Professional Team Biographies

Resident Psychiatrists
Dr Patrick McGraw
Dr Patrick McGraw has been consulting at Crescent Clinic since its inception. Patrick also has a practice at Olivedale Clinic where he consults to inpatients as well as outpatients.

Dr Sheldon Zilesnick
Dr Zilesnick is a full time Psychiatrist at Crescent Clinic. Born and raised in London, he qualified as a Medical Practitioner at Royal London Hospital Medical College. After moving to Johannesburg in 1989 he specialized at WITS Medical School, and qualified as a Psychiatrist in 1994. He then moved to East London and formed a private psychiatric practice based at St Marks Clinic. This was also a multi disciplinary approach facility treating Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Substance Abuse, and other conditions. He had a strong involvement with continued professional development training during this time, giving lectures and workshops to local G.P.’s and Psychologists. He also consulted in the Eastern Cape interior, with satellite practices in King Williams Town, Queenstown, Stutterheim, and Umtata. He was secretary of the Eastern Cape branch of the Society of Psychiatrists for several years. On returning to Johannesburg in 2004, he started practicing at Crescent Clinic very soon after its inception.
Areas of interest and expertise include treatment of Depression, Bipolar Disorder, ADHD, Eating Disorders, Substance Abuse and Psychiatric Disability Assessments. He has been strongly involved in providing Psychiatric Disability Assessments for both private and public sector institutions. At Crescent Clinic, Dr Zilesnick is involved with various inpatient units including the Eating Disorder Unit, Dual Diagnosis Unit, and the General Psychiatry Unit.

Dr Mary Dzimwasha
Mary is a Graduate of the University of the Witwatersrand. She worked at Sterkfontein Hospital as a senior psychiatrist from 2002 to January 2006. Since 2003 she has also been in part-time private practice and moved over to full-time private practice in February 2006. Her areas of special interest are Neuropsychiatry and Anxiety Disorders.

Dr Jaco Du Toit
Jaco obtained his MBChB in 1997 from the University of Pretoria. After completing his internship in South Africa, he went to the United Kingdom where he worked as a Senior House Officer at various hospitals, many of which were accredited Psychiatry training posts by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Jaco returned to South Africa in 2002 and specialised in Psychiatry at the University of the Witwatersrand. He is a general adult Psychiatrist, but has a special interest in Mood Disorders (particularly Bipolar Disorder) as well as Neuro-Psychiatry (Psychiatric manifestations of epilepsy, stroke and other organic causes). Jaco was actively involved in setting up an ECT (Electro-convulsive treatment) protocol at the Crescent Clinic Johannesburg and offers this type of treatment to patients with severe depressions and other conditions responding to ECT. Jaco's philosophy is to empower and involve his patients in designing treatment plans, ensuring that the patient is fully informed about the diagnosis and all treatment modalities.

Dr Kim Ullyatt
Dr Ullyatt is a fulltime psychiatrist at Crescent Clinic in Johannesburg. She completed her medical studies at the University of the Free State in 1995. After her internship, Dr Ullyatt spent seven years in the United Kingdom during which time; she became a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2001. On returning to South Africa, she completed further training to become a fellow of the College of Psychiatry in South Africa. She has a keen forensic interest and was a senior consultant in the Sterkfontein Hospital Forensic Unit prior to joining Crescent Clinic. Dr Ullyatt has a particular interest in treating resistant depression and psychiatric illness due to brain disorders like head injury, stroke and dementia. She is one of the psychiatrists involved in the Adolescent Unit (YAP) at the Crescent clinic.

Dr Alma Kalaba
Dr Alma Kalaba obtained her degrees in Europe, partially in what once was Yugoslavia, and later at the Medizinische Hoch Schulle in Hanover, Germany. In 2003 she passed the full registration with the HPCSA and qualified for registrars post in psychiatry. Prior to becoming registrar in Psychiatry, she worked as a medical officer at the Department of Psychiatry at WITS for nearly 4 years.
Alma qualified as a psychiatrist in October 2006 and is married with 2 children.

Dr Eleanor Holzapfel
Dr Eleanor Holzapfel has recently been appointed as a senior psychiatrist at Sterkfontein Hospital, while simultaneously building up her private practice at Crescent Clinic. For the previous two and a half years she was the consultant psychiatrist at Tara Hospital specializing in psychotherapeutic management. During this time she has facilitated group and individual therapy focused on the management of personality disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders and substance abuse. In addition to managing patients from a psychotherapeutic perspective she combined this treatment with pharmacological treatment. Her original post at Tara Hospital was as a consultant psychiatrist for the Outpatient Department. After becoming a member of the Fellowship of Collages of Psychiatry (SA) Dr Holzapfel worked in community psychiatry in the Vaal region. She was responsible for providing psychiatric services to the children’s psychiatric clinics. Dr Eleanor Holzapfel also works at Waverly Hospital treating chronic psychiatric disorders and the mentally disabled. She is trained in electro-convulsive therapy and was a member of the ECT working committee of the University of the Witwatersrand Psychiatric department. She is very involved in under- and postgraduate teaching, setting and marking examination papers, lecturing and preparation of learning topics for the Graduate Medical Entry Program. She is currently completing her thesis for her MMed (psych).

