Collaborative, developmentally informed child counselling for families in Edmonton and St. Albert, with in-person and virtual options across Alberta. Regulated professionals, psychologists registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists, In-person, virtual sessions, Ages served: children, adolescents, and caregivers.

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You Might Be Wondering Whether a Child Psychologist Is Right for Your Family

Maybe your child has been more withdrawn than usual, or the tantrums have shifted into something heavier and harder to reach. Maybe the school has called, or bedtime has become a nightly standoff, and you are not sure whether this is just a phase or something that needs outside support.

You might be questioning whether what you are seeing is "serious enough" to talk to someone about. That uncertainty is one of the most common reasons families wait, and it is also a completely reasonable place to be. Most parents and caregivers who reach out to a child psychologist are not coming in with a clear diagnosis or a neatly defined problem. They are coming in because something feels off, and they want to understand it better.

Noticing changes in your child's mood, behaviour, or day-to-day coping does not mean you have failed or that something is permanently wrong. These patterns often reflect the way children respond to stress, change, or experiences they do not yet have the language for. They are signals, not sentences.

If you are still deciding whether counselling could be a helpful next step, this page may give you a clearer picture of what child counselling involves, who it is for, and how to get started in Edmonton or St. Albert. This page is general information only and not individualized advice.

Who We Help

This service may be a good fit if your child is experiencing:

• Emotional ups and downs that feel bigger or more frequent than expected for their age
• Worry, sadness, withdrawal, or irritability that persists beyond short-term stressors
• Behaviour changes at home or school that are hard to explain or manage
• Friendship or social difficulties, including bullying or isolation
• Adjustment challenges tied to family transitions such as separation, blending families, grief, or relocation
• Parent-child communication difficulties or recurring conflict
• School-related stress, avoidance, or refusal
• Low self-esteem or persistent self-criticism

This service may not be the right fit if:

• Your child is in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health crisis. Please see the crisis resources below.
• Your primary question is whether your child has a specific condition such as ADHD, autism, or a learning disability. A formal psychoeducational assessment, ADHD assessment, autism assessment, or learning disorder assessment may be more appropriate. Psychological assessments are a separate service.
• You are seeking a forensic evaluation or court-ordered assessment. These needs fall outside this counselling service.

Crisis Guidance

If your child is at immediate risk of harm or you are concerned about their safety right now, 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

What Child Counselling Is

Child counselling is a form of psychological support designed to help children and their families work through emotional, behavioural, or relational difficulties. It is not a diagnostic process, a legal service, or a crisis intervention. It is also not the same as a formal psychological assessment, which involves structured testing and typically results in a written report. If assessment is your primary need, Wholesome Psychology offers separate assessment services.

In counselling, the therapist works with the child and, where appropriate, the caregivers to understand what is happening, build practical coping strategies, and support healthier patterns at home, at school, and in relationships. The pace is always set by the child and family, not the therapist.

Sessions are confidential within the limits of the law and professional ethics. Confidentiality is explained in full during the first appointment, and you are welcome to ask questions before sharing anything personal. A more detailed explanation of confidentiality appears later on this page.

The scope of counselling is focused on emotional wellbeing, skill-building, and relational support. It does not replace medical care, academic programming, or crisis services.

Signs That a Child May Benefit from Counselling

Children do not always have the words for what they are feeling. Their distress often shows up in behaviour, mood shifts, or changes in everyday routines. You might notice patterns like:

• Increased clinginess, tearfulness, or emotional outbursts that feel out of proportion
• Pulling away from activities, friends, or family members they used to enjoy
• Difficulty sleeping, frequent nightmares, or new fears
• Trouble concentrating, a noticeable drop in school performance, or refusal to attend
• Physical complaints such as stomachaches or headaches with no clear medical cause
• Persistent worry that seems to take up more and more space in their day
• Aggression, defiance, or behaviour that seems driven by frustration they cannot name
• Withdrawing into screens, silence, or avoidance more than usual

Having some of these experiences does not mean something is permanently wrong with your child. These are common ways that children respond to stress, change, or experiences that feel overwhelming. Recognising the pattern is a reasonable starting point for exploring whether structured support might help.

