Practical, structured therapy focused on patterns, habits, and everyday skills. Offered in person and virtually across Alberta by regulated clinicians at Wholesome Psychology Regulated clinicians, including psychologists registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists, In-person and virtual sessions, Children, teens, adults, and caregivers.

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You Might Be Wondering Whether Behavioural Therapy Is Right for You

You may not be sure whether the patterns you are noticing are something therapy can actually help with. Maybe you have tried to change a habit, a routine, or a reaction on your own and found that it keeps coming back. Or you are watching someone you care about struggle with something that seems simple on the surface but is not simple at all. That uncertainty about whether this counts, whether it is serious enough to warrant outside support, is one of the most common reasons people hesitate.

You might recognize something like this: feeling stuck in the same cycle of reactions at home or at work even though you know they are not working. Putting off things that matter to you, not because you do not care, but because something keeps getting in the way. Watching your child repeat a behaviour that leads to conflict, and not knowing what else to try.

These patterns are not signs that something is permanently wrong with you or with someone you love. They are common responses to situations where existing strategies are no longer enough. Structured support can help identify what is maintaining those patterns and build alternatives that fit your life.

If any of this sounds familiar, you may find it useful to read through this page and see whether this kind of support seems like a fit. The information here is meant to give you a clear picture of what behavioural therapy involves, who it may help, and how to take a next step if you choose to.

Who We Help

Behavioural therapy at Wholesome Psychology may be a good fit if you are:

• Looking for practical help with habits, routines, or patterns that feel stuck
• Wanting to build consistency in areas like follow-through, emotional regulation, or day-to-day functioning
• A parent or caregiver seeking strategies to support a child or teen
• Working on coping with situations that lead to repeated unhelpful reactions
• Interested in structured, goal-oriented therapy rather than open-ended talk
• Looking for support for yourself, a family member, or both

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

• In immediate danger or crisis (see crisis resources below)
• Seeking a formal psychological assessment or diagnosis (assessments are a separate service)
• Looking for court-ordered programming or forensic evaluation, which falls outside this therapy service

Crisis Resources

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, this clinic is not a crisis service. Please contact one of the following resources:

• 911 for immediate danger or medical emergency
• 9-8-8 (call or text) for suicide crisis support, available 24/7 across Canada
• 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 Behavioural Therapy Is

Behavioural therapy, as used on this page, refers broadly to a practical and collaborative style of therapy that focuses on what you do in everyday life: your habits, routines, reactions, and the skills you use to manage situations. It is grounded in the idea that behaviour is learned and can be changed through structured practice and support.

In many clinical settings, behavioural work overlaps with broader psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioural approaches. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) describes psychotherapy as a collaborative process that may include behavioural strategies, skills training, and structured goal-setting (CAMH, n.d.). This page uses that broad framing rather than describing a single protocol.

Behavioural therapy is not a legal service, an investigative process, or crisis intervention. It is also separate from psychological assessments, which are offered as a distinct service. The pace of therapy is always set by you, not the therapist. Your clinician will explain confidentiality at the start of care.

Signs That Behavioural Patterns May Be Affecting You

You do not need a diagnosis to seek support. Here are some everyday experiences that people bring to behavioural therapy:

• Repeating the same reaction in stressful situations even when you know it is not working
• Difficulty following through on plans, tasks, or commitments despite wanting to
• Struggling with routines at home, school, or work
• Avoiding situations that feel overwhelming, then feeling worse afterward
• Noticing that your child or teen has patterns that lead to conflict or withdrawal
• Feeling stuck in habits you want to change but cannot seem to shift on your own
• Reacting with more intensity than the situation seems to call for
• Caregiving stress that leaves you unsure of what strategies to try next

Having these experiences does not mean something is permanently wrong. They often reflect patterns that have developed in response to circumstances, and structured support can help you work with those patterns rather than against them.

How Treatment Works Here

• Find your therapist. Browse therapist profiles or use the Match with a Therapist tool. You can also call the admin team at 780-904-4880 for guidance.
• Book your first session. Your first appointment covers consent, confidentiality, and a discussion of what brings you in. You and your therapist will talk about your goals and whether the approach feels like a good fit.
• Build your plan together. Therapy plans are co-created. Your clinician works with you to identify patterns and build strategies that are practical for your life.
• Ongoing sessions. Sessions are typically 50 minutes, scheduled weekly or bi-weekly. Frequency adjusts as your needs change.
• Progress check-ins. Your therapist reviews progress regularly and adjusts the plan based on what is and is not working. There is no fixed number of sessions.

Therapy is collaborative. Your voice matters at every stage, from the goals you set to how long you continue.

Evidence and Approaches

The following modalities reflect approaches that may be used in behavioural therapy at this clinic. The available evidence base for general behavioural therapy across all populations is limited in the research materials reviewed for this page. The summaries below use conservative language to reflect this.

Behavioural Approaches (General)

What it helps with: Behavioural approaches may help with habit change, routine building, follow-through, and developing coping strategies for everyday situations.

Evidence summary: Behavioural strategies are a core component of several evidence-supported therapies, including cognitive-behavioural therapy (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health [CAMH], n.d.). The Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) describes structured behavioural interventions as part of evidence-informed practice for a range of concerns (CPA, n.d.).

Limitations: The evidence base reviewed for this page did not include systematic reviews evaluating general behavioural therapy as a standalone approach across all age groups. Claims about effectiveness should be understood as drawing on broader psychotherapy research, not population-specific trials for behavioural therapy alone.

Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI)

What it helps with: EIBI is designed for young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and targets adaptive behaviour, cognitive development, and communication skills.

