About us
The Connections WA Story
Mother, Business Owner, Psychologist and Friend
Andrea Groom is more than just a name; she’s the vibrant spirit behind Connections WA. As a mother, a dedicated business owner, a psychologist, and a true friend to so many in the Port Kennedy community, Andrea brings a unique blend of expertise and genuine warmth to everything she does.
She’s poured her heart into creating a space where you immediately feel safe, supported, and truly understood. Andrea’s deep care for others, combined with her approach to therapy and her commitment to building a therapy service in the community alongside creating a positive, multidisciplinary team, ensures that Connections WA is where real healing begins and clients truly flourish.
A Journey Rooted in life experience
Andrea’s passion for healing began early, shaped by her own life experiences. Andrea was drawn to the healing professions and qualified as a psychotherapist and counsellor in the UK at the age of 24, she then moved to Perth in 2008 with her young family. After 16 years serving families in Rockingham schools, she founded Connections WA in April 2022. What started as a single room has become a vibrant practice, home to a committed team of psychology and occupational therapy professionals embedded in her community of Port Kennedy.
Collaborative Care for Your Wellbeing
Connections WA was born from Andrea’s strong belief that holistic healing often requires a team approach. She has carefully brought together skilled psychologists and occupational therapists to offer truly comprehensive support.
As Andrea shares, “Our client’s well-being is our priority. To help them to heal, ‘be’ themselves and flourish, is the goal. We often utilise a team approach that integrates the perspectives of psychology and occupational therapy together, ensuring comprehensive and individualised support. It’s this collaborative spirit that makes Connections WA a welcoming place”.
A Leader Who Puts ‘You’ First
Andrea’s commitment to exceptional care shines through in every aspect of Connections WA. She ensures her team stays at the forefront of evidence-based practice through continuous professional development, including hosting the Rockingham and Kwinana Mental Health Network events, Lunch and Learn, Peer supervision and Multidisciplinary Team meetings.
She invests in practical tools to make things easier for therapists with on line tools, access to resources, reliable systems and good governance. Her dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed; she’s been recognised as an Emerging Healthcare Founder & Psychologist 2023 and 2024 (Western Australia), Rockingham Regional Business Awards Finalist in 2024, 2023 and 2022 for Service in Excellence.
Andrea is also a passionate advocate for those dealing with complex trauma, Autism, and ADHD and is well known in her community for supporting families, schools and other services in this area.
Beyond her professional achievements, Andrea is a caring leader and mentor. She fosters a supportive team culture where everyone feels valued and heard, offering clinical supervision, thoughtful wellness initiatives, and a space for reflection. Her focus on professional growth and well-being helps her team deliver the best possible care to the community that she is so passionately connected.
Deep Roots, Growing Impact
Having lived, worked, and raised her family in Port Kennedy and Rockingham for over 18 years, Andrea has built a legacy of trust within the community. Her vision for Connections WA extends beyond a single location; she hopes to create a network of small, community-based centers, making quality care easily accessible for families close to home. Through strong partnerships with local schools and services, Andrea continues to strengthen Connections WA’s role as a trusted partner in your wellbeing.
Andrea is also actively involved in the community as Vice President of the Kennedy Bay Community Association (KBCA), and a member of Rockingham Rotary, and the Rockingham and Kwinana Chamber of Commerce.