How Treatment Works Here

• Find your therapist. You can browse clinician profiles on the Our Therapists page, use the Match with a Therapist tool, or call the admin team at 780-904-4880 for guidance on fit.
• Book your first session. The first appointment typically includes a conversation about what brought you in, your child's history and current concerns, confidentiality, consent, and initial goals. For tips on how to prepare, see Preparing Children for Therapy.
• Build a plan together. The therapist, child, and caregivers co-create a plan based on what matters most to the family. This plan may evolve as the work progresses.
• Ongoing sessions. Sessions are 50 minutes long and typically scheduled weekly or bi-weekly, though frequency is adjusted based on the child's needs and family circumstances.
• Progress check-ins. The therapist reviews progress regularly with the family. Plans adapt as needs change, and the family's voice matters at every stage.

There is no fixed number of sessions. Some families find meaningful shifts in a short period; others benefit from longer-term support. The work is collaborative, and the pace follows the child and family.

Evidence and Approaches

Child counselling at Wholesome Psychology draws on approaches that are informed by developmental psychology, attachment research, and clinical best practice. The specific methods used depend on the clinician, the child's age and communication style, and the presenting concerns. Below is an overview of general approaches, grounded in available evidence.

Developmentally Informed Practice

What it helps with: Tailoring therapeutic approaches to a child's cognitive, emotional, and social stage of development.

Evidence summary: Professional guidelines emphasize that support for children should be adapted to developmental stage and individual context (Canadian Psychological Association [CPA], 2022; National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE], 2013). CPA fact sheets on attachment, learning, and giftedness highlight the importance of understanding each child's developmental profile when providing support (CPA, 2022; CPA, 2024).

Limitations: Developmentally informed practice is a guiding framework rather than a single testable intervention. Outcomes depend on the clinician's skill in applying it to individual children.

Play-Based and Creative Approaches

What it helps with: Helping younger children express emotions, process experiences, and build coping skills through age-appropriate activities rather than conversation alone.

Evidence summary: Clinical practice widely recognises play as a primary mode of communication for younger children. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) notes that child and youth mental health support should be responsive to how children naturally communicate (CMHA, n.d.). CPA resources on child development similarly support the use of age-appropriate engagement methods (CPA, 2022).

Limitations: Play-based approaches encompass a broad range of techniques, and the evidence base varies across specific methods. Not all children respond equally to play-based work, and older children or adolescents may prefer talk-based approaches.

Caregiver-Involved Approaches

What it helps with: Supporting the child's progress by helping caregivers understand and respond to emotional and behavioural patterns at home and school.

Evidence summary: NICE guidelines for children and young people recommend that caregivers be included in the support process where appropriate (NICE, 2013). CPA fact sheets on attachment in children emphasize the role of caregiver responsiveness in child wellbeing (CPA, 2022). Involving caregivers may help sustain therapeutic gains outside of sessions.

Limitations: Caregiver involvement is not always possible or appropriate, depending on family circumstances, the child's age, and the nature of the concerns. The degree of benefit may vary.

What Results to Expect

Recovery and growth in children are rarely linear. Some families notice meaningful shifts within a few sessions. Others benefit from longer-term support, particularly when concerns are longstanding or involve multiple areas of a child's life.

Several factors influence how therapy unfolds, including the nature and duration of the child's difficulties, their current home and school environment, the family's capacity to support changes outside of sessions, and the quality of fit between the child and therapist.

No therapy guarantees specific outcomes. What therapy can offer is a structured, supportive space where a child can begin to make sense of their experiences and build skills for coping. If the therapeutic fit is not working, changing therapists or adjusting the approach is always an option.

Some people find relief from just 2-3 sessions. For others, a longer engagement may be more appropriate. Progress is reviewed regularly, and the plan adapts as the child's needs change.

Confidentiality and Privacy

What is shared in therapy is confidential. All psychologists at Wholesome Psychology are registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) and bound by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) Code of Ethics. Confidentiality is further governed by Alberta's Health Information Act (HIA) and Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).