Dr Ajay Makan
Dr Makan is a specialist Psychiatrist who has various qualifications, an MBBCh at Wits. qualified 1993, MBA at UCT: 1998, FCPsych: Wits 2007. Dr Makan Has a practice at the Sunninghill Hospital and has worked at a number of facilities over the past 16 years, including, Addington Hospital, Durban 1994, General Practice 1995 , United Kingdom 1996 - 1997 , Deloitte Consulting 1999 – 2000, Department of Public Enterprises 2000 - 2002, Psychiatric Registrar 2003 – 2007, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist in Gauteng Metro 2007-2008. Dr Makan has a special interest in Burnout and Stress Management as well as Strategic Life Leadership.

Dr Gert Louw
Dr Gert Louw is a full-time Psychiatrist at Crescent Clinic. He completed his undergraduate studies as a General Practitioner at the University of Pretoria. Following his internship and community service he took up a position as Medical Officer within the Department of Psychiatry at the University of the Witwatersrand. Gert completed his studies to become a Specialist Psychiatrist at Wits and is currently a Fellow of the College of Psychiatrist in South Africa. Prior to joining Crescent Clinic Gert worked as a Consultant Psychiatrist for Gauteng Health. He was the Specialist for the Metro Health District, responsible for the psychiatric care of 40000 patients per year. In addition he functioned as the Head of Community Psychiatry at Wits, working with a team of 3 other Psychiatrists and supervising 13 junior doctors that were specializing in Psychiatry. Gert is a general Psychiatrist with a special interest in mood and anxiety disorders, as well as substance rehabilitation and adolescent care.

Sessional Psychiatrists
Dr Leon Fine
Dr Fine is a Specialist Psychiatrist, with an eclectic approach, utilising mainly Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (CBT), together with the use of Psychotropic medication. Special interests include Psychopharmacology in relation to Psychosomatic and Psychiatric Disorders, Substance Abuse, the treatment of Psychosis, Depression, all Anxiety Syndromes, Personality Disorders and Interpersonal or Interfamilial Conflict Situations. He has extensive experience in Medico – legal and Forensic Psychiatry, and in giving evidence in court and providing reports concerning civil and criminal matters, including assessments in motor vehicle accidents and custody cases. He is on the panel psychiatrists at Sterkfontein Hospital who assess individuals referred for Observation in terms of Section 77 – 79 of the Criminal Procedures. He has passed courses in trauma counselling and selectively uses techniques of Hypnotherapy and eye movement desensitization reprogramming (E.M.D.R).
In addition to medical and psychiatric specialist qualifications he holds a BA honours degree in criminology. He also has been awarded a postgraduate certificate in Medicine and Law of Unisa / University of Pretoria. He has been associated with the Psychiatric, Substance and Dual Diagnosis patients at Riverfield Lodge for the past seven years and also admits at Rand Clinic, Berea and Flora Clinic.

Dr Shlomo Brook
Dr Brook is a Specialist Psychiatrist who qualified in Psychiatry at Tel Aviv University, Israel. Dr Brook has worked at Sterkfontein Hospital, Krugersdorp as Senior Consultant and Head of the Research Unit and now also practices in Krugersdorp, 209 Bell Street. His special interests include depression, and other mood and anxiety disorders.

Resident Psychologists
Deirdre Hartley
Deirdre is a registered Clinical Psychologist who graduated from the University of South Africa. She is trained and works from a predominantly systemic perspective and focuses on the individual within the family and environment. She worked at Sterkfontein Psychiatric Hospital with both male and female acute psychiatric illness as well as with the rehabilitation and re-integration of patients into the community. Her interest in Adolescents was initially stimulated by her work with adolescents and divorce and solidified at Sterkfontein where she was the therapeutic co-ordinator of the Forensic Adolescent unit. In 2007, she left Sterkfontein to establish a private practice at Crescent Clinic. Here she is the consulting psychologist on the Young Adults Program (YAP), as well as the General program.

Dr Johan Hattingh
Johan has been registered as a Clinical and Counselling Psychologist for the past 20 years. His interest areas include mood and anxiety disorders; stress related issues as well as trauma work. He worked in Australia where he gained more intensive experience in Bereavement. He conducted several workshops nationally and abroad on the Theme ‘Traumatic Bereavement’. He also conducts the following talks and workshops: A quality life; Coping with grief and trauma; AIDS counselling for the lay counsellor; Dare to BEE creative; Creativity through fairy tales; Childhood depression; and Traumatic Bereavement. He has the following philosophy: ‘Having a hole in the head does not necessarily indicate an open mind’.

