Private, client-paced counselling for people affected by sexual abuse or assault, whether it happened last week or many years ago. Registered Psychologists and Registered Provisional Psychologists regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP). In-person sessions in Edmonton and St. Albert. Virtual sessions across Alberta.

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You Might Be Wondering Whether Sexual Abuse and Assault Counselling Is Right for You

You may be questioning whether what happened counts. Maybe it involved someone you knew or trusted. Maybe you froze, or went along with it, or it happened so long ago that you have told yourself it should not matter anymore. You might not even have a word for it yet.

You might notice that certain places, smells, or kinds of touch put you on edge without warning. You might be keeping busy so you do not have to think, or pulling away from people who have not done anything wrong. Some people carry a quiet shame they cannot explain, or find that closeness with a partner has become complicated.

These reactions make sense. They reflect the ways your mind and body have adapted to protect you after something harmful. They do not mean something is permanently wrong with you.

Some people who find this page are ready to talk to someone. Others are still deciding, are looking for information for a partner, friend, or child, or are not safe at home right now. If that last one is you, the crisis resources below are a better place to start. If you are considering whether speaking with someone could help, you may wish to read on and see what this kind of support looks like.

Who We Help

Counselling here is open to people of any age, gender, or background who have been affected by unwanted sexual contact or experiences.

This support may be a good fit if you:

• Experienced sexual abuse or assault recently, years ago, or in childhood
• Are unsure whether what happened "counts" and want a private place to think it through
• Were harmed by a partner, family member, friend, coworker, or someone you did not know
• Have noticed effects on your sleep, relationships, intimacy, work, or how you see yourself
• Have never told anyone, or told someone and it did not go well
• Are supporting a partner, child, or family member and want guidance for yourself
• Are a parent or caregiver looking for support for a child or teen (see Children and Youth)

This service may not be the right fit if you:

• Are in immediate danger or thinking about ending your life. Please use the crisis resources below first.
• Need medical care, a forensic exam, or evidence collection after an assault. These are medical services, and a hospital emergency department or your doctor is the place to start.
• Need legal advice, help with a police report, or a report for court. Counselling is not a legal or investigative service. Psychological assessments are a separate service and are not part of this counselling. If you are looking for one, see PTSD and trauma assessment.
• Are looking for help with concerns about your own sexual behaviour toward others. This page describes support for people who have experienced harm. You can contact our admin team to ask about other options.

If You Need Help Right Now

Counselling sessions are booked ahead of time and cannot respond to an emergency. If you are in danger or need urgent support, these services can help:

• 911 if you are in immediate danger or need urgent medical care
• Alberta Mental Health Help Line: 1-877-303-2642 (24/7)
• Family Violence Info Line (Alberta): 310-1818 (24/7, toll-free)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 9-8-8 (24/7, anywhere in Canada)

Wholesome Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service.

What Sexual Abuse and Assault Counselling Is, and What It Is Not

Sexual abuse and assault counselling offers a private, collaborative space to talk about what happened, how it is affecting you now, and what you would like to be different. Sessions may touch on boundaries, relationships and trust, emotions, coping with reminders, sleep, or questions about identity and next steps. You choose what to bring in.

Counselling here is shaped by a trauma- and violence-informed approach. Canadian public health guidance describes this kind of care as focusing on emotional and physical safety, choice, collaboration, and building on a person's strengths (Public Health Agency of Canada [PHAC], n.d.). In practice, that means you set the pace. You do not need to share details before you are ready, and you can say "not today" to any topic.

This service is not:

• Emergency or crisis care
• A legal service, police process, or investigation. Your therapist will not decide for you whether to report.
• Medical or forensic care
• A psychological assessment. Assessments are a separate service.

Each clinician works within the scope of their own professional registration and training. If you need something outside that scope, such as medication or medical care, your therapist can talk with you about where to turn. What you share is confidential, with some legal limits that are explained in the Confidentiality and Privacy section below and reviewed in your first session.

