Supportive, developmentally appropriate counselling for children and teens affected by stress, adversity, or traumatic experiences. Registered Psychologists are regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists; supervised clinicians practise under applicable supervision. In-person and virtual sessions across Alberta.

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You Might Be Wondering Whether Child and Youth Stress and Trauma Counselling Is Right for Your Family

You may be unsure whether what your child went through was serious enough to need professional support. Maybe you have been watching them struggle and wondering if this is just a phase they will grow out of, or whether something deeper is going on. That uncertainty is one of the most common reasons parents and caregivers hesitate before reaching out.

Perhaps your child has started pulling away from friends or activities they used to enjoy. Maybe bedtime has become a battle, or their reactions to small frustrations seem bigger than they used to be. You might notice them shutting down when certain topics come up, or you might sense a heaviness in them that you cannot quite name. These patterns can be confusing, especially when the difficult experience happened weeks or months ago and you expected things to settle by now.

These responses are not signs that something is permanently wrong with your child. They often reflect the ways a young person's mind and body have adapted to protect them after something overwhelming. They are common reactions to difficult experiences, and they make sense given what your child has been through.

If you are considering whether speaking with someone could help, this page may be a useful starting point. You can read on to learn what this kind of support involves, who it may be suited for, and what getting started looks like.

Who We Help

This service may be a good fit for:

• Children and teens experiencing emotional, behavioural, or relational changes after a stressful, frightening, or overwhelming experience
• Young people who have witnessed or been exposed to family violence, abuse, sudden loss, accidents, or other adversity
• Families noticing withdrawal, sleep difficulties, irritability, school avoidance, or emotional intensity that does not seem to ease with time
• Parents or caregivers who want support in understanding and responding to their child's stress reactions
• Teens who want a confidential space to process difficult experiences at their own pace

This service may not be the right fit for:

• Children or youth in immediate danger or crisis. If your child is at risk of harming themselves or someone else, please use crisis resources listed below.
• Situations requiring forensic assessment, court-ordered evaluations, or legal documentation. Psychological assessments are a separate service.
• Perpetrator intervention programming. The admin team at 780-904-4880 may be able to help with referrals.

If Immediate Help Is Needed

If a child or youth is in immediate danger, may harm themselves, or may harm someone else, contact emergency services right away. Wholesome Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service.

• 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

What This Service Is

Child and youth stress and trauma counselling is a therapeutic service that provides a structured, supportive space for young people affected by difficult or overwhelming experiences. Sessions are guided by the child's developmental stage, comfort level, and goals. The pace is always set by the client, not the therapist.

This service is not a legal process, an investigation, or a crisis intervention. It is not a substitute for emergency medical care or school crisis services. It is also not a psychological assessment. If formal assessment is needed, that is a separate clinical process.

Confidentiality is discussed at the very beginning of care. What your child shares in therapy is kept private, with specific legal exceptions that the therapist will explain clearly. More detail on confidentiality and its limits appears later on this page.

Sessions may focus on building coping skills, understanding stress responses, improving emotional regulation, and strengthening communication within the family. The specific approach depends on the clinician, the child's age, and the goals of care.

Signs Stress and Trauma May Be Affecting Your Child

Young people do not always have the language to describe what they are experiencing. Instead, stress and trauma often show up as changes in behaviour, mood, or daily functioning. You might notice patterns such as:

• Difficulty sleeping, frequent nightmares, or resistance to bedtime
• Increased irritability, anger, or emotional reactions that seem out of proportion
• Withdrawal from friends, family, or activities they previously enjoyed
• Difficulty concentrating at school or a noticeable drop in academic performance
• Physical complaints such as stomachaches or headaches without a clear medical cause
• Avoidance of places, people, or conversations that are connected to the difficult experience
• Clinginess, separation anxiety, or regressive behaviours in younger children
• Shutting down emotionally or seeming numb and disconnected

Having these experiences does not mean something is permanently wrong with your child. These are common responses to overwhelming events, and they reflect the ways a young person's nervous system adapts under stress. With the right support, many children and teens develop new ways to manage these reactions over time.