Leontine Blackledge-Francis
Leontine Blackledge-Francis is a Clinical Psychologist, she obtained her under-grad qualifications at Pretoria University and completed her Masters Degree at Potchefstroom University for Higher Christian Education. She has been in private practice since 2001 and has worked in two other practices in Alberton and Roodepoort before opening her own practice in Fourways. She has joined Crescent Clinic on a full time basis to be able to be part of a multi-disciplinary treatment team. Her fields of interest include mood and anxiety related disorders.

Liane Lurie
Liane is a registered Clinical Psychologist in private practice. Her academic training at Wits University and UNISA has provided her with diverse perspectives on psychotherapeutic interventions and insights into the nature of psychological struggles. She obtained her Master’s degree from UNISA where she was trained in family systems and ecosystemic therapy, which she has applied to her work in both psychiatric and community psychology contexts.
She worked at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital where she gained experience working with adolescents. She completed both her internship and community service at Sterkfontein Psychiatric Hospital where she worked with adult acute psychiatric patients. She later became the primary psychologist at the Independent Living Unit- a programme aimed at facilitating the reintegration of patients into their communities. Liane’s areas of interest include depression, anxiety, trauma, loss, personality disorders and eating disorders. She works with adolescents, adults and families across a broad range of psychological issues. She believes it is important to both understand the context in which an individual’s difficulties have arisen, but also to empower them with skills to generate more effective life choices. She joined Crescent Clinic as a therapist on both the general and young adolescent programmes.

Dimakatso Maboea
Dimakatso is a Clinical Psychologist & qualified teacher. She obtained her clinical qualification through the Rand Afrikaans University & her practice is currently based at Crescent Clinic, where she is facilitating psychotherapeutic group sessions. She started her career as a teacher & was later appointed as a Research Assistant/Senior Psychometrist at the UNISA Health Psychology Unit, where she worked closely with the late Professor Victor Nel. Following this, she was employed by various Human Resource Departments of corporate organisations for more than five years. It was at this point in her career that Dimakatso decided to resign from her Divisional Human Resource Managers position to go forth & complete her Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology. Subsequently, Dimakatso has been practicing as a Clinical Psychologist from 2006, where her areas of interest include: adjustment disorders, personality disorders & child psychology. Various areas whereby she obtained her clinical experience include: Leeukop Prison, Tara Hospital, Childlike, Teddy Bear Clinic, Life-Line & three town-ship based clinics. This has led Dimakatso the opportunity to be a guest speaker on two shows, namely Radio 702 & SABC 3’s Zooming In On Men, as well as holding a key note speaker role at the Lifeline National Conference. Her Psychodynamic orientation, which includes the use of Personality & Projective tests represents her primary conceptualisation framework. However her approach to therapeutic interventions are patient-specific and may include: gestalt therapy, narrative therapy, art therapy, solution focused therapy as well cognitive- behavioural therapy.

Linde Viviers
Linde Viviers is the consulting psychologist on the Eating Disorders Unit. She is mainly responsible for psychotherapy groups, individual therapy and family therapy. Linde qualified as a clinical dietician in 1989 and was in private practice as a dietician for 13 years before she qualified as a clinical psychologist in 2006. She worked with eating disorders as a member of multidisciplinary team as a dietician in private practice. This stimulated her interest in eating disorders from a psychological perspective and she completed her Master’s programme at UNISA in 2005. She is trained as a systems therapist. She worked for two years as a clinical psychologist at Sterkfontein Hospital, mainly in the forensics rehabilitation wards. Here she gained experience as a therapist, but also in working therapeutically with psychiatric and personality disorders. In 2007 she started with a part-time private practice specializing in psychological problems within the context of eating disorders and food related behaviours. The unique combination of dietetics with psychology gives Linde an in-depth understanding of patients suffering from these disorders.

General Practitioners
Dr Louise Chalmers
Louise specialises in family medicine and has a practice at Crescent Clinic. Dr Chalmers oversees the general well - being of all our patients, with particular interests in Eating Disorders and Dual Diagnosis.



Occupational Therapists
Sarah Lamont
Sarah is a Registered Occupational Therapist. She graduated in 1998 from the University of the Witwatersrand. After a year working as an OT in London she returned to South Africa after discovering her interest in Psychiatry and Dual Diagnosis. She worked at Sterkfontein Psychiatric Hospital for 6 years gaining experience in Adolescent, General and Forensic psychiatry. During this period she completed her Advanced Diploma in OT (Psychiatry) through Wits and is currently completing her Masters in Dual Diagnosis. In June 2005 she left Sterkfontein to set up her private practice at Crescent Clinic working in the General, DDU and YAP units.

