Structured, trauma-informed counselling that meets you at your own pace, with EMDR considered as one option within a wider plan. Regulated, collaborative care. Sessions are offered by Registered Psychologists, Registered Provisional Psychologists, Registered Social Workers, and counsellors. Registered Psychologists and Registered Provisional Psychologists are regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP), Registered Social Workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW), and Certified Canadian Counsellors (CCCs) are regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychological Association (CCPA). We provide in-person counselling in Edmonton and St. Albert and virtual counselling across Alberta.

Book a Session | Match with a Therapist

You Might Be Wondering Whether EMDR Therapy Is Right for You

You may not be sure whether what you are carrying is serious enough to reach out about. Maybe the hardest part happened a long time ago, or maybe it was something other people seemed to move past more easily than you have. It is common to question whether your experience really counts.

You might notice some of these patterns in yourself. A memory or reminder that still tightens your chest long after the event. Feeling on guard or easily startled when there is no clear reason. Pulling away from people who care about you, or going numb when you would rather feel close.

These responses make sense. They are often the ways a mind and body have adapted to protect you after something difficult, not signs that something is permanently wrong with you. Many people live with reactions like these for years before they look into support.

If you are weighing whether speaking with someone could help, you may wish to read on and see what this kind of counselling looks like. You can decide for yourself whether it feels relevant.

Who We Help

EMDR and trauma-focused counselling at Wholesome Psychology may be a good fit if you:

• are an adult looking for structured support around distressing memories or trauma-related stress
• want to understand your options before committing to a particular approach
• prefer care that is collaborative, where you set the pace
• are gathering information for yourself or for someone you care about
• would like in-person counselling in Edmonton or St. Albert, or virtual sessions elsewhere in Alberta

This service may not be the right starting point if you:

• are in immediate danger or crisis. Please use the crisis resources below.
• need a formal psychological assessment, a report, or court-related documentation. Assessments are a separate service and are not part of this counselling page.
• are looking for legal advice, an investigation, or a forensic process. Counselling does not serve those needs.

If you need urgent help right now

Wholesome Psychology is not a crisis service. If you or someone else is in danger, please use one of these resources:

• Call 911 for immediate danger or a medical emergency.
• Alberta Mental Health Help Line: 1-877-303-2642 (24/7).
• Family Violence Info Line (Alberta): 310-1818 (24/7, toll-free).
• Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741.

Wholesome Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service.

What This Service Is

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a structured form of psychotherapy that may be considered when distressing memories or trauma-related stress still feel hard to manage. On this page, EMDR is described as one possible option within a collaborative counselling plan, not as the only path or as a fit for everyone.

International classification systems list post-traumatic stress disorder and complex post-traumatic stress disorder among disorders specifically associated with stress (World Health Organization [WHO], n.d.). That background is included for general context only. This page does not assess, diagnose, or tell you what you are living with.

A few boundaries are worth stating plainly. Counselling here is not a legal service, an investigative process, or a crisis intervention. It does not include a psychological assessment unless you book that separate service. The pace is set by you, not by the therapist. What you share is treated as confidential, with limits explained below. If a need falls outside what counselling can offer, your therapist can talk through other options with you.

Signs Trauma-Related Distress May Be Affecting You

People who look into EMDR or trauma counselling often recognise some of the following experiences. These are everyday patterns, not a checklist for any diagnosis.

• memories or reminders that bring back strong feelings as if the event were happening again
• trouble sleeping, restless nights, or dreams that leave you shaken
• feeling tense, on edge, or easily startled
• avoiding places, people, or conversations that bring difficult feelings up
• going numb, feeling disconnected, or watching life from a distance
• irritability, anger, or a short fuse that does not match the moment
• difficulty trusting others or feeling safe in relationships
• physical tension, headaches, or a stomach that reacts under stress

Living with experiences like these does not mean something is permanently wrong with you. They are common reactions to overwhelming or harmful events. Structured support can help some people work with these patterns over time.

How Treatment Works Here

• Find your therapist. You can review profiles on our Our Therapists page or use the Match with a Therapist tool. Our admin team can also help by phone at 780-904-4880.
• Book your first session. The first session is mostly about getting oriented. Your therapist reviews confidentiality and consent, answers your questions, and talks with you about your goals. There is no requirement to share more than you are ready to share.
• Build your plan together. You and your therapist co-create a plan. This includes whether EMDR fits your goals or whether another approach is a better starting point.
• Ongoing sessions. Follow-up sessions are often weekly or bi-weekly and can be adjusted as your needs change. Sessions are 50 minutes.
• Progress check-ins. Your therapist reviews progress with you regularly, and the plan can change as you go.

There is no fixed number of sessions. The work is collaborative, and your voice matters at every stage.

Evidence and Approaches

This page focuses on EMDR because that is what the research set behind this service speaks to most directly. We have kept the evidence narrow and honest rather than listing approaches we cannot support here.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

What it helps with: EMDR is a structured psychotherapy that may be considered for adults working through distressing memories and trauma-related stress.

Evidence summary: A systematic review and meta-analysis examined EMDR for the treatment and prevention of post-traumatic stress disorder in adults (Simpson et al., 2025). Clinical guidelines for PTSD also address EMDR as an option for adults with a diagnosis of PTSD or clinically important symptoms (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE], 2018). Canadian public health and education resources describe trauma and PTSD in plain language for the public (Public Health Agency of Canada [PHAC], 2025; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health [CAMH], n.d.).

