Collaborative, client-centred counselling for adults across Edmonton, St. Albert, and Alberta (virtual). Registered Psychologists regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP), Certified Canadian Counsellors regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychological Association (CCPA), and Registered Social Workers regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW), In-person and virtual, 50-minute sessions.

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Wondering Whether Counselling Is Right for You

You might be wondering whether what you are going through is serious enough to warrant talking to someone. Maybe things have felt harder than usual for a while now, but you have kept going because nothing seems bad enough to explain to a stranger. Or maybe you have been thinking about counselling for months, opening the page and closing it again, unsure whether it would actually help.

That kind of hesitation is common. Many adults describe a pattern of pushing through: getting through the workday, holding things together at home, managing well enough that nobody asks questions. But underneath there may be a tiredness that sleep does not fix, a shorter fuse than you used to have, or a quiet withdrawal from the people and activities that once mattered to you.

These patterns do not mean something is broken. They are often the mind and body's way of managing when things have been heavy for too long. They make sense, even when they feel confusing.

If you are considering whether counselling might be worth exploring, this page describes what adult counselling involves at Wholesome Psychology, what to expect in a first session, and how to get started. You may find it useful as a starting point.

Who We Help

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

• Experiencing stress, low mood, or emotional overwhelm that has persisted over time
• Going through a significant life transition such as a career change, separation, or loss
• Dealing with relationship difficulties, family strain, or conflict
• Struggling with self-esteem, identity, or a sense of direction
• Coping with burnout, work pressure, or difficulty managing day-to-day responsibilities
• Looking for a private, structured space to talk through what you are carrying
• Gathering information on behalf of a partner, family member, or friend

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

• Experiencing a crisis or immediate safety concern (see crisis resources below)
• Seeking a psychological or psychoeducational assessment (assessments are a separate service)
• Looking for legal advice or forensic evaluation
• Requiring inpatient or intensive outpatient care

Crisis Guidance

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or unable to stay safe, please contact emergency services. 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

Adult counselling is a structured, collaborative conversation with a trained mental health professional. It offers a private space to talk through concerns that may be affecting your daily life, relationships, work, or emotional well-being. Counselling is not a legal service, an investigative process, or crisis intervention.

This is not an assessment service. If you are looking for a formal psychological assessment, that is offered separately through the clinic. Adult counselling focuses on therapeutic support rather than diagnostic evaluation.

The pace of counselling is set by you, not the therapist. You decide what to share, when to share it, and how quickly to move. Your therapist works with you collaboratively to identify goals and adjust the plan as your needs change.

Confidentiality is a core part of the process. What you share in session stays between you and your therapist, with specific legal exceptions that your clinician will explain clearly during your first appointment. More detail on confidentiality appears later on this page.

Signs That Stress or Emotional Strain May Be Affecting You

Adults often seek counselling when everyday patterns begin to feel harder to manage. You may recognize some of these experiences in yourself:

• Carrying a heaviness or fatigue that does not lift, even after rest
• Feeling easily overwhelmed by tasks or decisions that did not used to feel difficult
• Pulling away from friends, family, or social plans without a clear reason
• Noticing more irritability, impatience, or emotional reactivity than usual
• Struggling to concentrate or stay engaged at work
• Replaying difficult conversations or situations in your mind
• Feeling disconnected from things you used to enjoy
• Difficulty sleeping, changes in appetite, or physical tension that persists

Having these experiences does not mean something is permanently wrong with you. They are common responses to prolonged stress, unresolved grief, relationship strain, or life circumstances that have accumulated over time. Structured support can help you understand what is happening and find ways to move through it.

How Treatment Works Here

• Find your therapist. Browse the Our Therapists page or use the Match Tool to find a clinician whose background and style feel like a good fit. You can also call the admin team at 780-904-4880 for guidance.
• Book your first session. Your first appointment includes a conversation about confidentiality, consent, and what brings you in. There is time to ask questions and assess whether the therapist feels right for you.
• Build your plan together. You and your therapist co-create a therapeutic plan based on your goals, circumstances, and preferences. This is a collaborative process, and your voice matters at every stage.
• Ongoing sessions. Sessions are typically 50 minutes, scheduled weekly or bi-weekly. Frequency can be adjusted as your needs change. Some people find relief from just 2-3 sessions, while others benefit from longer-term work.
• Progress check-ins. Your therapist reviews progress regularly. Plans adapt as your goals evolve or new concerns arise. There is no fixed number of sessions required.

Therapy is collaborative. You are not locked into a set programme, and changes to your plan are expected as the work unfolds. Learn more about the process on the Getting Started page.

Evidence and Approaches

Wholesome Psychology clinicians draw from a range of therapeutic approaches. The modalities used in your sessions will depend on your goals, preferences, and what your therapist recommends based on your unique circumstances. The evidence summaries below draw primarily from clinical guidelines and professional guidance related to depression, which is one of the most extensively researched areas in adult mental health. These approaches are also commonly used for other concerns that bring adults to counselling.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

What it helps with: CBT focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours that may contribute to emotional distress, including persistent low mood and anxiety.

Evidence summary: The Canadian Psychological Association [CPA] describes cognitive therapy as the most extensively studied psychological treatment for depression, with consistent evidence supporting its use (CPA, 2021). The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE] recommends psychological therapies including CBT as treatment options for adults with depression, advising that medication should not routinely be offered as a first-line treatment for less severe presentations (NICE, 2022).