How Treatment Works Here

• Find your therapist. Browse clinician profiles on the Our Therapists page or use the Match with a Therapist tool to find someone suited to your child's age, needs, and preferences. You can also call the admin team at 780-904-4880 for guidance.
• Book your first session. Book online or call 780-904-4880. The first session includes a discussion of confidentiality, consent, and goals. It is a chance for the therapist, the young person, and the family to see whether the fit feels right.
• Build your plan together. The therapeutic plan is co-created. The therapist works with the child or teen (and caregivers where appropriate) to identify what matters most and how to approach it. This is a collaborative process.
• Ongoing sessions. Sessions are typically 50 minutes and may be scheduled weekly or bi-weekly, depending on what works for the family. Frequency can be adjusted as things progress.
• Progress check-ins. The therapist reviews progress regularly and adapts the plan as needs change. There is no fixed number of sessions. Therapy continues as long as it is helpful.

Evidence and Approaches

Research on psychological therapies for trauma-related difficulties in children and adolescents has been growing. Below is a summary of the approaches most commonly studied in this area, along with what the evidence shows. Approaches used at Wholesome Psychology vary by clinician, the child's age, and the goals of care.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT)

What it helps with: TF-CBT is designed to help children and young people process distressing memories and develop coping strategies after traumatic experiences.

Evidence summary: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, 2018) recommends individual TF-CBT for children and young people with clinically important symptoms of PTSD. A Cochrane systematic review found that psychological therapies, including CBT-based approaches, may help reduce PTSD symptoms in children and adolescents (Gillies et al., 2022). A more recent systematic review also supported the clinical efficacy of CBT-based interventions for youth PTSD (Gkintoni et al., 2024).

Limitations: Study quality varies, and most trials have been conducted in specific populations. Individual responses differ, and TF-CBT may not suit every child or situation.

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

What it helps with: EMDR is a structured therapy that helps people process distressing memories by pairing guided eye movements with recall of traumatic material.

Evidence summary: NICE (2018) guidelines suggest considering EMDR for children and young people aged 7 to 17 with PTSD symptoms who have not responded to, or have difficulty engaging with, trauma-focused CBT. The Gkintoni et al. (2024) systematic review included EMDR among the psychotherapeutic modalities studied for youth PTSD, noting varied levels of evidence across approaches.

Limitations: The evidence base for EMDR in children is smaller than for TF-CBT. NICE positions it as a second-line option for young people in this context. More research is needed on its effectiveness across different age groups and trauma types.

Supportive and Integrative Psychotherapy

What it helps with: Supportive and integrative approaches aim to build emotional safety, strengthen coping, and help young people develop language for their experiences at a developmentally appropriate pace.

Evidence summary: The Cochrane review by Gillies et al. (2022) examined a range of psychological therapies for PTSD in children and adolescents and found evidence that therapy, broadly defined, may reduce trauma-related symptoms. The Canadian Psychological Association (CPA, 2020) notes that psychological treatment for PTSD generally includes building coping skills and processing traumatic material at the client's pace.

Limitations: Evidence for specific integrative or supportive models in youth populations is less well-established than for manualised trauma-focused CBT. Outcomes depend on the quality of the therapeutic relationship and the child's readiness.

Family and Caregiver Involvement

What it helps with: Including parents or caregivers in the therapeutic process can help strengthen the child's recovery environment and improve communication within the family.

Evidence summary: NICE (2018) recommends that TF-CBT for children include a parental or caregiver component. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC, 2025) and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH, n.d.) both note the role of social support and family involvement in recovery from trauma.

Limitations: The structure and extent of caregiver involvement should be tailored to each situation. Not all family configurations or dynamics support the same level of participation, and the child's consent and comfort remain central.

What Results to Expect

Recovery from stress and trauma is not a straight line. Some children and teens notice meaningful shifts within a few sessions. Others benefit from longer-term support, particularly when the experiences were repeated or complex. Some people find relief from just 2-3 sessions.

Several factors influence how therapy progresses, including the nature and timing of the difficult experiences, the child's current support system, their developmental stage, and the quality of the therapeutic fit. No therapy guarantees specific outcomes, and progress can look different from one week to the next.

If the therapeutic fit does not feel right, it is always an option to try a different clinician or adjust the approach. The Match with a Therapist tool and the admin team at 780-904-4880 can help with this.

Confidentiality and Privacy

What your child shares in therapy is confidential. Registered Psychologists at Wholesome Psychology are bound by the ethical standards of the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) and the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) Code of Ethics. Other clinicians follow the ethical standards applicable to their registration or certification. Privacy is protected under Alberta's Health Information Act (HIA) and the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).

