Counselling for common mental health concerns. Registered Psychologists are regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists, Registered Social Workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW), and Certified Canadian Counsellors are regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). In-person in Edmonton and St. Albert, or virtual across Alberta.

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You Might Be Wondering Whether Counselling for Common Mental Health Concerns Is Right for You

Maybe you have been searching online, reading about anxiety or depression or stress, and still wondering whether what you are feeling really counts. You might not have a diagnosis. You might not even be sure what to call it. You just know that something has shifted, and the way you have been managing is no longer working the way it used to.

You might notice yourself lying awake running through worst-case scenarios. Or losing interest in things that once felt easy to enjoy. Perhaps you have been pulling away from people, cancelling plans, or going through the motions while feeling disconnected underneath. Some days there is a heaviness that does not match anything specific, and other days the worry spikes without warning.

These kinds of patterns are more common than most people realize. They do not mean something is permanently wrong with you. They often reflect the way your mind and body respond to stress, loss, change, or circumstances that have pushed past your usual coping resources. These are human responses, not character flaws.

If you are weighing whether counselling could help, this page may be a useful starting point. It explains what this type of support looks like at Wholesome Psychology, what the research says, what it costs, and how to take the next step if and when you are ready.

Who This Service May Be a Good Fit For

Counselling for common mental health concerns may be a good fit if you are experiencing:

• Persistent worry, tension, or anxiety that interferes with daily life
• Low mood, reduced motivation, or a loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
• Panic episodes or sudden waves of fear
• Obsessive thoughts or repetitive behaviours that feel difficult to control
• Trauma-related distress or heightened reactions to stress
• Burnout, overwhelm, or difficulty adjusting to change
• Sleep problems linked to stress, mood, or worry
• Grief, relationship strain, or life transitions affecting your mental health

You do not need a formal diagnosis to begin counselling. Many people reach out because something feels difficult to manage, not because they already have a clinical label.

This service may not be the right fit if you are looking for:

• Formal diagnostic clarification or psychological documentation. A separate mental health assessment may be more appropriate.
• Forensic, legal, or court-ordered evaluations. These fall outside the scope of this counselling service.
• Immediate crisis support. If you or someone you know is in danger, please see the crisis resources below.

Crisis Resources

Wholesome Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service. If you need immediate help:

• 911 for immediate danger
• Alberta Mental Health Help Line: 1-877-303-2642 (24/7)
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

What This Service Is

Counselling for common mental health concerns is a talking-based therapeutic service. It provides a structured, confidential space to work through patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that may be causing distress or limiting daily functioning. It is not a diagnostic service, a legal process, or a crisis intervention.

Counselling at Wholesome Psychology is collaborative and client-centred. Your therapist works with you to understand your goals, your current circumstances, and what kind of support would be most helpful. The pace of therapy is set by you, not by a fixed protocol.

This service is different from a formal psychological assessment. If you need diagnostic clarification or documentation for work, school, or insurance purposes, an assessment service may be more appropriate. Your therapist can help you determine which path fits your needs.

All sessions are confidential within legal and ethical limits. Your therapist will explain these boundaries during your first appointment so you know what to expect before sharing anything personal.

Signs That Common Mental Health Concerns May Be Affecting You

People often arrive at counselling not because of a single event, but because everyday life has started to feel harder than it used to. You may recognize some of these patterns:

• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions that used to feel straightforward
• Feeling tense, restless, or on edge much of the time
• Withdrawing from people or activities without a clear reason
• Changes in appetite, sleep, or energy levels that do not resolve on their own
• Replaying events or worries in your mind, even when you want to stop
• A sense of numbness, detachment, or going through the motions
• Irritability or emotional reactions that feel out of proportion
• Physical tension, headaches, or stomach problems linked to stress or worry

Experiencing these patterns does not mean something is permanently wrong. These are common reactions to stress, loss, and circumstances that have exceeded your usual coping resources. Structured support can help you understand what is happening and develop practical strategies to respond differently.

How Treatment Works Here

• Find your therapist. Use the Match with a Therapist tool, browse therapist profiles, or call the admin team at 780-904-4880 for guidance on choosing a clinician who fits your needs.
• Book your first session. Your first appointment typically includes a conversation about confidentiality and consent, a review of the concerns bringing you in, and an initial discussion of goals and next steps. This session is about building understanding, not jumping into deep work before you are ready.
• Build your plan together. You and your therapist co-create a therapeutic plan that reflects your goals, preferences, and pace. This plan is not fixed. It changes as your needs change.
• Ongoing sessions. Sessions are 50 minutes. Most people start with weekly or bi-weekly appointments, then adjust the frequency as they progress.
• Progress check-ins. Your therapist reviews progress regularly and adjusts the approach as needed. If something is not working, that conversation is always welcome.

