Developmentally appropriate counselling for children and young people experiencing worry, fear, avoidance, or anxious distress. In-person sessions in Edmonton and St. Albert. Virtual sessions across Alberta. Registered Psychologists and Registered Provisional Psychologists are regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists. Certified Canadian Counsellors are regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychological Association (CCPA). Mental Health Therapists and Student Therapists also available. In-person and virtual sessions offered.

Book a Session | Match with a Therapist

You Might Be Wondering Whether Anxiety Counselling Is Right for Your Child

You may not be sure whether what your child is going through is something they will simply grow out of, or whether it has become something that needs support. That uncertainty is one of the most common reasons families hesitate before reaching out. Maybe the worry seems too small. Maybe it only shows up at certain times. Maybe you have been told they are "just shy" or "going through a phase," but something still feels off.

Perhaps your child has started avoiding things they used to enjoy, or mornings before school have become tense and drawn out. Maybe bedtime has turned into a cycle of reassurance that never quite settles. You might notice them pulling back from friendships, struggling to speak up in class, or becoming upset about situations that did not used to bother them. These patterns can be hard to name, especially when they build gradually.

These kinds of responses are not signs that something is broken. They often reflect the ways a young person's mind and body are trying to manage something that feels overwhelming. Many children and adolescents experience anxious distress at some point, and the patterns that develop around it can look different at every age.

If you are still deciding whether counselling could help, this page may be a useful place to learn what the process looks like, who it is designed for, and how to take the next step when the time feels right.

Who We Help

This service may be a good fit for:

• Children, tweens, or teens experiencing persistent worry, social fears, separation concerns, specific phobias, school-related anxiety, or avoidance linked with anxious distress
• Young people whose anxiety is affecting school, friendships, sleep, routines, or participation in activities
• Families looking for support in understanding and responding to their child's anxiety patterns
• Caregivers gathering information about therapy options for a young person
• Young people who have tried other forms of support and are looking for a different approach

This service may not be the right fit for:

• Children or youth in immediate crisis or danger (see crisis resources below)
• Families seeking a formal diagnosis, psychoeducational assessment, or school documentation (these may require a separate assessment service)
• Situations where a medico-legal opinion or forensic report is needed
• Young people whose primary concern is a medical condition requiring physician-led treatment

Crisis Guidance

If a child or young person is in immediate danger or cannot stay safe, please contact emergency services. 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 This Service Is

Child and youth anxiety counselling is a structured, collaborative process designed to help young people understand their anxious responses and build skills to manage them. It is not a diagnostic service, a crisis intervention, or a legal or investigative process. If formal assessment, diagnosis, or school documentation is needed, a separate assessment service may be more appropriate.

The pace of counselling is guided by the young person and their family, not by the therapist. Depending on age, preferences, and clinical fit, sessions may include conversation, skills practice, creative methods, or caregiver consultation. The therapist explains confidentiality and its limits at the start of care, so that everyone involved understands how privacy works before anything personal is shared.

Counselling provided by psychologists at this clinic falls within the scope of practice defined by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP). Provisional psychologists practise under the supervision of a senior registered psychologist. Certified Canadian Counsellors are regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychological Association (CCPA). Other clinicians, including Mental Health Therapists, work within their respective scopes of practice and professional standards.

Signs Anxiety May Be Affecting Your Child

Anxiety in children and young people does not always look the way adults expect. It may show up as:

• Persistent worry or difficulty settling after stress
• Avoidance of school, social situations, activities, or new experiences
• Frequent complaints of stomach aches, headaches, or feeling unwell before certain events
• Difficulty separating from caregivers, even in familiar settings
• Repeated need for reassurance that does not seem to help for long
• Trouble sleeping, nightmares, or reluctance to sleep alone
• Irritability, tearfulness, or emotional outbursts that seem out of proportion
• Withdrawal from friendships or reluctance to participate in group activities

Anxiety-related presentations can take different forms, including generalized worry, social anxiety, separation concerns, specific fears, and panic-like experiences (World Health Organization [WHO], 2019). Having some of these experiences does not mean something is permanently wrong. These are common reactions, and structured support can help young people and their families find ways to move through them.

