Our team of experts
are here for you
Papillon focuses on purpose-driven healing
Our goal is simple: to assist people struggling with mental illness to create and live worthwhile lives. To do that, we provide the tools you need to function at an optimal capacity.
Our reintegrative approach to treatment ensures our residents can live in the real world and tackle life’s challenges head-on, without feeling overwhelmed or out of control.
Our team of experts offer a holistic solution to mental illness treatment. This includes, but isn’t limited to, psychiatry, neuroscience, spiritual practices, science-based nutrition and cutting-edge psychological approaches. When combined, it ensures lifelong transformative changes in our residents.
Your Team
of Professionals
Robyn is a qualified certified practitioner of NLP coaching. As the Managing Director, she is passionately growing and running Papillon. Robyn has worked closely with Yolande, the Co-Founder, for over four years. As a valued member of the leadership team, she is dedicated to ensuring that the organization runs smoothly and effectively. Robyn is passionate about people, wellness, and recovery and is always developing her skill set. She truly believes that everyone has the chance to get well with dignity and respect.
Mzamo is a Systems Family trained therapist who uses an eclectic therapeutic approach. He did his training internship at 1 Military Hospital in Pretoria. In the beginning of his career, Mzamo focused more on Neuropsychological assessments and reports for clients who had traumatic brain injuries. Mzamo’s first love is psychotherapy where he assists clients in processing trauma, negative thoughts, and emotions. He is a person-centred psychologist in nature and focuses on building good rapport with clients. At Papillion Recovery Centre he has had the experience of treating dual diagnosis as well as international clients. Mzamo also discusses current psychological challenges in the country on radio and TV.
With 33 years experience as a clinical social worker in mental health and 17 of these at Helen Joseph Hospital, Freda is well equiped to assess clients wanting to be in the Papillon programme. Freda has a passion for working in the mental health arena and believes in an “out of the box”, holistic approach, to guide individuals and families to become the best version of themselves. Freda has an experienced outlook on mental health and knows that there is no one who cannot be helped, just the way we help, changes. Freda is there to guide families on length of stay for their loved one as well as the individualised care plan that Papillon specialises in.
After completing his degree in clinical psychology at UJ Cum Lauda in the mid-80s, Dr Vuirli registered for medicine at WITS University. Dr Vuirli completed his community service at Sterkfontein Hospital and went private in 2007. Dr Vuirli has a cognitive behavioral and DBT approach to his sessions which last up to an hour with patients. Dr Vuirli contributes to the Papillon team at an MDT level offering insights on clients to the team at MDT meetings.
Humayra earned her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy degree in 2018,
graduating cum laude from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She has since
gained extensive experience in psychosocial settings across South Africa,
specializing in functional assessments, vocational rehabilitation, group
therapy, and person-centered care. A passionate mental health advocate,
Humayra empowers clients to navigate life’s challenges while fostering
resilience and honoring their individuality.
After receiving his social work degree with distinction, Ndimphiwe went on to work in the fields of crime prevention and addiction recovery. He is passionate about empowering people to live to the utmost of their abilities. A systemic therapist in practice, Ndimphiwe uses relational-cultural therapy to emphasise the importance of building and maintaining gainful relationships in recovery. Committed to leading by example, he is currently in the process of completing his master’s degree in Clinical Social Work.
Dr Joffe qualified as a general practitioner at the University of Witwatersrand in 1995. She completed her internship at Johannesburg Hospital. She has worked in family medicine for almost 25 years and has been a part of the Randburg community during this time which, she describes, as a privilege. Dr Joffe has a passion for medicine and believes in a holistic approach to health. She has a special interest in mental health and paediatrics.
Kelly is a registered dietitian with the HPCSA and ADSA. She completed a BSc at Wits University in 2008 and she completed her Bachelor of Dietetics at the University of Pretoria in 2011. Kelly gained experience in the government setting at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. In 2015 she started her own business and has been in private practice since then. Kelly is currently practicing from Life Fourways Hospital, Morningside Mediclinic and is a consultant dietitian to Livewell Dementia Home and Papillon Recovery Centre.
