Supportive, collaborative counselling for children and families in Edmonton, St. Albert, and virtually across Alberta. Registered Psychologists regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists, with supervised clinicians practising under appropriate supervision, In-person and virtual sessions.

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You Might Be Wondering Whether Children's Mental Health Counselling Is Right for Your Family

You may be unsure whether what your child is going through is something that calls for outside support, or whether it is just a phase they will grow out of on their own. That uncertainty is common. Many parents and caregivers spend weeks or months watching, waiting, and wondering before they start looking into counselling.

Maybe your child has become more withdrawn than usual, or their emotions seem bigger and harder to manage than they once were. Perhaps school mornings have turned into something the whole household dreads, or friendships that used to come easily have started to feel difficult. You might notice your child saying things about themselves that concern you, or pulling away from activities they used to enjoy.

These kinds of changes are often a child's way of responding to stress, transition, or experiences they do not yet have the words for. They do not mean something is permanently wrong with your child. They reflect the ways young people adapt when things feel hard, and they are more common than most families realize.

If you are considering whether speaking with someone could help, this page may be a useful starting point. You can read through what this service involves, who it may be a good fit for, and what the practical next steps look like.

Who We Help

This service may be a good fit if:

• Your child is experiencing emotional overwhelm, frequent sadness, or difficulty managing feelings
• You have noticed changes in your child's behaviour, sleep, appetite, or social patterns
• Your child is going through a family transition such as separation, blending households, or grief
• School stress, friendship difficulties, or confidence concerns are affecting your child's daily life
• You want a structured space for your child to talk through experiences that feel hard to sort out at home
• You are a caregiver looking for guidance on how to support a child who is struggling
• Your family wants to explore coping strategies and communication tools together

This service may not be the right fit if:

• Your child is in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health crisis. Please see crisis resources below.
• You are looking for a formal psychological assessment, diagnosis, or psychoeducational evaluation. Child and Youth Assessment Services may be a more appropriate starting point.
• You require forensic, custody, or court-ordered evaluations. These needs fall outside this therapy service.
• Your child requires inpatient, hospital-based, or intensive residential treatment.

Crisis Guidance

If a child is in immediate danger, experiencing a mental health emergency, or there is an immediate risk of harm, please contact one of the following resources:

• 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

Wholesome Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service.

What This Service Is

Children's mental health counselling is a form of talk-based support designed to help children, adolescents, and their families work through emotional, behavioural, and relational concerns in a structured, confidential setting. It is not a diagnostic process, a legal service, or a crisis intervention. It is also separate from formal psychological assessment, which may need to be booked or discussed independently.

Sessions are led by the child's needs and pace. Therapists work collaboratively with children and caregivers to understand what is happening, build coping skills, and strengthen communication. The goal is not to fix a child but to support them in making sense of their experiences and developing ways to move through difficulty.

Confidentiality is a core part of the therapeutic relationship. What is shared in sessions is kept private, with specific legal exceptions that are explained clearly during the first appointment. A more detailed explanation of confidentiality and its limits appears later on this page.

This service does not replace medical care, school-based interventions, or emergency services. It is one part of a broader support picture, and your clinician can help you think through whether additional resources might be useful alongside counselling.

Signs That Your Child's Mental Health May Need Additional Support

Children do not always have the language to tell you what they are feeling. Instead, they often show it. You may notice patterns such as:

• Frequent emotional outbursts or difficulty calming down after becoming upset
• Withdrawal from friends, family, or activities they previously enjoyed
• Changes in sleep, appetite, or energy that last more than a few weeks
• Increased clinginess, separation anxiety, or reluctance to go to school
• Persistent worry, nervousness, or difficulty concentrating
• Negative self-talk or statements suggesting low self-worth
• Behavioural changes that seem out of character or hard to understand
• Physical complaints such as headaches or stomach aches without a clear medical cause

Having some of these experiences does not mean something is permanently wrong with your child. These are common reactions to stress, change, or difficult circumstances. Recognizing them is a sign that you are paying attention to your child's wellbeing. Structured support can help children develop the tools to work through what they are carrying.

