Over the past five years Papillon has achieved a 70 percent success rate in assisting people to lead wonderful and fulfilling lives
Department of Health Practice Number: 055 8648
Department of Social Development Registration Number: 196-198NPO
Welcome to Papillon Psychiatric Recovery Centre
Papillon Psychiatric Recovery Centre is South Africa’s first psychiatric mental health facility offering a total solution to people suffering with mental illnesses. Our programmes range from four weeks, three months, six months and long-term assisted living facilities.
We offer recovery that sustains clients requiring longer term treatment boasting a 70 percent success rate as measured by clients recovering to their maximum potential. Registered with Department of Health the centre enjoys relationships with international facilities to remain abreast of latest developments in mental health care. Our programme is based on the McLean Hospital’s Five Phase Programme. McLean is a US based hospital and a Harvard affiliate.
Papillon services a maximum of 25 clients due to the intense nature of our programmes. We have over 22 professionals working with our clients.
What our patients have to say
Tammy’s story
Tamie is doing so well Yolande. Of course we all understand that she has challenges but she uses her tools and works on herself constantly and consistently.
Despite being admitted to Papillon for the last part of her Honours year, Tamie still graduated with the rest of her class. We are beyond proud of her achievements.
“MIA-LILY” The girl who chose her life
The experience of having had 20 odd years of severe abuse and dysfunction within my childhood and young adult life left me with little real understanding of the world we inhabit and a very poor reserve of healthy coping skills. It did leave me with a spectrum of scars and issues now commonly know as mental illnesses. (The depression, posttraumatic stress disorder and social anxiety disorder ruled my life. Lack of trust, co-dependency tendencies, the list could go on)
Danni’s story
My life was nothing but disaster before I came to Papillon. I was not a functional human being. I was crippled emotionally and mentally. When I entered Papillon, I felt nothing but relief. They accepted me for who I was and helped me reach the goal of being a healthy and functional human being. I was able to express myself without judgement.
Vicky’s story
I was admitted to Papillon last October as a dual diagnosed patient. I suffer from bipolar mood disorder and was at the time addicted to over-the-counter medication. Before going into Papillon I felt that my life had lost all meaning and beauty: I had lost my job; my family relationships were in ruins; I felt as though I had nowhere to turn; and I was suicidal.
A letter from parents to the Papillon team
Dear Team, ‘Just as the caterpillar thought it was over, it grew wings and became a butterfly’ – its name is Papillon. This portrays our daughter, Jessica’s, journey precisely. I stumbled upon Papillon’s website and it seemed an answer to prayer. Yolande listened attentively to our dilemma and, for the first time, in a very caring and compassionate way, explained to us what was happening to our daughter and assured us that Papillon would be able to accommodate and help her with her recovery.
How Papillon contribute to my healing….
Papillon provided a safe space for me to heal. Safe in that here were people who recognised my symptoms, understood them, did not judge me. Yet, they wanted to help me start the process of healing:to see and accept the reality of my illness, attempt to get me on the right medication, build up self-esteem, find the courage to look within and remember what my purpose and loves in life actually are.

Our Team
You can’t build a fire if you only have one spark.

YOLANDÉ GEYSER
Managing Director
Yolandé completed her degree in Industrial and Organisational Psychology at UCT in 1996. She has worked in the field of dual diagnosis as a counsellor and coach since 2011.

DR KHOMOTJO MERIAM MATJILA - PSYCHIATRIST
Consulting Director
Khomotjo is a healthcare practitioner, specialising as a Psychiatrist, in Krugersdorp, Gauteng, South Africa.

DR JERMINA SEBEI
Psychiatrist
Jermina works Papillon Psychiatric Recovery Centre as an integral part of the team. She graduated BCur and MBCHB degrees at Medunsa.
Endorsed by most medical aids for the first 21 days
Papillon is a non-profit centre offering care based on international standards. We offer more than medical stabilisation - we empower you to move forward and be the awesome person you are. Your
difficulties count for you at Papillon - because we teach you how to make a success of whatever you decide to do, using the lessons a mental illness offers you.
Mental Illness is Common
According to a comprehensive study done on mental illness in South Africa, The South African Stress and Health (SASH) study, 30.3% of adults will have suffered some form of mental disorder in their
lifetime. In the twelve-month period measured in the study, one in six adults suffered from common mental disorders, and a quarter of these, suffered serious mental disorders; this represents one in four out of every hundred South Africans.