I am a registered psychiatric nurse with a Bachelor of Social Science degree majoring in psychology. (UCT 1991). My highly regarded and prestigious psychiatric training and experiential work at Groote Schuur Hospital, from 1981 to 1984, has formed the excellent and rich foundation to my sound knowledge, experience and techniques in the field of psychiatry. I have been practicing over the last 30 years in various settings in the psychiatric realm. This includes in-patient residential settings and care (extensive experience as part of multi-disciplinary teams), out-patient work both in clinics and private practice and community work running psychiatric clinics, with the decentralization of patients from a large psychiatric hospital in Cape Town, between 1991 and early 1994. My experience also includes working in in-patient psychiatric settings in the United Kingdom and Perth, Australia.
In the latter 20 years I have worked and specialised in the field of addiction. In the early 1990’s I was inextricably involved, with 2 other seasoned colleagues, in starting one of the first addiction units in South Africa, utilising the 12 Step paradigm. We specifically focused on recovery from compulsive and addictive disorders.
I have also been involved in establishing a second Addiction/Recovery Treatment Centre, managing and co-ordinating the unit, the staff and staff development. With the initial assistance and inspiration of a UK colleague, I ran an intensive and extensive ‘Addiction and Skills Training Course’ (1998) offered to seven recoverer’s, who subsequently, have been pivotal in deepening the quality of work in the field of addiction and recovery in South Africa.
My area of expertise and practise is not exclusively with addictive and compulsive disorders and recovery. My interest and expertise includes working with co-occuring (dual disorders) illnesses, adolescents, mood and anxiety disorders, suffering family members, bereavement and the ‘human condition’ and struggles.
By the time a person has an innate sense of knowing about their struggles and difficulties, and need support, guidance, exploration, direction, and clarity about the areas that they could possibly change or need to change.
Testimonials
I've been sharing my journey with Romey for 3 years (since I was 15 years old). She has been a role model for me as well as becoming a second parent, teaching me to travel through life (both the good times and the bad) with dignity, honesty and maturity. When I met Romey, I was a compulsive liar and very unhappy with myself as a human being. Since I've been with her, I've come into myself in a brand new way and I can attribute all the strength and pride I now have to her therapy methods and our weekly sessions. I owe all the success I've had over the last 3 years to her support and brilliance in getting me to rise to challenges that have made me the best me I could possibly be. I love her and would be lost in my tangled word without her guidance and her warm, lovely personality and therapeutic environment.
I first saw Romey in 2005 when I was 14yrs old and smoking weed, at age 18 I admitted myself into drug rehab where I rekindeld therapy with Romey. Therapy allowed me to express myself without judement, it allowed me to walk the path I wanted to, having Romey has helped shape me into a well rounded man. Today nearly 7years down the road at age 25 I am still clean from drugs and alcohol, I can still do everything I did but I have a choice today of what I want to do.
I consider Romey Russell one of the finest addiction counsellors I have ever had the pleasure to work with. She is a consummate professional in every way, extremely knowledgeable of her field, and goes that extra mile for her clients. If you are looking for the best, look no further.
Romey has been known to me professionally for the last 10 years. Whilst her excellent reputation in both the field of psychiatry and a specialist in the field of addiction and co-occurring illnesses is well known, I have had the opportunity to work alongside her both within a multi-disciplinary team as well as in private practice. Her perceptive and innovative style and techniques have touched and helped heal many individuals. Her depth of professional experience with co-occurring illnesses is a firm foundation for her therapeutic work both with individuals and families, including adolescents. It’s been a privilege to have worked alongside Romey.
I have been seeing Romey for a little over two years -- my one hour a week with her has been like a breath of fresh air. It is such a comfort to have a safe space in which to share my thoughts and feelings. During our journey together I have made huge strides with her help in overcoming low self esteem and social anxiety. What I have appreciated most is that with Romey I feel that I have the freedom to make my own decisions along the way (compared to other therapists who simply give advice), but I can always come to her for guidance if need be. This has given me a huge boost of self confidence. I greatly cherish our time together, and I hope our relationship will continue in the years to come.
I have known Romey Russell as a patient and as the mother of a patient for about 7 years. I saw Romey weekly for a year . She helped me cope, understand and deal with my husbands drinking problem. Her quiet, gentle manner was of great help to me. She helped me to verbalise and stand up to him when I was" drowning". My 16 year old daughter saw Romey 2 years ago as a stressed out, high achieving school girl and international sports student. Romey assisted my daughter in recognising her eating disorder and helped her to be honest about it. We both found Romey to be very easy to talk to about very emotional issues. Her advise and recommendations in dealing with problems is very honest and real.
I've known Romey as a colleague for about 18 years during which time she has always impressed me with her excellent clinical assessments and in-depth knowledge of the treatment of Addiction, Dual Diagnosis and other conditions. Having worked closely with her in both inpatient and outpatient settings I know her to be an extremely competent and caring counsellor who is 100 percent "for" her clients while also not being manipulated by the sneaky aspect of addiction. With her years of experience and commitment to staying abreast of the latest developments in the field, she is also an excellent counselling supervisor and teacher/trainer.
Having worked with Romey to address my various addictions, I found that she was always compassionate and understanding of me. Her ability to challenge me and ask difficult questions with much care and understanding allowed me to trust and open up to her. I would recommend Romey to anyone who may be struggling.
My initial contact and sojourn with Romey was 20 years ago in a clinic where she was allocated as my personal counsellor. Without the firm loving support I would not have discovered recovery. My after care continued with Romey as a private therapist attending private groups that she facilitated as well as individual sessions. The group therapy which she facilitated were on going and extremely beneficial to learning to cope with life outside of the safe confines of a treatment centre and gave me the skills to remain in recovery for many years. I also eventually sent my daughter to Romey for her her own counselling regarding her eating disorder, also still in recovery after 7 years. i have just completed 3 weeks again in a treatment centre for depression and as soon as as my after care is completed i will certainly be seeing Romey again on a regular basis. What was a gem in our therapeutic relationship was the mutual trust, empathy and compassion which helped facilitate self-disclosure, absolute honesty and sharing the depth of my shame without retribution. I f anyone wants to contact me for verification and collateral about Romey please feel free to contact me.
Romey Russell has been so helpful to myself and my family with her calm and wonderful way she has not only helped with a variety of issues but also discovered our daughter had a learning disability at the age of 13 which severely impacted her life. Without the wonderful amazing help of Romey my family would not be where we are today.
My relationship with Romey stretches back to the beginning of the year 2000 and indeed it was she, who in her capacity as a senior addictions counsellor, introduced me to recovery. Over the years Romey and I have maintained contact and my respect for her understanding, patience, empathy and professionalism is astounding. My life has truly been enriched and I feel honoured and grateful.
my experience with Romey was profound and sustainable. Romey is a therapist who is astute, insightful and compassionate. She is sensitively direct and leaves you with a feeling of safety. As a highly skilled and experienced professional therapist she leads you from behind. She believed in my ability to change. That experience increased my insight about myself and my addiction and my qualitative recovery.