A private, collaborative space to talk through pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood, at a pace you set. Registered Psychologists regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP). Registered Provisional Psychologists, Registered Social Workers regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW), Canadian Certified Counsellors certified by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), Mental Health Therapists, and supervised Student Therapists. In-person sessions at five locations in Edmonton and St. Albert. Virtual sessions for people located in Alberta.

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You Might Be Wondering Whether Perinatal Mental Health Counselling Is Right for You

You may be telling yourself that what you feel is just part of being pregnant or having a new baby. Everyone is tired, and everyone worries. So it can be hard to know whether your experience is worth bringing to a counsellor, or whether you should simply be able to cope. That question can feel even harder when the people around you keep calling this the happiest time of your life. Maybe you are pregnant and your mind keeps scanning for the next thing to worry about. Maybe you lie awake after a night feed, running through everything that could go wrong. Or you smile through visits from family, then feel flat and far away once the door closes. You might be snapping at your partner, missing the person you were before, and feeling guilty about all of it.

These reactions make sense. Pregnancy, birth, and early parenting can change your sleep, your body, your relationships, and your sense of who you are, often all at once. Feeling unsettled by that much change is a human response. It does not mean you are failing, and it does not mean something is permanently wrong with you. Partners, co-parents, and family members can feel the weight of this period too. If you are trying to work out whether talking with someone could help, for yourself or for someone you care about, you may wish to read on and see what this kind of support looks like.

Who We Help

Perinatal counselling may be relevant during pregnancy, after birth, and through the early months of parenting. People involved in the perinatal or parenting transition are welcome to ask about fit and availability.

This service may be a good fit if you are:

• pregnant and feeling worried, low, unsettled, or unlike yourself
• a new parent adjusting to changes in sleep, routines, identity, or relationships
• a partner or co-parent trying to find your footing in a new role
• making sense of a birth that did not go the way you expected (see counselling after a difficult birth)
• grieving a pregnancy or infant loss (see perinatal loss counselling)
• feeling stretched between family expectations, the support you have, and your own limits
• preparing to go back to work or balance several roles (see returning to work after maternity leave)
• gathering information for a partner, family member, or friend

This service may not be the right fit if you need:

• Immediate help with your safety or someone else's. Please use the crisis resources below.
• Medical, obstetric, midwifery, or pediatric care. Questions about medication, breastfeeding, pregnancy complications, or your baby's health belong with your physician, midwife, or another health-care provider.
• A diagnosis or a formal psychological assessment. Psychological assessments are a separate service with their own process and fees. The admin team can explain the difference.
• Legal, custody, or forensic support. These needs are outside this therapy service.
• Help with your own harmful behaviour toward a partner or child. You can contact the admin team to discuss whether a different service or an outside referral would be more appropriate.

If You Need Help Right Now

Online booking and routine counselling are not emergency services. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, or you are worried about your safety or your baby's safety, please use one of these resources.

• Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
• Alberta Mental Health Help Line: 1-877-303-2642 (24/7)
• Family Violence Info Line (Alberta): 310-1818 (24/7, toll-free), if you do not feel safe at home
• Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741

Wholesome Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service.

What Perinatal Mental Health Counselling Is (and Is Not)

"Perinatal" refers to the time around pregnancy and birth, including the months after a baby arrives. Health classification systems recognize this period. The World Health Organization's ICD-11 includes a category for mental or behavioural conditions associated with pregnancy, childbirth, and the period after birth (World Health Organization [WHO], n.d.). This page does not diagnose, and you do not need a diagnosis to start counselling.

Perinatal mental health counselling at our Edmonton and St. Albert locations, or virtually, is a private, structured space to talk. You might focus on emotions, identity, relationships, expectations, support systems, or the daily pressures of this transition. You and your therapist decide together what to work on. You set the pace, and you choose what to share and when.

It helps to be clear about what this service is not:

• It is not crisis intervention, a legal service, or an investigative process.
• It does not replace medical, obstetric, midwifery, pediatric, or emergency care.
• It does not include medication guidance, breastfeeding advice, or infant-care advice.
• It does not include psychological assessment, which is a separate service.

With your consent, and where it makes sense, your therapist may coordinate with other members of your care team, such as your family doctor or midwife. What you share is confidential within legal limits, and your therapist will explain those limits in your first session. The confidentiality section below has more detail.

Signs Pregnancy or Postpartum Changes May Be Affecting You

The experiences below are examples of what people sometimes bring to counselling. They are not a test, and they do not point to a diagnosis.