There are legal exceptions to confidentiality that every client and caregiver should be aware of:

• Risk of serious harm to the child or to others
• Suspected abuse or neglect of a child (mandatory reporting under Alberta law)
• A court order requiring disclosure

In child counselling, confidentiality has an additional layer of complexity. The therapist will explain during the first session how confidentiality works between the child and the caregiver, what kinds of information may be shared with parents or guardians, and what stays between the child and therapist. This balance supports the child's trust in the therapeutic relationship while keeping caregivers appropriately informed.

You are welcome to ask questions about confidentiality before sharing anything personal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my child have to describe what happened in detail?

No. Therapy does not require a child to recount difficult experiences in detail, especially not in the early stages of the work. The therapist follows the child's pace and comfort level. Many approaches focus on present-day patterns, coping skills, and emotional regulation rather than detailed recall of past events. Your child will never be forced to talk about something they are not ready to share.

Is what my child shares in therapy kept private?

Yes, with specific exceptions. Therapy is confidential, but there are legal limits. The therapist must report suspected child abuse or neglect, and must act if there is a serious risk of harm to the child or someone else. A court order can also require disclosure. The therapist explains these limits clearly during the first session. For a fuller explanation, see the Confidentiality and Privacy section above.

How many sessions will my child need?

There is no fixed answer. Some families notice improvement after a small number of sessions. Others benefit from ongoing support over a longer period, particularly when concerns are complex or longstanding. The therapist reviews progress regularly with the family, and the plan adjusts as your child's needs evolve.

What if the therapist is not the right fit for my child?

Fit matters, and it is completely reasonable to want to try a different clinician. If the match does not feel right, the admin team can help find another therapist within the practice who may be a better fit for your child's needs and personality. New clients may access their first session at 50% off to help find the right therapeutic fit.

Can my child access therapy online?

Yes. Wholesome Psychology offers virtual sessions across Alberta. Virtual therapy follows the same confidentiality standards as in-person care. Some families prefer in-person sessions depending on the child's age, attention, or comfort level, while others find virtual sessions more accessible. The admin team can help you decide which format may work best.

Is counselling the same as an assessment?

No. Counselling focuses on support, coping, communication, and day-to-day functioning. Formal assessments are designed to answer specific diagnostic or educational questions and typically involve structured interviews, standardized testing, and a written report. If your main concern is whether your child may have ADHD, autism, a learning disability, or another specific condition, consider a psychoeducational assessment or another formal assessment service.

What happens in the first session?

The first session is a chance for the therapist to learn about your child and your concerns, and for you and your child to see whether the therapist feels like a comfortable fit. The therapist will review confidentiality, consent, and initial goals. There is no expectation that your child will open up fully in the first meeting. For more detail, see What to Expect from Therapy and Preparing Children for Therapy.

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. Provisional psychologists practise under the supervision of a senior registered psychologist. Certified Canadian Counsellors are regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), and Registered Social Workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW).

Many clinicians at the clinic have training and experience working with children, adolescents, and families across a range of concerns including emotional regulation, behavioural challenges, school stress, family transitions, and developmental differences.

To find a clinician who may be a good fit for your child, visit Our Therapists, use the Match with a Therapist tool, or 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 creative methods, to meet children where they are developmentally.

When appropriate, clinicians work with caregivers to support the child's wellbeing outside of sessions. This may include helping parents understand their child's responses, develop consistent strategies at home, and communicate more effectively during difficult moments.

For more information about how the clinic supports younger clients, see Child and Youth Mental Health and Preparing Children for Therapy.

Getting Started

If you are considering child counselling in Edmonton or St. Albert, you can take the next step whenever you are ready.

• 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.). Child and youth mental health. Retrieved May 2, 2026, from https://ontario.cmha.ca/mental-health/child-and-youth-mental-health/
• Canadian Psychological Association. (2022). Psychology works fact sheet: Attachment in children. https://cpa.ca/
• Canadian Psychological Association. (2024). Psychology works fact sheet: Giftedness in children and youth. https://cpa.ca/
• Canadian Psychological Association. (n.d.). Psychology works fact sheet: Learning disabilities in children. https://cpa.ca/
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2013). Autism spectrum disorder in under 19s: Support and management (NICE Guideline CG170). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg170
• College of Alberta Psychologists. (2023). Standards of practice. https://www.cap.ab.ca/