Counselling for people experiencing dissociation or living with a dissociative disorder. Confidential, collaborative, and paced to your comfort. Registered Psychologists regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists, Certified Canadian Counsellors (CCCs) regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychological Association, and Registered Social Workers regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers. In-person in Edmonton and St. Albert. Virtual across Alberta.

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You Might Be Wondering Whether Dissociative Disorders Counselling Is Right for You

Maybe you have been reading about dissociation online, and you are still not sure whether what you experience actually fits. You might wonder whether losing track of time, feeling detached from your own body, or having stretches where your memory seems patchy are just stress, tiredness, or something everyone deals with quietly. That uncertainty is a reasonable place to be.

Some people notice that they zone out during conversations, feel as though they are watching their life from behind glass, or struggle to recall parts of their day or even longer stretches of time. Others find it hard to stay present during stressful moments, or feel a confusing sense of disconnection from emotions that used to come naturally. These experiences can be isolating, especially when they are difficult to explain to the people around you.

These kinds of responses are not signs that something is permanently broken. They often reflect the ways a person's mind and body have learned to cope with overwhelm, stress, or difficult experiences. Whether or not a specific diagnosis applies, the patterns themselves can be addressed in counselling.

If you are considering whether speaking with someone could be useful, this page may help you understand what dissociative disorders counselling involves, what to expect, and how to get started. You do not need a diagnosis or a clear explanation of why these things are happening to reach out.

Who This Service May Be a Good Fit For

This service may suit people who:

• Experience recurring disconnection, detachment, or difficulty staying grounded
• Have been diagnosed with a dissociative disorder and want collaborative, ongoing support
• Notice memory gaps, emotional numbing, or a sense of watching their life from the outside
• Want to build practical skills for managing day-to-day functioning while working through deeper concerns
• Are uncertain about what they are experiencing and want a space to talk it through
• Are gathering information on behalf of a family member or loved one

This service may not be the right fit if you:

• Are in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health emergency. Please use the crisis resources below.
• Need a forensic or legal assessment. Psychological assessments are a separate service.
• Require inpatient or hospital-level care. A therapist can discuss referral options if that level of support is needed.

Crisis Resources

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

• 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 Dissociative Disorders Counselling Is

Dissociative disorders are recognized diagnostic categories in the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11). The grouping includes conditions such as dissociative amnesia, depersonalization-derealization disorder, dissociative identity disorder, partial dissociative identity disorder, trance disorder, and other specified or unspecified forms (World Health Organization [WHO], 2026). These categories describe patterns of disrupted awareness, memory, identity, or perception that go beyond ordinary absent-mindedness or daydreaming.

This page is general information. It cannot determine whether a particular diagnosis applies to you. A fuller clinical process, which may include formal assessment, is needed for that. If assessment or diagnostic questions come up, they can be discussed in session or through a separate assessment service.

Counselling for dissociative disorders is outpatient therapy. It is not hospital care, crisis response, or a substitute for emergency services. It is also not a legal service or investigative process. The pace is set by you, not the therapist. When needs fall outside routine outpatient therapy, a therapist can discuss referral or coordination options.

Confidentiality applies to everything shared in session, with specific legal exceptions explained in the Confidentiality and Privacy section below.

Signs Dissociation May Be Affecting You

People experiencing dissociation often describe these kinds of patterns:

• Feeling disconnected from your body, emotions, or surroundings, as if watching yourself from a distance
• Gaps in memory for parts of your day, conversations, or even longer periods of time
• Difficulty staying present during stressful situations or when reminded of difficult experiences
• A sense that the world around you seems unreal, foggy, or dreamlike
• Losing track of time in ways that feel different from ordinary distraction
• Finding evidence of actions you do not remember taking, such as messages sent or items moved
• Emotional numbness or a flat, muted quality to feelings that used to feel vivid
• Trouble concentrating at work, school, or in caregiving responsibilities
• Pulling away from relationships without fully understanding why

Having these experiences does not mean something is permanently wrong. Many of these patterns reflect how the mind adapts under stress or after difficult events. Structured support can help you understand what is happening and build practical ways to manage it.

