Counsellor & Social Worker
Ko Andrew taku ingoa,
No te Mata Rua Ahuriri ahoe
nau mai e nga tupuna
Haeremai, tēnā tātou katoa
My whakapapa to tangata whenua is held through whānau and wairua, not biologically. My ancestors came from the four corners of the world. My soul is connected to ancient Bharat and the BKWSU.Acestors come from four corners of the world as diaspora to Aotearoa.
I have over 15 years’ experience working in social services and counselling. My background includes psychodynamic therapy, degree’s psychology, human development, and modern attachment theory, and Family systems theories which together form the foundation of my relational and trauma-informed therapeutic approach. I am a registered Social Worker, with experience supporting people across complex personal, relational, and social contexts.
My work is informed by a systems and social constructionist perspective, meaning I pay close attention to how individuals, relationships, culture, environment, and wider social influences interact with our psyche. The term psyche is historically and clinically understood to refer to the mind or soul. This includes understanding intergenerational experiences, our connection to nature, and the influence of whakapapa and tūpuna in shaping identity and wellbeing.
I am an advanced IFS Informed, and Polyvagal Informed Practitioner recently Hawkes Bay’s only certified SSP and RRP provider The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) and Rest & Restore Protocol (RRP) are therapeutic interventions based on Dr Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory; both are delivered through Unyte Health, reflecting his ongoing scientific guidance in their development https://integratedlistening.com/products/ssp-safe-sound-protocol/
I combine decades of meditation and healing practice with the Brahma Kumaris, a Reiki Master, and Western therapy to guide trauma transformation through grounded, ethical, and imaginative approaches.
Qualifications (NZQA)
Massey University – Te Kura Hinengaro Tangata
- Master of Applied Social Work (MASW – Honours)
- POSTGRADUATE Dip (PG Psychology)
- POSTGRADUATE in Alcohol & Other Drugs (Rehabilitation)
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) – (Major Psych; Minor Rehabilitation)
- Dip in Human Development (Dip- HD)
EASTERN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- Level Two Certificate in Te Reo
- Cert Supervisory & Management
Naturopathic College
- Certificate In Nutrition
Professional Associations
- ANZASW; Membership and Supervisor, Current APC
- SWRB; Social Work Registration
- ANZCI Family Systems Facilitator/Membership
- ACC; Sensitive Claims Counsellor PAR550
- IFSCA: IFS Informed Advanced Training
- SSP Provider – Certified
- RRP Provider – Certified