Evidence-informed therapy for anxiety-related concerns. Registered Psychologists are regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists, Certified Canadian Counsellors are regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychological Association (CCPA), and Registered Social Workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW). In-person sessions in Edmonton and St. Albert, or virtual across Alberta.

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You Might Be Wondering Whether Anxiety Treatment Is Right for You

You may not be sure whether what you are feeling is serious enough to justify reaching out. Maybe you have been managing on your own for a while, telling yourself it is just stress, or that other people deal with worse. You might wonder if counselling is really for someone like you, or whether your worry is just a personality trait rather than something that could shift with support.

If you have noticed a tightness that stays with you through the day, a mind that replays the same worries without resolution, or a pull to avoid situations you used to handle without thinking twice, those patterns may feel familiar. Some people describe it as being unable to switch off, or waking up already bracing for the day. Others notice they have quietly pulled back from things they used to enjoy, not because they lost interest but because the effort of managing the worry around those things became too much.

These responses make sense. They reflect the ways your mind and body have learned to manage stress, uncertainty, or difficult experiences. They do not mean something is permanently wrong with you, and they do not require a crisis to be worth paying attention to.

If you are considering whether structured support could help, this page may be a useful starting point. It explains how anxiety counselling works at Wholesome Psychology, what the research says, and what practical steps are involved.

Who We Help

Anxiety counselling at Wholesome Psychology may be a good fit if you:

• Experience persistent worry, tension, or racing thoughts that affect your daily life
• Notice patterns of avoidance that are narrowing your world
• Feel on edge, irritable, or physically tense without a clear cause
• Have panic-like episodes or sudden waves of fear
• Are dealing with anxiety alongside a life transition, relationship difficulty, or work pressure
• Are gathering information for a family member, partner, or friend
• Have tried managing on your own and want to explore what professional support could add

This service may not be the right fit if you:

• Need immediate safety support or are in crisis (see crisis resources below)
• Require a formal psychological assessment or diagnostic evaluation. Wholesome Psychology offers anxiety assessments as a separate service.
• Are seeking a forensic or legal evaluation

Crisis Guidance

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact one of the following resources. Wholesome Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service.

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

Wholesome Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service.

What This Service Is

Anxiety treatment counselling is a collaborative, structured process where you work with a therapist to understand the patterns that maintain your anxiety and develop practical ways to respond differently. It is not a medical procedure, a legal service, or crisis intervention. It is also not a psychological assessment. If a formal diagnostic assessment is needed, that can be discussed as a separate step.

The pace of therapy is set by you, not the therapist. You decide what to share, when to share it, and how quickly to move through the process. Your therapist will check in regularly to make sure the work feels relevant and manageable.

What you share in counselling is confidential, with limited exceptions outlined in the confidentiality section below. Your therapist will explain these boundaries clearly during your first session.

Signs Anxiety May Be Affecting You

People experience anxiety in different ways. Anxiety-related concerns are among the most commonly reported mental health difficulties in Canada (Statistics Canada, 2023). You might recognise some of the following patterns in yourself:

• Persistent worry that feels difficult to control or set aside
• Muscle tension, headaches, or a feeling of tightness in your chest or stomach
• Difficulty sleeping, or waking up feeling unrested despite enough hours in bed
• Avoiding situations, conversations, or decisions because of the discomfort they bring
• Racing or repetitive thoughts that cycle without reaching a conclusion
• Irritability or a short fuse that feels out of proportion to the situation
• Panic-like episodes with physical symptoms such as a pounding heart, shortness of breath, or dizziness
• Difficulty concentrating or a sense that your mind goes blank under pressure

Having these experiences does not mean something is permanently wrong. These are common human responses to stress, uncertainty, or accumulated pressure. Structured support can help you understand what drives these patterns and find ways to respond that feel more manageable.