Hildah has over eight years’ experience in psychiatric nursing at various hospitals. She supports and respects clients rights and strives to understand a client’s needs and concerns. Hardworking and reliable; Hildah collaborates well with clients, families, and members of the multi-disciplinary team. Hildah anticipates and responds to the needs of others. Hildah also oversees all the packing of medication at Papillon.
Dylan, a certified Peer Recovery Specialist and Professional Recovery Coach accredited by COMENSA, International Coaches Register, and SAQA, triumphed over two decades of personal addiction battles. Now, he dedicates his time and passion to mental health management and addiction recovery, finding fulfilment in guiding clients to their full potential. Dylan serves as clinic manager at Papillon Recovery Centre and leads the Dual Diagnosis Unit, fostering comprehensive healing.
Jay is a dedicated member of our team at Papillon. Dually diagnosed and in recovery for over four years, Jay deeply understands the importance of compassionate support. Passionate about mental health awareness and de-stigmatization, Jay brings lived experience and empathy to his work. He strives to create a safe, inclusive environment for healing, growth and recovery.
Alisa has a BA honours degree in African and Asian Art history and Archaeology from SOAS, University of London. She has worked in the community art sector since 2005 and trained as a Community Art Counsellor in 2011. She has been with Papillon for over a decade as an art facilitator and is currently doing her Art Therapy Masters degree through the University of Johannesburg.
Danieyella works in gentle, mindful ways combining somatic approaches and transformative, playful creative work. She has experience in the NGO and disability sectors, as well as in substance recovery. Her training is trauma-informed but she also believes in the unique power of drama therapy to enable clients to re-story, re-enact and re-work old patterns experientially, opening them up to transformation and new possibilities.
Hermi is a HPCSA board certified music therapist who has a passion for connecting and communicating with clients through music. She completed her Masters degree in Music therapy at the University of Pretoria in 2016. She believes that the best approach when working with those in recovery is to offer treatment that is dignifying and honouring of every individual’s unique life journey by providing a safe, confidential, and creative space.
Robert creates the menu at Papillon in
consultation with our nutritionist. He is
responsible for producing the Gut-Health
diet program, which changes seasonally.
Robert passes on his knowledge to the
clients when they are ready to reintegrate.
He provides worthwhile recipes and
balanced nutrition plans for residents.
Dominique utilises various styles of yoga, she has been practising for over 30 years. Her passion for yoga grows every time she gets on the mats! She believes it’s a great learning experience and allows one to get into touch with oneself. In this busy material world, we often forget that the most important thing in our lives is ourselves, and this includes our body. For Dominique yoga is the best way to connect body and mind.
Penelope brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our organization, In her role as Administrator she takes the helm of our accounts and finances, ensuring that our financial operations run smoothly.
She is also heading up our Human Resources Department, where her people-focused approach and strong leadership skills are put to excellent use.
I founded Papillon based on my own experience with mental health. Working as an editor in the media industry, I found that I could not count on professional support structures on an ongoing basis. When I ventured into the mental health industry after a severe psychosis in 2010, I made contact with McLean, the oldest psychiatric hospital in the world and a Harvard affiliate.
From this point, I began developing the programme. Papillon Recovery Centre was created based on a year’s international research in the USA and UK.
You can’t compare our experiential programme with any other South African psychiatric institution’s offering. Ours is unique, much like the people who call Papillon home. This approach to the individual determines our tailor-made treatment plans. During their time at Papillon, residents learn a new way of being in the world that is positive and supported by our free aftercare.
Qualifications & Unique Experience
- Recovery Coach (2001)
- Dual Diagnosis Counsellor (2001)
- EAGALA Level 1 Equine Therapist (2011)
- BSocSci Industrial Psychology (1996)
- First person to independently cross Africa from coast to coast solo on horseback (1998)
Don’t take our word for it. Listen to what our clients have to say
