Counselling for the emotional and practical impact of chronic illness and ongoing pain. Registered psychologists and therapists in Edmonton, St. Albert, and across Alberta (virtual). Regulated professionals, College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP), Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW), Formats, In-person & virtual, All ages.

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You Might Be Wondering Whether Counselling for Chronic Illness and Pain Is Right for You

Maybe you have been told to "just manage it." Maybe you are not sure whether what you are going through is serious enough to talk to someone about, especially when medical teams are already involved. You might be wondering what a therapist could do when the problem lives in your body, not just your mind.

Living with chronic illness or ongoing pain can quietly change everything. You may notice yourself pulling back from plans you used to look forward to, or feeling a low-grade frustration that sits beneath the surface of most days. Sleep may feel broken. Your patience with people you care about may feel thinner than it used to be. The gap between what your life looks like now and what it looked like before the pain or the diagnosis can feel hard to talk about, even with the people closest to you.

These reactions are not a sign that something is wrong with you as a person. They are common responses to living with a body that has changed the rules. Many people who live with chronic conditions carry feelings of grief, isolation, or exhaustion that do not always show on the outside.

If you are considering whether speaking with someone could help, this page may be a useful starting point. You can read on to see what this kind of support involves and whether it feels relevant to your situation.

Who This Service May Be a Good Fit For

Counselling for chronic illness and pain may be helpful if you are:

• Adjusting to a new diagnosis, a progressive condition, or pain that has not resolved
• Experiencing grief, frustration, or sadness related to changes in your health, independence, or daily function
• Feeling isolated or misunderstood because of your health situation
• Struggling with communication in relationships, at work, or with your medical team
• Trying to balance rest, activity, and responsibilities with limited energy
• Supporting a family member or partner who is living with a chronic condition
• Looking for a space to process the emotional weight of living with pain or illness alongside medical care

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

• Seeking medical diagnosis, medication management, or pain medicine. These needs should be addressed with a physician or specialist.
• In need of emergency or crisis support. Please see the crisis resources below.
• Looking for a psychological assessment. Psychological assessments are a separate service at Wholesome Psychology.

If You Need Immediate Support

Wholesome Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact one of the following resources:

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

What Chronic Illness and Pain Counselling Is

Counselling for chronic illness and pain addresses the emotional, relational, and day-to-day impact of health changes (Public Health Agency of Canada [PHAC], n.d.). It is not medical treatment for pain, and it does not replace assessment, diagnosis, or medication management. It is a space to work through the parts of living with a chronic condition that medical appointments do not always have time to address.

Sessions may focus on areas such as coping, adjustment, grief, communication with loved ones or care teams, boundary-setting, self-compassion, and practical planning for daily life within current limits. The pace is always set by you, not the therapist.

Counselling can sit alongside your existing medical care. With your consent, your therapist can coordinate with other providers when that would be helpful.

What is shared in therapy is confidential. Your therapist will review confidentiality and its limits during the first session, before you share anything personal. There are a small number of legal exceptions, which are explained in the confidentiality section below.

Signs Chronic Illness or Pain May Be Affecting Your Emotional Health

Chronic illness and pain can affect much more than your physical health. You may recognize some of these experiences:

• Feeling drained or depleted even after rest
• Withdrawing from activities, friendships, or social plans
• Irritability or frustration that feels disproportionate to the situation
• A sense of loss or grief about the life you had before the condition
• Difficulty explaining to others what you are going through
• Worry about becoming a burden to your family or partner
• Trouble sleeping or changes in appetite
• Feeling like your identity has shifted in ways that are hard to describe

These responses are common among people living with ongoing health challenges. They are not signs of weakness or failure. They are part of the body and mind adjusting to something difficult. Structured support can help you make sense of these patterns and develop ways of responding to them that feel more manageable.

How Treatment Works Here

• Find your therapist. Use the Match with a Therapist tool, browse Our Therapists page, or call the admin team at 780-904-4880 for guidance.
• Book your first session. Your first session includes a review of confidentiality and consent, a conversation about what has been most difficult, and an initial discussion of your goals and preferences.
• Build your plan together. You and your therapist co-create a therapeutic plan based on what matters most to you. This plan is collaborative and adjusts over time.
• Ongoing sessions. Sessions are typically 50 minutes, scheduled weekly or bi-weekly. Frequency can be adjusted as your needs change.
• Progress check-ins. Your therapist reviews progress regularly. If something is not working, the approach or direction can change.

There is no fixed number of sessions. Some people find relief from just 2-3 sessions focused on a specific concern. Others benefit from longer-term support as their health situation evolves. Your voice matters at every stage.

Evidence and Approaches

Counselling for chronic illness and pain may draw from several therapeutic approaches depending on your goals and your therapist's training. The evidence summaries below describe what current research suggests about each approach in the context of chronic pain and chronic illness.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

What it helps with: CBT targets unhelpful thought patterns and behavioural responses that can maintain distress, avoidance, or difficulty coping with pain and illness.

Evidence summary: A systematic review found that CBT is one of the most widely studied psychotherapies for chronic pain, with evidence supporting its role in improving coping and function (Goldsmith et al., 2023). The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE] recommends psychological therapies including CBT as part of the management pathway for chronic primary pain (NICE, 2021).

Limitations: Most CBT research for chronic pain has been conducted in group formats and specialized settings. Individual responses vary, and CBT does not reduce pain intensity in all cases.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

What it helps with: ACT focuses on psychological flexibility, helping people engage in valued activities even when pain or illness is present.

