A counselling approach that may use creative process alongside reflection and conversation. Registered and provisional psychologists, counsellors, and therapists across five locations and virtual care across Alberta.

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You Might Be Wondering Whether Art Therapy Is Right for You

You may be unsure whether what you are feeling actually calls for something like this. Maybe you have tried talking about it before and the words did not seem to reach the thing that needed reaching. Or maybe you have never been in therapy at all and you are not sure you belong there.

Some people notice that their inner world feels louder than what they can put into language. Others find that sitting across from someone and being expected to explain themselves feels like a task they keep failing. Still others sense that something is off, a tension in the body or a flatness in their days, but they cannot point to a single cause.

These experiences are not unusual, and they do not mean something is permanently wrong with you. They often reflect the ways a person's mind and body respond to stress, loss, change, or experiences that have gone unprocessed. Art-based counselling offers one way to work with these responses using creative process rather than relying on words alone.

If you are curious about whether this kind of support could fit, this page may help you decide. You can read at your own pace and see whether it speaks to what you are going through.

Who We Help

Art therapy counselling at Wholesome Psychology may be a good fit if you:

• Want to explore thoughts, feelings, or experiences using creative process alongside conversation
• Find it difficult to express what you are going through using words alone
• Are looking for a counselling approach that feels less structured or less verbal than traditional talk therapy
• Want to work through stress, transition, grief, relationship patterns, or emotional overwhelm at your own pace
• Are curious about art-based work but unsure whether it is for you

This service may not be the right fit if you:

• Need immediate crisis support (see crisis resources below)
• Are looking for a formal psychological assessment or diagnosis (Wholesome Psychology offers separate assessment services)
• Require forensic or court-ordered evaluation, which is outside the scope of this counselling service

Crisis Guidance

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact one of the following resources. 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

Wholesome Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service.

What Art Therapy Counselling Is

Art therapy is a counselling approach that may use image-making, drawing, painting, or other creative exercises as part of the therapeutic process. Sessions may also include conversation, reflection, and collaborative goal-setting. The focus is typically on meaning, experience, and self-understanding rather than artistic skill or performance.

Art therapy counselling is not a diagnostic or assessment service. It is not a legal process, an investigation, or a crisis intervention. If you are looking for a formal psychological assessment, Wholesome Psychology offers that as a separate service.

The pace of sessions is set by you, not the therapist. You decide what you are ready to explore and how much you want to share at any point. Confidentiality applies to everything discussed in session, within legal and ethical limits that your therapist will review with you at the start of your work together.

Availability, provider training, and session format for art therapy may vary by clinician. When booking, the admin team can help clarify which clinicians offer art-based work and whether in-person or virtual options are available for this specific service.

Signs That Creative-Based Support May Be Relevant for You

You do not need a diagnosis to explore art therapy. Many people seek this kind of support when they recognize patterns like:

• Feeling unable to put what you are going through into words, even when you want to
• Carrying tension, restlessness, or emotional weight that does not seem to resolve on its own
• Withdrawing from activities, relationships, or creative interests you used to enjoy
• Feeling stuck in repetitive thoughts, emotional numbness, or cycles of stress
• Sensing that something is off but being unable to name exactly what it is
• Wanting to process a difficult experience without being required to narrate it in full
• Noticing that previous approaches to support did not quite reach what needed attention

These are common human responses to stress, loss, transition, and overwhelming experiences. They are not permanent features of who you are. Structured support, including creative-based approaches, can help some people work with these patterns in ways that feel more accessible.

How Treatment Works Here

• Find your therapist. Use the Match with a Therapist tool or browse therapist profiles to find a clinician whose approach fits what you are looking for. You can also call the admin team at 780-904-4880 for guidance on which clinicians offer art-based work.
• Book your first session. Your first appointment is used to review confidentiality and consent, discuss your goals, and begin building a plan together. You will not be asked to dive into anything you are not ready for.
• Build your plan together. Your therapist will collaborate with you on a therapeutic plan that reflects your goals, your pace, and the approaches that feel right. Art-based exercises may be introduced gradually or used from the start, depending on your comfort and preferences.
• Ongoing sessions. Sessions are typically 50 minutes. Most people attend weekly or bi-weekly, though frequency is adjusted based on your needs and preferences.
• Progress check-ins. Your therapist will review progress with you regularly. Plans adapt as your needs change. There is no fixed number of sessions required. Therapy is collaborative, and your voice matters at every stage.

Evidence and Approaches

The research base for art therapy as a standalone clinical intervention is still developing. The evidence summarized below reflects what is currently available and is presented with appropriate caution. Art therapy is best understood as one possible counselling approach, not a universal treatment for specific conditions.

Art Therapy as a Counselling Approach

What it helps with: Art-based work may support reflection, emotional expression, and engagement for people who find verbal-only approaches limiting.

