Crossroads Recovery Centre Johannesburg
Brett Fortune
Addictions Counsellor | Crossroads Recovery Centre Johannesburg
- Addictions Counsellor
- Johannesburg Treatment Centre
- 10+ Years in Addiction Treatment
- 7 Years at Crossroads
Brett Fortune is an Addictions Counsellor at Crossroads Recovery Centre Johannesburg with more than ten years of experience in addiction treatment and recovery support.
His professional experience spans different levels of care, including secondary care, inpatient rehabilitation and longer-term outpatient recovery. He has worked as a counsellor at Crossroads for seven years.
Brett's approach is integrated, compassionate and evidence-based. He views recovery as more than abstinence and aims to help people understand the underlying factors contributing to addiction while rebuilding self-worth, healthier coping strategies and a sustainable way of living.
Professional Journey
From Personal Recovery to Addiction Counselling
Brett's path into addiction treatment developed from his own experience of addiction and recovery. As he began rebuilding his life, opportunities arose that gradually directed him towards supporting other people facing similar challenges.
He began working as a House Manager within a secondary-care environment before progressing into addiction counselling.
Over more than a decade in the field, Brett has worked across different levels of care, including acute stabilisation, inpatient rehabilitation and longer-term outpatient recovery. He has spent seven years counselling at Crossroads Recovery Centre.
His motivation is rooted in seeing people move from despair towards greater confidence, restored relationships and a renewed sense of purpose.
“The work is hard, but staying stuck is harder.”
Professional Development
Addiction Counselling Certifications
12 Core Functions of Addiction Counselling
ACCSA · 2015
Ethics and Legal Responsibilities
ACCSA · 2015
Treatment Philosophy
Holistic, Person-Centred Recovery
“Recovery is not just abstinence, but a holistic transformation of mind, body and spirit.”
Brett approaches addiction as a complex condition that can affect biological, psychological, social and spiritual wellbeing.
Rather than focusing only on symptoms, he works collaboratively with people to understand the underlying factors contributing to addiction, challenge unhelpful patterns of thinking and develop healthier coping strategies.
His approach combines empathy with clear boundaries and practical guidance. The aim is to provide a safe, non-judgemental environment while helping each person take active responsibility for building a more sustainable life in recovery.
Whole-Person Recovery
Consider emotional, behavioural, physical, social and spiritual aspects of recovery.
Collaborative Treatment
Work together to understand needs, establish goals and develop practical recovery strategies.
Sustainable Change
Build healthier habits and coping mechanisms that can continue beyond structured treatment.
Clinical Experience
Areas Brett Works With
Substance Use Disorders
- Alcohol Addiction
- Drug Addiction
- Cocaine Addiction
- Methamphetamine Addiction
- Heroin Addiction
- Cannabis Addiction
- Prescription Drug Addiction
Behavioural Addiction
- Gambling Addiction
Counselling & Recovery
- Family Counselling
- Individual Counselling
- Group Therapy
- Relapse Prevention
- Detox Support
- Outpatient Treatment
Patient Support
Services Brett Provides
Individual Therapy
One-to-one counselling focused on addiction, recovery challenges and personal change.
Group Therapy
Structured group work supporting shared learning, accountability and recovery skills.
Family Counselling
Helping families understand addiction, recovery needs and healthier ways of supporting change.
Recovery Planning
Developing practical plans that support ongoing recovery beyond the treatment environment.
Relapse Prevention
Identifying risks, patterns and coping strategies that support continued recovery.
Detox Support
Supporting people during the vulnerable early stages of addiction treatment.
Aftercare
Helping maintain recovery structure following more intensive phases of treatment.
Outpatient Treatment
Supporting structured recovery while people continue living within the community.
Crisis Intervention
Providing appropriate support during challenging periods in addiction treatment and recovery.
Professional Interest
Substance Use and Co-Occurring Mental Health
Brett has a particular professional interest in dual-diagnosis treatment protocols involving substance use alongside anxiety and depression.
His broader treatment philosophy recognises that addiction may be connected with emotional, psychological and behavioural factors that need to be understood as part of the recovery process.
Dual Diagnosis
Understanding the interaction between substance use and co-occurring mental health concerns.
Integrated Treatment
Looking beyond substance use alone to understand broader psychological and emotional needs.
Long-Term Recovery
Building sustainable coping skills and healthier patterns that can continue after treatment.
Family Involvement
Keeping Families Informed Through Treatment
Brett considers family involvement an important part of the recovery journey.
His approach can include an initial family meeting to explain the Crossroads process and what loved ones can expect during treatment.
During a treatment stay, he maintains communication with families through progress updates and discussion of relevant problem areas. A family exit meeting can then help review progress, remaining concerns and the ongoing recovery plan.
Working With Brett
A Warm, Confidential and Judgement-Free Environment
People working with Brett can expect a warm and confidential environment centred on understanding their individual story and immediate recovery needs.
His counselling style is collaborative and empathetic while maintaining clear therapeutic boundaries and practical direction.
The aim is to help each person understand where they are, identify the first steps towards healing and begin developing a recovery plan that reflects their circumstances.
Recovery Perspective
Qualities That Support Recovery
Honesty
Open-Mindedness
Willingness to Seek Help
Patience With Yourself
Communication
Language Spoken
Beyond Clinical Practice
Personal Interests
Q&A
Brett on Addiction Treatment and Recovery
What is your approach to addiction treatment?
Brett uses an integrated and empathetic approach incorporating cognitive-behavioural strategies, trauma-informed principles and motivational interviewing to support lasting change.
What types of addiction do you primarily work with?
Brett frequently works with substance-use disorders including alcohol, prescription medication and stimulants, as well as gambling addiction.
What can patients expect during their first counselling session?
A warm, confidential and judgement-free environment focused on understanding the person's story, immediate needs and initial steps towards recovery.
How do you involve families in recovery?
Family involvement may include an initial meeting, regular communication during treatment and a final family meeting to discuss progress, concerns and the ongoing recovery plan.
What advice would you give someone considering rehabilitation?
Taking the first step can feel daunting, but vulnerability can be a sign of strength. Realising that you do not need to carry everything alone can begin a very different path.
What do you find most rewarding about addiction recovery work?
Seeing the point at which someone begins recognising their own worth and starts reconnecting with the person they can be beyond addiction.
What qualities are important in recovery?
Honesty, open-mindedness, willingness to seek help and patience with yourself when setbacks occur.
How do you stay informed about developments in addiction treatment?
Through close collaboration with the multidisciplinary team, practical experience across diverse client cases and continued awareness of developments in addiction recovery.
“The work is hard, but staying stuck is harder. Change happens when you stop running from your reality and start dealing with it.”
Brett Fortune Addictions Counsellor, Crossroads Recovery Centre Johannesburg
Crossroads Recovery Centre
Part of the Johannesburg Treatment Team
Brett works as an Addictions Counsellor at Crossroads Recovery Centre Johannesburg and has spent seven years supporting people within the Crossroads treatment environment.
Crossroads Recovery Centre Johannesburg
71 CR Swart RdBoskruin
Johannesburg Admissions +27 74 895 1043
Confidential Addiction Support
Speak to the Crossroads Admissions Team
If you or someone close to you is struggling with addiction, the Crossroads Recovery Centre Johannesburg admissions team can provide confidential guidance about treatment options and the next steps towards admission.
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