Counselling for the emotional side of life after birth, in person in Edmonton and St. Albert and virtually across Alberta. Registered Psychologists and Registered Provisional Psychologists regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP). A team that also includes Registered Social Workers regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW), Canadian Certified Counsellors certified by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), Mental Health Therapists and Student Therapists. In-person sessions at five locations in Edmonton and St. Albert. Virtual sessions available across Alberta.

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You Might Be Wondering Whether Postpartum Depression Counselling Is Right for You

You may be wondering whether what you feel is simply part of having a baby. Maybe you keep putting it down to the lack of sleep, or telling yourself it will pass once things settle. You might also worry that saying it out loud would mean you are not coping, or not grateful enough for the baby you have. Some parents describe going through the motions of feeding, changing and settling while feeling strangely far away from all of it.

Others snap at a partner over small things, then lie awake replaying it. Some save their crying for the shower or the car, where nobody will ask what is wrong. None of this means you are a bad parent or that something is permanently wrong with you. A new baby changes your sleep, your routines, your relationships and how you see yourself, all at once. Struggling with that is an understandable human response, not a personal failing. It is also worth taking seriously.

Perhaps you are ready to talk to someone. Perhaps you are still unsure whether your experience "counts," or you are reading this for a partner, daughter or friend. This page explains what postpartum counselling involves, what it does not do, and how to begin if you decide to. If you do not feel safe right now, at home or with your own thoughts, the crisis resources on this page are the better place to start.

Who We Help

Postpartum counselling may be a good fit if you are:

• Feeling low, flat, anxious, irritable or overwhelmed since having a baby, with or without a diagnosis
• Pregnant and noticing changes in your mood or worry (our page on perinatal mental health counselling covers pregnancy as well)
• Finding that your confidence, your sense of who you are, or your relationship after birth has shifted
• Carrying a difficult birth, feeding struggles, a premature birth or a pregnancy or infant loss alongside the daily work of parenting
• A partner or co-parent who is having a hard time too
• A family member or friend gathering information on someone else's behalf
• Getting ready to return to work or other responsibilities after leave

This service may not be the right fit for:

• Immediate safety concerns. If you or someone else is in danger, please use the crisis resources below rather than booking a session.
• Diagnosis or formal assessment. Counselling does not include a diagnosis or a psychological assessment, including assessments for legal, insurance or workplace purposes. Psychological assessments are a separate service. You can read about the separate postpartum depression assessment service on its own page.
• Legal, forensic or mandated programs. Court-ordered programs, including programs for someone who has caused harm in a relationship, are outside this counselling service. The admin team can talk with you about other options.
• Medication and medical care. Therapists at Wholesome Psychology do not prescribe medication. Questions about medication, physical recovery or your baby's health belong with your family doctor, nurse practitioner, midwife or another medical provider.

If You Need Help Right Now

Counselling is not emergency or crisis care. If you or someone else is in immediate danger or unable to stay safe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. These services are available at any hour:

• Emergency: 911
• Alberta Mental Health Help Line: 1-877-303-2642 (24/7)
• 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 988 (24/7)
• Family Violence Info Line (Alberta): 310-1818 (24/7, toll-free), if you are not safe at home

Wholesome Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service.

What Postpartum Depression Counselling Is

Postpartum depression counselling is talk therapy with a trained clinician about how you are coping after birth. Sessions can make room for emotional changes, shifts in your relationship or identity, sleep disruption, adjusting to new routines, and the pressure to parent a certain way. You and your therapist decide together what to focus on, guided by your goals, preferences and circumstances.

Health systems treat this stage of life as one that matters for mental health. International health classification systems include categories for mental health conditions associated with pregnancy and the period after birth (World Health Organization [WHO], n.d.). In Canada, federal public health resources address mental health during and after pregnancy and the feelings parents may have after a baby is born (Government of Canada, n.d.-a, n.d.-b). Statistics Canada has also published information on maternal mental health in Canada (Statistics Canada, n.d.).

This page does not quote rates or statistics. Population figures cannot tell you what is happening for any one person, and a webpage cannot tell you whether a diagnosis applies to you.

It also helps to be clear about what this service is not:

• It is not a diagnosis, a psychological assessment or medical care. Assessments are a separate service.
• It is not a legal service, an investigative process or crisis intervention.
• You set the pace. Your therapist will not push you to talk about anything before you are ready.
• What you share is confidential within legal and ethical limits, explained in the confidentiality and privacy section below.
• Each clinician works within the scope of their training and professional registration. If something falls outside it, they can talk with you about referral options.