• worries that keep looping, about the baby, your body, or whether you are doing this right
• feeling flat, numb, or far away, even in moments you expected to enjoy
• crying more easily, or feeling close to tears without knowing why
• a short temper with your partner, other children, or yourself, followed by guilt
• trouble resting, even when you finally have a chance to sleep
• feeling tense, on edge, or physically wound up for much of the day
• missing your old life or sense of self, and feeling bad for missing it
• pulling away from friends or family because explaining how you feel takes too much energy
• replaying parts of the pregnancy or birth that felt frightening or out of your control

Having some of these experiences does not mean something is permanently wrong with you. They are understandable responses to a period of major change. Counselling can offer a structured place to sort through them and work out what kind of support might help.

How Counselling Works at Wholesome Psychology

• Find your therapist. You can use the Match with a Therapist tool or browse therapist profiles. Areas of focus vary between clinicians, so you may want to call the admin team at 780-904-4880 and ask who currently works with pregnancy, postpartum, and early parenting concerns.
• Book your first session. Your first appointment covers confidentiality, consent, and your goals. You can ask questions about how counselling works before you share anything personal. If you are wondering whether you can bring a young baby to an in-person appointment, ask when you book.
• Build your plan together. You and your therapist create a plan based on what matters to you. Goals, pacing, and approach are decided together and can change as your needs do.
• Ongoing sessions. Sessions are 50 minutes, usually weekly or every two weeks. The schedule can be adjusted around feeds, sleep, work, and medical appointments. Virtual sessions may be easier on days when leaving the house feels like too much.
• Progress check-ins. Your therapist will regularly review with you how things are going. The plan can shift if your circumstances or priorities change.

There is no fixed number of sessions. Counselling is collaborative, and your voice shapes every stage of the work. You can learn more on our Getting Started with Therapy page.

Evidence and Approaches

We want to be clear about what the research reviewed for this page can and cannot support. The sources gathered so far describe the scope of perinatal mental health and the Canadian care context. They do not yet support claims about which named therapy works best for perinatal concerns, so this page does not make those claims. The approaches below describe how support is offered here and how it connects to recognized guidance.

Collaborative, Client-Centred Counselling

What it helps with: It offers a private, structured space to talk through emotions, identity, relationships, and daily pressures during pregnancy, after birth, and in early parenting.

Evidence summary: Clinical guidance from the United Kingdom addresses mental health care across both pregnancy and the postnatal period (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE], n.d.). International health classification also recognizes mental and behavioural health linked to pregnancy, childbirth, and the period after birth as its own category (WHO, n.d.).

Limitations: The text of the NICE guidance was not available in the evidence reviewed for this page, so its specific recommendations are not summarized here. Responses to counselling vary from person to person.

Coordinated Care With Your Other Providers

What it helps with: It helps keep counselling connected to the rest of your care, such as your family doctor, obstetrician, or midwife, when you want that.

Evidence summary: Canadian public health guidance includes a chapter devoted to postpartum care (Public Health Agency of Canada [PHAC], n.d.). Statistics Canada has also reported on access to postpartum health care and perinatal mental health support through its 2024 Parental Experiences Survey (Statistics Canada, n.d.).

Limitations: Survey figures were not captured for this page, so no claims are made about how many people face gaps in access. Coordination happens only with your consent and depends on which other services are available to you.

Plain-Language Information About Perinatal Anxiety

What it helps with: It offers plain-language information about anxiety during pregnancy and after birth, which you can talk through with your therapist.

Evidence summary: The Canadian Psychological Association publishes a public resource focused on anxiety in the perinatal period (Canadian Psychological Association [CPA], 2025). Your therapist can share resources like this if you would like something to read between sessions.

Limitations: The full text of this resource was not reviewed for this page, so its content is not summarized here. General information does not replace an individual conversation with a clinician.

What Results to Expect

Progress in counselling is rarely a straight line. Some people notice shifts fairly early, while others find longer-term support more useful. Both patterns are normal, and neither says anything about how hard you are trying.

Several things can influence how counselling goes:

• what you are dealing with, and how long it has been building
• your current circumstances, including sleep, health, support at home, and practical pressures
• how well you and your therapist work together

No therapy can guarantee a particular outcome. Fit matters, and changing therapist or approach is always an option if something is not working for you.

Confidentiality and Privacy

What you share in counselling is confidential. Psychologists in Alberta are regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) and follow its Standards of Practice. They also follow the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists. Clinicians from other professions follow their own professional standards along with clinic privacy practices.

