Collaborative, evidence-informed counselling for persistent worry, low mood, and overlapping anxiety and depression concerns. In-person and virtual sessions across Alberta.

Registered Psychologists regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists, 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 in Edmonton and St. Albert, Virtual across Alberta.

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You Might Be Wondering Whether Counselling for Anxiety and Depression Is Right for You

You may not be sure whether what you are experiencing is serious enough to justify reaching out. Maybe you have been telling yourself that everyone deals with stress, that you should be able to push through, or that what you are feeling does not quite rise to the level of needing professional support. That uncertainty is common, and it does not mean you are overreacting.

Perhaps you have noticed a low mood that lingers longer than it used to, even when nothing specific has gone wrong. You might find yourself pulling away from activities or people you once enjoyed, or lying awake with a restless mind that replays worries you cannot seem to put down. Some people describe it as a heaviness they carry through the day, or a feeling of being constantly on edge without being able to name why.

These patterns are not signs that something is permanently broken. They are common responses to sustained stress, difficult life circumstances, or accumulated pressure that has gone unaddressed. Many people experience a mix of anxious and low-mood patterns at the same time, and that overlap can make it harder to sort out what is happening on your own.

If you are considering whether speaking with someone could help, this page may be a useful starting point. You do not need a diagnosis or certainty about what is wrong to begin a counselling conversation.

Who This Service May Be a Good Fit For

This service may be helpful if you are experiencing:

• Persistent worry, overthinking, or a sense of being overwhelmed that does not ease
• Low mood, loss of motivation, or reduced interest in things that used to matter
• Irritability, emotional exhaustion, or difficulty managing day-to-day stress
• Sleep difficulties, trouble concentrating, or physical tension that seems connected to how you are feeling
• A combination of anxious and depressive patterns that feels hard to untangle alone
• Stress that is affecting your work, school, relationships, or daily routines

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

• Emergency or crisis support (see crisis resources below)
• A formal psychological assessment or diagnostic evaluation (assessments are a separate service)
• Medication management (a physician or psychiatrist can help with this; counselling can complement medication if appropriate)

Crisis Resources

Wholesome Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service. If you are in immediate danger or experiencing thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, please contact one of the following:

• 911 for immediate danger
• Alberta Mental Health Help Line: 1-877-303-2642 (24/7)
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

What Anxiety and Depression Counselling Is

Counselling for anxiety and depression is a structured, confidential space to talk through what you are experiencing with a trained professional. It is not a diagnostic process, a legal service, or crisis intervention. You do not need to arrive with a label or a clear explanation of what is wrong.

Sessions may focus on understanding what is maintaining patterns of worry or low mood, building strategies that fit your life, creating space for emotional processing, or working through how stress is affecting your relationships and daily functioning. The pace is set by you, not the therapist.

Counselling does not replace medical care. If your therapist believes a medical evaluation or referral to another professional would be helpful, they will discuss that with you. Psychological assessments are a separate service and are not included in standard counselling sessions.

Confidentiality applies from the first session, with legal and ethical limits explained clearly at intake. You are welcome to ask questions before sharing anything personal.

Signs Anxiety or Depression May Be Affecting You

People often live with these patterns for a long time before considering support. You may recognize some of the following:

• Feeling on edge or restless without a clear cause
• Persistent low mood or a sense that things are heavier than they should be
• Loss of enjoyment in activities that used to feel rewarding
• Difficulty sleeping, or sleeping too much without feeling rested
• Trouble focusing at work, school, or during conversations
• Withdrawing from friends, family, or social situations
• Physical symptoms such as tension, headaches, or stomach discomfort that seem connected to how you feel
• Increased self-criticism or a sense that you are not managing as well as you should be

Having these experiences does not mean something is permanently wrong with you. They are common reactions to stress, difficult circumstances, or emotional overload. Structured support can help you understand what is driving these patterns and work toward meaningful change.

