Lower-cost counselling with multiple provider tiers, in person across Edmonton and St. Albert, and virtually across Alberta. Registered Psychologists are regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP), with supervised provisional practice, In-person and virtual sessions, Reduced-rate tiers and sliding scale available.

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You Might Be Wondering Whether Therapy Is Something You Can Actually Afford

You may be weighing whether counselling is worth the cost, or whether what you are carrying is heavy enough to justify spending money on it. That question is common, and it is not selfish. A lot of people put off therapy because they are not sure if it will help enough to feel worth it, or because they have already stretched the budget in other places.

You might recognize some of these patterns in yourself. Checking the price of a session and then closing the tab. Telling yourself you will reach out when things get worse. Looking for free options and feeling discouraged when waitlists are long. Wanting to talk to someone but also wanting to be sure the person you talk to is trained and regulated.

These reactions make sense. Cost is a real factor in accessing care, and according to Statistics Canada, household income is associated with differences in how often people use mental health services in Canada (Statistics Canada, 2026). Deciding slowly is a reasonable response to a real decision.

You may wish to read on to see how our lower-cost counselling options work, what the session fee tiers look like, and what to expect at a first session. Nothing here asks you to book today.

Who This Service May Be a Good Fit For

Reduced-rate counselling at Wholesome Psychology may be a fit if you are:

• Comparing fees and looking for a transparent starting point
• Between insurance plans or without extended health coverage
• A student, recent graduate, or early-career adult
• Supporting a family on a single income
• Open to working with a Mental Health Therapist, Canadian Certified Counsellor, or Student Therapist
• Looking for in-person sessions in Edmonton or St. Albert, or virtual sessions across Alberta

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

• In immediate crisis or thinking about harming yourself or someone else, in which case please use the crisis resources below
• Looking for a psychological assessment, court-ordered evaluation, or forensic report, which are separate services and are not included in routine counselling
• Seeking court-mandated perpetrator programming, which is typically provided by specialized programs we can help point you toward

If You Need Help Right Now

Wholesome Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service. If you need urgent support, please use one of the following:

• Call 911 if you or someone else is in immediate danger
• Alberta Mental Health Help Line: 1-877-303-2642 (24/7, toll-free)
• Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741

Wholesome Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service.

What Affordable Therapy Is at Wholesome Psychology

Affordable therapy here means counselling offered at a range of session fees, so you can choose a clinician tier that fits your budget and your goals. It is the same kind of collaborative, confidential counselling you would expect at any regulated clinic in Alberta, delivered by clinicians working within their scope of practice.

Affordable counselling at this clinic is not a legal service, an investigative process, or a crisis intervention. It is also not a psychological assessment. Assessments are a separate service and are not included here. If you need one, please contact our admin team so we can direct you appropriately.

The pace of your sessions is set by you, not by the therapist. What you share is kept confidential within the limits described further down this page. Clinicians work within their scope of practice and will let you know if a concern sits outside what they can help with.

Signs That Cost May Be Getting in the Way of Getting Support

People often delay counselling for reasons that are practical, not emotional. You may notice some of these in yourself:

• You have looked up therapists before but stopped at the fee page
• You have tried free resources, self-help books, or apps and want something more personal
• You are comparing a session fee against groceries, rent, or a bill this month
• You started therapy once but could not continue at the previous rate
• You feel guilty spending money on yourself, even when something feels off
• You assume lower-cost counselling means lower quality care
• You are not sure which type of clinician you actually need
• You have been waiting for a crisis to justify asking for help

Noticing these patterns is not a sign that something is permanently wrong. They are common responses to a system that can feel expensive and opaque. Structured support can help you think through what you actually need and what it might cost.

How Reduced-Rate Counselling Works Here

• Find your therapist. Use our Match Tool or browse the Our Therapists page. Many clinicians at reduced-rate tiers are listed directly. You can also call our admin team at 780-904-4880 for help deciding.
• Book your first session. The first session is a chance to review confidentiality, consent, and what you would like to work on. Your clinician will explain how sessions are structured and will answer your questions before you share anything personal.
• Build your plan together. Treatment is collaborative. You and your therapist decide what the work focuses on, at a pace that feels manageable.
• Ongoing sessions. Sessions are 50 minutes. Frequency is typically weekly or bi-weekly, and it can be adjusted as your needs change.
• Progress check-ins. Your therapist will review how things are going and adjust the plan if something is not working. Availability varies by clinician, and it is always okay to ask about switching.