Two Alberta privacy laws are most relevant here. As a private clinic, Wholesome Psychology's collection, use, and sharing of your personal information is generally governed by the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). The Health Information Act (HIA) applies to health "custodians" such as Alberta Health Services, physicians, and pharmacists. If you ask us to share information with your doctor or another health provider, the way they handle it may fall under the HIA.

There are limits to confidentiality. Your therapist may need to share information without your consent when:

• there is a risk of serious harm to you or someone else
• there is reason to suspect a child is being abused or neglected, because Alberta law requires this to be reported
• a court orders the release of records
• another law requires disclosure

In those situations, only the information needed is shared, and only with people who need it. Your therapist will explain these limits clearly in your first session. You are welcome to ask questions about privacy, records, and virtual sessions before you share anything personal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to describe my birth, or what happened, in detail?

No. You decide what to share and when. Some people want to talk through a difficult pregnancy or birth step by step. Others prefer to focus on what is happening now, such as sleep, tension at home, or worries that will not settle. Your therapist will follow your lead and check in with you about pace.

Is what I share kept private?

Yes, within legal limits. Exceptions include a risk of serious harm to you or someone else, suspected abuse or neglect of a child, and a court order. Your therapist will go over these limits in your first session. The confidentiality section above explains how Alberta's PIPA and HIA apply.

How many sessions will I need?

There is no set number. Some people come for a handful of sessions around a specific worry, decision, or change. Others continue over a longer stretch. You and your therapist will review progress regularly and adjust the plan together.

What if the therapist is not the right fit?

Fit matters, and it is reasonable to notice that someone is not the right match for you. You can tell your therapist directly, or call the admin team at 780-904-4880 to talk about other clinicians. Switching therapists is a normal part of finding support that works. 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 for people located in Alberta, and the same confidentiality standards apply. They can be a practical option in late pregnancy or the early weeks with a baby, when getting out the door is hard. You can read more about online counselling.

Do I need a diagnosis to book?

No. You can start with a conversation about what has been happening and what kind of support you are looking for. Your therapist can help you clarify your goals without assuming or assigning a diagnosis. If you are looking for a formal assessment, that is a separate service, and the admin team can explain the options.

I am worried about my partner or a family member. What can I do?

You can call the admin team at 780-904-4880 with general questions about how perinatal counselling works, then pass that information along. Adults usually book and consent to their own counselling, so the decision to start belongs to them. Depending on the focus of the work and therapist availability, a partner may be able to join some sessions. Our page on relationships after birth may also help. If you are worried about someone's immediate safety, please use the crisis resources above.

What if I do not feel safe at home right now?

Your safety comes first. If you are in danger, call 911. The Family Violence Info Line (Alberta) is available 24/7 at 310-1818, toll-free. Counselling can be a place to talk about what is happening at home, but it is not an emergency service and does not replace safety planning with crisis or family violence services. If you would like counselling alongside that support, you can read about family violence counselling and tell the admin team how and when it is safe to contact you.

Meet Your Clinicians

Wholesome Psychology's team includes 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. Registered Social Workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW), and Student Therapists are master's-level practicum students who work under supervision.

Areas of focus vary between clinicians, and not every clinician works with perinatal concerns. You can read individual backgrounds on our Our Therapists page or use the Match with a Therapist tool. You can also call the admin team at 780-904-4880 to ask who currently works with pregnancy, postpartum, and early parenting concerns.

Children and Youth

A new baby changes things for everyone in a household, including older children. Wholesome Psychology offers counselling for people of all ages, including children and adolescents. When the client is a child or teen, therapists adapt their approach to the young person's age and work with caregivers on how to support them at home. If an older child is having a hard time with the changes, or you are a younger parent looking for support, you can ask the admin team about options or visit our child and youth counselling page.

Taking the Next Step

If you would like to talk with someone about pregnancy, birth, or early parenting, you can take the next step in whichever way feels easiest.

• Book a session online
• Match with a therapist
• Call: 780-904-4880
• Email: info@wholesomepsychology.ca
• Read Getting Started with Therapy to see what the process involves

You can also explore related support, including pregnancy support, birth and postpartum support, and counselling for fertility struggles.

Starting the conversation is enough.

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

References

• Canadian Psychological Association. (2025). Perinatal anxiety [PDF resource].
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (n.d.). Antenatal and postnatal mental health: Clinical management and service guidance.
• Public Health Agency of Canada. (n.d.). Chapter 5: Postpartum care.
• Statistics Canada. (n.d.). The Daily: Access to postpartum health care and perinatal mental health support, 2024 Parental Experiences Survey.
• World Health Organization. (n.d.). ICD-11 for mortality and morbidity statistics.