How Treatment Works Here

• Find your therapist. Browse therapist profiles, use the Match with a Therapist tool, or call the admin team at 780-904-4880 for guidance on finding a clinician who fits your needs.
• Book your first session. Your first appointment typically includes a review of confidentiality and consent, a conversation about what brings you in, and an initial discussion of goals. There is no expectation that you share everything at once.
• Build your plan together. You and your therapist co-create a therapeutic plan based on your goals, preferences, and what feels workable. This plan is not fixed; it evolves as your needs change.
• Ongoing sessions. Sessions are typically 50 minutes, scheduled weekly or bi-weekly depending on what works for you. Frequency adjusts as therapy progresses.
• Progress check-ins. Your therapist reviews progress regularly and adjusts the plan with you. If something is not working, that conversation is always open.

There is no fixed number of sessions required. Some people find relief from just 2-3 sessions focused on specific skills or patterns. Others benefit from longer-term work that addresses deeper layers. Your therapist will work with you to decide what makes sense at each stage.

Evidence and Approaches

Anxiety counselling at Wholesome Psychology draws on evidence-informed approaches. Below is a summary of what the research shows for the modalities most commonly used in anxiety treatment.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

What it helps with: CBT targets the patterns of thinking, behaviour, and avoidance that maintain anxiety-related distress.

Evidence summary: A meta-analysis of 41 randomised placebo-controlled trials found that CBT produced moderate improvements in anxiety symptoms compared to placebo conditions, with effects maintained at follow-up (Carpenter et al., 2018). The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE] (2011, updated 2020) recommends CBT as a high-intensity psychological intervention for generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder in adults.

Limitations: Effect sizes vary across different anxiety presentations, and individual responses differ. The meta-analysis found smaller effects for some conditions, such as panic disorder and social anxiety, compared to others.

Applied Relaxation

What it helps with: Applied relaxation addresses the physical tension and physiological arousal that often accompany persistent anxiety.

Evidence summary: NICE clinical guidelines identify applied relaxation as an alternative high-intensity psychological intervention for adults with generalised anxiety disorder that has not responded to lower-intensity approaches (NICE, 2011, updated 2020). It is listed alongside CBT as a recommended option at Step 3 of the stepped-care model.

Limitations: The evidence base for applied relaxation as a standalone treatment is smaller than for CBT. Individual suitability depends on the nature of the anxiety presentation and client preferences.

Psychoeducation and Guided Self-Help

What it helps with: Psychoeducation and guided self-help support people in understanding their anxiety patterns and learning initial coping strategies.

Evidence summary: NICE guidelines recommend low-intensity psychological interventions, including guided self-help and psychoeducational groups, as a first-line response for people diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder (NICE, 2011, updated 2020). These approaches form Step 2 of the recommended stepped-care pathway.

Limitations: Low-intensity interventions may not be sufficient for people with more complex or longstanding anxiety. They are typically a starting point rather than a complete course of treatment.

What Results to Expect

Recovery from anxiety-related difficulties is not linear. Some people notice meaningful shifts within the first few sessions, particularly when they gain new ways of understanding their patterns or learn specific coping strategies. Others benefit from longer-term work that addresses underlying factors.

Some people find relief from just 2-3 sessions. For others, a longer period of regular sessions provides the space to work through more complex patterns. There is no single timeline that applies to everyone.

Outcomes depend on several factors, including the nature and duration of your anxiety, your current life circumstances, and the fit between you and your therapist. No therapy guarantees a specific result, and your therapist will be honest with you about what the process can and cannot offer.

If the therapeutic fit does not feel right, changing therapists or approaches is always an option. Fit matters, and the admin team can help you find a different clinician if needed.

Confidentiality and Privacy

What you share in therapy is confidential. Your therapist is bound by the ethical standards of their applicable professional regulatory or certifying body, including the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP), the Canadian Counselling and Psychological Association (CCPA), or the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW), as applicable, and the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) Code of Ethics, as well as Alberta's Health Information Act (HIA) and Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).