How Treatment Works Here

• Find your therapist. Browse therapist profiles or use the Match with a Therapist tool to find someone whose background fits your needs. You can also call the admin team at 780-904-4880 for guidance.
• Book your first session. The first appointment covers confidentiality, consent, your current concerns, relevant history, and your goals for counselling. You will also have a chance to talk about pacing and comfort with the process.
• Build your plan together. Your therapist will work with you to create a therapeutic plan. This is collaborative. You have a say in what gets addressed and when.
• Ongoing sessions. Sessions are 50 minutes, typically held weekly or bi-weekly. Frequency is adjusted based on what works for you.
• Progress check-ins. Your therapist reviews progress regularly. Plans are adapted as your needs change, and the approach can shift if something is not working.

There is no fixed number of sessions. Some people benefit from a focused period of work; others find longer-term support more helpful. Your voice matters at every stage.

Evidence and Approaches

Research on treatments specifically for dissociative disorders is still limited. A Cochrane systematic review examining psychosocial interventions for conversion and dissociative disorders found that the available evidence was of low or very low quality, and concluded that more research is needed before firm recommendations can be made (Ganslev et al., 2020). This means that treatment descriptions here are intentionally cautious and focused on the therapeutic process rather than specific outcomes.

Phase-Oriented Treatment

What it helps with: Building stability and daily functioning before addressing more distressing material at a manageable pace.

Evidence summary: A systematic review examined the effectiveness of phase-oriented treatment for trauma-related dissociative disorders (Griffiths et al., 2025). The review found that this paced, staged approach is consistent with clinical guidance for working with dissociation, though the authors noted that the certainty of available findings remains limited and further research is warranted.

Limitations: Most studies reviewed had small sample sizes, and the evidence base for this approach remains emerging rather than established. Individual responses vary.

Grounding and Stabilization Skills

What it helps with: Reducing the frequency and intensity of dissociative episodes by strengthening the ability to stay present during stress.

Evidence summary: Grounding and stabilization are widely used as foundational components of care for people experiencing dissociation (Griffiths et al., 2025). These skills may include sensory grounding techniques, routine-building, emotion regulation, and strategies for managing triggers. Clinical literature supports their use as a first phase of treatment before deeper therapeutic work begins.

Limitations: Grounding techniques are a clinical practice component rather than a standalone treatment with its own body of controlled trials. Effectiveness varies between individuals.

Trauma-Informed Approaches (When Relevant)

What it helps with: Addressing trauma-related patterns that may underlie or worsen dissociative experiences, at a pace that respects the client's safety and readiness.

Evidence summary: When post-traumatic stress symptoms coexist with dissociation, clinical guidelines recommend that care be trauma-informed and carefully paced (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE], 2018). Not all dissociation is caused by trauma, and a therapist does not assume a single explanation. However, when trauma is part of the picture, a graduated approach can help reduce avoidance and build a greater sense of safety.

Limitations: The NICE guideline addresses PTSD specifically, not dissociative disorders as a primary condition. Applying these recommendations to dissociative presentations requires clinical judgement. Not every person with a dissociative disorder has a trauma history.

What Results to Expect

Recovery from patterns of dissociation is not linear. Some people notice shifts in their day-to-day functioning within a few sessions. Others find that deeper work unfolds over a longer period, with progress that is sometimes hard to see in the moment but becomes clearer over time.

Factors that influence how counselling goes include the nature and duration of your experiences, your current circumstances and support network, and how well the therapeutic relationship fits. Some people find relief from just 2-3 sessions focused on grounding and practical strategies. Others benefit from ongoing work that addresses underlying patterns.

No therapy guarantees outcomes. Research in this area is still developing, and results vary from person to person. What counselling can offer is a structured, collaborative space to work on the patterns that are affecting your life, with the flexibility to change direction or therapist if something is not working.

Confidentiality and Privacy

What you share in therapy is confidential. Your therapist is bound by the ethical standards of their applicable regulatory or professional body, including the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) for Registered Psychologists, the Canadian Counselling and Psychological Association (CCPA) for Certified Canadian Counsellors (CCCs), and the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) for Registered Social Workers, as applicable. Confidentiality is also protected under Alberta legislation: the Health Information Act (HIA) and the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).

There are limited legal exceptions to confidentiality. Your therapist is required to disclose information when:

• There is a risk of serious harm to you or someone else
• There is suspected abuse or neglect of a child (mandatory reporting under Alberta law)
• Disclosure is ordered by a court

Your therapist will explain these limits clearly during your 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 in detail?