Evidence summary: A Cochrane systematic review found that EIBI may improve adaptive behaviour and IQ scores in young children with ASD compared to treatment as usual, though the overall quality of evidence was low to very low (Reichow et al., 2018). The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) lists behavioural interventions among the supports available for individuals with ASD (PHAC, 2016).

Limitations: The Cochrane review included a small number of studies with methodological limitations. EIBI findings apply specifically to young children with ASD and should not be generalized to broader behavioural therapy populations.

Behavioural Intervention for Social Challenges

What it helps with: Behavioural interventions may support children and adolescents in developing social skills and reducing social difficulties.

Evidence summary: A systematic review and meta-analysis indexed in PubMed examined behavioural interventions for social challenges in children and adolescents and found preliminary support for structured approaches in this population. The specific effect sizes and populations varied across included studies.

Limitations: Author metadata for this review was not available in the evidence pack at the time of drafting. This limits full citation and verification. The findings apply to a specific age group and presentation rather than to behavioural therapy broadly.

What Results to Expect

Recovery and change are not linear. Some people notice meaningful shifts within a few sessions. Others benefit from longer-term support. There is no fixed timeline that applies to everyone.

Some people find relief from just 2-3 sessions when working on a focused, practical concern. For more complex or longstanding patterns, therapy may continue for several months or longer.

Factors that influence outcomes include the nature of what you are working on, your current circumstances, how often you practise strategies between sessions, and how well the therapeutic relationship fits. No therapy guarantees outcomes, and your therapist will be honest with you about what is realistic.

If the approach or the therapist does not feel right, that is important information. You can always ask to adjust the plan or work with a different clinician. Therapeutic fit matters, and finding the right match is part of the process. You can explore options through the Match with a Therapist tool or speak with the admin team.

Confidentiality and Privacy

What you share in therapy is confidential. Psychologists are bound by the ethical standards of the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) and the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) Code of Ethics. Certified Canadian Counsellors (CCCs) are regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), and Registered Social Workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW). In Alberta, client information is protected under two pieces of legislation: the Health Information Act (HIA) and the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).

There are a limited number of legal exceptions where confidentiality may be broken:

• 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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to describe what happened in detail?

No. You decide what to share and when. In behavioural therapy, the focus is often on present-day patterns, what you want to change now, and practical strategies for moving forward. You do not need to recount past experiences in detail unless you choose to. Your therapist will follow your pace.

Is what I share kept private?

Yes, with a small number of legal exceptions. Your sessions are protected under Alberta's Health Information Act (HIA) and the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). Exceptions include situations involving risk of serious harm, suspected child abuse or neglect, or a court order. Your clinician will review these limits with you before you begin. For more detail, see the Confidentiality and Privacy section above.

How many sessions will I need?

There is no fixed number. Some people benefit from a few focused sessions. Others continue over a longer period, depending on what they are working on. Some people find relief from just 2-3 sessions when addressing a specific habit or routine. Your therapist will check in with you regularly about progress and adjust the plan as needed.

What if the therapist is not the right fit?

Fit matters. If the therapist or the approach does not feel right, the admin team can help you find a different clinician. You can also use the Match with a Therapist tool to explore other options. 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 across Alberta through secure video. The same confidentiality standards apply to virtual and in-person sessions.

Is behavioural therapy the same as CBT?

Not exactly. Behavioural therapy usually emphasizes actions, routines, learning, and practice. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) combines behavioural strategies with work on thoughts and beliefs. Depending on the therapist and your goals, the two approaches often overlap. Your clinician can explain which approach or combination is being used in your sessions. You can learn more on the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy page.

Is behavioural therapy only for children?

No. Behavioural strategies can be used with children, teens, adults, and caregivers. The approach is adapted to fit the person's age, goals, and circumstances. While much of the published research focuses on younger populations, behavioural therapy is used across the lifespan.

Meet Your Clinicians

At Wholesome Psychology, therapy is delivered by a team that 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 (CAP). Certified Canadian Counsellors (CCCs) are regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), and Registered Social Workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW). Provisional psychologists practise under the supervision of a senior registered psychologist.

Many clinicians on the team have training in behavioural approaches, cognitive-behavioural therapy, and related modalities. You can browse individual profiles on the Our Therapists page, or use the Match with a Therapist tool for help choosing. If you would like guidance, call the admin team at 780-904-4880.

Children and Youth

Wholesome Psychology offers counselling for children, adolescents, and young people. Therapists working with younger clients use age-appropriate approaches, including play-based and caregiver-involved strategies. When working with children and teens, clinicians also collaborate with parents and caregivers to support the young person's environment outside of sessions.

If you are looking for child- or youth-specific support, you can also visit the Child and Youth Mental Health page or the Parenting Support page for related services.

Getting Started

If you are considering behavioural therapy in Edmonton or St. Albert, you can take a next step in whatever way feels comfortable:

• Book a session online
• Match with a therapist
• Call: 780-904-4880
• Email: info@wholesomepsychology.ca
• Learn more 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

• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. (n.d.). Psychotherapy. Retrieved March 6, 2026, from https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/psychotherapy
• Canadian Psychological Association. (n.d.). Psychology Works Fact Sheet: Autism Spectrum Disorder. Retrieved March 6, 2026, from https://cpa.ca/psychology-works-fact-sheet-autism-spectrum-disorder/
• College of Alberta Psychologists. (2023). Standards of Practice. https://www.cap.ab.ca/
• Public Health Agency of Canada. (2016). Autism: Supports and services. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/autism-spectrum-disorder-asd/supports-services.html
• Reichow, B., Hume, K., Barton, E. E., & Boyd, B. A. (2018). Early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) for young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (5), CD009260. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD009260.pub3