There are limited legal exceptions where your therapist may be required to disclose information:

• If there is a risk of serious harm to yourself or another person
• If there is suspected abuse or neglect of a child (mandatory reporting under Alberta law)
• If disclosure is ordered by a court

Your therapist will explain these limits clearly during the first session, before you share anything personal. You are welcome to ask questions about confidentiality at any point in the process.

FAQ

Do I have to describe what happened in detail?

No. You decide what to share and when to share it. Therapy does not require you to revisit every difficult experience in detail. Many approaches focus on present-day patterns, coping strategies, and building skills you can use now. Your therapist will follow your pace, and you can let them know at any time if something feels like too much.

Is what I share kept private?

Yes. Counselling is confidential within legal and ethical limits. Your therapist is required to follow the standards set by their applicable professional regulatory or certifying body, including the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP), the Canadian Counselling and Psychological Association (CCPA), or the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW), as applicable, and Alberta privacy legislation (HIA and PIPA). Limited exceptions apply in situations involving risk of serious harm, suspected child abuse or neglect, or a court order. These limits are explained during the 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 relief from just 2-3 sessions focused on specific patterns or skills. Others benefit from a longer period of regular sessions. Your therapist reviews progress with you regularly, and together you decide how long to continue. The pace and duration are shaped by your goals, not a preset formula.

What if the therapist is not the right fit?

Therapeutic fit is one of the strongest predictors of a good experience in therapy. If the match does not feel right, the admin team can help you find a different clinician within the practice. There is no need to continue with a therapist who does not feel like the right fit. New clients may access their first session at 50% off to help find the right therapeutic fit.

Can I access therapy online?

Yes. Virtual sessions are available for clients anywhere in Alberta. The same confidentiality standards apply to virtual and in-person sessions. Many people find virtual therapy convenient for scheduling, and some prefer the comfort of attending from their own space.

Do I need a diagnosis or referral to start?

No. You do not need a diagnosis, a referral from a doctor, or a specific label to book anxiety counselling. Many people start because they have noticed worry, avoidance, or tension affecting their daily life. If a formal diagnostic assessment is needed, that is available as a separate service.

What is the difference between a psychologist and a counsellor?

Registered Psychologists have completed doctoral or master's level training in psychology and are regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists. Certified Canadian Counsellors are regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychological Association (CCPA), and Registered Social Workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW). Mental Health Therapists have completed graduate-level counselling training and may be regulated by different professional bodies. All clinicians at Wholesome Psychology practise within their scope of training. The Fees page outlines how the different credential tiers correspond to session rates.

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). Certified Canadian Counsellors are regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychological Association (CCPA). Provisional psychologists practise under the supervision of a senior registered psychologist.

Many clinicians on the team have training in anxiety-related concerns, stress management, and related areas such as depression, life transitions, and trauma. To explore who might be a good fit, visit the Our Therapists page, try the Match with a Therapist tool, or call the admin team at 780-904-4880.

Children and Youth

Anxiety-related concerns can affect children, adolescents, and young people as well as adults. Wholesome Psychology offers counselling for younger clients using age-appropriate approaches. Therapists working with children and youth collaborate with caregivers to support the young person's environment and progress. If you are a parent or caregiver exploring support for a child, the admin team can help you find a clinician with the right experience.

Next Steps

If you would like to explore whether anxiety counselling could be helpful, you can take the next step in whatever way feels most comfortable:

• Book a session online
• Match with a therapist
• Call: 780-904-4880
• Email: info@wholesomepsychology.ca
• Learn more about the process on the Getting Started page

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

Starting the conversation is enough.

References

• Carpenter, J. K., Andrews, L. A., Witcraft, S. M., Powers, M. B., Smits, J. A. J., & Hofmann, S. G. (2018). Cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety and related disorders: A meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Depression and Anxiety, 35(6), 502-514. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22728
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2011, updated 2020). Generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder in adults: management (Clinical Guideline CG113). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg113
• Statistics Canada. (2023). Mental disorders and access to mental health care. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-003-x/2023009/article/00001-eng.htm