Evidence summary: The World Health Organization (WHO) has acknowledged a broad connection between arts engagement and health outcomes, though this framing covers a wide range of arts activities and is not specific to clinical art therapy (WHO, n.d.). The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) includes art therapy within community mental health programming in some regions, supporting its recognition as a service format within Canadian mental health settings (CMHA, n.d.).

Limitations: The available evidence does not support strong outcome claims for art therapy as a treatment for specific conditions. Most supporting research is broad in scope and does not isolate art therapy from other interventions.

Virtual Delivery of Art-Based Interventions

What it helps with: Remote access to art-based therapeutic work for individuals who cannot attend in-person sessions.

Evidence summary: A scoping review of telehealth in arts therapies found preliminary support for remote delivery, particularly for individuals with neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders, with a notable increase in published research following 2020 (Reitere et al., 2024). The review suggests that telehealth may expand access and provide psychological and emotional benefits in some populations.

Limitations: This review focused on a specific clinical population and does not generalize to all people seeking art therapy. The evidence supports feasibility rather than equivalence with in-person care.

What Results to Expect

Recovery and personal change are not linear. Some people notice shifts in how they feel or relate to their experiences within a few sessions. Others benefit from longer-term work. There is no single timeline that applies to everyone.

Factors that influence outcomes include the nature of what you are working through, your current life circumstances, and the fit between you and your therapist. No therapy guarantees a particular outcome, and art therapy is no exception.

Some people find relief from just 2-3 sessions. Others choose to continue over months. What matters most is that the work feels useful to you. If your current approach or therapist does not feel like the right fit, that is important information, and adjusting course 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. All psychologists at Wholesome Psychology are registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) and follow the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) Code of Ethics.

Confidentiality is also protected under Alberta legislation, including the Health Information Act (HIA) and the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). These laws govern how your personal and health information is collected, used, and disclosed.

There are limited exceptions where a therapist may be required to disclose information:

• 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

Your therapist will explain these limits clearly during your first session. You are welcome to ask questions about confidentiality at any point before sharing anything personal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to describe what happened in detail?

No. You are always in control of what you share and when. Art-based counselling can work with present-day patterns, emotions, and experiences without requiring you to narrate difficult events in full. Your therapist will follow your lead and adjust the pace to what feels manageable for you.

Is what I share kept private?

Yes. Therapy at Wholesome Psychology is confidential, protected by professional ethical standards and Alberta legislation (HIA and PIPA). There are limited legal exceptions, including risk of serious harm and mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse. Your therapist will explain these clearly during your first session. For more detail, see the Confidentiality and Privacy section above.

How many sessions will I need?

There is no fixed number of sessions. Some people benefit from short-term work and notice meaningful shifts within a few sessions. Others prefer longer-term support. Your therapist will review progress with you regularly, and you can adjust the plan as your needs change.

What if the therapist is not the right fit?

Therapeutic fit matters, and not every pairing works. If your therapist does not feel like the right match, 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 clients across Alberta. The same confidentiality standards apply. For art therapy specifically, virtual availability may vary by clinician and session format. The admin team can help confirm what options are available when you book.

Do I need artistic experience or talent?

No. Sessions generally focus on exploration and reflection rather than artistic performance. You do not need to be good at art or to have any prior experience. The creative process is a tool for self-understanding, not a measure of ability.

What is the difference between a psychologist and a counsellor?

Registered psychologists hold graduate-level training in psychology and are regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists. Certified Canadian Counsellors are regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychological Association. Registered Social Workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers. Mental health therapists may work under different regulatory frameworks. All clinicians at Wholesome Psychology follow professional ethical standards. You can learn more about each clinician's background on the Our Therapists page.

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). 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.

Some clinicians may have training in art-based or expressive therapeutic approaches. Because art therapy availability may vary by clinician, it is best to confirm scope and approach when booking. You can browse individual profiles on the Our Therapists page, use the Match with a Therapist tool for guided matching, or call the admin team at 780-904-4880 for help finding the right clinician.

Children and Youth

Art-based counselling is often considered relevant for younger clients because creative process can provide a less verbally demanding way to explore emotions and experiences. Wholesome Psychology offers counselling for children, adolescents, and young people, and therapists working with younger clients use age-appropriate approaches.

Availability of art therapy for children and youth may vary by clinician. When booking for a younger client, confirm with the admin team which clinicians offer art-based work with the relevant age group. Clinicians typically work with caregivers as well, to support the child's environment and progress.

Getting Started

If you are exploring art therapy counselling in Edmonton or St. Albert, you can take the next step at your own pace.

• 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.). Art therapy. CMHA Yukon. Retrieved May 2, 2026, from https://yukon.cmha.ca/programs-services/art-therapy/
• Reitere, S., Duhovska, J., Karkou, V., & Mārtinsone, K. (2024). Telehealth in arts therapies for neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders: A scoping review. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1484726. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1484726
• World Health Organization. (n.d.). Arts and health. Retrieved May 2, 2026, from https://www.who.int/initiatives/arts-and-health
• College of Alberta Psychologists. (2023). Standards of practice. https://www.cap.ab.ca/