There is no fixed number of sessions. Some people attend for a short period and stop when they feel steadier. Others stay longer. Your voice matters at every stage.

Approaches Clinicians at This Clinic May Use

Clinicians at Wholesome Psychology use different approaches depending on training, scope of practice, and what the client is working on. Evidence for affordability-specific outcomes in therapy is limited in the sources reviewed for this page, so the summaries below describe general approaches cautiously, alongside Canadian access context.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

What it helps with: CBT focuses on the links between thoughts, feelings, and day-to-day behaviour, and is often used for stress, anxiety, and low mood.

Evidence summary: Public health and international guidance organizations describe CBT as a widely used, evidence-informed approach for common mental health concerns (World Health Organization [WHO], n.d.). The supplied sources do not contain modality-specific effect sizes, so strong comparative claims are avoided here.

Limitations: Individual response varies, and CBT is not the right fit for every person or every concern. Outcomes depend on factors like therapeutic fit, goals, and current circumstances.

Supportive and Person-Centred Counselling

What it helps with: Supportive counselling focuses on being heard, talking through current stressors, and working out practical next steps during difficult periods.

Evidence summary: Canadian public health framing encourages accessible, non-stigmatizing counselling and help-seeking pathways for people experiencing stress, worry, or low mood (Public Health Agency of Canada [PHAC], n.d.). This supports counselling as one reasonable option among several forms of support.

Limitations: Supportive counselling is not a structured treatment for specific diagnoses. People with more complex clinical needs may benefit from a more specialized approach or a different provider tier.

Short-Term, Goal-Focused Counselling

What it helps with: Short-term counselling works well when a client has a specific focus such as a recent life change, a decision, or a single pattern they want to work on.

Evidence summary: Research on access barriers suggests that cost and availability shape who gets counselling in Canada, and that lowering practical barriers may help some people begin therapy sooner (Statistics Canada, 2026). The supplied evidence does not quantify how many sessions are typically needed for any given concern.

Limitations: Short-term work is not appropriate for every issue. Some concerns benefit from longer-term support, and clinicians will discuss this openly during the first session.

What Results to Expect

Recovery and change are not linear. Some people find relief from just 2-3 sessions, especially when they have a specific focus in mind. Others benefit from longer-term work, and many people move between more and less frequent sessions as life changes.

A number of factors influence how therapy goes, including what you are working on, your current circumstances, and how well you feel matched with your clinician. No therapist can guarantee an outcome, and any page that promises one should be read with caution.

Therapeutic fit matters. If the first clinician you see is not the right match, you can ask to try someone else. Fit is part of why we offer the Match Tool and the reduced first-session rate described later on this page.

Confidentiality and Privacy

What you share in therapy is kept confidential. Your clinician is bound by professional standards set out by the regulating body that applies to their role, including the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) Code of Ethics and the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) Standards of Practice for psychologists, the Canadian Counselling and Psychological Association (CCPA) for Canadian Certified Counsellors, and the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) for Registered Social Workers.

Your personal and health information is also protected under Alberta legislation, including the Health Information Act (HIA) and the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). These laws shape how records are stored, accessed, and shared.

There are limited legal exceptions where a clinician must share information, even without your permission:

• When there is a risk of serious harm to you or to someone else
• When there is suspected abuse or neglect of a child, which requires reporting under Alberta law
• When a court order requires disclosure

Your clinician will explain these limits clearly at the start of the first session. You are welcome to ask questions about confidentiality before sharing anything personal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to describe difficult experiences in detail to get help at a lower rate?

No. You set the pace, and you decide what you share. Many people start by talking about what is happening in their life right now rather than recounting past events. Your clinician will work with you on present-day patterns and goals if detailed recall is not something you want to do, and they will let you know if a different kind of support would serve you better.

Is what I share in sessions kept private?

