Collaborative, judgement-free counselling for people exploring emotional, relationship, and self-image patterns, offered in Edmonton and St. Albert and virtually across Alberta. Registered psychologists, provisional psychologists, social workers, and counsellors. Registered psychologists and provisional psychologists are regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP), Registered Social Workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW), and Certified Canadian Counsellors (CCCs) are regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). Care is delivered in person or online. Sessions run 50 minutes.

Book a Session | Match with a Therapist

You Might Be Wondering Whether Counselling for Histrionic Personality Disorder Is Right for You

You may not be sure whether your feelings and relationship patterns are a real problem or simply the way you are. Perhaps someone used the words histrionic personality disorder about you, and it left you wondering whether something is wrong with who you are. That doubt is a common place to start from, and it does not mean you have to have everything figured out before reaching out.

Some people notice that they feel emotions strongly and then worry afterward that they came across as too much. Others find that close relationships feel intense and then unsteady, or that they need a lot of reassurance and feel uneasy when it is missing. Your sense of who you are may seem to shift depending on who you are with.

These patterns often make sense as ways of staying connected and feeling safe with other people. They are not a character flaw, and noticing them in yourself does not confirm any diagnosis. You may wish to read on and see what this kind of support can look like before deciding anything.

Who This Counselling May Suit

This service may be a good fit if you recognize yourself in some of the following:

• You want a respectful space to explore emotional and relationship patterns that are causing distress.
• A clinician has raised questions about histrionic personality disorder, and you want somewhere to talk it through.
• You are gathering information for a partner, friend, or family member and want to understand what support could involve.
• You prefer collaborative, individualised care rather than a fixed programme.

This service may not be the right fit in these situations:

• You are in immediate danger or crisis. Please use the crisis resources below.
• You need a formal diagnosis or a psychological assessment. Assessment is a separate service, and this counselling page does not provide diagnosis or testing.
• You need a legal, forensic, or court-directed evaluation. These needs sit outside routine outpatient counselling, and a different service or provider would be more appropriate.

If You Need Help Right Now

Wholesome Psychology offers scheduled counselling, not emergency care. If you are in crisis, please reach out to one of these Alberta resources.

• Call 911 if there is immediate danger to you or someone else.
• Alberta Mental Health Help Line: 1-877-303-2642, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741.

Wholesome Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service.

What This Service Is

This is talk-based counselling for adults who want to understand and work with emotional, relational, and self-image patterns that may relate to histrionic personality disorder or similar concerns. The focus is on what is happening in your life now and what you would like to be different, at a pace you set with your therapist.

This counselling is not a legal service, an investigative process, or a crisis intervention. It is also not a psychological assessment. Because the page title is about counselling rather than assessment, please note that formal diagnosis and testing are handled through a separate assessment service. Diagnostic frameworks and language can vary, so a named diagnosis is best discussed through appropriate assessment rather than assumed from a webpage (World Health Organization [WHO], n.d.).

What you share in sessions is treated as confidential within the legal and ethical limits described further down this page. You are welcome to ask questions about how counselling works before you share anything personal.

Signs These Patterns May Be Affecting You

People who look into this topic often recognize a mix of the experiences below. These are described in everyday language, not as a checklist for diagnosis.

• Feeling emotions intensely, and sometimes feeling that your reactions are larger than the situation.
• A strong wish to feel noticed, appreciated, or reassured by the people around you.
• Relationships that feel very close at first and then become difficult to keep steady.
• A sense of self that seems to change depending on who you are with or what is expected of you.
• Feeling flat, restless, or uneasy when you are not the focus of attention.
• Worrying about how you come across, then feeling drained by that worry.
• Difficulty naming what you feel underneath the outward expression.

Recognizing some of these does not mean something is permanently wrong with you, and it does not confirm a diagnosis. These are patterns that many people can learn to understand and work with, and structured support can help you do that.

How Counselling Works Here

Getting started is a simple, step-by-step process. There is no fixed number of sessions, and your voice guides the work at every stage.

• Find your therapist. You can review clinician profiles on the Our Therapists page, use the Match with a Therapist tool, or call the admin team at 780-904-4880 for guidance.
• Book your first session. The first session covers confidentiality and consent, and begins a discussion of your goals. It is a chance to get a feel for working with your therapist.
• Build your plan together. You and your therapist co-create a plan based on what matters to you. Planning is collaborative and tailored to you, not a set programme.
• Continue with ongoing sessions. Follow-up sessions are often weekly or bi-weekly and can be adjusted as needed. Each session is 50 minutes.
• Review progress together. Your therapist reviews how things are going with you regularly, and the plan can change as your needs change.

You can read more about the process on the Getting Started with Therapy page or explore Our Unique Approach.

Approaches Your Therapist May Draw On

Research focused specifically on histrionic personality disorder is limited, and the sources reviewed for this page do not identify a single best therapy or promise particular results. Because of this, the approaches below are described as tools a therapist may draw on, chosen with you based on fit and goals, rather than ranked or presented as cures. Personality-related concerns are recognized mental health topics in Canada, and support is available (Canadian Mental Health Association [CMHA], n.d.; Public Health Agency of Canada [PHAC], n.d.).

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Informed Skills

What it helps with: Managing intense emotions, tolerating distress, and steadying communication in close relationships.

Evidence summary: DBT-informed skills work is one of the approaches offered at the clinic to support emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. The sources reviewed for this page do not establish DBT as a proven or superior treatment for histrionic presentations specifically, so it is offered as a possible tool rather than a set protocol.

