Evidence-informed counselling for persistent low mood, loss of interest, fatigue, and related patterns. Collaborative, client-centred care delivered in person and online. Registered Psychologists and supervised therapists, Regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists, In-person and virtual sessions across Alberta.

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You Might Be Wondering Whether Depression Counselling Is Right for You

Maybe you have been telling yourself it is not bad enough. That other people have it worse. That you should be able to push through on your own. You might not even be sure whether what you are feeling qualifies as depression, or whether it is just a rough patch that should have passed by now.

You might recognize some of this: carrying a heaviness that does not lift even when your circumstances seem fine. Losing interest in things that used to matter. Mornings where getting started feels like a task in itself. Pulling away from people who care about you, not because anything happened between you, but because being around them takes energy you do not have. Thinking about yourself in harsh, critical ways that would surprise the people who know you.

These responses make sense. They are not signs of weakness or personal failure. They reflect the ways your mind and body respond when something has been hard for too long, whether that something is visible to others or not. Many people carry these patterns for months or years before considering whether structured support could help.

This page describes what depression counselling looks like at Wholesome Psychology, how sessions work, what the evidence says, and what the practical details are. If you are still deciding, that is fine. Reading is a reasonable place to start.

Who We Help

Depression counselling at Wholesome Psychology may be a good fit if you are experiencing:

• Persistent low mood or emotional flatness that has lasted weeks or longer
• Loss of interest in activities, relationships, or routines you used to enjoy
• Fatigue, low motivation, or difficulty getting through daily tasks
• Harsh self-criticism, guilt, or hopeless thinking
• Changes in sleep, appetite, concentration, or daily functioning
• Stress, grief, burnout, or life transitions that feel difficult to manage
• A desire to understand what has been keeping you stuck and what might help

You do not need a formal diagnosis to start. Many people begin by describing what their day-to-day life feels like, not by arriving with a clinical label.

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

• In immediate crisis or danger: please see the crisis resources below
• Looking for a forensic or legal assessment: psychological assessments are a separate service
• Seeking psychiatric medication management: a family physician or psychiatrist may be a more appropriate starting point, though counselling and medication can work alongside each other

Crisis Resources

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please contact one of the following services. Wholesome Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service.

• 911 for immediate danger
• 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 988 (24/7, Canada-wide)
• Alberta Mental Health Help Line: 1-877-303-2642 (24/7)
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

What Depression Counselling Is

Depression counselling is a structured, confidential space where you work with a therapist to understand what has been contributing to low mood and to develop ways of responding that fit your life. It is not a medical service, a diagnostic assessment, or crisis intervention. Psychological assessments are a separate service offered at the clinic.

Sessions are collaborative. Your therapist does not direct you or tell you what to do. Together, you set the pace, choose the focus, and decide what feels useful. Depending on the therapist's training and your goals, sessions may draw from different evidence-informed approaches. Confidentiality is maintained within legal and ethical boundaries, which your therapist will explain clearly during the first session.

Counselling can be one part of your care. Some people also work with a family physician, psychiatrist, or community program. Your therapist can help you think through what combination of supports makes sense, without replacing medical advice.

Signs Depression May Be Affecting You

Depression shows up differently for different people. You may recognize some of the following patterns in your own life:

• Feeling sad, empty, or emotionally numb for extended stretches
• Losing interest or pleasure in things that used to feel worthwhile
• Feeling tired even after rest, or finding everyday tasks draining
• Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or following through on plans
• Withdrawing from friends, family, or social activities
• Sleeping too much or too little, or changes in appetite
• Persistent self-criticism or thoughts that things will not improve
• Physical tension, headaches, or unexplained aches

These experiences are common and do not mean something is permanently wrong with you. They are patterns that many people carry for a long time before recognizing them for what they are. Structured support can help you understand what is maintaining these patterns and what might shift them.

The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies depressive disorders as one of the most common mental health conditions globally (WHO, n.d.). In Canada, survey data from Statistics Canada indicates that mood disorders, including depression, affect a significant portion of the population, and that access to mental health care remains an ongoing concern (Statistics Canada, 2023). The Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) notes that approximately 5% of men and 10% of women will experience clinical depression at some point in their lives (CPA, n.d.).

