About Harmony Addictions Clinic
About Us
Message from the CEO: Steven Thomson
Cape Town has become a global centre for the treatment of substance abuse. In putting the Harmony Addictions Clinic together I have assembled the best clinicians to ever come together in any facility the country has previously had to offer.
All have either a recognised degree and vast experience in addictions, or have been working as addicts in recovery for many, many years at other facilities.
The road to recovery starts off from a very frightening place for all concerned, and my hope to those involved is the assurance that they at all times will be given the professionalism and quality of care that they deserve, by all affiliated to my organisation.
Wishing you every success on your journey.
Steven has since 2002 been actively involved in the setting up and ongoing management of several highly successful Addictions Units in Cape Town. These include Harmony House, Serendipity House, Milan House and three sober living Houses.
Steven also has three other very successful business interests and is a qualified paramedic who volunteers weekly for the Government’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
He holds a degree in Psychology from Strathclyde University in Glasgow, Scotland.
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Vision
HarmonyAddictions Clinic is part of the Harmony Substance Abuse Foundation, a Non ProfitOrganisation and a Public Benefit Organisation, dedicated to a culture ofrecovery for addicts and all those who are affected by addictions.
Mission
Harmony Addictions Clinic is a centre of direct service, practice and learning. The prevention and specialised treatment of addiction is its central purpose. The clinic aims to identify, conceptualise and treat the causes and dynamics of addiction and its relationship with social transformation, through a process of highly informed curative and preventative exchanges. Harmony Addictions Clinic strives to be a centre of excellence – endorsed by the best practice models and research. In doing so the clinic aims to contribute to the social, emotional, economic and spiritual wellbeing of the divergent communities it serves.
Values
Respecting the uniqueness of each individual
Embracing the equal worth, dignity and human rights of every individual
Non-discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, race, culture, age and gender
Increasing understanding and awareness of addictions through debate, community participation, outreach and research
Maintaining accountability, transparency and open communication with all relevant stakeholders
Underpinning these values are the core beliefs of acceptance, compassion, and empathy.
Clinical team
Consulting clinical psychologist: Dr Ryan Baskir
As a registered clinical psychologist trained in South Africa, the USA and Canada, Dr Baskir has spent the past ten years working in two specialised areas: financial services, and chemical dependency and addictions.
He is also Consulting Clinical Director to the Montrose Group. Dr. Baskir sits on the Montrose Board and he is an advisor to the Montrose Foundation.
Dr Baskir continues to maintain a small private practice where he has been successfully and discretely working with a wide range of clients from senior members of the financial services community to several top rated business leaders, as well as a number of internationally recognized sports celebrities. He is a highly respected member of the consulting and mental health community. Dr. Baskir is married with two children, and in his twenties he successfully represented South Africa in international sports competitions.
Addictions Counsellor: Ruby Weber
Clinical Supervisor: Peter Baker
Peter Baker is a widely respected counsellor with more than 30 years of experience in the field. He is well known in the field and consults to several treatment centres, and provides individual, group and after-care services to a wide range of client populations.
Dietitian: Julia Lovely
Julia Lovely holds a Medical Honours degree in Dietetics from the University of Cape Town. Julia’s first work experience was gained in the UK where she practiced as a clinical dietitian in the hospital setting (Guys and St Thomas’ and King George Hospitals).
On returning to South Africa Julia joined a private dietetic practice with a specialist interest in eating disorders and has been working with eating disorders in this context for the past seven years. Julia has had extensive exposure to patients being treated for cross addictions (eating disorders and chemical and alcohol addiction) and is skilled at working with clients within a 12 step programme context.
Counselors: Ayanda Gongqa, Robert Slade, Taryn McCullich
Ayanda worked as a positive lifestyle and life skills facilitator for a youth development organisation for two years. Following that, he worked for an outdoor company as a facilitator doing team-building, leadership development and personal development training to companies, schools, government departments and NGO's. He worked at a treatment centre for a year, facilitating team-building, prior to joining the Harmony Group.
Social workers: Lisa Lund, Susan Grobler
Various holistic therapists i.e. massage, reiki, drumming NIA dancing, acupuncture, Reconnective healing
Administrative Team
Steven Thomson: CEO
Steven has since 2002 been actively involved in the setting up and ongoing management of several highly successful Addictions Units in Cape Town. These include Harmony House, Serendipity House, Milan House and three sober living Houses. Steven also has three other very successful business interests and is a qualified paramedic who volunteers weekly for the Government’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
He holds a degree in Psychology from Strathclyde University in Glasgow, Scotland.
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