There is no fixed number of sessions required. Some people find relief from just 2-3 sessions. Others benefit from longer-term work. Therapy is collaborative, and your voice matters at every stage.

Evidence and Approaches

Depending on your goals and your therapist's training, counselling may draw from several evidence-informed approaches. Below is a summary of commonly used modalities and what the research indicates.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

What it helps with: CBT focuses on identifying and changing patterns of thinking and behaviour that contribute to anxiety, low mood, and stress-related difficulties.

Evidence summary: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, 2022) recognizes talking therapies including CBT as a recommended component of care pathways for depression and related concerns. A systematic review and meta-analysis found that counselling, including CBT-informed approaches, is associated with modest improvement in short-term outcomes compared with usual care (Bower et al., 2003).

Limitations: Individual responses to CBT vary. The approach may be less effective for people who find structured, thought-focused work difficult to engage with, and long-term outcomes are less well established than short-term gains.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

What it helps with: ACT helps people develop psychological flexibility by learning to relate differently to difficult thoughts and emotions rather than trying to eliminate them.

Evidence summary: ACT is recognized within broader evidence-based talking therapy frameworks. Research suggests it may support improvements in functioning and quality of life for people experiencing anxiety and mood-related concerns (Bower et al., 2003; NICE, 2022).

Limitations: ACT has a growing but still developing evidence base for specific conditions compared with CBT. Outcomes vary depending on the person and the nature of their concerns.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)-Informed Skills

What it helps with: DBT-informed skills training focuses on emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness.

Evidence summary: DBT was originally developed for specific clinical populations, but its skills components are now integrated into broader therapeutic work for emotion regulation and stress-related concerns. Clinical guidelines support the use of structured skills training as part of comprehensive care (NICE, 2022).

Limitations: Full DBT programmes involve group and individual components that may not be available in all counselling settings. Skills-informed work adapted for individual therapy has less standalone research than the full protocol.

Mindfulness-Based Approaches

What it helps with: Mindfulness-based approaches help people develop present-moment awareness and reduce habitual patterns of rumination and avoidance.

Evidence summary: NICE (2022) includes mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as an option within treatment pathways for recurrent depression. Broader research supports mindfulness as a helpful component of therapy for stress and anxiety-related concerns.

Limitations: Mindfulness may not suit everyone. Some people find present-moment awareness difficult or distressing, particularly in the early stages of trauma recovery. Outcomes are best supported when mindfulness is integrated into a broader therapeutic plan.

Person-Centred Therapy

What it helps with: Person-centred therapy emphasizes the therapeutic relationship as the primary vehicle for change, supporting self-understanding, emotional expression, and personal growth.

Evidence summary: A Cochrane systematic review found that counselling approaches, including person-centred models, may produce modest short-term improvements for people with common mental health problems in primary care (Bower et al., 2022). Research suggests that therapeutic relationship quality is a consistent predictor of outcomes across modalities.

Limitations: Person-centred therapy may be less structured than some people prefer. The evidence base for this approach as a standalone treatment for specific conditions is less extensive than for CBT.

What Results to Expect

Recovery is not a straight line. Some people notice meaningful shifts early in the process. Others find that progress comes gradually, with setbacks along the way. Both patterns are normal.

Some people find relief from just 2-3 sessions, particularly when they are working through a specific concern or life transition. Others benefit from longer-term support, especially when dealing with more complex or longstanding patterns.

Several factors influence how therapy unfolds, including the nature and duration of the concerns, current life circumstances, the fit between you and your therapist, and the approach used. No therapy guarantees specific outcomes. What counselling can offer is a structured space to understand what is happening, build practical strategies, and make changes at a pace that feels manageable.

If your current therapist or approach does not feel right, that is important information. Changing therapists or trying a different method is always an option and is a normal part of the process.

Confidentiality and Privacy

What you share in counselling is confidential. Your therapist is bound by professional and legal obligations to protect your personal health information.

All psychologists at Wholesome Psychology are registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) and practise in accordance with the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) Code of Ethics. Client records and personal information are protected under the Health Information Act (HIA) and the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), Alberta's privacy legislation.

There are legal exceptions to confidentiality that your therapist will explain during your first session:

• Risk of serious harm to yourself or others
• Suspected abuse or neglect of a child (mandatory reporting under Alberta law)
• A court order requiring disclosure of records

Your therapist will explain these limits clearly before you begin sharing personal information. You are welcome to ask questions about confidentiality at any point.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to describe what happened in detail?

No. You are always in control of what you share and when. Many therapeutic approaches work with present-day patterns, emotions, and behaviours without requiring detailed recall of past events. Your therapist will follow your pace, and you can let them know at any point if something feels too much. Counselling is most effective when you feel safe, not pressured.

Is what I share kept private?

Yes, with limited exceptions. Counselling is confidential under Alberta privacy legislation (HIA and PIPA). Exceptions apply when there is risk of serious harm to yourself or others, suspected child abuse or neglect, or a court order. Your therapist will explain these limits during your first session. For more detail, see the Confidentiality and Privacy section above.