This page provides general information about counselling and is not a diagnosis, assessment, or substitute for medical or emergency care.

Signs the Postpartum Period May Be Affecting Your Mental Health

You do not need a diagnosis, or a certain number of "signs," to talk to someone. Still, putting words to what has been happening can make it easier to ask for support. Some people bring experiences like these to counselling:

• A heaviness or flatness that does not lift, even on the better days
• Feeling disconnected from your baby, your partner, or the person you were before
• Worry that loops at night, even when you finally have a chance to sleep
• Snapping at people, then feeling guilty about it
• A harsh inner voice that says you are getting this wrong
• Pulling away from friends or family, or dreading visits and messages
• A tiredness that sleep does not seem to touch
• Strain over how night feeds, chores and attention are shared at home
• Grief or anger about how the birth, feeding or early weeks went

These experiences can have many influences, and on their own they do not confirm any diagnosis. Having them does not mean something is permanently wrong with you. They are understandable reactions to a demanding stretch of life, and structured support may help you make sense of them.

How Treatment Works Here

• Find your therapist. You can use the Match with a Therapist tool or browse therapist profiles to see each clinician's designation and areas of focus. If you would rather talk it through, the admin team can help at 780-904-4880.
• Book your first session. Your first appointment can include a conversation about consent, confidentiality and its limits, what brought you in, and what you hope counselling might help with. It is also a chance to ask questions and notice whether the fit feels right.
• Build your plan together. You and your therapist shape a plan around your goals, your schedule and your energy. The plan belongs to both of you, and it can change.
• Ongoing sessions. Sessions are 50 minutes, usually weekly or every two weeks. The frequency can shift as life with a baby shifts.
• Progress check-ins. Your therapist reviews how things are going with you regularly, and the plan adapts as your needs change.

There is no fixed number of sessions. Counselling is collaborative, and your voice shapes it at every stage. The Getting Started with Therapy page walks through the process in more detail.

Evidence and Approaches

Counselling for postpartum concerns can draw on different approaches, chosen to suit your goals, preferences and history and your clinician's training. The summaries below explain what each source examined. They are not promises of a particular result.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

What it helps with: CBT looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and actions, such as a harsh inner critic about parenting or a pattern of pulling back from support.

Evidence summary: A systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effectiveness of CBT specifically for postpartum depression ("Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy," n.d.). Clinical guidance on antenatal and postnatal mental health addresses the management of mental health concerns during pregnancy and after birth (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE], n.d.).

Limitations: This page describes the focus of that review rather than its specific findings. Responses to CBT vary from person to person, and it may not suit everyone's goals.

Other Structured Psychological Therapies

What it helps with: Other talk therapy approaches may suit people who want a different focus than thought patterns, depending on their goals and their clinician's training.

Evidence summary: A systematic review and network meta-analysis compared a range of psychological interventions for postpartum depression ("Psychological Intervention for Postpartum Depression," n.d.). A Canadian professional body has also published a public education fact sheet on postpartum depression (Canadian Psychological Association [CPA], n.d.).

Limitations: The specific approaches compared and how they performed are not summarized here, and comparisons across many studies carry uncertainty. Not every clinician offers every approach.

Coordinated Care With Your Health Providers

What it helps with: Keeping counselling connected with care from a family doctor, nurse practitioner, midwife or psychiatrist, when that is useful and you consent.

Evidence summary: NICE guidance on antenatal and postnatal mental health covers service guidance as well as clinical management (NICE, n.d.). Canadian public health information also treats pregnancy and the time after birth as a period when mental health information and support are relevant (Government of Canada, n.d.-a).

Limitations: NICE guidance is written for the health system in the United Kingdom, so care pathways in Alberta differ. Therapists here do not prescribe medication or provide medical care.

What Results to Expect

Recovery is rarely a straight line. Some weeks may feel lighter, and then a rough night or a hard stretch brings old feelings back. Ups and downs like this do not necessarily mean counselling is not working.

Some people notice shifts within a few months. Others find longer-term work more useful, especially when several stresses are stacked together. Outcomes vary, and no therapy can guarantee a particular result.

