Meet the team
The Imani Treatment Centre team is truly exceptional. Not only do they share years of world-class training and experience between them, they are just as compassionate as they are knowledgeable. At Imani we understand that everyone is unique, and work together to provide the right treatment plan for each client.
'I needed care and support of people who knew about ED so that I could not slip back into old behaviours.'
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Although each person is different, most eating disorder sufferers share various thoughts and behaviours. Many have even had similar life experiences. Our dynamic team is able to support you in dealing with these issues as they come up, in a safe and nurturing therapeutic environment.
As with any group, the key to our team’s success is communication. Each member lets the others know of important developments in client treatment, as soon as possible. Everyone is kept informed, so that they know exactly what kind of care to give at all times and are able to support each other’s efforts in working with clients.
Since so many diverse treatments and principles are offered at Imani, a collaborative, holistic team is even more important. We have found great success in our multidisciplinary, teamwork-based approach and have helped many clients take further steps on their road to healing. We have faith that we can do the same for you or your loved ones.
The key to our team’s success is communication.
Our core team
Alison Bloomberg-Green
DirectorAlison Bloomberg-Green has worked primarily with eating disorders for over 14 years is the Director at Imani. Her expertise and passion for recovery are evident in both her approach to our clients and her input in the programme at Imani.
Alison has built Imani from the ground up. Her dedication to the treatment of this life-threating illness comes from personal experience of both the darkness of the disease as well as numerous years lived in the light of recovery.
Vashti Fairhead
Clinical DirectorFirm but incredibly empathic, Vashti’s daily duties include overseeing our therapeutic programme and managing our counselling team. If she could choose a superpower for herself, it would be to show Imani clients how special they all are with a snap of her fingers. Since she can’t do that, she uses her impressive clinical skills to achieve the same outcome. A registered Social Worker, Vashti has worked as Senior Counsellor and Clinical Director in various treatment centres for over 15 years. She is passionate about what she does, and says the most rewarding part of her job is watching eating disorder sufferers begin to heal and practice self-acceptance.
Dana Tadmor
Senior CounsellorDana has worked in the field of addiction for the past 19 years. Currently, she runs her own private practice in Sea Point where she works with clients who suffer from all addictions ranging from drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, eating disorders and co-dependency. She has worked at numerous treatment centres throughout Cape Town, where she has also implemented numerous Eating Disorder programmes. Dana also lectures at The South African College of Applied Psychology. She teaches the Addiction module, which she co-wrote as well as an Introduction to Psychology module. She also is a guest lecturer at UCT.
Lindsey Bowes
Trauma and addictions counselorLindsey graduated from Rand Afrikaans University in Johannesburg in 2004 with an Honours degree in Psychology.
Lindsey’s journey as a therapist began in 2005 at a well know psychiatric facility in Johannesburg. In 2011, she continued studying part time through UNISA and qualified as a Trauma Counsellor. Since then Lindsey has worked in several treatment facilities, both in the psychiatric and rehabilitation field. Lindsey has numerous years of working with individuals and families affected by eating disorders, substance abuse, anxiety, depression, trauma and self-defeating patterns and behaviours. Lindsey joined Imani in November 2021 bringing both real passion and experience.
Her approach is gentle and kind, yet boundaried and she is extremely knowledgeable. She finds huge joy in watching her clients grow and find real and lasting recovery.
Michelle Templeton
Financial and Administration ManagerMichelle is the one who keeps operations at Imani running as smoothly as they do! Her many daily tasks include maintaining financial and staff records, reviewing, updating and opening contracts with external service providers, preparing budgets and invoices, and organising client transport to and from the airport and other appointments. Getting all this and more done, Michelle plays an integral part in making Imani work and enables us to keep helping clients. She has worked in finance and administration for many years, and counts the fact that she plays a part in restoring the futures of eating disorder sufferers as the biggest perk of her job at Imani.
Recovery Assistants
Neil Doveton
Neil joined Imani in January 2023 as a Recovery Assistant. With a firm and gentle approach Neil demonstrates care, patience and compassion to enhance the wellbeing of all our clients through on-going support and companionship.
With a background in film, Neil’s creative attributes contribute in many ways to the healing and rejuvenating environment of Imani.
Neil’s strong foundation in his own recovery inspired a career move which he has found to be both rewarding and fulfilling.
Ursula Cloete
Ursula is a recovering addict who worked in the corporate field most of her adult life.
Since coming into recovery Ursula has found that her heart was no longer in the corporate world but felt that she was better serving her purpose by working in the recovery field and helping others find recovery.
Ursula has worked in numerous treatment facilities and has been on her recovery journey for 14 years.
Therapy Dog / Head Counsellor
Rescued from a life on the streets in Khayelitsha, Bob is one of Imani’s greatest assets. Bob is one of the best DBT tools we have. There is nothing quite like Bob's cuddles. Our resident dog Bob specialises in comforting and empathy and his promotion to Head Counsellor comes with hard-won effort on his part.
Other important team players
Nontobeko Mbali Gabela
Registered nurseNontobeko is a registered professional nurse who has had many years’ experience working as a nurse in both psychiatric as well as addiction units.
Nonto is passionate about her work but is boundaried and firm in a loving and supportive way.
Her expertise in nursing along with her gentle strength and sense of humour make he a great asset to Imani.
Sound knowledge of the basics of eating disorders
Anthony Fry
Support CounselorAnthony has worked at Imani for the past 15 years as a support counsellor and recovery assistant.
Anthony has a BSc Social Science from Leeds Beckett University and was a Psychology major in 1997. He also has a BA Honours from UNISA in Psychological Counselling which he achieved in 2018.
Anthony has been Registered with the Council for Counsellors SA since 2012 and has an Addiction Counselling Learnership Certificate from Kenilworth Clinic.
Anthony finds huge fulfilment in seeing clients awaken from the darkness of addiction and find hope and healing both at Imani and within the 12 step programme.
External practitioners
At Imani we use a team of highly qualified external practitioners, who are all widely respected in their respective fields. Registered dieticians, nutritionists, general medical doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists and other professionals are all on hand to deliver the optimal combination of care for each individual client.
Any other specialists, including endocrinologists for diabetes and other hormone imbalances or gastroenterologists for digestive issues, can be consulted as and when they are needed. These experts are also of the highest calibre, to help ensure their patients’ optimum physical health. In turn, this physical health facilitates our residents’ journeys of recovery and healing.
Recovery assistants
Our gentle, dedicated recovery assistants are an important part of our team. They provide important infrastructure, whether the counsellors are on duty or it’s after hours. Clients can turn to the recovery assistants on duty for the care they need, whenever they need it.
At Imani, our recovery assistants’ duties include supervising food preparation and meals, helping with shopping and other outings, and providing more support during group sessions or activities.
With a sound knowledge of the basics of eating disorders and Imani’s holistic treatment approach, they ensure that the atmosphere is always stable, nurturing and supportive of your recovery.
“Every eating disorder sufferer deserves to find recovery. Let us light the way.”