Registered Psychologists regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP). Registered Provisional Psychologists practising under the supervision of a senior registered psychologist. Registered Social Workers regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW), Canadian Certified Counsellors (CCCs) certified by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), Mental Health Therapists, and Student Therapists, with reduced-cost options. In person at five locations in Edmonton and St. Albert, or virtually from anywhere in Alberta.

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You Might Be Wondering Whether Trauma Healing Counselling Is Right for You

You may be questioning whether what you went through really counts. Maybe no one was physically hurt. Maybe it happened years ago, or other people seem to have had it much worse. You might feel you should be over it by now, and wonder why you are not. Perhaps you brace yourself in situations other people seem to find ordinary.

You might carry a heaviness that does not lift, even when life looks fine from the outside. Or you notice yourself pulling away from people who have not done anything wrong, without quite knowing why. These reactions make sense. They often reflect the ways your mind and body adapted to protect you when something felt threatening or overwhelming.

They do not mean something is permanently wrong with you. You also do not need a diagnosis or a clear label to talk about them. People arrive at this page from different places. Some are ready to book. Some are still deciding whether their experience "qualifies." Some are reading on behalf of a partner, parent, child, or friend. And some are still in a situation that does not feel safe, where the crisis resources below may be a better first step than counselling.

Wherever you are starting from, you may wish to read on and see what this kind of support looks like. Counselling for the lasting effects of difficult experiences, at a pace you set, in Edmonton, St. Albert, and online across Alberta

Who We Help

Trauma healing counselling may be a good fit if you:

• have lived through something frightening, harmful, or overwhelming, whether it was recent or a long time ago
• are not sure whether what happened "counts" and would like to talk it through
• notice that past experiences are showing up in your sleep, work, relationships, or everyday mood
• went through repeated hard experiences, such as a difficult home life or a harmful relationship (our pages on abuse counselling and family violence counselling go into more detail)
• are a partner, family member, or friend affected by someone else's experience and would like support of your own
• are a parent or caregiver looking for support for a child or teen (see Children and Youth)
• would prefer to meet virtually from home or another private space in Alberta

This service may not be the right fit, or the right first step, if you:

• are in immediate danger or thinking about ending your life. Please use the crisis resources below.
• need a forensic or legal evaluation, a report for court, or a formal diagnosis. These needs are outside this counselling service. Psychological assessments are a separate service, described on the PTSD and trauma assessment page.
• are looking for a program to address harm you have caused to someone else. This page does not describe that kind of program, but the admin team can talk with you about what options may be available.
• need medication or medical care. Counselling does not include prescribing. A family doctor or psychiatrist can help with that part.

Crisis Guidance

Counselling is not set up to respond to emergencies. If you are in danger, or worried about your safety or someone else's, please contact one of these services:

• 911 for immediate danger, 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)
• 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 988 (24/7)

Wholesome Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service.

What Trauma Healing Counselling Is (and Is Not)

Trauma healing counselling is a series of conversations with a trained clinician about difficult experiences and the ways they may still be affecting you. It offers space to explore what happened, if and when you choose to, and to decide what support may be useful. Some people focus on the past. Others focus mostly on the present, such as sleep, relationships, or feeling on edge.

The pace is set by you, not your therapist. You can slow down, pause, or change direction at any point. A therapist can also discuss whether their services align with your goals and practical needs.

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

• It is not a legal service or an investigation. Your therapist's role is not to decide what happened or who is responsible.
• It is not crisis or emergency care.
• It is not a psychological assessment and does not provide a diagnosis. Assessments are a separate service.
• It is not medical care and does not include medication.

What you share is confidential, with a small number of legal exceptions explained in the Confidentiality and Privacy section below. Each clinician works within the scope of their profession and registration. If something you need falls outside that scope, they can talk with you about other supports.