Several things can shape how counselling goes:

• What you have been through, including the birth and the months since
• Your current circumstances, such as sleep, support at home, finances and work
• Your physical health and any medical care you are receiving
• How well you and your therapist work together

Fit matters. If a therapist or approach is not working for you, you can say so. Changing therapist or approach is always an option.

Confidentiality and Privacy

Therapy is confidential within legal and ethical limits. Your clinician will review consent, privacy, record handling, and the limits of confidentiality at the beginning of care.

Psychologists at Wholesome Psychology are regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) and follow the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists published by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA). Registered Social Workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW).

Two Alberta laws may apply to your information: the Health Information Act (HIA) and the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). Which one applies depends on the care setting. PIPA generally applies to private clinics, while the HIA applies to designated health custodians and those providing services on their behalf. Both set rules for how personal information is collected, used and disclosed.

There are legal limits to confidentiality. A therapist 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 information or records

Your therapist will explain these limits clearly in 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 and when. Some people want to talk through the birth or a hard moment in detail. Others would rather focus on how they are getting through the days right now. Both are reasonable places to start, and your therapist will follow your pace.

Is what I share kept private?

Yes, within legal and ethical limits. Counselling is confidential, and Alberta privacy law (the HIA or PIPA, depending on the setting) governs how your information is handled. The main exceptions involve a risk of serious harm, a child who may be experiencing abuse or neglect, or a court order. The confidentiality and privacy section above explains this in more detail.

If I say I am struggling, will someone think I cannot care for my baby?

This fear keeps some people from reaching out, so it deserves a direct answer. Talking about low mood, anxiety, exhaustion or difficult thoughts is what counselling is for. The limits on confidentiality relate to serious safety concerns, such as a risk of serious harm or a child who may be experiencing abuse or neglect. If you are unsure how this works, you can ask a therapist to explain it before you share anything personal.

How many sessions will I need?

There is no set number. Some people come for a shorter stretch to work on one specific concern. Others prefer longer-term support as their family settles into a new rhythm. You and your therapist review progress regularly and decide together whether to continue, change focus or pause.

What if the therapist is not the right fit?

Fit matters, and it is fine to say a match is not working. The admin team can help you find a different clinician, and you can also use the therapist matching tool or look through our therapists' profiles again. 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 anywhere in Alberta, which can be easier to fit around naps and feeds. The same confidentiality standards apply online as in person. You can read more about online counselling.

Do I need a diagnosis to start counselling?

No. You can seek counselling because you are having a hard time, want support through a big transition, or would like space to talk. Counselling does not include a diagnosis. If you are looking for a formal psychological assessment, that is a separate assessment service. Your family doctor or nurse practitioner can also talk with you about medical options.

Can my partner or a support person be involved?

Sometimes, depending on your goals, your consent and the type of service. You can talk with your therapist about whether individual counselling, couples counselling or family-based support fits your situation. If you are a partner or relative looking for help for yourself, you can book on your own behalf.

Meet Your Clinicians

Our team includes Registered Psychologists, Registered Provisional Psychologists, Registered Social Workers, Canadian Certified 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.

Training and areas of focus differ from one clinician to the next, and not every clinician works with postpartum concerns. Each profile describes that clinician's training and the concerns they work with. You can browse Our Therapists, use the Match with a Therapist tool, or call the admin team at 780-904-4880 for guidance.

Children and Youth

A new baby changes things for everyone in the home, including older brothers and sisters. Wholesome Psychology also offers counselling for children and adolescents. Therapists who work with younger clients use age-appropriate approaches and work with parents and caregivers to support the child at home.

If you would like support with your connection to your baby, the page on bonding with your child has more information.

Taking a Next Step

If you would like to talk with someone about how things have been since the baby arrived, you can take the next step in whichever way feels manageable:

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

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. (n.d.). Psychology Works fact sheet: Post-partum depression.
• Effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy for postpartum depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. (n.d.).
• Government of Canada. (n.d.-a). Mental health during and after pregnancy.
• Government of Canada. (n.d.-b). Parents: Your feelings after your baby is born.
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (n.d.). Antenatal and postnatal mental health: Clinical management and service guidance.
• Psychological intervention for postpartum depression: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. (n.d.).
• Statistics Canada. (n.d.). Maternal mental health in Canada, 2018/2019.
• World Health Organization. (n.d.). ICD-11 for mortality and morbidity statistics.