Counselling for the changes some people notice after a collision, whether the crash was serious or seemed minor at the time. Psychologists registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP). Psychologists, provisional psychologists, social workers regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW), counsellors certified by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), and therapists at several fee levels. In person in Edmonton and St. Albert, or virtual anywhere in Alberta.

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You Might Be Wondering Whether Motor Vehicle Accident Trauma Counselling Is Right for You

You may be asking yourself whether what happened was serious enough to talk to someone about. Maybe you walked away, the car was repaired, and people keep telling you how lucky you were. Something still feels different, though, and you are not sure it counts.

Perhaps your hands tighten on the wheel at the same intersection every morning. You might take the long way to avoid the Anthony Henday, or feel your stomach drop when someone else brakes hard. Some people find they snap at family more easily, or that sleep has not felt the same since.

These reactions make sense after something sudden and outside your control. They reflect the ways your mind and body try to protect you, and they do not mean something is permanently wrong with you. People respond to accidents in different ways, and there is no single right way to feel afterward.

If you are considering whether speaking with someone could help, this page explains what this counselling involves, what it does not cover, and how to get started. If you are reading for a partner, parent, or child who was in the vehicle, there is information here for you too.

Who We Help

This service may be a good fit if you:

• were a driver, passenger, cyclist, motorcyclist, or pedestrian in a collision
• saw a crash happen or stopped to help at the scene
• feel tense or uneasy driving or riding in a vehicle since an accident
• notice changes in sleep, mood, concentration, or relationships since an accident and want to talk them through
• keep going over what happened, including feelings of guilt or anger if you were the one driving
• are adjusting to injuries, time off work, or changed routines and want emotional support alongside your medical care
• are supporting a family member or child who was involved
• lost someone in a collision (our grief and loss therapy page may also be useful)

This service may not be the right fit if you:

• are in crisis or at immediate risk. Please use the crisis resources below.
• need medical care for an injury. Your doctor or the nearest emergency department is the place to start.
• need a legal opinion, a report for an insurance claim or lawsuit, or advice about fault or accident benefits. These needs are outside this counselling service, and a lawyer or your insurer can help with them.
• are looking for a formal diagnosis. Psychological assessments are a separate service with their own process, described on our PTSD and trauma assessment page.

If You Need Help Right Now

Counselling appointments are booked ahead of time, so they cannot respond to an emergency. If you or someone else is in danger, or you need urgent medical care, these services are available at any hour:

• 911, or go to the nearest emergency department, for immediate danger or an urgent medical need
• Alberta Mental Health Help Line: 1-877-303-2642 (24/7)
• 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 988 (24/7)

Wholesome Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service.

What This Service Is

Motor vehicle accident trauma counselling is talk-based support for the emotional and practical effects of a collision. You and your therapist work together to make sense of what has changed, sort out what matters most to you now, and set goals that fit your life. Sessions might touch on driving, routines, sleep, concentration, emotions, relationships, work, or school, but only where those are relevant to you.

This service is not:

• emergency or crisis care
• medical treatment, or a replacement for checking in with your doctor about injuries
• legal advice, an investigation of the accident, or help with insurance claims
• a psychological assessment or diagnosis

You set the pace. You decide what to talk about and when, and you can decline any topic. What you share is confidential, with some legal limits your clinician will explain at the start. The Confidentiality and Privacy section below covers this in more detail.

Every clinician works within the limits of their training and professional scope. If something you need falls outside what your clinician offers, they can talk with you about other options, such as another clinician at the clinic or a referral elsewhere.

Signs a Motor Vehicle Accident May Be Affecting You

There is no checklist that decides whether an accident counts. The examples below are patterns some people describe afterward. You might recognize a few of them, many, or none.