Signs Trauma May Be Affecting You

Difficult experiences can show up in daily life in ways that are not always obvious. Some people who have been through frightening or harmful events describe patterns like these:

• feeling on edge, jumpy, or watchful, even in places that should feel safe
• memories, images, or dreams that arrive without warning
• steering clear of certain places, people, or conversations because they bring things back
• feeling numb, flat, or far away from your own life
• trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up rested
• shame or guilt that does not match what you know about the situation
• snapping at people you care about, then feeling bad about it
• finding it harder to trust other people, or your own judgment
• tension, headaches, or an upset stomach that seem to come with stress

This is not a checklist, and it cannot tell you whether you have a particular condition. These can be understandable reactions to harmful experiences, not a sign that you are weak or broken. Having them does not mean something is permanently wrong with you. Talking them through with someone may help you make sense of them and find ways of responding that fit your life now.

How Trauma Healing Counselling Works Here

• Find your therapist. You can use the Match with a Therapist tool, browse profiles on Our Therapists, or call the admin team at 780-904-4880 for help choosing.
• Book your first session. You can book online through our booking system or by phone. A first appointment includes time to review consent, confidentiality and its limits, and what you would like to address. You can share as much or as little as feels right.
• Build your plan together. You and your therapist shape a plan around your priorities, preferences, and pace. It is a shared plan, not one handed to you.
• Ongoing sessions. Sessions are 50 minutes. Follow-up sessions are typically weekly or every two weeks, and this can be adjusted to suit your needs and schedule.
• Progress check-ins. Your therapist reviews how things are going with you along the way. The plan can change as your needs change.

There is no fixed number of sessions. Counselling is collaborative, and your voice matters at every stage, including when you want to slow down, take a break, or try something different. Our Getting Started with Therapy page walks through the process in more detail.

Evidence and Approaches

Trauma-related difficulties are recognized by health bodies in Canada and internationally. The World Health Organization's ICD-11 classification includes a category for disorders specifically associated with stress (World Health Organization [WHO], n.d.). Counselling at Wholesome Psychology does not involve giving a diagnosis.

In Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada has published the Federal Framework on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (Public Health Agency of Canada [PHAC], 2023). Statistics Canada has also gathered national data through its Survey on Mental Health and Stressful Events, 2023 (Statistics Canada, 2024). Both are listed in the references if you would like to read further.

Collaborative, Client-Paced Counselling

What it helps with: It gives you room to talk about difficult experiences and their effects on daily life, at a pace you choose, and to decide together what support may be useful.

Evidence summary: Clinical guidance on post-traumatic stress disorder is listed in the references as background reading (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE], 2018; Canadian Psychological Association [CPA], 2020). The sources reviewed for this page do not support claims about how well any single method works, so none are made here.

Limitations: People respond to counselling differently, and this page cannot predict your results. Your therapist can explain the methods they use and the research behind them.

We also have general information pages on several named approaches, including EMDR therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), accelerated resolution therapy, and internal family systems therapy. Whether an approach suits you, and whether a particular clinician uses it, is a good question to bring to a first session or to the admin team. For broader reading, see types of trauma and trauma therapy.

What Results to Expect

Recovery from difficult experiences is rarely a straight line. Some weeks may feel lighter, and others may bring old feelings back to the surface. That unevenness can be part of the process.

No therapy can guarantee a particular outcome. Some people may notice shifts within a few months, while others find longer-term work more helpful. Outcomes vary from person to person, and several things can shape them:

• the nature of what happened, and how long it went on
• what is going on in your life now, including stress, safety, and support
• how well you and your therapist work together

Fit matters. If something about the approach or the relationship does not feel right, you can raise it with your therapist or ask the admin team about seeing someone else. Changing therapist or approach is always an option.

Confidentiality and Privacy

What you share in counselling is confidential. Your information is not shared with family members, employers, or insurers without your consent, apart from the legal exceptions listed below.

Psychologists at Wholesome Psychology are regulated by CAP and follow the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists published by the CPA. Registered Social Workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW). Every clinician is expected to follow the privacy and ethics standards of their profession.

Two Alberta laws set rules for personal and health information. The Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) generally applies to private organizations, including private clinics. The Health Information Act (HIA) applies to health information held by health custodians and the people who work on their behalf. Which law applies can depend on the setting, and your clinician can explain how it works in your situation.