How Treatment Works Here

• Find your therapist. Browse therapist profiles, use the Match Tool, or call the admin team at 780-904-4880 for guidance.
• Book your first session. The first session includes a confidentiality and consent review, a conversation about what brings you in, and an initial discussion of goals. There is no requirement to 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 manageable.
• 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. Plans adapt as goals shift or new concerns emerge.

There is no fixed number of sessions. Some people find relief from just 2 to 3 sessions. Others benefit from longer-term work. The pace is yours to set, and the plan can change at any point.

Evidence and Approaches

Therapists at Wholesome Psychology draw from several evidence-informed approaches when working with depression. The specific approach depends on your goals, preferences, and what your therapist is trained in. Below is a summary of what the research says about the most commonly used modalities.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

What it helps with: CBT targets the patterns of negative thinking, withdrawal, and avoidance that often maintain low mood.

Evidence summary: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, 2022) recommends CBT as a treatment option for both less severe and more severe depression in adults. A meta-analytic review of fifteen evidence-supported therapies found CBT among the most extensively studied approaches for adult depression (Cuijpers et al., 2019). The Canadian Psychological Association notes that cognitive therapy has the most consistent evidence base among psychological treatments for depression (CPA, n.d.).

Limitations: Responses to CBT vary. Not everyone finds a structured, thought-focused approach to be the right fit. Outcomes depend on individual factors, therapeutic relationship, and the nature of the difficulties involved.

Behavioural Activation (BA)

What it helps with: BA focuses on helping people gradually re-engage with meaningful activities and break cycles of withdrawal and avoidance.

Evidence summary: NICE (2022) includes behavioural activation as a recommended treatment for depression, available through guided self-help or individual therapy formats. Research suggests that BA can produce outcomes comparable to more complex psychological interventions for many people experiencing depression (Cuijpers et al., 2019).

Limitations: BA may be less suited for individuals whose depression is primarily driven by interpersonal or cognitive patterns rather than withdrawal and inactivity. Evidence strength varies across populations.

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

What it helps with: IPT addresses the connection between depressive symptoms and difficulties in relationships, role changes, grief, or interpersonal conflict.

Evidence summary: NICE (2022) recommends IPT as a treatment option for more severe depression, typically delivered over 8 to 16 sessions. The CPA identifies IPT as having a success rate comparable to CBT and behavioural approaches (CPA, n.d.).

Limitations: IPT is less widely available than CBT in some settings. Its evidence base, while positive, is smaller, and individual responses vary.

Counselling

What it helps with: Counselling provides a space for emotional processing and support, focusing on self-understanding and finding meaning in current experiences.

Evidence summary: A Cochrane systematic review found that counselling in primary care is associated with greater short-term improvements in mental health outcomes compared to usual care (Bower et al., 2022). NICE (2022) includes counselling as a treatment option for more severe depression when delivered using validated protocols.

Limitations: The Cochrane review noted that counselling did not show additional long-term advantages over usual care (Bower et al., 2022). Evidence quality varied across studies included in the review.

Guided Self-Help

What it helps with: Guided self-help uses structured materials based on CBT or behavioural activation principles, supported by a trained practitioner, to help people develop skills for managing low mood.

Evidence summary: NICE (2022) recommends guided self-help as a first-line treatment for less severe depression, noting its lower intrusiveness and resource requirements. It is typically delivered over 6 to 8 sessions using printed or digital materials.

Limitations: Guided self-help requires a degree of self-motivation and may not be sufficient for more severe or complex presentations. It is one component of a broader treatment pathway, not a standalone solution for everyone.

What Results to Expect

Recovery from depression is not linear. Some people notice meaningful shifts within the first few sessions. Others need more time to build trust, identify patterns, and develop new ways of responding. Both timelines are normal.

Factors that influence outcomes include the nature of your experiences, how long the patterns have been present, your current life circumstances, and the fit between you and your therapist. Research suggests that multiple forms of psychotherapy may help reduce depressive symptoms, but outcomes vary from person to person (Cuijpers et al., 2019).

