived empathy fuels her unwavering commitment to compassionate, non-punitive care that treats addiction not as a moral failing, but as a response to deep-seated wounds.
As the heart of Journey’s operations in both Johannesburg and Ballito, Yonit has cultivated a safe, nurturing environment where every person is seen, heard, and supported on their path to healing. Her mission is simple yet profound: to provide the kind of compassionate care she once longed for: helping others rebuild their lives with hope, dignity, and lasting transformation.
As the General Manager of Journey Recovery & Wellness Centre in Ballito, Patsy Dulobo is the heart and soul of the facility: a steady, compassionate presence who makes every patient and staff member feel valued and cared for.
Patsy’s leadership goes far beyond administration; she leads with warmth, empathy, and quiet strength, ensuring that the centre runs smoothly while maintaining its deeply human touch. Her genuine care for each person who walks through Journey’s doors sets the tone for a space defined by kindness, dignity, and healing.
Whether she’s offering a word of encouragement, tending to a patient’s needs, or surprising everyone with her incredible home-cooked meals, Patsy embodies the nurturing spirit that makes Journey Ballito feel like a true home away from home. Her dedication to compassionate, trauma-informed care and her unwavering attention to detail make her an irreplaceable part of the Journey family.
Shahil Narotam is a Patient Consultant and Trainee Counsellor at Journey Recovery & Wellness Centre in Ballito. His work is deeply informed by lived experience, grounding his approach in empathy, authenticity, and a genuine understanding of the recovery process.
Having completed a two-month treatment programme at Journey himself, Shahil returned to the centre after 15 months in recovery to support others walking a similar path. This personal journey allows him to connect meaningfully with patients, offering reassurance, continuity, and a sense of being truly understood. As a Patient Consultant, Shahil works closely with individuals from the moment they enter the programme, supporting them throughout treatment and into their transition beyond Journey.
Shahil has recently been invited to further his professional development as a Trainee Counsellor, reflecting both his commitment to personal growth and his natural ability to support patients as they navigate addiction, emotional regulation, and behavioural change. His calm, grounded presence and thoughtful engagement continue to inspire trust and hope in those he works alongside.
Academically, Shahil holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Psychology and Legal Studies, as well as an LLB. He spent many years practising in the legal field and successfully ran his own business for over two decades before choosing to dedicate his professional life fully to the recovery space.
Outside of Journey, Shahil enjoys travelling and spending quality time with his wife and two sons. He finds meaning and gratitude in life’s small moments: a perspective that supports his own recovery and informs the compassion, integrity, and presence he brings to his work each day.
Sibusisiwe Pamela Pillay is a registered counselling psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and the Board of Healthcare Funders, bringing eight years of dedicated clinical experience to Journey Recovery & Wellness Centre in Ballito.
Her work is grounded in a holistic and trauma-informed approach, integrating Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with psychodynamic insight to explore the early roots of emotional pain and mental health struggles. Sibusisiwe specialises in supporting adults facing depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance-related disorders: always with a focus on understanding the whole person behind the symptoms.
As a certified Somatic Experience Practitioner and Level 1 & 2 practitioner in Eye Movement Integration (EMI) therapy, she helps clients process trauma not only through thought but through the body, restoring balance and safety from within.
Guided by her belief in person-centred therapy, Sibusisiwe creates a compassionate space where clients feel seen, accepted, and supported without judgement. Her gentle presence and genuine care allow those she works with to reconnect with themselves, find healing, and rediscover hope.
Mirelle Wong-Cardoso brings more than a decade of experience in trauma and addiction recovery to her role as Addiction and Trauma Counsellor at Journey Recovery & Wellness Centre in Ballito. With a deep passion for guiding individuals and families through healing, Mirelle specialises in individual therapy, group facilitation, and family systems work, offering clients a safe, structured, and supportive space to explore their recovery journey.
Her approach combines clinical insight with genuine empathy, ensuring every person she works with feels understood and cared for. Mirelle also plays a key role in shaping Journey’s therapeutic programmes, mentoring fellow counsellors, and upholding the centre’s standard of holistic, person-centred care. Her leadership is grounded in compassion, professionalism, and a steadfast commitment to meaningful transformation.
Beyond her professional life, Mirelle finds grounding in nature: walking along the beach, soaking up the sun, or journaling reflections inspired by her surroundings. She’s passionate about creativity and self-care, often developing tools that help others integrate psychological wellness into everyday living. Deeply valuing balance and connection, Mirelle embodies the Journey philosophy: living with purpose, presence, and heart.
Tony Subramony serves as a Social Worker at Journey Recovery & Wellness Centre in Ballito, bringing a lifetime of professional and personal insight to his work. With a career spanning multiple fields (from managing children’s homes and youth facilities to supporting people with physical and mental challenges), Tony’s compassion and empathy have always guided his practice.