Signs Sexual Abuse or Assault May Be Affecting You

Sexual abuse and assault affect people in different ways and at different times. Trauma has an individual impact. Many people find their reactions ease in the weeks after a traumatic event, while for others they stay or grow stronger over time (Canadian Psychological Association [CPA], 2020).

You may recognize some of these patterns:

• Memories, images, or dreams that show up when you do not want them
• Feeling on guard or jumpy, especially in certain places or around certain people
• Avoiding reminders, such as places, conversations, or kinds of touch
• Blaming yourself, or replaying what you "should" have done differently
• Shame or embarrassment that makes it hard to tell anyone
• Feeling numb, cut off, or far away from people you care about
• Changes in how you feel about intimacy, your body, or being touched
• Trouble sleeping or concentrating
• Leaning more on alcohol, work, or staying busy to get through the day

Having some of these experiences does not mean something is permanently wrong with you, and it does not mean you have a particular diagnosis. They are common reactions to something harmful. Structured support can help you understand these patterns and find ways to cope, at a pace that feels manageable.

How Treatment Works Here

• Find your therapist. Browse our therapists' profiles or use the Match with a Therapist tool. You can also call our admin team at 780-904-4880 for help choosing. You are welcome to mention any preferences, such as a therapist's gender.
• Book your first session. Your therapist will go over consent and confidentiality, including its limits, ask what brings you in, and talk with you about your goals. You do not need to describe what happened in detail.
• Build your plan together. You and your therapist decide what to focus on and which approaches feel like a good fit. Talking about an approach does not commit you to it.
• Ongoing sessions. Sessions are 50 minutes, usually weekly or every two weeks, and can be adjusted to your needs and schedule.
• Progress check-ins. Your therapist will check in regularly about what is helping and what is not. Plans can change as your needs change.

There is no fixed number of sessions. Counselling is collaborative, and your voice matters at every stage, including when you want to slow down, pause, or try something different. The Getting Started with Therapy page has more detail on what to expect.

Evidence and Approaches

Your therapist may talk with you about one or more of the approaches below. Which one fits depends on your goals, your comfort, and what you are going through. Not every clinician offers every approach. Much of the research comes from studies of people with post-traumatic stress symptoms, so it may not describe every person's experience after sexual abuse or assault.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT)

What it helps with: Trauma-focused CBT may help with intrusive memories, avoidance, self-blame, and shame linked to a traumatic experience.

Evidence summary: Clinical guidelines recommend individual trauma-focused CBT for adults with post-traumatic stress symptoms, including work on trauma-related shame, guilt, and meaning (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE], 2018). A systematic review of treatments for adolescents and adults who experienced sexual assault reported strong support for cognitive behavioural therapy (Miles et al., 2024).

Limitations: Much of the guideline evidence comes from people with diagnosed or clinically important PTSD symptoms, and responses vary. The approach involves working with trauma memories, which some people prefer to approach gradually.

Learn more about cognitive behavioural therapy.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

What it helps with: CPT may help when beliefs that formed after an assault, such as "it was my fault" or "I can't trust anyone," keep you feeling stuck.

Evidence summary: NICE (2018) lists cognitive processing therapy among the trauma-focused CBT interventions it recommends for adults with PTSD symptoms. Miles et al. (2024) reported strong support for CPT in their review of treatments following sexual assault.

Limitations: CPT follows a structured format, which does not suit everyone, and results vary from person to person. The NICE recommendation for CPT applies to adults.

Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)

What it helps with: Prolonged exposure may help when avoiding reminders, places, or memories starts to shrink your daily life.

Evidence summary: NICE (2018) includes prolonged exposure therapy among its recommended trauma-focused CBT interventions for adults with PTSD symptoms. Miles et al. (2024) also reported strong support for prolonged exposure following sexual assault.