How Treatment Works Here

• Find your therapist. Review therapist profiles, use the Match with a Therapist tool, or call the admin team at 780-904-4880 for guidance on selecting a clinician who works with children and youth.
• Book your first session. The first session typically includes a conversation about confidentiality, consent, current concerns, and goals. The therapist will explain how privacy works for minors, what may be shared with caregivers, and what must be shared for safety or legal reasons.
• Build your plan together. Therapy planning is collaborative and tailored to the young person's age, developmental stage, communication style, and goals. Caregiver involvement is discussed early so that expectations and boundaries are clear.
• Ongoing sessions. Sessions are 50 minutes and typically occur weekly or bi-weekly, adjustable based on progress and the family's needs.
• Progress check-ins. The therapist reviews progress regularly with the young person and, where appropriate, with caregivers. Plans adapt as needs change.

There is no fixed number of sessions. Therapy is collaborative, and the young person's voice matters at every stage. Some people find relief from just 2-3 sessions, while others benefit from longer-term work depending on the nature of the concern and the pace that feels right.

Evidence and Approaches

Counselling for child and youth anxiety may draw from several evidence-informed approaches, depending on the young person's age, presentation, and what feels like a good clinical fit. Below is a summary of approaches commonly used at Wholesome Psychology for anxiety-related concerns.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

What it helps with: Persistent worry, avoidance, social fears, and anxiety patterns that interfere with daily functioning in children and adolescents.

Evidence summary: A Cochrane systematic review found that CBT may reduce anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents compared to waitlist controls, with evidence of remission for some participants (James et al., 2020). A systematic review and meta-analysis also found that CBT effects for prevention and treatment may differ by child age and intervention characteristics (Zhou et al., 2025).

Limitations: Study populations and treatment protocols varied across trials, and evidence quality ranged from low to moderate. Individual responses differ, and CBT may not suit every young person or every type of anxiety presentation.

Behavioural Approaches

What it helps with: Avoidance, specific fears, phobias, and anxiety-driven behavioural patterns where gradual exposure and skill-building may be appropriate.

Evidence summary: Behavioural strategies, including graduated exposure and skills practice, are commonly included within CBT-based protocols studied in systematic reviews of child and adolescent anxiety (James et al., 2020). The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE] (2013) recommends structured psychological interventions that include behavioural components for anxiety presentations.

Limitations: Most evidence on behavioural strategies comes from studies where they are embedded within broader CBT programmes, making it difficult to isolate their independent effects. Readiness for exposure-based work varies by child.

Parent and Caregiver Involvement

What it helps with: Supporting the child's progress by helping caregivers understand anxiety patterns, adjust routines, and build consistency between sessions and home life.

Evidence summary: Research suggests that incorporating parent or caregiver involvement may support outcomes in child and adolescent anxiety treatment, though the optimal level and type of involvement is still debated (Zhou et al., 2025). NICE (2013) guidelines recommend considering family and caregiver engagement as part of treatment planning for young people with anxiety.

Limitations: Evidence on the added benefit of parental involvement is mixed. The role of caregiver participation may depend on the child's age, the nature of the anxiety, and family dynamics.

Emotion Regulation and Developmentally Appropriate Strategies

What it helps with: Difficulty identifying and managing emotions, overwhelm, and anxious distress in younger children or those who may not respond well to talk-based therapy alone.

Evidence summary: Developmentally appropriate interventions that focus on emotional awareness and coping skills are recommended as part of clinical practice for children and youth with anxiety-related concerns (NICE, 2013). The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health [CAMH] (n.d.) emphasizes that youth mental health support should be tailored to the young person's developmental stage and context.

Limitations: Research on emotion regulation as a standalone intervention for child anxiety is emerging. Most evidence is embedded within broader therapeutic programmes rather than studied independently.

What Results to Expect

Recovery is not a straight line, and progress can look different for each child and family. Some young people notice shifts within a few sessions. Others benefit from longer-term support depending on the nature of their experiences, current circumstances, and how the therapeutic relationship develops.

Factors that can influence outcomes include the child's age, the type of anxiety, the stability of their environment, caregiver involvement, and the fit between the young person and their therapist. No therapy guarantees a specific outcome, and results vary from person to person.

If the approach or therapist does not feel like the right fit, that is important information. Changing therapist or trying a different approach is always an option. The admin team can help with that transition at any time.

Confidentiality and Privacy

What is shared in therapy is confidential. Clinicians at Wholesome Psychology are bound by professional standards and by Alberta legislation, including the Health Information Act (HIA) and the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).

All psychologists at the clinic are registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) and adhere to the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) Code of Ethics. These regulatory and professional frameworks define how personal and health information is collected, used, and protected.