No. Counselling does not require you to recount difficult experiences in detail, especially early on. Your therapist can work with present-day patterns, grounding skills, and day-to-day challenges without pushing you to revisit the past before you are ready. The pace is always yours to set.

Is what I share kept private?

Yes. What you discuss in therapy is confidential, protected by the standards of your therapist's applicable regulatory or professional body, including CAP for Registered Psychologists, CCPA for Certified Canadian Counsellors (CCCs), and ACSW for Registered Social Workers, as applicable, as well as Alberta's Health Information Act (HIA) and Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). There are limited legal exceptions, including risk of serious harm, suspected child abuse or neglect, and court orders. These are explained in full in the Confidentiality and Privacy section above.

How many sessions will I need?

There is no fixed number. Some people find that a few focused sessions help them build grounding skills and manage day-to-day patterns more effectively. Others benefit from longer-term work that addresses underlying concerns over time. Your therapist will check in on progress regularly, and you can adjust the plan as you go.

What if the therapist is not the right fit?

Fit matters. If the relationship does not feel right, the admin team can help you find a different clinician within the practice. You do not need to explain your reasons in detail. 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 anyone located in Alberta. The same confidentiality standards apply whether you attend in-person or online. You can book virtual sessions through the online booking system.

Do I need a diagnosis before booking?

No. You do not need a prior diagnosis to reach out. Many people contact us because of patterns or experiences they want to understand better, not because they already have a clinical label. If diagnostic or assessment questions come up during therapy, those can be discussed in session or through a separate assessment process.

Is counselling for dissociation always trauma therapy?

Not necessarily. Trauma may be relevant for some people, but a therapist does not assume a single explanation. Counselling can focus on current functioning, grounding, safety, and context while the picture becomes clearer over time. If trauma is part of the picture, the approach can incorporate trauma-informed strategies at a pace that feels manageable.

What if I am still in an unsafe situation?

If you are currently in an unsafe environment, your safety is the priority. A therapist can help you think through safety planning and connect you with appropriate resources. If you are in immediate danger, please contact 911 or the Family Violence Info Line at 310-1818 (24/7, toll-free). Counselling can still be helpful alongside safety planning, but it is not a substitute for emergency support.

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 registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP), Certified Canadian Counsellors (CCCs) are regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychological Association (CCPA), and 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 in areas related to dissociation, trauma, and stress-related presentations. You can review individual profiles on the Our Therapists page, or use the Match with a Therapist tool for guidance finding the right fit. The admin team is also available at 780-904-4880 to help you choose.

Children and Youth

Dissociative experiences can also affect children, adolescents, and young people, particularly in the context of stress, trauma, or family disruption. Wholesome Psychology offers counselling for younger clients, with therapists who use age-appropriate approaches tailored to the child's developmental stage.

Clinicians working with children and youth collaborate with caregivers to support the child's recovery environment. If you are a parent or guardian seeking support for a young person, you can call the admin team at 780-904-4880 or use the Match with a Therapist tool to find a clinician experienced with younger clients.

Getting Started

If you are exploring counselling for dissociative experiences, you can take the next step whenever you are ready.

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

• Ganslev, C. A., Storebø, O. J., Callesen, H. E., Ruddy, R., & Søgaard, U. (2020). Therapeutic and social interventions for conversion and dissociative disorders. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (7), CD005331. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD005331.pub3
• Griffiths, T. A., Dimitrova, L. I., Linington, M., Terhune, D. B., & Reinders, A. A. T. S. (2025). Effectiveness of phase-oriented treatment for trauma-related dissociative disorders: A systematic review. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 16(1), 2545734. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008066.2025.2545734
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2018). Post-traumatic stress disorder (NICE Guideline NG116). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng116
• Stephenson, E. (2023). Mental disorders and access to mental health care. Statistics Canada. https://www.statcan.gc.ca/
• World Health Organization. (2026). ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics. https://icd.who.int/
• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. (n.d.). Psychotherapy. Retrieved May 5, 2026, from https://www.camh.ca/
• Canadian Mental Health Association. (n.d.). Mental health facts in Canada. Retrieved May 5, 2026, from https://cmha.ca/find-info/mental-health/general-info/fast-facts/