A place to talk about what happened in your own words and at your own pace, whether or not you have a name for it. Registered psychologists regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP). Psychologists, social workers regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW), counsellors certified by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), and supervised student therapists. In-person sessions in Edmonton and St. Albert. Virtual sessions across Alberta.

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You Might Be Wondering Whether What Happened Counts as Trauma

You may be reading this because you are not sure the word "trauma" fits what you went through. Maybe nothing dramatic happened. Maybe it was years ago, or other people had it worse, and you have told yourself it should not still bother you. Still, some things have not settled.

You might notice that a sound, a smell, or a certain tone of voice can pull you back to a moment you would rather forget, you stay on guard around people, even ones who have given you no reason to, you replay what happened late at night and wonder whether you could have stopped it. Reactions like these are common after experiences that were frightening, harmful, or overwhelming.

They often reflect the ways your mind and body adapted to get through something hard. They do not mean something is permanently wrong with you. They also do not depend on whether your experience fits a neat category.

If you are trying to make sense of what happened, or wondering whether talking with someone could help, the sections below may be a useful starting point. They explain how people commonly describe trauma and what counselling here looks like.

Who This Counselling May Help

This service may be a good fit if you:

• are unsure whether what happened "counts" and want a place to sort through it
• went through a single event, such as a collision, an injury, an assault, or a sudden loss, that still feels close
• lived with harm that repeated or went on for a long time, including in childhood or in a relationship
• are affected by other people's distressing experiences through your work or a caregiving role
• are a parent or caregiver who is concerned about how a child or teen is coping after something difficult
• are gathering information for a partner, friend, or family member and want to understand the options

This service may not be the right fit if:

• You are in immediate danger or crisis. Please use the crisis resources below.
• You need a court report, a legal opinion, or another forensic service. Those needs fall outside this counselling service. Psychological assessments, including PTSD and trauma assessments, are a separate service.
• You are looking for a program focused on stopping harmful or abusive behaviour toward others. Our administrative team can talk with you about whether another service or a referral would suit you better.

If You Need Help Right Now

Counselling is not set up to respond to emergencies. If you or someone else is not safe right now, please contact one of these services:

• Call 911 if there is an immediate threat to life, health, or safety.
• Call or text 988 for suicide crisis support, any time.
• Alberta Mental Health Help Line: 1-877-303-2642 (24/7)
• Family Violence Info Line (Alberta): 310-1818 (24/7, toll-free)

Wholesome Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service.

What Types of Trauma Counselling Is

Trauma is a broad word. People may use it to describe the ongoing effects of experiences that felt overwhelming, frightening, or harmful. Canadian public health terminology uses the phrase "potentially psychologically traumatic event" (Public Health Agency of Canada [PHAC], 2023). No category can tell you how an experience affected you in particular.

Counselling at Wholesome Psychology is collaborative and client-centred. You do not need a diagnosis or a particular label to talk with a therapist about what happened. You decide what to share and when, and your therapist follows your pace.

Common Ways People Describe Trauma

The terms below are common ways people may describe their experiences. They are descriptions, not diagnoses, and they are not a ranking. Many experiences fit more than one, and some do not fit any of them neatly.

• Single-incident trauma. The effects of one event with a clear beginning and end, such as a car accident or a natural disaster (Canadian Psychological Association [CPA], 2026). See also motor vehicle accident trauma counselling.
• Repeated or ongoing trauma. Harm that happened more than once or continued over time. Examples include living with a chronic illness or experiencing racism, discrimination, or bullying (CPA, 2026).
• Interpersonal trauma. Experiences that involve another person. This may include abuse, neglect, coercion, violence, harassment, or controlling behaviour. Our family violence counselling and sexual abuse and assault support pages cover some of these experiences in more depth.
• Developmental trauma. Long-lasting harm that begins early in life and happens between a child and a caregiver, such as childhood abuse, neglect, or exposure to violence between people (CPA, 2026).
• Complex trauma. A term often used for injury that follows repeated or prolonged events that were hard to escape. Complex trauma on its own is not listed as a diagnosis (PHAC, 2023).
• Indirect, vicarious, or secondary trauma. Effects that can follow indirect exposure to someone else's distressing experience, for example while giving professional or personal care to a person who has been through trauma (PHAC, 2023).
• Moral injury. Distress that can follow doing, witnessing, or failing to prevent something that goes against a person's moral beliefs. The meaning of this term is still evolving (PHAC, 2023).
• Collective or community trauma. Effects shared by a group or community after events such as displacement, discrimination, violence, or disasters. People within the same community can still be affected in very different ways.