There are a few situations where a clinician may be required or permitted to share information without your consent:

• when there is a risk of serious harm to you or to someone else
• when there are reasonable grounds to believe a child is being abused or neglected, because Alberta law (the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act) requires this to be reported
• when a court order requires records or information to be released

Your clinician will explain these limits clearly in your first session. You are welcome to ask questions about privacy, record keeping, or virtual sessions before you share anything personal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to describe what happened in detail?

No. You decide what to share and when. It is possible to work mainly on how things affect you today, such as sleep, relationships, or feeling on guard, without a full retelling of the past. If you do want to talk about what happened, your therapist can help you do that at a pace that feels manageable.

Is what I share kept private?

Yes, with a few legal exceptions. These 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. There is more detail in the Confidentiality and Privacy section above.

How many sessions will I need?

There is no fixed answer. Some people come for a short time to focus on one concern. Others find longer-term work more useful. You and your therapist review progress together and can adjust the plan, or how often you meet, as you go.

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 say so to your therapist, or contact the admin team at 780-904-4880 for help finding a different clinician. 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 to people anywhere in Alberta, and the same confidentiality standards apply as in person. It can help to choose a private spot where you will not be overheard. You can read more on our online counselling page.

What if I am still in a situation that does not feel safe?

Your safety comes first. If you are in danger, call 911. The Family Violence Info Line (Alberta) at 310-1818 is available 24/7, toll-free. Counselling can still be part of your support, and your therapist can help you plan for privacy, such as what to do if a virtual session is interrupted. If someone else may see your messages or browser history, you may prefer to contact us from a device they cannot access.

Do I need a diagnosis or a referral to start?

You do not need a diagnosis to start counselling. You can book directly online or by phone. If you plan to claim sessions through insurance, check your plan's requirements before your first appointment.

I am looking into this for someone else. How can I help?

Caring about someone who has been through something hard can be heavy in its own way. You can share this page with them, or let them know they can use the Match tool or call the admin team with questions. Adults make their own decision about starting counselling. If the person is a child or teen, the Children and Youth section below may help. You are also welcome to book support for yourself.

Meet Your Clinicians

Our team includes several types of clinicians. Knowing the differences can help you choose:

• Registered Psychologists are registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists. Some are senior psychologists or specialists.
• Registered Provisional Psychologists are registered with CAP and practise under the supervision of a senior registered psychologist.
• Registered Social Workers are regulated by the ACSW.
• Canadian Certified Counsellors (CCCs) hold certification from the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) and offer reduced-rate counselling.
• Mental Health Therapists offer reduced-rate counselling.
• Student Therapists are master's-level practicum students who offer reduced-rate counselling.

Each clinician's profile on Our Therapists describes their areas of focus and training, so you can look for someone whose experience fits what you would like to work on. The Match with a Therapist tool can narrow the options. If you would rather talk it through, the admin team at 780-904-4880 can help. Availability changes, and some clinicians may not be accepting new clients.

Children and Youth

Wholesome Psychology offers counselling for children, adolescents, and young people. Therapists who work with younger clients use age-appropriate approaches. They also work with parents and caregivers, because the adults around a child shape the setting where recovery happens.

If you are a parent or caregiver wondering whether your child could use support, you can call the admin team or read about child and youth stress and trauma and preparing children for therapy. If you believe a child is being harmed right now, call 911 or the Alberta Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-387-5437.

If You Would Like to Take a Next Step

If you would like to learn more or begin, you can:

• Book a session online
• Use the Match with a Therapist tool
• Call the admin team at 780-904-4880
• Email info@wholesomepsychology.ca
• Read Getting Started with Therapy

You do not need the right words or a clear plan before you reach out. 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. (2020). "Psychology Works" fact sheet: Post-traumatic stress disorder.
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2018). Post-traumatic stress disorder [NICE guideline].
• Public Health Agency of Canada. (2023). Federal framework on posttraumatic stress disorder: Recognition, collaboration and support. Government of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/federal-framework-post-traumatic-stress-disorder.html
• Statistics Canada. (2024, May 27). Survey on Mental Health and Stressful Events, 2023. The Daily. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/240527/dq240527b-eng.htm
• World Health Organization. (n.d.). ICD-11 for mortality and morbidity statistics.