Evidence summary: Research indicates that ACT-based approaches may support functioning and quality of life for people with chronic pain by reducing avoidance and building values-aligned action (Goldsmith et al., 2023). NICE guidelines identify acceptance-based approaches as part of the recommended psychological pathway for chronic primary pain (NICE, 2021).

Limitations: Most ACT research for chronic pain has examined group delivery. Evidence on long-term outcomes and individual formats is still developing.

Mindfulness-Based Approaches

What it helps with: Mindfulness-based strategies support present-moment awareness and a less reactive relationship to pain-related distress.

Evidence summary: Systematic review evidence identifies mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) as a psychotherapy with demonstrated effectiveness for chronic pain outcomes (Goldsmith et al., 2023). NICE recognizes mindfulness as one of the psychological approaches that may be offered as part of chronic pain management (NICE, 2021).

Limitations: Mindfulness research in chronic pain populations varies in quality. Not all individuals find mindfulness-based approaches helpful, and engagement can be a barrier for some.

Grief and Adjustment Counselling

What it helps with: Grief and adjustment work supports people experiencing loss of health, function, identity, or independence due to chronic illness or pain.

Evidence summary: Clinical guidelines and public health resources recognize that grief and adjustment are common psychological responses to chronic illness (PHAC, n.d.). Supportive counselling for these concerns is consistent with recommended practice in chronic condition management.

Limitations: Evidence specific to grief counselling for chronic illness populations is limited compared to evidence for structured approaches such as CBT or ACT. Outcomes vary based on individual circumstances.

What Results to Expect

Recovery and adjustment are rarely linear. Some people notice meaningful shifts within a few sessions, particularly when working on a specific concern such as communication or daily coping. Others benefit from longer-term support, especially when living with a progressive or unpredictable condition.

Factors that influence outcomes include the nature and duration of your health condition, your current circumstances, the strength of your support network, and the fit between you and your therapist. Results vary from person to person, and no specific outcome can be promised.

If a particular approach or therapist does not feel right, that is useful information. Changing direction is always an option, and the admin team can help you find a different clinician.

Confidentiality and Privacy

What you share in therapy is confidential. Depending on their designation, your therapist is accountable to the appropriate professional or certifying body: psychologists are regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP), Certified Canadian Counsellors (CCCs) are regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), and social workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW). Therapists also follow applicable privacy laws, including Alberta's Health Information Act (HIA) and the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).

There are a small number of legal exceptions to confidentiality. Your therapist is required to breach confidentiality if:

• There is a risk of serious harm to you or someone else
• There is reason to suspect abuse or neglect of a child (mandatory reporting under Alberta law)
• Records are required by court order

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to describe what happened or what I am going through in detail?

No. You decide what to share and when. Some people prefer to focus on present-day patterns, such as how pain is affecting their daily routine or relationships, rather than going into detailed history. Your therapist will follow your pace and check in about what feels comfortable.

Is what I share kept private?

Yes. Sessions are confidential within legal and ethical limits. There are a small number of exceptions, including risk of serious harm, concerns about the abuse or neglect of a child, or a court order requiring records. These limits are explained at the beginning of therapy. For more detail, see the confidentiality section above.

How many sessions will I need?

There is no fixed number. Some people find relief from just 2-3 sessions focused on a specific concern. Others benefit from ongoing support, particularly if they are living with a condition that changes over time. Your therapist will review progress regularly, and the plan can be adjusted at any point.

What if the therapist is not the right fit?

Fit matters. If you feel that the therapist or approach is not working for you, that is completely reasonable. The admin team can help you find a different clinician at 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 across Alberta using a secure video platform. The same confidentiality standards apply to virtual and in-person sessions.

Do I need a diagnosis to start counselling?

No. You do not need a mental health diagnosis or a specific medical diagnosis to seek support. Some people come to counselling because a health condition or ongoing pain is affecting daily life, even if the medical picture is still being sorted out.

Can counselling happen alongside medical care?

Yes. Counselling can sit alongside medical treatment, rehabilitation, or other supports. It does not replace medical care. With your consent, your therapist can coordinate with other providers when that would be helpful.

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. Psychologists are regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP). Certified Canadian Counsellors (CCCs) are regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). 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 at the practice have training and experience working with people affected by chronic illness, chronic pain, grief, adjustment, and related concerns.

You can browse individual profiles on the Our Therapists page, use the Match with a Therapist tool, or call 780-904-4880 for help choosing.

Book Chronic Illness and Pain Counselling

If you are considering counselling for the emotional and practical impact of chronic illness or pain, Wholesome Psychology offers collaborative support in Edmonton, St. Albert, and online across Alberta.

• 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

• Goldsmith, E. S., Miller, W. A., Koffel, E., Ullman, K., Landsteiner, A., Stroebel, B., Hill, J., Ackland, P. E., Wilt, T. J., & Duan-Porter, W. (2023). Barriers and facilitators of evidence-based psychotherapies for chronic pain in adults: A systematic review. The Journal of Pain, 24(5), 742–769. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2023.02.026
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2021). Chronic pain (primary and secondary) in over 16s: Assessment of all chronic pain and management of chronic primary pain (NICE Guideline NG193). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng193
• Public Health Agency of Canada. (n.d.). About chronic pain. Government of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/chronic-pain/about-chronic-pain.html
• World Health Organization. (n.d.). ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics. https://icd.who.int/browse/2024-01/mms/en