• tension, dread, or a pounding heart before driving or getting in as a passenger
• avoiding certain roads, intersections, highways, or winter driving
• gripping the door handle, bracing at every brake light, or checking the mirrors over and over
• memories of the crash that come back when you do not want them, or replaying what you could have done differently
• sleep that is lighter, shorter, or more broken than before
• trouble focusing at work or school, or feeling worn out by ordinary days
• feeling on edge, numb, or easily overwhelmed, and pulling back from people or plans
• guilt, anger, or frustration about what happened, how others responded, or how slowly things are returning to normal
• stress from appointments, missed work, repairs, and claims piling up at once

Having some of these experiences does not mean something is permanently wrong with you. They are common reactions to a frightening, unexpected event, not a personal failing. Structured support can give you a place to sort through them at a pace that feels manageable.

Clinicians do use classification systems such as ICD-11, which includes a group of disorders specifically associated with stress (World Health Organization [WHO], n.d.). Recognizing yourself in the list above is not the same as having a diagnosis, and this counselling service does not provide one. Counselling also does not replace medical care, so if you have physical concerns after a collision, please check in with your doctor as well.

How Treatment Works Here

• Find your therapist. You can use the Match with a Therapist tool or browse Our Therapists to read individual profiles. If you would rather talk it through with someone, the admin team can help at 780-904-4880.
• Book your first session. You can book online through our booking system or by phone. The first session usually covers confidentiality, consent, what brought you in, and what you hope to get from counselling. Details can vary by clinician and appointment format, and you do not need to have the whole story sorted out beforehand.
• Build your plan together. You and your therapist shape a plan around your own goals, such as feeling steadier as a passenger, sleeping better, or making sense of what happened. Your input guides the plan.
• Ongoing sessions. Sessions are 50 minutes, usually weekly or every two weeks. You can adjust how often you meet as your needs change.
• Progress check-ins. Your therapist reviews progress with you regularly, and the plan can change as you do.

There is no fixed number of sessions. Counselling is collaborative, and your voice matters at every stage, including when you want to slow down, change focus, or take a break. For a broader overview, see Getting Started with Therapy and What to Expect From Therapy.

Evidence and Approaches

Clinicians at Wholesome Psychology draw on different therapy approaches. Not every clinician offers every approach, and no single approach suits everyone. You can read more on our Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, EMDR Therapy, and Trauma Therapy pages.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

What it helps with: CBT looks at how thoughts, feelings, and actions connect, such as worry about another crash that leads to avoiding the road.

Evidence summary: This page does not summarize research on how well CBT works after a motor vehicle accident, so it makes no effectiveness claim. Outcomes vary from person to person. Your clinician can explain the research behind CBT and how it relates to your situation.

Limitations: CBT may not suit every person or goal. Not every clinician at the clinic offers it.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

What it helps with: EMDR is a structured approach that focuses on distressing memories, which some people choose when memories of a crash keep coming back.

Evidence summary: No research findings on EMDR are summarized here, so this page does not say how well it works for accident-related distress. A clinician trained in EMDR can explain what the research shows, what sessions involve, and whether it may be appropriate for you.

Limitations: EMDR is offered only by clinicians with specific training, so availability varies. It may not be the right fit for everyone, which your clinician can discuss with you.

Trauma-Focused Counselling

What it helps with: Trauma-focused counselling pays attention to how the accident still affects you today, with an emphasis on safety, choice, and a pace you control.

Evidence summary: ICD-11 recognizes a group of stress-related conditions (WHO, n.d.), but a classification system does not show which therapy will help a particular person. Treatment-outcome research for trauma-focused counselling is not summarized on this page. Your clinician can explain the evidence behind the methods they use.

Limitations: Talking about a difficult experience can feel uncomfortable at times, and progress is rarely a straight line. You can slow down or change focus whenever you need to.

What Results to Expect

• Recovery is rarely a straight line. Good weeks and harder weeks can sit side by side.
• Some people notice shifts within a few months. Others benefit from longer-term work.
• Many things can influence how counselling goes, including what happened in the accident, any injuries or pain, stress at work or home, the support around you, and how well you connect with your therapist.
• No therapy can guarantee a particular outcome, including a return to driving or a set recovery date.
• Fit matters. If a therapist or approach is not working for you, changing either one is always an option.

Confidentiality and Privacy

What you share in counselling is confidential. Your clinician will not share information about you without your consent, except in specific situations where the law requires or permits it.