How Treatment Works Here

• Find your therapist. Browse clinician profiles on the Our Therapists page or use the Match with a Therapist tool. You can also call the admin team at 780-904-4880 for guidance on finding a good fit.
• Book your first session. The first appointment includes a review of confidentiality and consent, a conversation about what has been happening, and a discussion about what you and your child hope to get from the process.
• Build your plan together. Your therapist works with you and your child to create a plan that fits your family's needs, goals, and circumstances. This plan is collaborative and can change as things develop.
• Ongoing sessions. Follow-up appointments are typically weekly or bi-weekly, adjusted based on your family's needs and schedule. Each session is 50 minutes.
• Progress check-ins. Your therapist reviews progress regularly and adjusts the approach as your child's needs change. There is no fixed number of sessions required.

Therapy is a collaborative process. Your child's voice matters at every stage, and the pace is set by what feels manageable for them. For a broader overview of the process, visit Getting Started with Therapy.

Evidence and Approaches

Wholesome Psychology clinicians draw on evidence-informed approaches tailored to each child's age, developmental stage, and presenting concerns. The approaches listed below are commonly used in children's mental health counselling. Evidence support for each is summarized below based on available research.

Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

What it helps with: CBT can help children identify and work through patterns of thinking and behaviour that contribute to emotional distress.

Evidence summary: CBT is widely referenced in clinical guidelines as a structured approach for children and young people experiencing anxiety, low mood, and stress-related difficulties. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) includes CBT among recommended approaches for children's emotional and social wellbeing in educational and clinical settings.

Limitations: Evidence quality varies across populations and age groups. Younger children may require adapted formats, and outcomes depend on individual factors including therapeutic fit and caregiver involvement.

Play-Based and Developmentally Appropriate Approaches

What it helps with: Play-based approaches help younger children express emotions, process experiences, and build coping skills through age-appropriate activities rather than traditional talk therapy.

Evidence summary: Play therapy and developmentally adapted interventions are widely used in child mental health practice. The Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) has highlighted the importance of age-appropriate mental health care for children and youth in Canadian contexts.

Limitations: The evidence base for play therapy specifically is more limited than for structured approaches such as CBT. Effectiveness can vary depending on the child's needs and the therapist's training.

Family-Inclusive Approaches

What it helps with: Family-inclusive work can support communication between children and caregivers, strengthen attachment, and create a more supportive home environment during difficult periods.

Evidence summary: Research consistently supports the inclusion of caregivers in children's mental health treatment. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) has noted the role of family-aware communication and legal considerations in child and youth mental health contexts.

Limitations: Family dynamics are complex, and not all family members may be willing or available to participate. Outcomes depend on the specific concerns and the readiness of each family member.

Note: The evidence summaries above are based on general references available in the research materials for this page. Detailed systematic review data specific to each modality was not available in the current evidence pack. Claims have been kept conservative to reflect this limitation.

What Results to Expect

Recovery and growth in children's mental health counselling are not linear. Some children begin to feel more settled within a few sessions. Others benefit from longer-term support as they work through more complex experiences.

Some people find relief from just 2-3 sessions, while others may choose to continue for several months. The right timeline depends on the nature of your child's experiences, their current circumstances, the strength of the therapeutic fit, and how the family system responds over time.

No therapy guarantees specific outcomes. What counselling can offer is a structured, safe space for your child to be heard, to develop coping strategies, and to build skills they can carry into daily life. Progress is reviewed regularly, and if something is not working, your therapist will talk openly about adjusting the approach or exploring other options.

Therapeutic fit matters. If your child does not feel comfortable with their therapist, that is worth discussing. Changing clinician or approach is always an option, and the admin team can help facilitate that transition.

Confidentiality and Privacy

What your child shares in therapy is confidential. Registered Psychologists are bound by the ethical standards of the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) and the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) Code of Ethics. Registered Social Workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW). Certified Canadian Counsellors (CCCs) are certified through the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). Privacy protections are also governed by Alberta legislation: the Health Information Act (HIA) and the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).