Some kinds of work carry more exposure than others. In Canada, PTSD and other mental disorders are more common among first responders and other public safety personnel, Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans, and health-care personnel than in the general population (PHAC, 2023). We also offer workplace trauma counselling and military-related trauma counselling.

Trauma, Stress, and Diagnosis

Trauma-related language is not the same as a diagnosis. The ICD-11 lists post-traumatic stress disorder and complex post-traumatic stress disorder among disorders specifically associated with stress (World Health Organization [WHO], 2026). Only a qualified professional can assess whether a diagnosis applies.

A hard experience does not automatically lead to a diagnosis. Some children and youth show little or no lasting distress after a traumatic event, which is described as resilience (CPA, 2026).

What This Service Is Not

• It is not a crisis or emergency service.
• It is not a legal service or an investigative process. Therapists do not decide what happened or who is at fault.
• It does not include a psychological assessment or diagnosis. Formal assessment is a separate service.
• It is not medical care. Questions about medication belong with your physician or nurse practitioner.

Each clinician works within the scope of their own training and professional regulation. What you share is confidential, with some legal limits that are explained in the confidentiality section below.

Signs Trauma May Be Affecting You

Trauma does not always look the way people expect. These are some experiences people describe after something overwhelming or harmful (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE], 2018; CPA, 2026):

• sleeping poorly, having nightmares, or noticing changes in appetite
• feeling fear, anger, guilt, or sadness, or a flat numbness
• memories, images, or feelings from the past that show up uninvited
• steering clear of places, people, or conversations that bring it to mind
• carrying shame or blame for what happened, or being much harder on yourself
• trouble with focus, memory, or planning at work, school, or home
• finding it hard to trust people, stay close, or handle conflict
• pulling away from others, or leaning more on alcohol or other substances to get through
• feeling on alert, jumpy, or unable to settle

These responses are common reactions to harmful experiences. They are not signs of weakness or a defect, and many of them made sense at the time as ways of staying safe. Noticing them does not mean something is permanently wrong. It also does not mean you have a particular diagnosis. Structured support can give you room to understand these patterns and decide what you would like to change.

How Counselling Works at Wholesome Psychology

• Find your therapist. Use the Match with a Therapist tool or browse our therapists' profiles. If you would like help choosing, call our administrative team at 780-904-4880.
• Book your first session. Your first session includes a conversation about consent, confidentiality, and your goals. You do not have to share every detail of what happened. You can start with what is affecting you now.
• Build your plan together. You and your therapist create a plan that fits your goals, pace, and circumstances. You can say what you want to focus on and what you are not ready for yet.
• Ongoing sessions. Sessions are 50 minutes. They usually happen weekly or every two weeks, and the schedule can change as your needs change.
• Progress check-ins. Your therapist reviews progress with you regularly. Plans can be adjusted, slowed down, or redirected.

There is no fixed number of sessions. Your voice shapes the work at every stage, including when to pause or finish. The Getting Started with Therapy page has more detail on these steps.

