Subheadline: Collaborative, client-centred counselling for people affected by abuse, available in person across Edmonton and St. Albert and virtually throughout Alberta. Registered Psychologists and Registered Provisional Psychologists regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP), Certified Canadian Counsellors regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychological Association (CCPA), Mental Health Therapists, In-person and virtual sessions across Alberta.

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You Might Be Wondering Whether Abuse Therapy Is Right for You

You may be questioning whether what happened to you really counts. Maybe you have told yourself it was not that bad, that other people have been through worse, or that you should be over it by now. That kind of doubt is one of the most common things people carry when they begin thinking about counselling related to abuse.

You might notice yourself pulling away from people who care about you without fully understanding why. Perhaps there is a heaviness that does not lift even when your day-to-day circumstances seem fine. You may find it hard to trust your own reactions, or you may feel on edge in situations that others seem to move through easily.

These responses make sense. They reflect the ways your mind and body have adapted to protect you after harmful experiences. They do not mean something is permanently wrong with you, and they do not require a specific label before you can seek support.

If you are considering whether speaking with someone could help, this page may be a useful starting point. You can read on to see what abuse counselling involves, what the research says, and how to get started if and when you choose to.

Who We Help

This service may be a good fit for you if you are:

• Processing past experiences of physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological abuse
• Living with the effects of family violence, intimate partner violence, or coercive control
• Uncertain whether what you experienced qualifies as abuse and wanting space to explore that
• Noticing patterns in your relationships, emotions, or daily life that feel connected to past harm
• Supporting a loved one and looking for guidance on how to help
• Seeking counselling for a child or adolescent who has been affected by abuse

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

• In immediate danger or experiencing a crisis right now. Please see the crisis resources below.
• Looking for a psychological assessment, assessments are a separate service.
• Seeking a perpetrator intervention or court-mandated programme.

The admin team at 780-904-4880 may be able to suggest referral pathways.

Crisis Resources

Wholesome Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service. If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please contact one of the following resources:

• 911 for immediate danger
• Alberta Mental Health Help Line: 1-877-303-2642 (24/7)
• Family Violence Info Line (Alberta): 310-1818 (24/7, toll-free)
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

Wholesome Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service.

What This Service Is

Abuse counselling is a form of talk therapy focused on helping people process and cope with the effects of harmful experiences. It is not a legal service, an investigative process, or a crisis intervention. It is also not an assessment service. Assessments, including psychological assessments are a separate service at Wholesome Psychology.

In counselling, the pace is always set by you. Your therapist will not push you to share more than you are ready to discuss, and you do not need to describe what happened in detail for sessions to be helpful. Some people prefer to focus on present-day coping, boundaries, and emotional regulation before exploring past events. Others want to begin processing specific experiences early on. Both approaches are valid.

Counselling is confidential, with certain legal and ethical limits that your therapist will explain clearly during your first session. A more detailed explanation of confidentiality appears later on this page.

Therapists at Wholesome Psychology practise within their regulated scope. They do not diagnose conditions on a service page, prescribe medication, or provide legal advice. If your needs fall outside the scope of counselling, your therapist can help you identify appropriate next steps or referrals.

Signs Abuse May Be Affecting You

People affected by abuse describe a wide range of experiences. You may recognize some of these patterns in yourself:

• Difficulty trusting others, even people who have shown you they are safe
• Feeling on edge, hypervigilant, or easily startled in everyday situations
• Shame, self-blame, or a persistent sense that something is wrong with you
• Emotional numbness or feeling disconnected from your own reactions
• Pulling away from relationships or avoiding closeness
• Sleep disruption, difficulty concentrating, or physical tension that does not seem to have a clear cause
• Replaying events in your mind, even when you try to stop
• Difficulty setting or maintaining boundaries in relationships

Having these experiences does not mean something is permanently wrong with you. They are common reactions to harmful events, not character flaws or signs of weakness. Structured support, such as counselling, can help people make sense of these patterns and find ways to move through them at their own pace.

How Treatment Works Here

• Find your therapist. 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.
• Book your first session. Your first appointment typically includes a review of confidentiality and consent, along with a discussion of your goals and what kind of support you are looking for.
• Build your plan together. You and your therapist will co-create a therapeutic plan tailored to your needs, preferences, and pace. This plan is collaborative and can be adjusted at any point.
• Ongoing sessions. Follow-up sessions are often scheduled weekly or bi-weekly, depending on your needs and availability. Sessions are 50 minutes.
• Progress check-ins. Your therapist will review progress with you regularly. Plans adapt as your needs change, and there is no fixed number of sessions required.

Therapy is collaborative. Your voice matters at every stage, from choosing your therapist to deciding when the work feels complete.

Evidence and Approaches

Several therapeutic approaches have been studied in the context of abuse and trauma. Below is a summary of the approaches most commonly used at Wholesome Psychology for abuse-related concerns, along with what the current research shows.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT)

What it helps with: TF-CBT targets trauma-related distress, including intrusive memories, avoidance, and emotional difficulties in children and adolescents who have experienced abuse.