There are limited, legally defined exceptions to confidentiality. A clinician may be required to disclose information when:

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

For children and youth, the therapist explains at the start of care how confidentiality works for minors, what information may be shared with caregivers, and what must be disclosed for safety or legal reasons. Caregivers and young people are encouraged to ask questions about privacy before sharing anything personal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my child have to describe what they are feeling in detail?

No. The therapist works at the child's pace and adjusts the approach to their comfort level and developmental stage. For younger children, sessions may focus on activities, skills practice, or caregiver consultation rather than detailed verbal accounts. For older youth, the therapist can work with present-day patterns and coping strategies without requiring a detailed description of every worry. The young person is always in control of how much they share.

Is what my child shares kept private?

Counselling is confidential within legal and ethical limits. The therapist reviews how confidentiality works for minors at the start of care, including what stays private and what may need to be shared if there is a safety concern, suspected abuse or neglect, or a court order. For more detail, see the Confidentiality and Privacy section above.

How many sessions will my child need?

There is no fixed answer. Some young people benefit from short-term work of just a few sessions, while others find longer-term support helpful. Progress is reviewed regularly with the young person and their caregivers, and the plan adjusts based on how things are going. The number of sessions depends on the nature of the concern, the child's age, and the pace that works for the family.

What if the therapist is not the right fit?

Therapeutic fit matters, especially for children and young people. If the match does not feel right, the admin team can help find a different clinician whose style, approach, or personality is a better fit for the young person. 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 and follow the same confidentiality and professional standards as in-person appointments. Some families find virtual sessions more convenient, especially for older youth who may prefer the comfort and privacy of their own space.

Are parents or caregivers always involved in sessions?

Not always. The level of caregiver involvement depends on the young person's age, goals, consent, and what best supports their progress. For younger children, caregivers are often more involved. For adolescents, the therapist may work primarily with the young person and involve caregivers at agreed-upon check-in points. The structure is discussed early so that expectations and privacy boundaries are clear.

What is the difference between counselling and an assessment?

Counselling focuses on understanding patterns, building skills, and working through anxious distress over time. An assessment is a structured evaluation that may result in a formal diagnosis, written report, or documentation for school or other purposes. If your family needs a formal assessment, a separate assessment service may be more appropriate. The two services can complement each other but are distinct in purpose and process.

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). Provisional psychologists practise under the supervision of a senior registered psychologist. 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).

Many clinicians on the team have training in child and adolescent anxiety, emotion regulation, behavioural approaches, and developmentally appropriate therapeutic methods. You can review individual profiles on the Our Therapists page, use the Match with a Therapist tool for guidance, or call the admin team at 780-904-4880.

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 approaches, including play-based techniques, creative methods, and structured skills practice, adjusted to the young person's communication style and comfort level.

Clinicians also work with caregivers to support the child's environment between sessions. This may include discussing routines, communication strategies, or ways to respond when anxiety patterns emerge at home or school. The goal is to build a support structure that extends beyond the therapy room.

Related services include Child and Youth Counselling, Child and Youth Mental Health, and Preparing Children for Therapy.

Getting Started

If you are considering whether counselling could help your child, the next step can be as simple as learning more about how the process works. You can:

• Book a session online
• Match with a therapist
• Call: 780-904-4880
• Email: info@wholesomepsychology.ca
• Read more 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.). Mood and anxiety service for children and youth. Retrieved May 2, 2026, from https://www.camh.ca/
• Canadian Mental Health Association. (n.d.). Children, youth and anxiety. Retrieved May 2, 2026, from https://cmha.ca/
• Canadian Psychological Association. (n.d.). "Psychology Works" fact sheet: Social anxiety. Retrieved May 2, 2026, from https://cpa.ca/
• College of Alberta Psychologists. (2023). Standards of practice. https://www.cap.ab.ca/
• James, A. C., Reardon, T., Soler, A., James, G., & Creswell, C. (2020). Cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (11), CD013162. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD013162.pub2
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2013). Social anxiety disorder: Recognition, assessment and treatment (Clinical Guideline CG159). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg159
• Public Health Agency of Canada. (2016). Report from the Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System: Mood and anxiety disorders in Canada. https://www.canada.ca/
• World Health Organization. (2019). International classification of diseases (11th revision). https://icd.who.int/
• Zhou, S., Creswell, C., Košir, U., & Reardon, T. (2025). Moderators of cognitive and behaviour therapies for prevention and treatment of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 116, 102548. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2025.102548