There are legal exceptions to confidentiality. A therapist is required to break confidentiality when:

• There is a risk of serious harm to the client or to someone else
• There is suspected abuse or neglect of a child (mandatory reporting under Alberta law)
• A court order compels disclosure

These limits are explained clearly during the first session, before any personal information is shared. Your child and your family are welcome to ask questions about confidentiality at any point in the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my child have to describe what happened in detail?

No. The therapist will never force a child to recount distressing events before they are ready. Many effective approaches focus on present-day coping, emotional regulation, and gradual processing at a pace that feels safe. Your child has control over what they share and when.

Is what my child shares kept private?

Yes, with specific legal exceptions. Confidentiality is a core principle of therapy, and Registered Psychologists at Wholesome Psychology follow the ethical standards set by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) under Alberta's Health Information Act (HIA) and Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). Other clinicians follow the ethical standards applicable to their registration or certification. Exceptions include situations involving risk of serious harm, suspected child abuse or neglect, and court orders. These limits are explained before any personal information is shared. See the Confidentiality and Privacy section above for more detail.

How many sessions will my child need?

There is no fixed answer. Some children benefit from short-term work, while others find longer-term support more helpful. The therapist reviews progress regularly and adjusts the plan in collaboration with the family. Factors such as the nature of the experiences, the child's age, and their current support system all influence how therapy unfolds.

What if the therapist is not the right fit?

Fit matters. If the relationship between the therapist and your child does not feel right, the admin team can help find a different clinician within the practice. You can also use the Match with a Therapist tool to explore other options. New clients may access their first session at 50% off to help find the right therapeutic fit.

Can we access therapy online?

Yes. Virtual sessions are available across Alberta with the same confidentiality standards as in-person care. Virtual therapy can be a good option for families in rural areas, those with scheduling constraints, or teens who feel more comfortable in their own space.

What if my child is still in an unsafe situation?

If your child is in immediate danger, contact 911 or the Family Violence Info Line at 310-1818 (24/7, toll-free). Therapy can still be helpful alongside safety planning, but safety comes first. The therapist can work with you to understand what supports are available and appropriate. Wholesome Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service.

Do I need a referral?

No referral is needed to book. You can book directly online, call 780-904-4880, or use the Match with a Therapist tool to get started.

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 (CCCs) 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 on the team have training and experience working with children, youth, trauma, family stress, and related concerns. You can view individual profiles on the Our Therapists page, or use the Match with a Therapist tool for guidance. The admin team at 780-904-4880 can also help match your child with a clinician who fits their needs.

Working with Children and Youth

Wholesome Psychology offers counselling for children, adolescents, and young people across a range of ages and developmental stages. Therapists working with younger clients use age-appropriate methods, including play-based, creative, and conversational approaches depending on the child's comfort and developmental level.

Clinicians also work with parents and caregivers to support the child's recovery environment. This might include helping caregivers understand trauma responses, strengthening communication, and building a sense of safety and predictability at home. The extent of caregiver involvement is tailored to each family and always respects the young person's needs and consent.

Related services include Child and Youth Counselling, Trauma Therapy, and Parenting Support.

Getting Started

If you are considering whether child and youth stress and trauma counselling may be helpful for your family, you can take the next step in whichever way feels most comfortable:

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

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.). Trauma. Retrieved March 6, 2026, from https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/trauma
• Canadian Mental Health Association. (n.d.). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Retrieved March 6, 2026, from https://www.cmha.ca/
• Canadian Psychological Association. (2020). "Psychology Works" fact sheet: Post-traumatic stress disorder. https://cpa.ca/psychology-works-fact-sheet-post-traumatic-stress-disorder/
• Gillies, D., Taylor, F., Gray, C., O'Brien, L., & D'Abrew, N. (2022). Psychological therapies for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (4), CD006726. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD006726.pub2
• Gkintoni, E., Kourkoutas, E., Yotsidi, V., Stavrou, P. D., & Prinianaki, D. (2024). Clinical efficacy of psychotherapeutic interventions for post-traumatic stress disorder in children and adolescents: A systematic review and analysis. Children, 11(5), 579. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11050579
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2018). Post-traumatic stress disorder (NICE Guideline NG116). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng116
• Public Health Agency of Canada. (2025). About trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/about-trauma-post-traumatic-stress-disorder.html
• 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). https://doi.org/10.25318/82-003-X202400900002-eng
• World Health Organization. (2025). ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics: Disorders specifically associated with stress. https://icd.who.int/browse/2025-01/mms/en