How many sessions will I need?

There is no fixed number. Some people find that a few sessions are enough to build clarity and practical strategies. Others benefit from longer-term support, especially for more complex or longstanding concerns. Your therapist will review progress with you regularly and adjust the plan as your needs change.

What if the therapist is not the right fit?

Therapeutic fit matters. Research consistently shows that the quality of the relationship between you and your therapist is one of the strongest predictors of positive outcomes. If something does not feel right, you can speak with the admin team about working with a different clinician. New clients may access their first session at 50% off to help find the right therapeutic fit. You can also use the Match with a Therapist tool or browse therapist profiles before booking.

Can I access therapy online?

Yes. Virtual counselling sessions are available across Alberta. Sessions use a secure video platform, and the same standards of confidentiality and care apply. Virtual therapy can be a practical option if you live outside Edmonton or St. Albert, have mobility challenges, or prefer the convenience of attending from home.

Do I need a referral to start counselling?

No. You can book directly through the online booking system, call 780-904-4880, or email info@wholesomepsychology.ca. A referral from a physician is not required.

What is the difference between a psychologist and a counsellor?

Registered Psychologists hold a graduate degree in psychology and are regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists. They can provide both counselling and formal psychological assessments. Certified Canadian Counsellors are regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). Registered Social Workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW). Counsellors and Mental Health Therapists provide therapeutic support but do not conduct formal assessments. All clinicians at Wholesome Psychology work within their regulated or supervised scope of practice.

Meet Your Clinicians

Wholesome Psychology's team includes Registered Psychologists, Registered Provisional Psychologists, Registered Social Workers, Certified Canadian Counsellors, Mental Health Therapists, and Student Therapists. All psychologists are registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists. Registered Social Workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW), and Certified Canadian Counsellors are regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). Provisional psychologists practise under the supervision of a senior registered psychologist.

Many clinicians have training and experience working with anxiety, depression, stress, trauma-related distress, and other common mental health concerns. To find a therapist who fits your needs, visit Our Therapists, use the Match with a Therapist tool, or call the admin team at 780-904-4880 for guidance.

Children and Youth

Common mental health concerns such as anxiety, low mood, and stress-related difficulties can also affect children and adolescents. Wholesome Psychology offers counselling for younger clients using age-appropriate approaches tailored to developmental needs.

Therapists working with children and youth collaborate with caregivers to support the young person's wellbeing both in and outside the therapy room. If you are a parent or guardian seeking support for a child, the admin team can help match you with a clinician experienced in working with younger populations. You may also wish to explore the child and youth mental health service page.

Canadian Context

Mood- and anxiety-related mental health concerns are among the issues most commonly tracked in Canadian public health data. Statistics Canada has published national estimates on the prevalence of mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, as well as data on access to mental health care services (Stephenson, 2023). The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) also recognizes mood and anxiety disorders as significant public health challenges in Canada (PHAC, n.d.).

These sources confirm that common mental health concerns are widespread and that access to appropriate care remains an important issue for Canadians. Counselling is one of several supports that may help.

Looking for More Specific Support?

If your primary concern falls into a more specific category, you may find these pages helpful:

• Anxiety Disorders Counselling
• Depression Counselling
• OCD Counselling
• Trauma Therapy
• Stress Management
• Online Therapy

Next Steps

If you would like to explore whether counselling could help, you can start by reviewing the Getting Started with Therapy page or using the Match with a Therapist tool to find a clinician who fits your needs.

You can also book a session online, call 780-904-4880, or email info@wholesomepsychology.ca.

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

Starting the conversation is enough.

References

• Bower, P., Rowland, N., & Hardy, R. (2003). The clinical effectiveness of counselling in primary care: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychological Medicine, 33(2), 203-215. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291702006979
• Bower, P., Knowles, S., Coventry, P. A., & Rowland, N. (2022). Counselling for mental health and psychosocial problems in primary care. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (3), CD001025. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD001025.pub3
• Canadian Psychological Association. (n.d.). Counselling psychology definition. Retrieved March 6, 2026, from https://cpa.ca/sections/counsellingpsychology/counsellingpsychdefinition/
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2022). Depression in adults: Treatment and management (NICE Guideline NG222). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng222
• Public Health Agency of Canada. (n.d.). Mood and anxiety disorders in Canada. Retrieved March 6, 2026, from https://health-infobase.canada.ca/mood-anxiety/
• Stephenson, E. (2023). Mental disorders and access to mental health care. Statistics Canada. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-003-x/2023009/article/00001-eng.htm
• World Health Organization. (n.d.). ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics: Mental, behavioural or neurodevelopmental disorders. Retrieved March 6, 2026, from https://icd.who.int/browse/2024-01/mms/en#334423054