Meet Andre
Kia ora, my name is Andre. I was born and raised in Christchurch, and I’ve called Wellington home for over fifteen years. I bring both professional and lived experience to my work. Having personally navigated trauma and periods of disconnection, I understand what it’s like to feel out of rhythm, overwhelmed by the pace of life, or stuck in patterns that no longer serve you.
These experiences inform my empathy and help me meet people with curiosity and respect for the complexity of being human. They’ve shaped a counselling style that is gentle, collaborative, and grounded in compassion.
My Rudolf Steiner education and mixed NZ European / South African Indian heritage have instilled values of creativity, connection, and balance that naturally flow into my practice. I also identify as a gay man, and this part of my identity strengthens my commitment to creating a counselling space where people can feel safe, welcomed, and respected for who they are.
Outside of counselling, I enjoy gardening, cooking, spending time with my animals, and exploring the forests and beaches around Wellington.
Professional membership
I am a member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC) and adhere to its Code of Ethics.
Because counselling is not a regulated profession in New Zealand, not all counsellors belong to a professional body. Choosing an NZAC counsellor provides clients with clarity about ethical responsibilities and access to an established process for feedback or concerns.
To understand the standards that guide my work, you can read the NZAC Code of Ethics.
Education
I completed my Bachelor of Counselling in 2013 at Weltec and later undertook a Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science (Addiction) in 2022 through AUT.
The AUT programme was delivered through a trauma-informed lens and encouraged critical thinking beyond narrow biomedical models of addiction.
Alongside this, I have completed training in ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), Transactional Analysis, and therapeutic approaches that work with different “parts” of the self, informed by family systems thinking.
Experience
I have experience working with adults and young people, supporting clients through life transitions, identity questions, trauma, and emotional challenges.
I've worked across a range of community and health organisations, including:
Wellington City Mission
Te Awakairangi Health Network
Kāpiti Youth Support
These roles have given me a broad and practical understanding of community wellbeing, mental health, and the realities people face in everyday life. This background shapes the compassionate, steady approach I bring to counselling.
“Owning our story can be hard, but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it.”
— Brené Brown