Evidence summary: A Cochrane systematic review found that CBT may have a positive effect on PTSD symptoms, anxiety, and depression in children who have experienced sexual abuse, though most results were modest in size (Macdonald et al., 2012). A more recent Cochrane network meta-analysis found weak evidence that CBT delivered to the child may reduce PTSD symptoms compared to management as usual (Caro et al., 2023).

Limitations: Study quality varied, sample sizes were generally small, and most research has been conducted in North American and UK settings. Individual responses differ, and not all children benefit equally.

Psychological Therapies for PTSD in Children and Adolescents

What it helps with: A range of psychological therapies, including CBT, EMDR, and supportive approaches, are used to treat post-traumatic stress in young people following various types of trauma exposure.

Evidence summary: A Cochrane review of 14 trials found that psychological therapies, particularly CBT, were associated with improvements in PTSD, anxiety, and depression symptoms in children and adolescents for up to one month following treatment (Gillies et al., 2012). No single therapy was clearly more effective than others across all outcomes.

Limitations: Evidence for longer-term effectiveness (beyond one month) remains limited. Studies were small and showed methodological variability. More research is needed on which therapies work best for specific types of trauma.

Psychosocial Interventions for Sexual Abuse and Violence

What it helps with: Psychosocial interventions provide structured support for survivors of sexual abuse and violence, addressing emotional, relational, and practical recovery needs.

Evidence summary: A Cochrane qualitative evidence synthesis found that survivors often described psychosocial interventions as difficult but ultimately beneficial, reporting a wide range of positive outcomes when interventions were appropriately timed and responsive to individual needs (Brown et al., 2022). Survivors valued having choice and control within the therapeutic process.

Limitations: This was a qualitative synthesis, not a measure of treatment effectiveness. Findings reflect participant experiences rather than controlled outcome data. Most included studies were from high-income, English-speaking countries.

Advocacy Interventions for Intimate Partner Violence

What it helps with: Advocacy-based support helps people experiencing intimate partner violence to access safety planning, community resources, and psychosocial support.

Evidence summary: A Cochrane systematic review of 13 trials found some evidence that intensive advocacy may improve short-term quality of life and reduce physical abuse at one to two years following the intervention for women experiencing intimate partner abuse (Rivas et al., 2015). Brief advocacy interventions showed limited measurable effects on abuse recurrence.

Limitations: Most studies were underpowered, and clinical heterogeneity made pooling difficult. The quality of evidence ranged from moderate to very low depending on the intervention type and outcome measured.

What Results to Expect

Recovery from the effects of abuse is not linear. Some people notice meaningful shifts within a few sessions. Others benefit from longer-term work that unfolds over months. Both paths are normal.

Some people find relief from just 2-3 sessions, particularly when they come with a focused concern such as boundary-setting or coping with a specific situation. For others, especially those processing complex or long-standing experiences, a longer course of therapy may be more helpful.

Several factors influence how therapy unfolds, including the nature of your experiences, your current life circumstances, the kind of support you are seeking, and whether the therapist feels like the right fit. No therapy guarantees outcomes, and your therapist will be honest with you about what counselling can and cannot do.

If at any point you feel the approach or the therapist is not working for you, that is worth talking about. Changing your therapist or adjusting the approach is always an option.

Confidentiality and Privacy

What you share in therapy is confidential. Your therapist is bound by the ethical standards of their regulatory body and by Alberta legislation, including the Health Information Act (HIA) and the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).

All psychologists at Wholesome Psychology are registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) and follow the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) Code of Ethics. These professional standards require therapists to protect your personal health information and to explain the limits of confidentiality before you share anything personal.

There are limited circumstances where confidentiality may be overridden by law. These include:

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

Your therapist will explain these limits clearly during your first session. You are welcome to ask questions about confidentiality before sharing anything personal. If you would like to learn more about how the clinic handles personal information, you can visit the Getting Started page or contact the admin team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to describe what happened in detail?

No. You are always in control of what you share and when. Some people begin therapy by focusing on present-day patterns, coping strategies, or boundary work, without going into the specifics of past events. If and when you want to talk about what happened, your therapist will follow your lead. Counselling can be helpful even if you never discuss the details of a particular experience.

Is what I share kept private?

Yes, with limited exceptions. What you discuss in therapy is confidential under Alberta legislation (HIA and PIPA) and the ethical standards of your therapist's regulatory body. Exceptions include situations involving risk of serious harm, suspected child abuse or neglect, or a court order. Your therapist will explain these limits at the start of care. For a fuller explanation, see the Confidentiality and Privacy section above.

How many sessions will I need?

There is no fixed answer. Some people find relief from just 2-3 sessions when they come with a focused concern. Others prefer longer-term work, especially when processing complex experiences. Your therapist will review progress with you regularly and adjust the plan as needed.