His own recovery journey has profoundly shaped his purpose. Having faced alcoholism first-hand, Tony has been clean and sober since April 1989, maintaining more than 36 years of continuous recovery. His lived experience allows him to connect deeply with others facing addiction, offering both professional guidance and heartfelt encouragement. Over the years, Tony has worked at numerous rehabilitation centres and in private practice, dedicating himself fully to helping others embrace “this wonderful journey of recovery.”
In addition to his social work, Tony is a qualified AcuDetox Specialist, trained in auricular acupuncture: an effective therapeutic tool used to support emotional balance and addiction recovery. Outside of Journey, Tony finds joy in walking on the beach, spending time in nature, and exploring personal growth and self-development. A proud father and grandfather, he approaches each day with gratitude, humour, and optimism: embodying the hope and renewal that lie at the heart of recovery.
Candice-Lee Charles plays a dual and integral role at Journey Recovery & Wellness Centre, combining compassionate frontline client support with thoughtful, ethical communications and outreach.
As an Intake Client Liaison Specialist, Candice-Lee is often one of the first points of contact for individuals and families seeking help. She offers a calm, informed, and empathetic presence during what is often a deeply vulnerable time, guiding clients through the admission process with clarity, dignity, and care. Her approach is trauma-informed and non-judgemental, ensuring that each person feels heard, supported, and understood from the very first interaction.
Alongside this role, Candice-Lee serves as Marketing and Communications Officer, where she is responsible for shaping and communicating Journey’s values, philosophy, and treatment approach across digital platforms, professional networks, and community partnerships. Her work focuses on ethical, educational, and stigma-reducing communication around addiction, mental health, trauma, and recovery: ensuring that Journey’s voice remains both clinically responsible and deeply human.
With a strong background in communications, media, and creative strategy, Candice-Lee brings a unique blend of storytelling, advocacy, and strategic insight to the Journey team. Her work is grounded in compassion, integrity, and a firm belief that recovery begins with safety, honesty, and non-judgemental connection. Through both her client-facing and strategic roles, she is deeply committed to ensuring that Journey remains a place where hope is communicated clearly, care is delivered thoughtfully, and every individual is treated with respect, empathy, and dignity.
Dr Sanjay Nandlal is a highly experienced General Practitioner with more than three decades in the medical field. Known for his clinical precision and compassionate approach, Dr Nandlal has earned the trust and respect of countless patients over the course of his distinguished career. His focus has always been on providing personalised, comprehensive care that honours both the physical and emotional well-being of those he serves.
At Journey Recovery & Wellness Centre in Ballito, Dr Nandlal oversees the medical detoxification process, ensuring each client’s safety, comfort, and dignity during one of the most crucial phases of recovery. His calm professionalism and attentive care help create a sense of reassurance for patients and families alike, setting the foundation for sustained healing.
A firm believer in holistic health and compassionate medicine, Dr Nandlal’s presence embodies Journey’s philosophy of treating the whole person: not just the symptoms. His dedication to excellence and genuine empathy continue to make a profound difference in the lives of those embarking on the path to recovery.
Kavisha Sukeri is the Nurse Manager at Journey Recovery & Wellness Centre in Ballito and a Registered Clinical Nursing Practitioner with more than two decades of experience in the healthcare field. Her lifelong passion for helping people is what first drew her to nursing: today, that same passion fuels her dedication to supporting those facing addiction, depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges.
While Kavisha’s expertise ensures that Journey maintains the highest medical standards (from daily clinical oversight to medication protocols and safety procedures), her approach extends far beyond medicine. She believes in the power of human connection, often sharing her personal philosophy: “A person doesn’t necessarily need a pill: sometimes a person needs a person.”
At Journey, Kavisha and her team bridge the gap between medical and emotional care, offering understanding, empathy, and guidance alongside professional treatment. Her calm presence, clinical precision, and genuine care make her an anchor for both patients and staff, embodying Journey’s mission to heal with compassion, integrity, and hope.
Ashnee Moodley is the Administrator at Journey Recovery & Wellness Centre in Ballito, and one of the first friendly faces to greet every new arrival. Known for her radiant positivity and nurturing spirit, Ashnee plays a key role in ensuring that Journey feels like a true home away from home for both patients and staff.
Her approachable nature and unwavering compassion create a sense of safety and belonging that allows clients to settle in and focus on healing. Whether she’s offering encouragement, lending a listening ear, or coordinating the many details that keep the centre running smoothly, Ashnee embodies the warmth and care at the heart of Journey’s philosophy.
Guided by her personal belief (“Believe that you are above average!”) Ashnee inspires those around her to rise above their challenges and see their own strength. Her passion for people and her commitment to creating a supportive, uplifting environment make her an invaluable part of the Journey family.