Peta-lyn Foot
Peta-lyn is a registered Occupational Therapist. She graduated from the University of Witwatersrand in 1997. After graduating she worked at Sterkfontein Hospital for 2 years. She then worked at Tara Hospital for 6 ½ years when she managed the Occupational Therapy Department. Over the years, she has gained experience in all aspects of Psychiatry and has developed a specific interest in dual diagnosis and personality disorders.
In 2006, she left Tara Hospital to set up her private practice in General Psychiatry and Addictions. She also worked part time with Intellectual Impairment and assists the University of the Witwatersrand with student supervision.

Kate Powell
Kate Powell completed her degree at The University of the Witwatersrand, receiving the award for excellence in the field of Psychiatry. After finishing her degree she completed her community service year at Sabie Hospital in Mpumalanga, where she specialised in Hand Therapy and Community Rehabilitation. At Crescent Clinic she works within the General Unit, running psycho-dynamic groups as well as individual counselling for the patients.

Pakiso Mohapi (OTA)
Pakiso is an Occupational Therapy Assistant who joined us in 2007 from Baragwaneth Hospital. Pakiso spent many years in the public sector, gaining invaluable experience from his work at TARA and Bara. Pakiso ensures that every patient at Crescent Clinic complies with their occupational therapy plan while also looking after the art therapy room and supervising homework and outings on the Young Adults Program.

Rendani Mudau (OTA)
Rendani Mudau is an Occupational Therapy Assistant who joined Crescent Clinic in June 2009. Prior to that she obtained her National Certificate in Office Administration in 2000 at Soshanguve Technical College, following which she worked as an administrator until qualifying as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in 2004 from Tshwane University of Technology. In 2005 she completed her internship at the Dr George Mukhari Hospital and the Jabulani Stout School where she gained experience in both physical and psychiatric areas of Occupational Therapy. After completing her internship Rendani worked at Sterkfontein Hospital until May 2009, where she worked in the acute and forensic wards organizing their sports programmes as well at the ward social events. Here at Crescent Clinic she works on the General programme, running activity groups and managing the art room.

Social Workers
Cindy Naidu
Cindy is a clinical social worker with extensive experience in both medical and psychiatric social work. She read for a Masters degree in Social Work and has done additional courses in human resource management and health and wellness. Cindy, who is registered with the Council for Social and Associated workers. Cindy has over twenty years of work experience in the public sector, and is highly skilled in dealing with all types of bio-psychosocial issues.

Sharon Rosen
Sharon completed her Social Work degree through UNISA in 1991. Her internship took place at SANCA and Phoenix House (both addiction centres). After completing her thesis in self harm she has received her psychology Research Masters Degree at the Rand Afrikaans University in 1994. She completed her psychometric Internship at the Johannesburg General Hospital in 1997. Sharon has worked in various welfare organisations, concentrating on addiction. She has run workshops for social work students at UNISA and has lectured in psychology and social work subjects at Midrand Campus. Sharon has been working at Crescent Clinic since November 2004.

Stephanie Watson
Stephanie obtained both her Child & Family Psychology degree & Social Work Honours degree from the University of Johannesburg. She completed her internship at Crescent Clinic in 2008. Stephanie is registered with the South African Council for Social Service Professionals and is working in the capacity of a Social Worker as the Eating Disorders Unit Manager, facilitating assessments, group therapy & family sessions. Her current goal is obtaining her Clinical Masters in Social work. Stephanie also fulfils the role as the marketing co-ordinator for the clinic and organises all the Continuing Professional Development Seminars held at Crescent Clinic, external functions and conferences.

Clinical Quality of Care Manager
Thandi Kharma Groves
Thandi completed her BA Psychology Honours (Cum Laude) at the University of Johannesburg in 2005. She furthered her research interests by completing her Psychometric internship through UNISA in 2008 and is now a qualified Psychometrist. Following the completion of her internship at Crescent Clinic, Thandi began her career here in June 2008. Her special interests lie in the therapeutic Quality of care provided to the inpatients and in ensuring the therapeutic needs of each patient are being met.

Therapeutic Support and Information Analyst
Lindsey Bowes
Lindsey completed her Psychology Honours Degree at RAU in 2004 and began working at Crescent Clinic in January 2005 as co-ordinator for one of the Units. Over the last few years, Lindsey has worked in various positions in the clinic, including facilitating groups and co-ordinating the Eating Disorders and Dual Diagnosis Units. She recently started in the position of Therapeutic Support and Information Analyst, which includes therapeutic support for patients from all units, information giving for families, keeping statistical information on the patients of the clinic, and researching current trends in Psychiatry and Psychology.