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Cornerstone Wellness Centre offers compassionate, holistic rehab services

• 5 Days Ago

From a young age, Natalie Bezuidenhout knew she wanted to dedicate her life to helping others.

A defining moment that shaped her path toward social work occurred nearly 30 years ago when a social worker approached her family, asking them to foster a 10-day-old baby girl.

“A few days became months and later years, so we adopted her,” Bezuidenhout said.

It was this experience that ignited her passion for social work. She said although her first choice was to study law, she ultimately chose social work.

After starting her career in the corporate world, Bezuidenhout was struck by a client’s observation:

“They said I was complacent, that I had so much more to offer but was restricted.”

This was the turning point in her life that led her to establish Cornerstone Wellness Centre, a facility dedicated to supporting individuals struggling with alcohol and substance addictions.

She realised she was able to do extraordinary things and opened Cornerstone in 2013.



A place of transformation

Since then, Cornerstone has become a place of transformation, where lives are rebuilt from the inside out.

At the heart of Cornerstone’s mission is a holistic approach to recovery.

“We recognise that addiction affects the mind, body and spirit, so our programmes are designed to address all these dimensions,” she explained.

She said clients benefit from a multi-professional approach at the centre, which combines medical care, individual and group therapy and spiritual support.

“A typical day at our centre is structured to foster personal growth,” she said, with clients starting their mornings with vital checks, devotionals and therapy sessions that aim to heal not just the body but the soul.

Running a rehabilitation center, however, is not without its challenges.

“I’ve learned that I cannot take responsibility for the choices my clients make,” Bezuidenhout said.

Something she had to accept was that she cannot change people; however, she recognises that when change does take place in just one client, that is the reward.



Holistic approach

Her personal philosophy is simple yet powerful: “If I can make a difference in just one person’s life, then I have achieved much more than changing the world.”

Bezuidenhout’s commitment to her staff is as unwavering as her dedication to her clients.

She believes in leading by example and supporting her team both professionally and personally.

Regular meetings are held to address issues not necessarily related to work but to ask employees if they are facing any challenges themselves and how Cornerstone can help. She has a personal relationship with her staff just as she does with her clients.

“I also have an open-door policy, so employees can speak to me whenever they need to.”

In 2024, she introduced a mid-year paid leave programme to help prevent burnout, acknowledging the demanding nature of their work.



Resilient legacy

Looking ahead, she envisions expanding Cornerstone’s services to meet the ever-evolving needs of those battling addiction.

“We aim to introduce online counselling and extended care programmes,” she said, understanding that recovery is a lifelong journey and to help those who still need structure and routine after finishing the programme.

Her ultimate goal is to leave a legacy of compassion and resilience.

She wants Cornerstone to be remembered for the difference they have made in the lives of many people and for always going the extra mile for their clients.

Her work is personal, a testament to the power of empathy and the belief that even in the darkest moments, there is hope.

"Addiction recovery requires time, patience and perseverance," she stressed.

And with Natalie Bezuidenhout at the helm, Cornerstone Wellness Centre continues to be a beacon of that guiding philosophy.