Knysna · Western Cape · South Africa · Est. 2012
South Africa’s Premier Private Wellness Centre for Mental Health Recovery
We have been helping people all over the world at our Private Wellness Centre heal from depression, anxiety, process addictions and burnout for over 13 years with our various programs and products. Our team comprises highly experienced specialists in the fields of psychiatry, psychology and everything through to mindfulness that work to provide our clients with some of the very best healing treatment programs in the world.
A luxury residential inpatient programme unlike anything else — individualised, non-clinical, deeply therapeutic and rooted in transformation. 30–90 day private programmes for depression, addiction, dual diagnosis, trauma and burnout.
As a private wellness centre we are the obvious alternative to clinical or formal medical treatment which is not for everyone. Our professional practitioners are headed up by Mark L Lockwood BA(hons)(psy) and together they create unparalleled results through their therapeutic work with clients. All our business is essentially from word of mouth and people looking for long term healing and recovery programs need look no further.
Our Conditions & Specialisations
Our private wellness centre specialises in conditions that require depth of care and genuine personalisation. See the full list of what we treat →
Programs at our world renowned Private Wellness Centre, which we call the Center for Healing and Life Transformation are generally between 30 and 90 days long. The programs are heavily therapy based and help people on 4 essential levels with the physiological, psychological, emotional and spiritual aspects of themselves.
✓ 12+ Years Operating
✓ 1,000+ Lives Changed
✓ 4 Consultant Psychiatrists
✓ 100% Personalised Plans
✓ Private En-Suite Rooms
✓ International Clients Welcome
Beyond Rehab. Beyond Hospital. A True Alternative.
CHALT’s private wellness centre is the intelligent choice for people who have already tried conventional psychiatric facilities or standard rehabilitation programmes and are looking for something genuinely different — something that works at the level of root cause, not just symptom management.
We are a fully private luxury residential centre in Knysna, Western Cape — not a hospital, not a clinical facility, and nothing like a standard rehabilitation programme. Our home is a spacious private residence a stone’s throw from the ocean, with mountains and the ancient Knysna Forest behind us. The environment itself is part of the therapy.
Since 2012, our team of psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists and holistic practitioners has provided genuinely individualised inpatient treatment to thousands of clients — many of whom had previously tried other programmes without lasting results.
30–90 Day Programme
1:1 Personalised Care
4 Consultant Psychiatrists
12+ Specialist Team Members
Modern Psychiatric Help
Our consultant psychiatrists have been working with us for over 10 years and understand that our clients don’t need, or desire run of the mill diagnosis and medications to cope for the most part. Oftentimes, they have been there and done that. Our non-medical programs take our clients well beyond coping and surviving into thriving. End of story. This is what sets our Private Wellness Centre apart. Plett and Knysna have an endless selection of medial professionals you can use.
Individualised Treatment Programs
No two clients are doing the same program at the centre. We are not an out dated rehab, nor a clinic, nor resemble a hospital in any way. We are a fully private, super modern powerhouse of highly experienced therapists who make sure to cater 100% to each specific clients individual needs. Something that is not possible in larger formalised institutions. Everything is personalised.
Activities
Located near the water, beaches, lagoons, forests and mountains in Knysna we have an endless array of activities to do in what is called The Monaco of South Africa. We hike, bike, boat, bungee jump, dine, horse ride, whale watch, Jet ski, golf and golf some more, mountain climb, sight see lions, cheetah, killer whales and dolphins. We picnic, BBQ and love our beaches. Our program is very much based in nature and nurture. If you enjoy the outdoors, you’re set!
“I came for one month and stayed for five months. My entire life has done a 180% turnaround from my relationships to my career which is what I came to the centre for in the first place. I was unbalanced, out of options and afraid that nothing would ever work for me until I arrived here. There is nothing like this in the world that I know of and I wish I had found it 10 years earlier.“
D. Walsch, Chalt graduate, United Kingdom
Master Your Wellness once and for all
The Knysna Difference
Luxury Accommodation & Nature-Based Healing
Our private wellness centre occupies a beautiful private residence in Knysna — one of South Africa’s most naturally therapeutic locations. Private en-suite rooms, personalised menus and a small client-to-staff ratio ensure every individual feels at home and cared for from day one.
Activities are fully integrated into the therapeutic programme — not extras, but core elements of physical, emotional and spiritual restoration on South Africa’s legendary Garden Route.
🌊 Boating & WatersportsSpeedboat, wakeboarding, skipper training on the Knysna Lagoon
⛳ GolfWorld-class courses including Pezula Golf Estate
🥾 HikingAncient Knysna Forest trails and coastal paths
🐳 WildlifeWhale & dolphin watching, Big 5 safari nearby
🏋️ Gym & FitnessDaily gym, yoga, padel and personalised fitness coaching
🍽️ DiningFive-star restaurants across Knysna and Plettenberg Bay
🎨 Creative TherapiesArt, music and expressive therapies
🧘 MindfulnessDaily meditation, yoga and contemplative practice
For more information about our Private Wellness Centre programs, offers, packages, events and everything else please call +27824424779 or email us
Clinical Standards
Evidence-Based Care & Professional References
All treatment modalities at our private wellness centre are grounded in peer-reviewed research and aligned with the guidelines of recognised international clinical bodies.
South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) — SA’s leading mental health organisation. 24-hr helpline: 0800 456 789. sadag.org →
South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP) — Professional body whose guidelines inform our psychiatric treatment protocols. sasop.co.za →
HealthyPlace Mental Wellness — Evidence-based mental health resources. healthyplace.com →
Psychology Today — South Africa — Therapist directory and mental health resources for SA. psychologytoday.com/za →
NIDA — Holistic Addiction Treatment — Evidence base for our alternative addiction recovery approach. nida.nih.gov →
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Private Wellness Centres in South Africa
What is a private wellness centre in South Africa?
A private wellness centre is a non-clinical residential facility providing personalised inpatient mental health and addiction treatment in a home-like, private setting. CHALT’s private wellness centre in Knysna provides luxury en-suite accommodation, a multidisciplinary clinical team, and individualised 30–90 day programmes — entirely different from hospitals or standard rehabilitation centres.
How long are programmes at the CHALT private wellness centre?
Programmes are generally 30–90 days, determined clinically for each individual. Our team recommends the appropriate duration following an initial confidential assessment.
Is CHALT different from a hospital or standard rehab?
Yes — significantly. CHALT is the bridge between clinical hospitals and traditional rehabilitation centres, offering a genuinely luxury, home-like residential experience with highly personalised clinical care, small numbers and a focus on root-cause transformation rather than just stabilisation.
What activities are available during the programme?
Golf, hiking, boating, watersports, Big 5 safaris, whale watching, padel, horse riding, gym and more — all integrated into the therapeutic programme as part of physical restoration, social reconnection and experiential therapy.
Ready to Experience a Private Wellness Centre That Truly Transforms?
All enquiries are completely confidential. Contact us today for an initial conversation with our clinical team.
Get in Touch Call +27 82 442 4779
Health Disclaimer: Content on this page is for general informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. All clinical decisions are made by qualified professionals. In a mental health emergency, contact SADAG on 0800 456 789 or emergency services. Full Disclaimer →