Psychologists at Wholesome Psychology are regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) and follow the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists. Other clinicians follow the standards of their own professional bodies, such as the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) for registered social workers.

Two Alberta privacy laws are relevant. The Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) generally applies to private clinics and sets rules for how your personal information is collected, used, disclosed, and kept. The Health Information Act (HIA) governs health information held by custodians in the public health system, such as Alberta Health Services, and can apply when a clinician works for or with one of those custodians.

Limits to confidentiality include:

• a risk of serious harm to yourself or someone else
• suspected abuse or neglect of a child, which must be reported under Alberta law
• a court order or subpoena requiring records

If an insurer or another third party is paying for your sessions, you can ask your clinician at the start what information that party may receive. In general, information is shared only with your consent or where the law requires it.

Your clinician will explain these limits clearly in your first session. You are welcome to ask questions about privacy before sharing anything personal, including by calling the admin team first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to describe the accident in detail?

No. You decide how much to share and when. You can start with what is hard right now, such as driving, sleep, or tension at home, rather than a step-by-step account of the crash. Your therapist can work with present-day patterns, and you can come back to the details later or not at all.

Is what I share kept private?

Yes, with some limits set by law. These include a risk of serious harm to you or someone else, suspected abuse or neglect of a child, and a court order. Your clinician will go over these in your first session. The Confidentiality and Privacy section above explains more, including how PIPA and the HIA apply.

How many sessions will I need?

There is no set number. Some people come for a short stretch focused on one concern, such as feeling calmer in the car. Others prefer longer-term work, for example when an accident overlaps with injuries, grief, or other stress. You and your therapist review progress regularly and decide together.

What if the therapist is not the right fit?

Fit matters, and it is fine to say so. You can mention it to your therapist directly or contact the admin team at 780-904-4880, who can help you find a different clinician. New clients may access their first session at 50% off to help find the right therapeutic fit.

Can I have sessions online?

Yes. Virtual sessions are available anywhere in Alberta, and the same confidentiality standards apply as in person. You may prefer this if driving to an appointment feels like a lot right now. You can read more about online counselling.

The accident was minor, or it was years ago. Is counselling still an option?

Yes. There is no rule about how serious or how recent an accident needs to be before counselling makes sense. What matters is whether it is affecting your life now and whether you would like support with that.

Do I need a diagnosis or a referral to start?

No diagnosis is needed to start counselling. You can book directly online or by phone. Some insurance plans may ask for a referral before they reimburse sessions, so it is worth checking your plan.

Can counselling help with my insurance claim or legal case?

This counselling service does not provide legal advice, insurance advice, or reports for claims or court. A lawyer or your insurer is the right place for those questions, and psychological assessments are a separate service. Counselling can still be a place to talk about the stress a claim or case is causing you.

Meet Your Clinicians

Wholesome Psychology has clinicians with several credential types: Registered Psychologists, Registered Provisional Psychologists, Registered Social Workers, Canadian Certified Counsellors, Mental Health Therapists, and Student Therapists. All psychologists are registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists. Provisional psychologists practise under the supervision of a senior registered psychologist, and student therapists are master's-level practicum students.

Individual profiles describe each clinician's training and areas of focus. You can browse Our Therapists, try the Match with a Therapist tool, or call the admin team at 780-904-4880 for guidance on who may suit your needs.

Children and Youth

If your child or teen was in a collision, or saw a parent hurt or shaken, you may be wondering how they are coping. Wholesome Psychology offers counselling for children, adolescents, and young people. Therapists who work with younger clients use age-appropriate approaches. They also work with parents and caregivers to support the child's recovery at home.

You can learn more on our child and youth stress and trauma page.

Taking the Next Step

If you would like to learn more or get started, you can choose whichever option feels easiest:

• Book a session online
• Match with a therapist
• Call 780-904-4880
• Email info@wholesomepsychology.ca
• Read Getting Started with Therapy

Starting the conversation is enough.

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

References

• World Health Organization. (n.d.). ICD-11 for mortality and morbidity statistics: Disorders specifically associated with stress.