ENDORSEMENT
Jana, Psychologist, PhD, HPCSA Clinical Psychologist, endorsement
Christina is that rare person, a therapist who shines as a caring human being first and foremost. She always has her clients' best interests at heart, beaming great warmth, intelligence and insight, plus her sense of humour is a treat. Highly recommended.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/za/counselling/jana-lazarus-glencairn-wc/828642
My Educational & Professional Background
I hold a B Psych Honours degree in Psychology and Psychometry from the University of Pretoria, as well as a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from UNISA. I am a Specialist Wellness Counsellor and Psychometrist, registered with the ASCHP and the HPCSA. I am also an Integrative Enneagram Practitioner with iEQ9 and an IFS (Internal Family Systems) trained practitioner, certified through IFSCA in Canada.
My work is rooted in a holistic understanding of wellness. Wellness counselling, as a primary health care service, moves beyond a purely medical or mechanistic model and embraces a more integrative, noetic perspective. This perspective honours the dynamic interplay between mind, body and spirit, and understands each person in the context of their relationships, environment and lived experience.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/za/counselling/christina-nova/1298959
Specialist Wellness Counsellor ( 2022)
Association for Supportive Counsellors and Holistic Practitioners (ASCHP) 8700
Psychometrist / B Psych Honours ( 2004)
University of Pretoria, South Africa
The Health Professions Council of South Africa
(HPCSA) PMT0076732
Integrative Enneagram Practitioner ( 2025)
iEQ3767
IFS Stepping Stones - Canada ( 2026)
Internal Family Systems trained practitioner.
IFSCA
Coming Home To Yourself
At the heart of my practice is the creation of a safe, grounded and ethically held space where you can slow down, reflect and come into deeper contact with yourself. Here, you are met with compassion, authenticity and respect. Within this space, an inner connection can begin to unfold: a reconnection to the heart, to the inner child, and to the many different parts of yourself.
I believe that many of the patterns we carry have developed for meaningful reasons. We learn ways of protecting ourselves, relating to others and navigating the world based on our lived experiences. Rather than viewing these patterns as something to be fixed, I am interested in understanding what lies beneath them, and creating the conditions for greater awareness, compassion and choice.
In our relationships, these patterns can become particularly visible. The ways we seek closeness, protect ourselves, communicate, withdraw or respond to conflict are often connected to deeper needs for safety, connection and belonging. I am particularly interested in helping individuals and couples develop greater understanding of themselves and one another, creating space for more openness, emotional connection and meaningful intimacy.
I am guided by a holistic understanding of well-being and by the belief that mind, body and relationships are deeply interconnected. I value mindful living, reflective practices and gentle approaches that support greater balance and self-awareness. I also hold an interest in the relationship between nutrition, gut health and mental well-being, while recognizing that each person's experience of wellness is unique.
Through mindful self-awareness, supportive dialogue and reflective practices, individuals can cultivate resilience, deepen their self-understanding and move toward a more integrated and authentic way of being. For couples, this work can create greater awareness of the patterns that shape their relationship and open up new possibilities for connection, understanding and intimacy.
This work is an invitation to come home to yourself, and to create more meaningful ways of being in relationship with yourself and with others.
How I work
I offer online wellness counselling grounded in Internal Family Systems (IFS), a compassionate and evidence-informed approach to understanding your inner world.
We all have different parts of ourselves that respond to life in different ways. Some may become anxious, critical, perfectionistic, overwhelmed or withdrawn, while others may work hard to keep everything under control. Rather than trying to get rid of these parts, we approach them with curiosity and compassion, exploring what they may be trying to protect and what they need.
For couples, my work is informed by attachment-based approaches and principles of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT). We explore the patterns that develop between partners and the deeper needs that often sit beneath conflict, withdrawal or disconnection.
Whether you are working through something within yourself or within your relationship, our sessions provide a warm, reflective and collaborative space to slow down, understand what is happening beneath the surface, and move towards greater clarity, connection and self-trust.
Together, we can explore how to:
understand your emotional patterns without self-criticism
recognise the protective patterns behind anxiety, self-doubt, people-pleasing, perfectionism or withdrawal
navigate relationship dynamics with greater awareness
move through life transitions with more confidence and clarity
create space between yourself and overwhelming emotional reactions
reconnect with a calmer, more grounded sense of self
develop greater emotional resilience and self-trust over time
This is not about fixing what is wrong with you. It is about developing a more compassionate relationship with yourself and discovering new ways of responding to life's challenges.
What sessions feel like
Sessions are calm, collaborative and thoughtfully paced.
You don't need to have everything figured out before we begin, and you don't need to find the perfect words. We simply start with what is present for you.
Clients often describe sessions as:
grounding
insightful
emotionally relieving
compassionate
reflective
gently transformative
My aim is to create a space where you can feel understood and supported while exploring difficult emotions, gaining new perspectives and discovering your own capacity for change.
CLIENT FEEDBACK
“I’ve had a wonderful experience working with Christina. She is incredibly kind, patient, and genuinely attentive during each session. I always feel heard and understood, and her feedback during and post-session is both thoughtful and practical. Each conversation has left me with new insights. I’m very grateful for the support and care she has provided.”
“Christina has a very calm and present way of holding space while gently guiding you through a session. The IFS model was a new perspective to exploring my feelings. Thank you.”
“Christina is a great listener and affirmer. Her sessions are life transforming.”
“I am incredibly grateful for my sessions with Christina. She is an exceptional therapist who truly listens with empathy and compassion. Her non-judgmental approach made me feel validated and understood. Christina also offered valuable resources and practical tools that have been instrumental in managing my anxiety and depression. I’m looking forward to booking more sessions with her and continuing this positive journey.”
“Christina was very helpful, and I really left the session feeling equipped and empowered. I would definitely recommend her service. She was very kind and empathetic, and encouraging.”
“What a pleasure it was talking to Christina. Christina was an absolute star during our session. The most gentle approach to “therapy” I have experienced – very knowledgeable and authentic. Thank you Christina!”