Limitations: There is no histrionic-specific outcome data in the reviewed sources, and individual responses vary from person to person.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

What it helps with: Noticing links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviour, and practising new responses to recurring situations.

Evidence summary: CBT is a widely used talk therapy available at the clinic that can support work on present-day patterns and coping. The reviewed sources do not show that CBT is the best approach for histrionic personality disorder, so it is presented as one option among several.

Limitations: Evidence specific to this concern is limited, and results depend on the person, their circumstances, and the therapeutic relationship.

Psychodynamic and Relational Approaches

What it helps with: Understanding recurring relationship and self-image patterns, including how earlier experiences may still shape present-day reactions.

Evidence summary: A small body of psychotherapy process literature describes relational work with people who present with histrionic features. This literature is too limited to support strong claims, so it is used here only to note that relational therapy is one recognized way of exploring these patterns.

Limitations: The available material is limited and does not measure outcomes, so this approach is offered without any promise of a particular result.

Person-Centred and Acceptance-Based Work

What it helps with: Building self-understanding, working on self-worth, and clarifying what matters to you.

Evidence summary: Person-centred and acceptance and commitment therapy informed work are collaborative approaches available at the clinic. The reviewed sources do not rank these approaches for histrionic personality disorder, so they are described as possible ways of working rather than as evidence-backed treatments for this concern.

Limitations: Histrionic-specific evidence is not available, and the right approach is something you and your therapist decide together over time.

You can learn more about specific approaches on the Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Person-Centred Therapy pages. Related topics include Emotional Regulation and Personality Disorders.

What Results to Expect

Change in therapy is rarely a straight line. Some people notice shifts within a few months, while others find that longer-term work suits them better. No therapy can guarantee an outcome, and honest counselling does not promise one.

Several things influence how counselling goes, including the nature of the patterns you are working with, what is happening in your life at the moment, and how well you fit with your therapist. Fit matters a great deal, and changing your therapist or your approach is always an option if the work does not feel right.

The aim is to create a steady, respectful space where you can understand your patterns, build skills that help day to day, and move toward the goals you set. Progress is reviewed with you along the way, so the plan can adapt as your needs change.

Confidentiality and Privacy

What you share in counselling is treated as confidential. Psychologists at Wholesome Psychology are registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) and practise in line with the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) Code of Ethics. Your personal and health information is handled under Alberta legislation, including the Health Information Act (HIA) and the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).

There are a small number of situations where a therapist may be required by law or ethics to share limited information. These include:

• When there is a risk of serious harm to you or to someone else.
• When there is a reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect of a child, which carries a mandatory reporting duty under Alberta law.
• When a court orders disclosure.

Your therapist will explain these limits clearly during your first session, before you share anything sensitive. You are welcome to ask questions about confidentiality at any point so you know what is protected and when an exception could apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to describe my past in detail?

No. You set the pace, and you decide how much to share and when. Many people begin by looking at present-day patterns, such as how certain situations affect their emotions and relationships, rather than giving a detailed account of the past. Your therapist will follow your lead.

Is what I share kept private?

Yes, within legal and ethical limits. Counselling is confidential, with a few exceptions such as a risk of serious harm, a reasonable suspicion of child abuse or neglect, or a court order. Your therapist will go through these limits with you at the start of care. You can read more in the confidentiality section above.

How many sessions will I need?

There is no fixed answer. Some people find that shorter-term work suits them, while others prefer longer-term support. The reviewed sources do not provide a set timeline for this concern, so your therapist reviews progress with you regularly and adjusts the plan as your needs change.

What if the therapist is not the right fit?

Fit matters, and it is completely reasonable to want a different clinician. The admin team can help you find someone else, whether your preferences are about location, virtual or in-person care, approach, or fee range. 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, and the same confidentiality standards apply as for in-person care. Online counselling can be a good option if travel, schedule, or comfort makes coming in person harder.

Do I need a diagnosis to start?

No. Some people come in after a clinician has mentioned histrionic personality disorder, while others simply want help with emotional or relationship patterns. If a diagnosis becomes relevant, it belongs in an appropriate assessment rather than being assumed from a webpage.

What is the difference between a psychologist and a counsellor?

Both can provide talk therapy. Psychologists are registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) and hold specific training and regulatory obligations, while counsellors such as Certified Canadian Counsellors (CCCs) are regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). Fees differ by clinician type, and the admin team or the Match with a Therapist tool can help you choose.

Meet Your Clinicians

Wholesome Psychology works with a range of clinician types, including 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), and Certified Canadian Counsellors (CCCs) are regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). Provisional psychologists practise under the supervision of a senior registered psychologist.

Many clinicians have training in emotional regulation, relationship patterns, and personality-related concerns, which are central to this kind of work. You can view individual profiles on the Our Therapists page, or use the Match with a Therapist tool if you would like help choosing. The admin team is also available at 780-904-4880 to talk through your options.

Taking a Next Step

If you would like to begin, you can book a session online through Jane, use the Match with a Therapist option, or call 780-904-4880. You can also email info@wholesomepsychology.ca or read the Getting Started with Therapy page to see what the first steps involve.

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.). Personality disorders.
• Public Health Agency of Canada. (n.d.). Mental illness in Canada.
• College of Alberta Psychologists. (n.d.). Standards of Practice and professional guidelines. https://www.cap.ab.ca/
• Canadian Psychological Association. (2017). Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists (4th ed.). https://cpa.ca/
• Psychotherapy process capture on patients presenting with histrionic personality features.
• World Health Organization. (n.d.). International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11).