Sexual Trauma Therapy in Alberta

If you've experienced sexual assault or abuse, whether recently or many years ago, it can affect how you feel in your body, in relationships and in the world. Some people feel it every day. Others find it surfaces later, sometimes out of nowhere.

Whatever happened, it was not your fault. You deserve care that is gentle, respectful and on your terms. KP Psychological offers online trauma therapy for adults across Alberta, including Edmonton and Calgary, by secure video, for people who are physically in Alberta at the time of each session.

Book a free 15-minute consultation

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What sexual trauma can include

Sexual trauma is any unwanted sexual experience that overwhelmed your ability to cope. It can include:

  • sexual assault or rape, by a stranger or by someone you know
  • sexual abuse in childhood or adolescence
  • being pressured, coerced or manipulated into sexual activity
  • sexual harassment or unwanted touching, including at work
  • sexual violence within a relationship or marriage

It can happen to anyone, of any gender, and it's never about what you wore, drank or did.

How it can affect you

Everyone responds differently, and there's no "right" way to feel. You might notice:

  • intrusive memories, nightmares or flashbacks
  • feeling on edge, jumpy or unsafe, even in familiar places
  • shame, guilt or self-blame, even though it wasn't your fault
  • numbness, or feeling cut off from your body or emotions
  • difficulties with trust, closeness, touch or sex
  • avoiding people, places or situations that remind you of what happened
  • low mood, anxiety, or using alcohol or other substances to cope

These are understandable responses to an overwhelming experience. They aren't signs that you're broken, and they can change.

What the research says helps

Many people develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress after sexual violence. International guidelines from the World Health Organization, NICE in the UK and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) recommend trauma-focused therapies for PTSD. These include EMDR, trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy.

These therapies help your brain and body process what happened, so memories feel less vivid and less charged, and they no longer run your life in the same way.

For trauma that started in childhood or went on for a long time, therapy may take longer and focus more on safety and trust first. Read more about complex trauma and C-PTSD.

You're in control

We know that control may have been taken from you. In therapy here, it stays with you.

  • You decide what to share, and when. You don't have to tell your story in detail to start, or ever.
  • EMDR doesn't require retelling every detail aloud. You can hold a memory in mind privately while we work.
  • We go at your pace. Preparation and grounding come first. If you want to slow down or stop, we stop.
  • Everything is explained. Nothing happens without your informed consent.
  • Reporting is your choice. You don't need to report to police to start therapy.

Choosing who you'd see

It can matter who you sit across from, even on video. Both of our psychologists work with sexual trauma, so you can choose:

  • Kyle Poon, R.Psych (he/him) lists sexual abuse among his main areas, alongside trauma and PTSD. He is an EMDRIA Approved Trainer and Consultant. Kyle currently has a waitlist.
  • Marissa Whalley, R.Psych (she/her) works with trauma, PTSD and sexual abuse, and is an EMDR Therapist. She currently has openings, often as soon as the following week.

Things that can help day to day

  • Ground yourself in the present. Name five things you can see, or press your feet into the floor.
  • Soothe your nervous system. In this video, Kyle shows the butterfly hug, a simple calming exercise.
  • Be gentle with your reactions. Triggers are your nervous system trying to protect you.
  • Reach out to people who feel safe, even just one.

Support in Alberta

  • Alberta's One Line for Sexual Violence: call or text 1-866-403-8000, seven days a week, with interpretation in over 200 languages. Online chat runs 9 am to 9 pm. It offers emotional support, information and referral, and connects you to your nearest sexual assault centre.
  • Victims of Crime Assistance Program: if you've reported the crime to police, you may be able to get help such as counselling. You don't need to wait for a charge or conviction, and you usually apply within 2 years. Call 780-427-7217 (toll-free by dialing 310-0000 first).
  • In immediate danger: call 911.

What therapy looks like here

Sessions are 50 minutes, by secure video, from a private space of your choosing. How often we meet is up to you. We work it out together, based on what fits you best, including your finances and your coverage.

A session is $250 with Kyle and $235 with Marissa. Alberta Health Care doesn't cover psychologists, but many extended health plans do, and we can bill most insurance companies directly. See fees and insurance for details.

Common questions

It happened a long time ago. Can therapy still help?

Yes. Many people come to therapy years or decades later. Trauma-focused therapy can help with memories and reactions from long ago, as well as recent ones.

Do I have to report what happened?

No. Whether to report is your decision, and therapy doesn't require it. If you're thinking about reporting, we can support you as you decide.

I don't remember everything. Can I still do therapy?

Yes. You don't need a complete memory, or to be certain of every detail, to work on how the experience affects you now.

What if talking about it makes things worse?

We start with safety and coping skills, and we never push you into memories before you're ready. Some ups and downs are normal, and we'll plan for them together.

Do you bill insurance directly?

We can bill most insurance companies directly, so you only pay the part your plan doesn't cover. Tell us your plan at your free consult, and we'll confirm before your first session.

Book a free 15-minute consultation

Written by Kyle Poon, M.Ed., R.Psych, EMDRIA Approved Trainer and Consultant · Reviewed September 2026

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