Limitations: This approach involves gradually facing memories and avoided situations, which can feel uncomfortable at first. Readiness, safety, and personal preference all matter, so it is not the right starting point for everyone.

Learn more about exposure therapy.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

What it helps with: EMDR may help reduce the distress attached to specific memories that still feel vivid or overwhelming.

Evidence summary: NICE (2018) recommends EMDR for adults with PTSD symptoms more than three months after a non-combat-related trauma, delivered in phases that include learning ways to manage distress. Miles et al. (2024) reported strong support for EMDR in their review of treatments following sexual assault.

Limitations: The NICE guideline notes that there was less research on EMDR than on trauma-focused CBT (NICE, 2018). Individual responses vary.

Learn more about EMDR therapy.

Trauma- and Violence-Informed Care

What it helps with: This approach shapes how all counselling is delivered, so sessions feel as safe, predictable, and respectful as possible.

Evidence summary: PHAC (n.d.) describes trauma- and violence-informed approaches as resting on four principles: understanding trauma and violence, creating emotionally and physically safe environments, fostering choice, collaboration, and connection, and building on strengths. The approach aims to reduce the risk of re-traumatization and to avoid blaming people for their reactions to violence (PHAC, n.d.).

Limitations: PHAC notes that this approach is not a treatment for trauma on its own (PHAC, n.d.). It is a way of delivering care that works alongside the therapies above.

See also trauma therapy and abuse counselling.

What Results to Expect

Recovery after sexual abuse or assault is rarely a straight line. Many people have steadier weeks and harder weeks. Anniversaries, news stories, or life changes can bring things back up, even after a period of feeling better.

Some people notice shifts within a few months. Others benefit from longer-term work, especially when there were many experiences over time or other stresses going on. Outcomes vary, and no therapy can guarantee a particular result.

Things that can shape how counselling goes include:

• The nature of what happened, and how long ago
• Your current safety and life circumstances
• The support you have around you
• How comfortable you feel with your therapist

Fit matters. If something is not working, you can raise it with your therapist, try a different approach, or change therapists.

Confidentiality and Privacy

What you share in counselling is confidential. Our psychologists are regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) and follow the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists from the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA). Registered Social Workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW).

Two Alberta privacy laws are relevant. The Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) generally applies to private clinics like ours. It sets rules for how your personal information is collected, used, stored, and shared, which in most cases requires your consent. The Health Information Act (HIA) governs health information held by health custodians such as Alberta Health Services and hospitals.

There are a few situations where a therapist may need to share information without your consent:

• When there is a risk of serious harm to you or someone else
• When a child may be experiencing abuse or neglect, which must be reported under Alberta law, including the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act
• When a court order or subpoena requires records
• In other situations where the law requires disclosure

Even then, only the information that is needed is shared. Your therapist will explain these limits in your first session, including how they apply to experiences from childhood. You are welcome to ask questions about privacy before you share anything personal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to describe what happened in detail?

No. You decide what to share and when. Many people start with how things are affecting them now, such as sleep, relationships, or feeling on edge, rather than the events themselves. Some approaches do involve working with memories later on. If that happens, it is something you and your therapist plan together, at a pace you agree to.

Is what I share kept private?

Yes, within legal limits. Counselling is confidential, with exceptions such as a serious risk of harm, suspected abuse or neglect of a child, or a court order. The Confidentiality and Privacy section above explains these limits, and your therapist will review them with you in your first session.

How many sessions will I need?

There is no set number. Some people come for a shorter stretch to work on something specific, like sleep or coping with reminders. Others find longer-term work more helpful, especially after many experiences over time. Structured trauma-focused therapies usually follow a planned course of sessions, and your therapist can explain what that might look like for you. Progress is reviewed regularly, and the plan can change.

What if the therapist is not the right fit?

Feeling comfortable with your therapist matters, and it is okay if the first person you meet is not the right match. You can tell your therapist, or call our admin team at 780-904-4880, and they can help you find a different clinician. New clients may access their first session at 50% off to help find the right therapeutic fit.