Evidence and Approaches

Therapists draw on different approaches depending on your goals, history, and preferences. Approaches vary between clinicians, so you are welcome to ask which ones a therapist uses. Some approaches, such as EMDR therapy, have their own pages. Much of the research below comes from people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or clinically important PTSD symptoms. It may not apply in the same way to every trauma-related concern.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

What it helps with: Trauma-focused CBT works with trauma memories, the meanings people take from them, and the avoidance that can keep distress going.

Evidence summary: Clinical guidelines recommend individual trauma-focused CBT for adults, children, and youth with PTSD or clinically important PTSD symptoms (NICE, 2018). Benefits were seen across single and multiple incident traumas, with adult improvements lasting up to a year (NICE, 2018). The CPA describes it as a widely used treatment for young people, with much research showing it improves trauma symptoms (CPA, 2026).

Limitations: Most evidence comes from people with PTSD symptoms, and research with children under 7 is limited. Outcomes vary from person to person.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

What it helps with: EMDR works with specific distressing memories using repeated bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, taps, or tones.

Evidence summary: Clinical guidelines recommend EMDR for adults with PTSD or clinically important symptoms more than 3 months after a non-combat-related trauma (NICE, 2018). Direct comparisons with trauma-focused CBT showed no significant differences, though EMDR has less evidence overall (NICE, 2018). For ages 7 to 17, the guideline suggests EMDR only if trauma-focused CBT has not helped or been a good fit (NICE, 2018).

Limitations: The evidence reviewed did not show EMDR to be effective for military combat-related trauma. Research with children and youth is limited.

Trauma-Informed Care

What it helps with: Trauma-informed care is a way of working that aims to make services feel safe, predictable, and collaborative for anyone who may have experienced trauma.

Evidence summary: The CPA describes trauma-informed care as a universal approach built on safety, trust, collaboration, peer support, cultural responsiveness, and empowerment (CPA, 2026). It also notes that this approach works to change unfair systems or practices, such as racism or other discrimination, that can cause or worsen trauma (CPA, 2026).

Limitations: Trauma-informed care describes how care is delivered rather than a specific treatment. The source summarized here is a public education fact sheet, not a systematic review.

Paced, Adapted Work for Repeated or Complex Trauma

What it helps with: When harm was repeated, prolonged, or interpersonal, therapy may need extra time to build trust and stability before memory-focused work.

Evidence summary: For people with complex PTSD or additional needs, clinical guidelines recommend building in extra time to develop trust and paying attention to the safety and stability of a person's circumstances (NICE, 2018). They also recommend help with barriers such as feeling detached or quickly overwhelmed by emotion (NICE, 2018). Limited evidence suggested trauma-focused therapies could also benefit people with complex PTSD (NICE, 2018).

Limitations: The guideline notes a lack of evidence on care for people with complex needs, so these recommendations rely partly on expert consensus.

What Results to Expect

Progress after trauma is rarely a straight line. Some weeks may feel lighter and others harder, especially around anniversaries or times of new stress. A difficult stretch does not mean the work has failed.

Some people notice shifts within a few months. Others, particularly those with repeated or long-standing experiences, benefit from longer-term work. Clinical guidelines note that more sessions may be needed after multiple traumas (NICE, 2018).

Outcomes vary. They can depend on the nature of what you went through, how safe and stable your life is right now, the support around you, and how well you connect with your therapist. No therapy can guarantee a particular result.

Fit matters. If a therapist or an approach does not feel right, you can say so, try a different approach, or ask to work with a different clinician.

Confidentiality and Privacy

What you share in counselling is confidential. Psychologists at Wholesome Psychology are regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) and follow the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) Code of Ethics. Other clinicians follow the standards of their own professional bodies.

Alberta privacy laws also protect your information. The Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) generally governs how private practices collect, use, and disclose personal information. The Health Information Act (HIA) governs health information held by health custodians, such as Alberta Health Services and physicians. Which law applies can depend on the setting, and your clinician can explain how it affects your records.