No therapy guarantees outcomes. What counselling can offer is a structured space to work through what is happening, build on what is already working, and try new approaches where old ones have stopped being useful. If your current therapist or approach does not feel right, changing is always an option. Therapeutic fit matters, and your therapist will support that conversation openly.

Confidentiality and Privacy

What you share in therapy is confidential. Your therapist is bound by the ethical standards set by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) 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 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 therapist will explain these limits clearly during your first session, before you share anything personal. 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 set the pace. Some people prefer to start with how they are feeling now rather than recounting specific events. Your therapist can work with present-day patterns, daily experiences, and what matters most to you right now. You are never required to share more than feels manageable.

Is what I share kept private?

Yes. Therapy is confidential, governed by the standards of the College of Alberta Psychologists and Alberta legislation including the Health Information Act and the Personal Information Protection Act. There are limited exceptions where disclosure is legally required: risk of serious harm, suspected child abuse or neglect, or a court order. Your therapist will explain these clearly during your first session. For more detail, see the confidentiality section above.

How many sessions will I need?

There is no fixed answer. Some people find relief from just 2 to 3 sessions. Others benefit from longer-term support, especially when patterns have been present for a long time or when multiple concerns overlap. Your therapist will check in on progress regularly, and the plan adjusts as your needs change.

What if the therapist is not the right fit?

Fit matters. If the relationship does not feel right, that is useful information, not a failure. The admin team can help you find a different clinician whose style, pace, or experience is a better match. You can also use the Match Tool or browse therapist profiles 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 counselling sessions are available across Alberta. The same confidentiality standards apply whether you attend in person or online. Virtual sessions use a secure, encrypted platform.

Do I need a diagnosis to start?

No. Many people begin counselling without a formal diagnosis. You can start by describing what you have been experiencing in your own words. If further assessment or additional services seem relevant, your therapist can discuss options with you.

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 psychological assessment and therapy. Certified Canadian Counsellors and Mental Health Therapists also provide therapy and hold relevant training and credentials, but their scope of practice differs. Your therapist will be clear about their qualifications and what they can offer. Visit the Our Therapists page to review individual profiles.

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 (CAP). Provisional psychologists practise under the supervision of a senior registered psychologist.

Many clinicians on the team have training and experience working with depression, low mood, anxiety, grief, burnout, and related concerns. You can review individual clinician profiles on the Our Therapists page, use the Match Tool for a guided recommendation, or call the admin team at 780-904-4880 for help choosing.

Children and Youth

Depression can also affect children, adolescents, and young people. Wholesome Psychology offers counselling for younger clients using age-appropriate approaches. Therapists working with children and teens collaborate with caregivers to support the young person's wellbeing and to create a stable environment for progress. If you are a parent or caregiver concerned about a young person, the admin team can help you find a therapist with relevant experience.

Getting Started

If you are considering depression counselling, you can take the next step in whichever way feels most comfortable:

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

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., 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.pub4
• Canadian Psychological Association. (n.d.). "Psychology Works" fact sheet: Depression. Retrieved May 5, 2026, from https://cpa.ca/psychologyfactsheets/depression/
• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. (n.d.). Psychotherapy. Retrieved May 5, 2026, from https://www.camh.ca/
• Cuijpers, P., Karyotaki, E., Reijnders, M., & Ebert, D. D. (2019). The effects of fifteen evidence-supported therapies for adult depression: A meta-analytic review. Psychotherapy Research, 30(3), 279–293. https://doi.org/10.1080/10503307.2019.1649732
• 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.). About mental illness. Government of Canada. Retrieved May 5, 2026, from https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/about-mental-illness.html
• Statistics Canada. (2023). Mental disorders and access to mental health care (Catalogue no. 75-006-X). https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/75-006-x/2023001/article/00011-eng.htm
• World Health Organization. (n.d.). Depressive disorder (depression). Retrieved May 5, 2026, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression
• World Health Organization. (2024). International classification of diseases (11th rev.; ICD-11). https://icd.who.int/