Can I access counselling online?

Yes. Virtual sessions are available anywhere in Alberta, and the same confidentiality standards apply as in person. Some people find it easier to start from home, while others prefer being in the room. Availability depends on each clinician's schedule. Learn more about online counselling.

Do I have to report to police before I can get counselling?

No. You do not need to have reported to police, or told anyone, to start counselling. Statistics Canada has found that sexual assault is far less likely than other crimes to come to police attention, and that women who did not report violent incidents more often named shame, embarrassment, or worry about not being believed as reasons (Statistics Canada, 2021). Your therapist can talk through your options with you. Decisions about reporting remain yours, except where the legal limits described above apply.

If you would like information about sexual assault services in Alberta, Alberta's One Line for Sexual Violence is available at 1-866-403-8000, daily from 9 AM to 9 PM.

What if I am still in an unsafe situation?

Counselling can still be a place to talk, but your safety comes first. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If someone you live with or are close to is hurting you, the Family Violence Info Line is available 24/7 at 310-1818. Your therapist can talk with you about safety planning and about when and where you can speak privately, including during virtual sessions. Our family violence counselling page has more information.

I am worried about someone I care about. Can I get support too?

Yes. Partners, parents, and friends are often affected too. You can book counselling for yourself to talk about how to support someone and how to look after your own well-being. If the person you are worried about is a child or teen, see the section below.

Meet Your Clinicians

Our team includes Registered Psychologists, Registered Provisional Psychologists, Registered Social Workers, Canadian Certified Counsellors, Mental Health Therapists, and Student Therapists. All of our psychologists are registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists. Registered Provisional Psychologists practise under the supervision of a senior registered psychologist. Student Therapists are master's-level practicum students.

Each therapist's profile describes their areas of focus and training. You can browse Our Therapists to look for clinicians who work with trauma and sexual abuse or assault, or use the Match Tool if you would like help narrowing it down. Our admin team can also help at 780-904-4880.

Children and Youth

Wholesome Psychology offers counselling for children, adolescents, and young people. Therapists who work with younger clients use approaches suited to the child's age and development. They also work with parents and caregivers to help create a steady, supportive environment at home.

For children and young people with post-traumatic stress symptoms, NICE (2018) recommends trauma-focused CBT that is adapted to the child's age and development and involves parents or carers as appropriate. Your child's therapist can explain what sessions would look like and how you can be involved. Learn more about child and youth stress and trauma counselling.

If you believe a child is being harmed right now, call 911 if they are in immediate danger. Alberta law requires suspected child abuse to be reported, and the Alberta Child Abuse Hotline is available at 1-800-387-5437.

Taking a Next Step, When It Feels Right

If you would like to learn more or take a next step, you can:

• Book a session online
• Use the Match with a Therapist tool
• Call our admin team at 780-904-4880
• Email info@wholesomepsychology.ca
• Read Getting Started with Therapy

You can share as much or as little as you like. Starting the conversation is enough.

New clients may access their first session at 50% off to help find the right therapeutic fit.

References

• Canadian Psychological Association. (2020). "Psychology Works" fact sheet: Post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Miles, L. W., Valentine, J. L., Mabey, L. J., Hopkins, E. S., Stodtmeister, P. J., Rockwood, R. B., & Moxley, A. N. H. (2024). A systematic review of evidence-based treatments for adolescent and adult sexual assault victims. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 30(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/10783903231216138
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2018). Post-traumatic stress disorder [NICE guideline].
• Public Health Agency of Canada. (n.d.). Trauma and violence-informed approaches to policy and practice. Government of Canada. Retrieved October 23, 2026, from https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/health-risks-safety/trauma-violence-informed-approaches-policy-practice.html
• Statistics Canada. (2021). Criminal victimization in Canada, 2019 (Juristat, Catalogue no. 85-002-X). https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/85-002-x/2021001/article/00014-eng.htm