There are specific legal exceptions where a clinician is required to disclose information:

• When there is a risk of serious harm to the client or another person
• When there is suspected abuse or neglect of a child (mandatory reporting under Alberta law)
• When disclosure is ordered by a court

Your clinician will explain these limits clearly during the first session, before your child shares anything personal. You and your child are welcome to ask questions about confidentiality at any point in the process. For children and adolescents, the boundaries of what is shared with caregivers will also be discussed openly so that everyone understands what to expect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my child have to describe what happened in detail?

No. Your child does not need to recount difficult experiences in detail for counselling to be helpful. Therapists can work with present-day patterns, emotions, and behaviours without requiring a detailed retelling. The pace is always set by what your child is comfortable with, and the therapist will check in regularly about what feels manageable.

Is what my child shares kept private?

Yes. What is discussed in sessions is confidential, with specific legal exceptions: risk of serious harm, suspected child abuse or neglect (mandatory reporting under Alberta law), or a court order. Your clinician will explain these limits during the first session. For more detail, see the Confidentiality and Privacy section above.

How many sessions will my child need?

There is no fixed answer. Some children benefit from a short period of support, while others find longer-term counselling more helpful. Your therapist will review progress regularly and discuss what feels right for your family. The number of sessions depends on the nature of your child's concerns, how they respond to the process, and what goals you set together.

What if the therapist is not the right fit for my child?

Therapeutic fit matters, especially with children. If your child does not feel comfortable or the approach does not seem to be working, that is worth raising with your therapist or the admin team. Finding a different clinician is always an option. New clients may access their first session at 50% off to help find the right therapeutic fit.

Can my child access therapy online?

Yes. Virtual sessions are available across Alberta. The same confidentiality standards and clinical approaches apply to virtual appointments. Virtual sessions can be a good option for families in rural areas, those with scheduling constraints, or children who feel more comfortable in their home environment.

What if my child is still in an unsafe situation?

If your child is currently in danger, please contact 911 or the Family Violence Info Line (Alberta) at 310-1818. Counselling is designed for ongoing support, not crisis intervention. If your child is safe but has experienced harm, counselling can help them process those experiences at their own pace. Your therapist can also discuss safety planning as part of the therapeutic process.

Do I need a referral to book?

No referral is required. You can book directly through the online booking system, use the Match with a Therapist tool, or call 780-904-4880 to speak with the admin team.

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

Many clinicians on the team have training and experience working with children, adolescents, and families across a range of concerns including emotional regulation, family transitions, school-related stress, and coping after difficult experiences. You can view individual profiles and areas of focus on the Our Therapists page, or use the Match with a Therapist tool for help choosing. The admin team is also available at 780-904-4880 to help you find a clinician who is a good fit for your child.

Children and Youth

Wholesome Psychology offers counselling for children, adolescents, and young people. Therapists working with younger clients use age-appropriate approaches that respect the child's developmental stage and communication style. For younger children, this may include play-based or creative methods rather than traditional talk therapy.

Clinicians also work with caregivers to support the child's broader environment. This can include guidance on communication strategies, understanding behavioural changes, and creating consistency between sessions and home life. Caregiver involvement is discussed at intake and adjusted based on the child's age, goals, and clinical needs.

Related resources: Preparing Children for Therapy | Child and Youth Anxiety | Adolescent Mental Health

Getting Started

If you are exploring children's mental health counselling in Edmonton or St. Albert, a practical next step is to review therapist profiles, try the matching tool, or speak with the admin team about your child's needs.

• Book a session online
• Match with a Therapist
• Call: 780-904-4880
• Email: info@wholesomepsychology.ca
• 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

• Canadian Mental Health Association. (n.d.). Understanding common legal issues in child and youth mental health. Retrieved May 2, 2026, from https://www.cmha.ca/
• Canadian Psychological Association. (n.d.). Mental health care for Canadian children and youth. https://www.cpa.ca/
• College of Alberta Psychologists. (2023). Standards of Practice. https://www.cap.ab.ca/
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (n.d.). Social, emotional and mental wellbeing in primary and secondary education. https://www.nice.org.uk/