Limitations: The research reviewed here points most clearly to adults and PTSD-related contexts, and it does not establish effect sizes, timelines, or that EMDR is the right fit for everyone. Whether EMDR is appropriate for a given person is decided collaboratively, and another approach may suit you better.

What Results to Expect

Recovery is rarely a straight line. Some people notice shifts within a few months, while others find that longer-term work suits them better. Progress can move forward, pause, and move again.

Several things influence how counselling unfolds, including the nature of what you have been through, what is happening in your life now, and the fit between you and your therapist. No therapy can guarantee a particular outcome or a fixed timeline, and outcomes vary from person to person.

Fit matters more than many people expect. If an approach or a therapist does not feel right, changing to a different clinician or a different method is always an option. You are not locked into a single path.

Confidentiality and Privacy

What you share in counselling is kept confidential. Psychologists work under the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) and follow the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) Code of Ethics. Your personal and health information is handled in line with Alberta legislation, including the Health Information Act (HIA) and the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).

There are a few legal limits to confidentiality. Your therapist may need to act or disclose information when:

• there is a risk of serious harm to you or to someone else
• there is suspected abuse or neglect of a child, which is a mandatory report under Alberta law
• a court orders the release of records

Your therapist will explain these limits clearly during the first session. You are welcome to ask questions about privacy before you share anything personal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to describe what happened in detail?

No. You set the pace, and you do not have to recount every detail to begin. Some of this work can focus on present-day patterns and how reminders affect you now, rather than on a full retelling. Your therapist will check in with you about comfort and pacing as you go.

Is what I share kept private?

Yes, with a few legal limits. Confidentiality applies to what you share, and the main exceptions involve risk of serious harm, suspected child abuse or neglect, and court orders. You can read more in the Confidentiality and Privacy section above, and your therapist will go over this in the first session.

How many sessions will I need?

There is no single answer. Some people benefit from shorter-term work, and others prefer longer-term support. Your therapist reviews progress with you regularly, and the plan can be adjusted as your needs change.

What if the therapist is not the right fit?

Fit matters, and it is completely reasonable to want a different match. Our admin team can help you move to another clinician without making it awkward. New clients may access their first session at 50% off to help find the right therapeutic fit.

Can I access EMDR or counselling online?

Wholesome Psychology offers virtual counselling across Alberta, with the same confidentiality standards as in-person care. Whether EMDR specifically is offered virtually depends on the clinician, your treatment plan, and whether the format suits your situation. Your therapist can talk this through with you.

What exactly is EMDR therapy?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. The most cautious, evidence-based description is that it is a structured psychotherapy approach most clearly studied in relation to trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder in adults.

Is EMDR right for everyone, or only for PTSD?

The strongest research signal in the sources behind this page relates to adults and PTSD-related contexts. Some websites describe broader uses, but we keep our claims to what the available evidence supports. Whether EMDR is a fit for you is something to decide with your therapist.

What if I am still in an unsafe situation?

If you are still in danger, your immediate safety comes first. Please use the crisis resources listed above, including 911 and the Family Violence Info Line at 310-1818. When you are safe, counselling can be part of working through what you have experienced.

Meet Your Clinicians

Our team includes Registered Psychologists, Registered Provisional Psychologists, Registered Social Workers, Certified Canadian Counsellors, Mental Health Therapists, and Student Therapists. Registered Psychologists and Registered Provisional Psychologists are regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP). Registered Provisional Psychologists practise under the supervision of a senior registered psychologist. Registered Social Workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW). Certified Canadian Counsellors (CCCs) are regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychological Association (CCPA). Many clinicians have training in trauma-informed care and related areas. You can review individual profiles on our Our Therapists page, use the Match with a Therapist tool, or call our admin team at 780-904-4880 for guidance.

Children and Youth

Wholesome Psychology offers counselling for children, adolescents, and young people. Therapists who work with younger clients use age-appropriate approaches and collaborate with caregivers to support a child's recovery environment. For trauma specifically, you may wish to look at our child and youth stress and trauma counselling.

One note about EMDR and children. The research reviewed for this page points most clearly to adults, and clinical guidance considers EMDR for children mainly in specific circumstances rather than as a routine first step (NICE, 2018). Whether EMDR is appropriate for a younger person is decided carefully and individually with the family.

Take the Next Step When You Are Ready

If you would like to learn more or get started, you can:

• Book a session through our online booking system.
• Match with a therapist if you want help choosing where to begin.
• Visit our Getting Started with Therapy page.
• Call 780-904-4880 or email info@wholesomepsychology.ca with questions about fit, fees, or availability.

You may also find our trauma therapy, PTSD treatment, and online counselling pages helpful.

New clients may access their first session at 50% off to help find the right therapeutic fit.

Starting the conversation is enough.

References

• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. (n.d.). Trauma. Retrieved March 23, 2026, from https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/trauma
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2018). Post-traumatic stress disorder (NICE Guideline NG116). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng116
• Public Health Agency of Canada. (2025). About trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/topics/mental-health-wellness/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/about-ptsd.html
• Simpson, E., Carroll, C., Sutton, A., Forsyth, J., Rayner, A., Ren, S., Franklin, M., & Wood, E. (2025). Clinical and cost-effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for treatment and prevention of post-traumatic stress disorder in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjop.70005
• World Health Organization. (n.d.). ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics: Disorders specifically associated with stress. Retrieved March 23, 2026, from https://icd.who.int/