There are legal limits to confidentiality. Your clinician may need to share information without your consent when:

• there is a risk of serious harm to you or to someone else
• a child may be experiencing abuse or neglect, which Alberta law requires to be reported
• a court orders the release of records

Your clinician will explain these limits clearly during your first session. 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, how much, and when. Many people start with what is hard right now, such as sleep, relationships, or feeling on edge, rather than the event itself. Some approaches do involve working with memories later on, but your therapist will explain what that involves and check with you first. You can pause or change direction at any time.

Is what I share kept private?

Yes, with some legal limits. Your information is protected by Alberta privacy law and by your clinician's professional standards. Exceptions include a risk of serious harm, a child who may be experiencing abuse or neglect, and a court order. Your clinician will go over these in your first session, and the confidentiality and privacy section above has more detail.

How many sessions will I need?

There is no set number. Some people come for a short period to talk through one experience or plan next steps. Others, especially after repeated or long-standing harm, work over a longer period. Your therapist reviews progress with you regularly so you can decide together what makes sense.

What if the therapist is not the right fit?

That happens, and it is fine to say so. You can tell your therapist, or contact our administrative team at 780-904-4880 to find a different clinician. Changing therapists is a normal part of finding support that works for you. 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 to people anywhere in Alberta, and the same confidentiality standards apply as in person. You can choose whichever setting feels more comfortable, and you can switch later if your needs change.

Do I need to know what type of trauma I have, or have a diagnosis?

No. The categories on this page are ways of describing experiences, not requirements. You can start by talking about what happened and what feels difficult now. If you are looking for a formal diagnosis, a psychological assessment is a separate service, and our team can explain the options.

What if I am still in an unsafe situation?

Your safety comes first. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. The Family Violence Info Line is available 24/7 at 310-1818. Counselling can still be part of your support while you are in a difficult situation, and a therapist can work with you on a safety plan. Our family violence counselling page has more information.

Can I ask questions on behalf of someone else?

Yes. If you are reading this for a partner, friend, or family member, our administrative team can answer general questions about services, fees, and booking. Family members can be affected by a traumatic event too (NICE, 2018), so support for yourself may also be worth considering.

Meet Your Clinicians

Our 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. Registered provisional psychologists practise under the supervision of a senior registered psychologist. Registered social workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW), and student therapists are master's-level practicum students.

Each clinician works within the scope of their own credential and training. Areas of focus vary, so our therapists' profiles describe each person's training and the concerns they work with, including trauma-related work. If you are not sure where to start, the Match with a Therapist tool or a call to 780-904-4880 can help narrow it down.

Children and Youth

Wholesome Psychology offers counselling for children, adolescents, and young people. Clinicians who work with younger clients adapt their approach to the child's age and stage of development.

Young children may not be able to describe what they feel. Changes may show up instead in sleep, behaviour, schoolwork, or play that repeats parts of what happened (CPA, 2026). Support from trusted adults is central to how children and youth cope after trauma (CPA, 2026). For that reason, clinicians work with parents and caregivers to support a steady, safe environment at home. Our child and youth stress and trauma counselling page has more detail.

Taking a Next Step

If you would like to talk with someone about what you have been carrying, you can:

• Book a session online
• Use the Match with a Therapist tool
• Call 780-904-4880
• Email info@wholesomepsychology.ca
• Read Getting Started with Therapy to see what the first steps look 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. (2026). Psychology works fact sheet: Developmental trauma. https://cpa.ca/psychologyfactsheets
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2018). Post-traumatic stress disorder [NICE guideline].
• Public Health Agency of Canada. (2023). Glossary of terms: A shared understanding of the common terms used to describe psychological trauma (Version 3.0). Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada: Research, Policy and Practice, 43(10/11). https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/reports-publications/health-promotion-chronic-disease-prevention-canada-research-policy-practice/vol-43-no-10-11-2023/glossary-common-terms-psychological-trauma-version-3-0.html
• World Health Organization. (2026). ICD-11 for mortality and morbidity statistics.