How Treatment Works Here

• Find your therapist. Use the Match with a Therapist tool, browse therapist profiles, or call the admin team at 780-904-4880 for guidance.
• Book your first session. Your first appointment includes a review of confidentiality and consent, a discussion of what brings you in, and early goal-setting. You can book through the online booking system.
• Build your plan together. Your therapist will work with you to develop a tailored plan based on your goals, circumstances, and preferences. This is a collaborative process.
• Ongoing sessions. Follow-up sessions are typically weekly or bi-weekly, adjusted based on your needs and availability. Sessions are 50 minutes.
• Progress check-ins. Your therapist reviews progress regularly. Plans adapt as your needs change. There is no fixed number of sessions required.

Therapy is collaborative. Your voice matters at every stage, and you can adjust the pace, focus, or approach at any time.

Evidence and Approaches

The following approaches may be used in anxiety and depression counselling at Wholesome Psychology, depending on your goals and therapist fit. Research supports several forms of psychotherapy for anxiety and depression-related concerns, though individual responses vary.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

What it helps with: CBT targets patterns of negative thinking, avoidance, and behavioural withdrawal that often maintain anxiety and depression.

Evidence summary: A Canadian health technology assessment found that CBT improved recovery and symptom response in adults with major depressive disorder and reduced symptoms in adults with generalised anxiety disorder (Health Quality Ontario, 2017). The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE] recommends CBT as a treatment option for both depression and generalised anxiety disorder in its clinical guidelines (NICE, 2022; NICE, 2011).

Limitations: Individual responses to CBT vary. It may not suit all presentations, and some people benefit from alternative or combined approaches.

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

What it helps with: IPT focuses on improving relationship patterns and interpersonal functioning that may contribute to or maintain depression.

Evidence summary: The Health Quality Ontario assessment found that interpersonal therapy reduced depressive symptom scores and lowered the risk of relapse in adults with major depressive disorder compared to usual care (Health Quality Ontario, 2017). The Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) notes that interpersonal therapy has a comparable success rate to cognitive and behavioural approaches for depression (CPA, 2021).

Limitations: Most research on IPT has focused on depression rather than anxiety. Availability may depend on therapist training and fit.

Behavioural Activation

What it helps with: Behavioural activation helps people re-engage with meaningful activities and overcome avoidance and withdrawal patterns that often accompany depression.

Evidence summary: NICE includes behavioural activation among its recommended psychological treatments for adults with depression (NICE, 2022). It aims to break cycles of inactivity and low mood by gradually increasing engagement with valued activities.

Limitations: Behavioural activation has been studied more extensively for depression than for anxiety. Individual progress depends on engagement and readiness for change.

Supportive Counselling

What it helps with: Supportive counselling provides a safe, structured space to talk through emotional difficulties and build coping strategies for anxiety and depression-related concerns.

Evidence summary: The Health Quality Ontario assessment found that supportive therapy improved depression scores and increased post-treatment recovery rates compared to usual care (Health Quality Ontario, 2017). Supportive approaches may be particularly helpful for people who are not yet ready for structured skills-based therapy.

Limitations: Evidence for supportive therapy is less extensive than for CBT or IPT. Outcomes may vary depending on the nature and severity of concerns.

What Results to Expect

Recovery from anxiety and depression is not linear. Some people notice meaningful shifts within the first few sessions. Others benefit from longer-term work, especially when their concerns are longstanding or connected to multiple areas of life.

Some people find relief from just 2-3 sessions, particularly when they are dealing with a specific stressor or transition. Others may prefer ongoing support over several months to work through deeper patterns. There is no single timeline that fits everyone.

Factors that influence outcomes include the nature and duration of what you have been experiencing, your current circumstances, therapeutic fit, and your own engagement in the process. No therapy guarantees specific outcomes, and it is normal for progress to feel uneven at times.

Therapeutic fit matters. If you feel that your therapist or approach is not the right match, you can speak with the admin team about finding a different clinician. Changing therapists is always an option and is a normal part of the process.

