As a collective it gives us great pleasure in welcoming four new health professionals to the Hanya House Wellness Collaboration in 2025.
While our professions and areas of specialty may differ, we all share a deep belief in whole-system, holistic healing. We are also drawn to an approach that is collaborative and multi-disciplinary. Finally, we come together with a sense of compassion and a vision to create a space that is peaceful, safe, fun, and full of community.
Dr. Jackie. Dr. Hellen, Dr. Claudia and Kathy (see full bios below) exemplify these values, traits and beliefs – as those who know them will attest. Their ability to hold space and be present for those they work with set them apart and – I speak on behalf of all the existing healers – when I say that we are immensely proud to have them join the Hanya House Wellness Collaboration.
Dr. Jackie Haig
Dentist
Dr. Jackie Haig qualified as a dentist in 2011 from the University of Pretoria. She completed her community service year at Rob Ferreira Hospital, in Nelspruit and in 2013 completed her post-graduate diploma in Endodontics. Dr. Jackie has worked in both the public and private sector and has treated patients of all ages, from all walks of life.
“Growing up and watching my Mom’s career path unfold was always a source of inspiration for me. It sparked a desire to want to work with my hands, help people and create healthy smiles.
My vision is to be a trusted leader in holistic dental wellness, transforming the way people experience dental care and fostering a community where oral health is seen as essential to overall well-being. My daily goal is to provide compassionate, high-quality dental care that supports long-term oral health and overall wellness for my patients in an inviting and tranquil atmosphere.
I deliver a comprehensive range of services—from preventative and restorative treatments to emergency and rehabilitative care with a special interest in cosmetic and aesthetic dentistry. I believe that oral health sets the foundation for a healthy body. I aim to guide patients on a journey towards lasting dental wellness, one smile at a time.”
Make an appointment with Dr. Jackie
Dr. Jackie already practices at Hanya House on Tuesday and Friday afternoons, as well as most Saturday mornings. She will also be available for emergencies for most of the 2024/2025 festive season. To make an appointment contact 079 604 2580 or email jhdental@gmail.com.
Dr. Hellen Georgakis
Paediatrician
Dr Hellen Georgakis is a paediatrician who moved to White River with her family in 2022 and has recently started her private practice. She did her undergraduate medical training at the University of the Witwatersrand and specialised in paediatrics at the University of Pretoria.
She is passionate about child health and believes in a holistic view of wellness which includes a child’s physical and emotional wellbeing as well as the child’s family and surrounding community. She understands that there are challenges faced with both being a child and with raising a child and helps support families through the journey of childhood.
Dr. Georgakis enjoys treating all age groups from birth through to adolescents and finds each stage of childhood both fascinating and interesting. Her special interests include neonates, childhood development, ADHD, and adolescent medicine.
Make an appointment with Dr. Hellen
Dr. Hellen will practice at Hanya House by appointment from Tuesday 7th January, 2025. To make an appointment contact 072 526 9782 or email hellengeorgakis@icloud.com.
Dr. Claudia Ngobeni-Mkize
Dermatologist
Dr. Claudia Ngobeni-Mkize first qualified as a Dietician in 1999 and then returned to study medicine. In 2010, Dr. Claudia sought a path of specialisation and qualified as a dermatologist in 2013.
Dr Claudia is known for her holistic approach to treating hair, skin, and nail disorders. She believes that the skin is part of a system and cannot be treated in isolation and therefore emphasises “connectiveness”, especially of the brain, gut, and skin. Those who have already consulted with Dr. Claudia will appreciate her thoroughness, her presence, and her empowering approach.
Outside of her practice, Dr. Claudia is involved in albinism awareness campaigns, educating people about albinism and trying to curb the stigma towards people with albinism. She partners with other people with albinism who have achieved great things so that they can motivate young people with the condition. Dr. Claudia also partakes in skin cancer awareness campaigns.
Make an appointment with Dr. Claudia
To begin with, Dr. Claudia will practice at Hanya House every Friday, beginning Friday 7th February. Clarity on how to make an appointment will be shared soon. In the meantime, to add your name to the waiting list, email: admin@hanya.house.
Kathy Knott
Counselling Psychologist
Kathy registered as a Counselling Psychologist in 1999. She loves to work with adolescents, adults and couples in a narrative therapeutic paradigm. Embarking on a journey of discovery in therapy takes courage and she feels very privileged to be able to join her client’s journey.
Historically, after a corporate start in Unilever, she spent over a decade in Johannesburg with JvR Africa, the largest group of consulting psychologists in Africa. There she developed her skills and passion for training and people development, alongside building her private practise called PIVOT Psychology. In 2017, she happily relocated back to White River, her hometown, with her husband and two daughters.
Kathy believes in person-centred empowering processes which drive individual initiative and growth, leading to fulfilling relationships and a life filled with meaning.
“Although trained eclectically, I am a narrative therapist at heart, with a keen interest in my client’s life stories. I believe that telling our stories is not an end in itself, but a way to express, release, understand and gain insight – in turn helping one evolve and grow, moving from narrating to curating one’s life. Our stories connect the past and present to the future, and it is a very empowering and creative process.”
Kathy’s motto is thrive through change. Change is inevitable, but where there is movement, there is hope and resourcefulness. I help people take the time and space to really think through the change or challenge, not just to survive it, but to thrive through it. She has also worked in the career pathing field since 2004 and enjoys helping people of all ages find meaningful work that aligns with their skills, passion and values.
Make an appointment with Kathy
Kathy will practice exclusively at Hanya House from Thursday 2nd January. To make a booking, email kathy@pivotpsychology.co.za, or 073 435 0886. To can also visit: http://pivotpsychology.co.za.
