LGBTTQIA+
As a proud member of the LGBTTQIA+ community, I offer a safe, inclusive, and affirming space where your identity is respected and celebrated – always.
Neurodivergent
As a neurodivergent person, I offer a safe, understanding and affirming space where your way of thinking, feeling and experiencing the world is respected and supported.
Accessibility
Accessibility matters to me and I offer counselling sessions via video or phone to ensure support is available in the way that works best for you.
About me
Kia ora e hoa. Nau mai, haere mai.
I’m Christina Emery (she/her/ia), a qualified counsellor based in Whanganui. I work with people in person, online, and over the phone, offering support that feels safe, genuine, and meets you where you’re at.
After three years of study, reflection, and personal growth, I’ve completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Counselling, become a provisional member of the NZ Association of Counsellors (NZAC), and stepped into private practice.
As a neurodivergent, queer individual, I know how important it is to have a space where you don’t have to hide parts of yourself—a space where you can breathe out, be heard, and not feel like you need to explain everything. That’s the kind of space I aim to offer.
I’m especially passionate about supporting the LGBTTQIA+ and neurodivergent communities, and I strive to be an active Te Tiriti partner. That said, whoever you are, if you’re looking for someone to sit alongside you with care and curiosity, I’d be honoured to walk that path with you.
I support people through a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, addiction, relationship or life and work stressors, gender and sexuality exploration, and navigating neurodivergence—among many others. Most of all, I’m here to offer a place where you feel seen, respected, and supported as you move toward the life you want to live.
How I can support you
Whanaungatanga | Manaakitanga | Tino rangatiratanga
Counselling is about working together in a way that makes sense for you. There’s no one right way to heal or grow, so we’ll figure it out together, at your pace.
Pluralistic Approach
I use a pluralistic approach which means we work together to find what kind of support works best for you. I draw from different tools and ideas, rather than sticking to just one way of doing things.
Person-Centered
Person-centered counselling is about holding space for you to be heard and accepted, so you can feel safe to understand yourself and move forward in your own time.
Psychoeducation
Through psychoeducation, I share useful information about emotions, thoughts and behaviours that can help you better understand the bigger picture of your mental health.
Pluralistic
In counselling, there’s no one-size-fits-all. A pluralistic approach means recognising that different people need different things at different times, and that healing can happen in many ways.
Instead of sticking to just one method, I work alongside you to figure out what might be most helpful for you—whether that’s talking through emotions, setting goals, exploring past experiences, learning new tools, or simply being deeply listened to. We’ll collaborate to find the pace and direction that feel right for you.
This approach is grounded in respect for your unique needs, values, and preferences. You are the expert in your own life, and I’ll bring a range of therapeutic ideas and strategies to support you, depending on what suits you best.
The heart of pluralistic counselling is partnership—working together to find what helps, checking in as we go, and being flexible if things need to shift.
Person-centered
Person-centred counselling is all about creating a safe, supportive space where you can be yourself without fear of judgment. Rather than giving advice or trying to “fix” you, I’ll be right there alongside you, listening closely, accepting you as you are, and respecting your thoughts and feelings.
This kind of counselling is based on the belief that you already have the wisdom and strength within you to make meaningful change, and that being heard and understood can be deeply healing.
In our sessions, you set the pace and decide what’s most important to talk about. My role is to offer empathy, honesty, and unconditional positive regard, so you feel safe to explore whatever is going on for you. With time, this trusting relationship can help you make sense of your experiences, feel more confident in yourself, and move towards the life you want to live.
Psychoeducation
Psychoeducation is about helping you understand what might be going on in your mind, body, and emotions so that things feel a bit less overwhelming and a bit more manageable. It’s not about giving lectures or telling you what to do; it’s about offering useful information and tools that can support your wellbeing.
For example, we might explore how anxiety affects your nervous system, how ADHD shows up in everyday life, or why trauma can make it hard to feel safe even when nothing seems “wrong.” Understanding the why behind your experiences can reduce shame and help you feel more in control.
In our sessions, psychoeducation might look like learning how stress impacts sleep, talking about common patterns in grief, unpacking how attachment styles influence relationships, or discovering grounding techniques for moments of overwhelm. It could also mean exploring how boundaries work, what a healthy relationship looks like, or why your brain reacts the way it does in certain situations.
Together, we’ll work out what kind of knowledge or tools feel helpful for you, so that you can better understand yourself and make choices that support your mental health.
Pricing
One person
$120 per 1hr session
Two or more
$150 per 1hr session
WINZ Subsidy
If you need help with counselling fees or transport to counselling, WINZ may be able to help. More info HERE.