Yes, with limited legal exceptions. Confidentiality is protected under Alberta's Health Information Act and Personal Information Protection Act, and by the regulating body that applies to your clinician's role, including the College of Alberta Psychologists and the Canadian Psychological Association Code of Ethics for psychologists, the Canadian Counselling and Psychological Association for Canadian Certified Counsellors, and the Alberta College of Social Workers for Registered Social Workers. Exceptions include risk of serious harm, suspected child abuse or neglect, and court orders. Your clinician will review these limits with you before you share anything personal, and you can read more in the confidentiality section above.

How many sessions will I need?

There is no fixed number. Some people find relief from just 2-3 sessions, particularly when they have a specific focus. Others prefer longer-term support. Your clinician will check in about progress and adjust the plan with you. Session frequency is usually weekly or bi-weekly and can change over time.

What if the therapist is not the right fit?

Fit is one of the most important parts of therapy. If the first clinician you see does not feel like a match, our admin team can help you switch to someone else without starting over at full price. 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 across Alberta, using a secure video platform. Virtual sessions are held to the same confidentiality standards as in-person sessions and are available for every provider tier.

What is the difference between a psychologist and a counsellor at this clinic?

Registered Psychologists are regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists and have completed graduate training in psychology. Canadian Certified Counsellors are regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychological Association, not CAP, and Mental Health Therapists are counsellors and therapists with their own training and professional standards, offered at reduced rates relative to psychologists. Student Therapists are graduate-level practicum students working under supervision. Which one is right for you depends on what you want help with and what you can afford.

Do I need a referral?

No. You can contact us directly. Some insurance plans require a physician referral for reimbursement, so it can help to check your plan before booking if that matters to you.

Is direct billing available for reduced-rate tiers?

Direct billing is available for many providers at this clinic. Coverage depends on your insurance plan, and not every plan covers every clinician type. Please confirm with our admin team at 780-904-4880 before your first session if direct billing is important to you.

Meet Your Clinicians

Wholesome Psychology works with a team that includes Registered Psychologists, Registered Provisional Psychologists, Registered Social Workers, Canadian Certified Counsellors, Mental Health Therapists, and Master's-level Student Therapists. All psychologists at the clinic are registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists, and provisional psychologists practise under the supervision of a senior registered psychologist. Canadian Certified Counsellors are regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychological Association (CCPA), not CAP, and Registered Social Workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW). Reduced-rate tiers are staffed by clinicians who are qualified and supervised within their scope of practice.

Many clinicians at the clinic have training in common counselling concerns such as stress, anxiety, low mood, relationship difficulties, and life transitions. Availability varies by clinician, and some team members may not be accepting new clients at any given time.

You can read individual profiles on the Our Therapists page, use the Match Tool, or call the admin team at 780-904-4880 for help choosing.

Counselling for Children, Teens, and Families

Wholesome Psychology offers counselling for children, adolescents, and young adults, including at reduced-rate tiers where appropriate. Clinicians working with younger clients use age-appropriate approaches and will often work with caregivers to support the child's environment at home and at school. If you are looking into affordable options for a child or teen, please contact the admin team so we can help match you with a clinician whose training and availability fit the family's needs.

Taking the Next Step

If you would like to explore whether reduced-rate counselling at Wholesome Psychology is a fit, you can:

• Book a session online
• Match with a therapist
• Call 780-904-4880
• Email info@wholesomepsychology.ca
• Read more on the Getting Started with Therapy page

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

Starting the conversation is enough.

References

• Public Health Agency of Canada. (n.d.). Mental health support: Get help. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/mental-health-services/mental-health-get-help.html
• Statistics Canada. (2026). Investigating disparities in mental health care service use among people with mood and anxiety disorders. Statistics Canada.
• World Health Organization. (n.d.). Mental health. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/health-topics/mental-health
• College of Alberta Psychologists. (2023). Standards of Practice. https://www.cap.ab.ca/
• Canadian Psychological Association. (2017). Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists (4th ed.). https://cpa.ca/
• Psychologists' Association of Alberta. (2025). Recommended fee schedule. https://paa-ab.ca/
• Government of Alberta. Health Information Act, RSA 2000, c H-5.
• Government of Alberta. Personal Information Protection Act, SA 2003, c P-6.5.