Limitations: Much of the CBT evidence base relates specifically to depression and anxiety. Outcomes vary across individuals, and some people prefer less structured or more relationally focused approaches. There is no way to predict in advance which treatment will work best for a given person (CPA, 2021).

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

What it helps with: IPT focuses on improving communication patterns and addressing relationship difficulties, role transitions, grief, or interpersonal conflicts that may be contributing to emotional distress.

Evidence summary: The CPA (2021) identifies interpersonal therapy as a treatment for depression that focuses on interpersonal difficulties and role transitions in the person's current life. NICE (2022) includes interpersonal therapy among its recommended psychological treatments for adults with depression.

Limitations: IPT research is primarily focused on depression and may be less well studied for other presenting concerns. Individual responses vary, and some people may benefit more from approaches that directly target thought patterns or behaviour.

Behavioural Approaches

What it helps with: Behavioural approaches help adults increase engagement in meaningful activities and reduce patterns of avoidance that may be maintaining low mood or emotional withdrawal.

Evidence summary: The CPA (2021) describes behaviour therapy as focusing on increasing pleasant activities and reducing avoidance, with evidence supporting its use for depression. NICE (2022) recommends behavioural activation as a treatment option for both less severe and more severe depression in adults. Scheduled exercise is also identified as having consistent evidence for reducing depressive symptoms (CPA, 2021).

Limitations: Behavioural approaches are best studied in the context of depression. They may be less suitable as a standalone approach for complex interpersonal or identity-related concerns. Outcomes depend on individual engagement and circumstances.

What Results to Expect

Recovery and growth in counselling are rarely linear. Some people notice meaningful shifts within a few sessions. Others find that the work takes longer, depending on the nature of their concerns and their current life circumstances.

Factors that influence outcomes include the nature and duration of what you are experiencing, the quality of the therapeutic relationship, your readiness to engage, and what is happening in your life outside of sessions. No therapy guarantees outcomes, and honest conversations about progress are part of the process.

Therapeutic fit matters. If your current therapist or approach does not feel right, that is worth discussing openly. Changing clinicians or trying a different modality is always an option, and the admin team can help with this.

Confidentiality and Privacy

What you share in therapy is confidential. Depending on their designation, your therapist is bound by the applicable regulatory or professional standards, including the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) for Registered Psychologists, the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) for Registered Social Workers, and the Canadian Counselling and Psychological Association (CCPA) for Certified Canadian Counsellors, as well as Alberta legislation including the Health Information Act (HIA) and the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).

There are limited, legally defined exceptions to confidentiality. Your therapist is required to disclose information in the following circumstances:

• There is a serious and imminent risk of harm to you or someone else
• There is suspected abuse or neglect of a child (mandatory reporting under Alberta law)
• A court order requires disclosure

Your clinician 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 decide what to share and when. Some people prefer to focus on present-day patterns and practical strategies rather than revisiting past events in detail. Your therapist will follow your pace and will not push you to discuss anything you are not ready for.

Is what I share kept private?

Yes. Counselling is confidential under the applicable regulatory or professional standards for your clinician's designation, including the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) for Registered Psychologists, the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) for Registered Social Workers, and the Canadian Counselling and Psychological Association (CCPA) for Certified Canadian Counsellors, as well as Alberta legislation (HIA and PIPA). There are limited legal exceptions, including risk of serious harm, suspected child abuse or neglect, and court orders. Your therapist will explain these before you share anything personal. See the Confidentiality and Privacy section above for more detail.

How many sessions will I need?

There is no fixed answer. Some people find relief from just 2-3 sessions focused on a specific concern. Others benefit from ongoing work over several months. Your therapist will review progress regularly, and together you can adjust the plan based on what feels right.

What if the therapist is not the right fit?

Fit matters in counselling, and not every therapist-client pairing works well. If you feel the fit is not right, you can speak with the admin team at 780-904-4880 to find a different clinician. This is a normal and expected part of the process. 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 located anywhere in Alberta. The same confidentiality standards and session structure apply whether you meet in person or online.

Do I need a referral?

No referral is needed. You can book directly through the online booking system, use the Match Tool, or call 780-904-4880.

What happens in the first session?

The first session typically includes a discussion of confidentiality and consent, a conversation about what brings you in, and time to talk about your goals. There is also space to ask questions and assess whether the therapist feels like a good fit. You can read more on the Getting Started page.

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. Registered Psychologists are registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP), Registered Social Workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW), and 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 and experience in areas relevant to adult counselling, including stress, life transitions, relationship concerns, grief, and emotional well-being. You can review individual profiles on the Our Therapists page or use the Match Tool for help choosing. The admin team is also available at 780-904-4880 for guidance.

Book Adult Counselling in Edmonton

If you have been thinking about reaching out, 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 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

• Canadian Mental Health Association. (n.d.). Mental health facts in Canada. Retrieved April 11, 2026, from https://cmha.ca/
• Canadian Psychological Association. (2021). Psychology works fact sheet: Depression in adults. https://cpa.ca/
• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. (n.d.). Mental illness and addiction index. Retrieved April 11, 2026, from https://www.camh.ca/
• College of Alberta Psychologists. (2023). Standards of Practice. https://www.cap.ab.ca/
• 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. (2014). Mood and anxiety disorders in Canada. https://www.canada.ca/
• Statistics Canada. (n.d.). Let's talk mental health. Retrieved April 11, 2026, from https://www.statcan.gc.ca/
• World Health Organization. (n.d.). Mental health. Retrieved April 11, 2026, from https://www.who.int/