Confidentiality and Privacy

What you share in therapy is confidential. Your therapist is bound by the ethical standards of their applicable professional body, which may include the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) for Registered Psychologists, the Canadian Counselling and Psychological Association (CCPA) for Certified Canadian Counsellors, and the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) for Registered Social Workers, as well as Alberta's Health Information Act (HIA) and Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).

There are a small number of legal exceptions where confidentiality may need to be broken:

• Risk of serious harm to yourself or others
• 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 the first session, before you share anything personal. You are welcome to ask questions about privacy at any point.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to describe what happened in detail?

No. You decide what to share and when. Therapy can focus on present-day patterns, coping strategies, and how you are feeling right now without requiring a detailed account of past events. Your therapist will follow your lead and check in regularly about pace.

Is what I share kept private?

Yes. Counselling is confidential within legal and ethical limits. There are specific exceptions, including risk of serious harm, suspected child abuse or neglect, and court orders. Your therapist will explain these limits clearly during your first session. See the Confidentiality and Privacy section above for more detail.

How many sessions will I need?

There is no fixed answer. Some people benefit from short-term support around a current stressor or transition, while others prefer longer-term work. Your therapist will review progress with you regularly, and you can adjust the frequency or duration at any time.

What if the therapist is not the right fit?

Therapeutic fit matters, and not every therapist-client pairing will feel right. If you feel the match is not working, the admin team can help you find a different clinician within the practice. 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 anyone located in Alberta. The same standards of confidentiality and professional care apply to virtual and in-person sessions.

Do I need a diagnosis to book?

No. Many people start counselling because they know something feels difficult, not because they already have a formal diagnosis. The first session can help clarify your goals and whether this service feels like a good fit.

What is the difference between a psychologist and a counsellor?

Registered Psychologists hold a graduate degree 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), and Registered Social Workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW). Mental Health Therapists hold relevant graduate or undergraduate credentials and may be regulated through other professional bodies. All clinicians at Wholesome Psychology practise within their scope of competence. Visit the Our Therapists page for individual profiles and credentials.

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

Many clinicians have training and experience working with anxiety, depression, stress-related concerns, and overlapping mood and anxiety presentations. You can browse individual profiles on the Our Therapists page, use the Match with a Therapist tool to find a clinician who fits your needs, or call the admin team at 780-904-4880 for guidance.

Children and Youth

Anxiety and depression-related concerns can also affect children, adolescents, and young people. Wholesome Psychology offers counselling for younger clients using age-appropriate approaches. Therapists working with children and youth collaborate with caregivers to support the young person's wellbeing and recovery environment. If you are looking for support for a child or teen, the admin team can help you find a clinician with the right experience.

Next Steps

If you would like to explore whether counselling for anxiety and depression might be helpful, you can take the next step in a way that feels comfortable for you:

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

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

Starting the conversation is enough.

References

• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. (n.d.). Anxiety disorders. Retrieved May 2, 2026, from https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/anxiety-disorders
• Canadian Psychological Association. (2021). "Psychology Works" fact sheet: Depression. https://cpa.ca/psychology-works-fact-sheet-depression/
• Health Quality Ontario. (2017). Psychotherapy for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder: A health technology assessment. Ontario Health Technology Assessment Series, 17(15), 1-167. PMID: 29213344
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2011, updated 2020). Generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder in adults: Management (Clinical guideline CG113). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg113
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2022). Depression in adults: Treatment and management (NICE guideline NG222). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng222
• Stephenson, E. (2023). Mental disorders and access to mental health care. Statistics Canada, Insights on Canadian Society (Catalogue no. 75-006-X). https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/75-006-x/2023001/article/00011-eng.htm
• World Health Organization. (2024). ICD-11 for mortality and morbidity statistics: Depressive disorders; Anxiety or fear-related disorders. https://icd.who.int/