Meet a first-class rehabilitation team at Anker Huis

• BSocSci
• BA (Hons) Psych MA Clinical Psych UCT

Peter Powis is a registered clinical psychologist with over 30 years’ experience as a psychotherapist and addictions recovery therapist. In 1998, he co-founded the well-known Stepping Stones treatment Addiction Centre in Kommetjie, serving as its Clinical Director for 12 years. He has also served as director of the Chemical Dependence Programme at Kenilworth Clinic and before that Director of the Cape Town Drug Counselling Centre.

Peter oversees the team at Cherrywood House, with responsibility for program design, case supervision and staff development.

• BPsych  UNISA

Damien’s journey through addiction has equipped him with a unique perspective into the world of addiction. These insights coupled with training at Cape Town’s established rehabilitation facilities has allowed him to develop an aptitude for assisting clients who are in crisis and in need of emotional support. He is passionate about his work in recovery and believes strongly that there is no such thing as a lost cause. He believes that recovery is possible for everyone.

Damien is also passionate about his family, fitness, football and his fur children; which consist of 3 cats and two dogs.

• MBChb Mental Health Stellenbosch

Dr Lené Le Roux is an experienced Mental Health Care Doctor.. She has 4 years of experience working in psychiatric hospitals in Cape Town such as Valkenberg Hospital and Groote Schuur Hospital. During her time working at hospitals, she attended to inpatients as well as outpatients.

In 2017, she began working as a Registrar at UCT’s Psychiatry Department. Here, she managed a range of acute psychiatric presentations, including psychotic disorders, anxiety disorders and mood disorders.

During her years of being a mental health care doctor, she worked closely with families to help them support their family members through recovery. Dr Le Roux works with a multidisciplinary team, including psychology input in order to provide patients with holistic management of their mental health.

Dr Le Roux is diligent and hard-working and she is highly passionate about mental health care. Her special interests include mood disorders, psychotic disorders, anxiety, and depression, and burnout.

• MBChb Medical Care  Stellenbosch

• Counselling Psychologist
• BSocSc Psychology (UCT)
• BSocSc (Hons) Psychology (UCT)
• MSc (London Metropolitan University)
• DPsych (City University London)
• HPCSA Board Certification in Counselling Psychology (South Africa)

Despina focuses on clients who struggle with disordered eating, substance abuse, process addictions, stress, anxiety, phobias, and sexual and relationship issues. Her person-centered approach, sprinkled with a little Gestalt, CBT, DBT, MET, and ACT, recognizes every client as unique in their healing and recovery journey.

Besides her clinical work, Despina has lectured at universities in South Africa, the UK, and the USA; her NPO  projects include working with women in the sex trade on South Africa’s streets and singing with the Cape Culture Collective’s Rosa Choir.  

Addiction is described by Alcoholics Anonymous as being “cunning, baffling, and powerful.” Those living with a substance use disorder know the pain of this. It is a chronic illness which requires a continued commitment to recovery. Despina’s dedication to addiction management has grown in parallel with the alarming increase in rates of a substance use disorder, as well as the range of addictive behaviours, individuals are struggling with globally. Despina considers creating a safe yet challenging space, in which clients can determine their own path towards healing and greater well-being, as being paramount to their recovery. 

• Clinical Social Worker

• 15 years of experience as a counseling psychologist
• BA. Human Sciences (Rand Afrikaans University)
• B.A. Honors in Psychology (University of the Free State)
• M.A. in Counselling Psychology (University of the Witwatersrand)