What if the therapist is not the right fit?

Therapeutic fit matters, and not every match works on the first try. If your therapist does not feel right for you, the admin team can help you find a different clinician. You can browse profiles on the Our Therapists page or use the Match with a Therapist tool. 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 anywhere in Alberta. The same confidentiality standards apply whether you attend in person or online. Many people find virtual therapy a comfortable option, particularly when in-person attendance is difficult due to distance, schedule, or safety considerations.

What if I am still in an unsafe situation?

You do not need to have left a harmful situation to access counselling. Your therapist can work with you on safety planning, coping, and exploring your options, all at a pace that respects where you are right now. If you are in immediate danger, please call 911 or the Family Violence Info Line at 310-1818.

What is the difference between a psychologist and a counsellor?

Registered Psychologists hold graduate-level education in psychology and are regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP). Certified Canadian Counsellors (CCCs) are regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychological Association (CCPA). Mental Health Therapists hold relevant training and credentials in counselling and may be governed by different professional bodies. All clinicians at Wholesome Psychology practise within their professional scope. The
Fees page lists the fee tier associated with each credential type.

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). Registered Social Workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW). 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 in trauma-informed care, abuse-related presentations, family violence, and related areas. You can read individual profiles on the Our Therapists page or use the Match with a Therapist tool to find someone who fits your needs. 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 who have been affected by abuse. Therapists working with younger clients use age-appropriate approaches that respect the child's developmental stage and emotional readiness.

Research has examined several therapeutic approaches for young people affected by abuse, including CBT and other structured interventions (Macdonald et al., 2012; Gillies et al., 2012; Caro et al., 2023). While evidence suggests these approaches may help reduce trauma-related symptoms, outcomes vary, and therapy is tailored to each young person's needs.

Clinicians also work with caregivers to support the child's recovery environment. If you are a parent or caregiver seeking support for a young person, you can contact the admin team at 780-904-4880 to discuss options.

Getting Started with Abuse Counselling

If you are considering abuse counselling in Edmonton, St. Albert, or virtually across Alberta, you can take the next step in several ways:

• Book a session online
• Match with a therapist
• Call: 780-904-4880
• Email: info@wholesomepsychology.ca
• Visit the Getting Started page for more about the process

New clients may access their first session at 50% off to help find the right therapeutic fit.

Starting the conversation is enough.

References

• Brown, S. J., Carter, G. J., Halliwell, G., Brown, K., Caswell, R., Howarth, E., Feder, G., & O'Doherty, L. (2022). Survivor, family and professional experiences of psychosocial interventions for sexual abuse and violence: A qualitative evidence synthesis.
  Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (10), CD013648. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD013648.pub2
• Caro, P., Turner, W., Caldwell, D. M., & Macdonald, G. (2023). Comparative effectiveness of psychological interventions for treating the psychological consequences of sexual abuse in children and adolescents: A network meta-analysis.
  Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (6), CD013361. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD013361.pub2
• Gillies, D., Taylor, F., Gray, C., O'Brien, L., & D'Abrew, N. (2012). Psychological therapies for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder in children and adolescents.
  Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (12), CD006726. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD006726.pub2
• Macdonald, G., Higgins, J. P. T., Ramchandani, P., Valentine, J. C., Bronger, L. P., Klein, P., O'Daniel, R., Pickering, M., Rademaker, B., Richardson, G., & Taylor, M. (2012). Cognitive-behavioural interventions for children who have been sexually abused.
  Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (5), CD001930. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD001930.pub3
• Rivas, C., Ramsay, J., Sadowski, L., Davidson, L. L., Dunne, D., Eldridge, S., Hegarty, K., Taft, A., & Feder, G. (2015). Advocacy interventions to reduce or eliminate violence and promote the physical and psychosocial well-being of women who experience intimate partner abuse.
  Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (12), CD005043. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD005043.pub3
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2017).
  Child abuse and neglect (NICE Guideline NG76). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng76
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2014).
  Domestic violence and abuse: Multi-agency working (NICE Public Health Guideline PH50). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph50
• Bader, D., & Frank, K. (2024). Understanding experiences of non-physical maltreatment in childhood in Canada: What is the relationship with suicidal ideation and mental health disorders? Statistics Canada,
  Health Reports (Catalogue no. 82-003-X).
• World Health Organization. (n.d.).
  ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics. https://icd.who.int/
• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. (n.d.).
  Recognizing the effects of abuse-related trauma. Retrieved March 23, 2026, from https://www.camh.ca/
• Canadian Psychological Association. (2020).
  "Psychology Works" Fact Sheet: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. https://cpa.ca/
• College of Alberta Psychologists. (2023).
  Standards of Practice. https://www.cap.ab.ca/
• Public Health Agency of Canada. (n.d.).
  What is family violence? Government of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/