Therapy for Women in Alberta

Maybe you're holding a lot at once: work, relationships, family and your own health. When stress, anxiety, low mood or past hurts start to take over, it can be hard to find the time, or the permission, to look after yourself.

You don't have to wait for a crisis to reach out. KP Psychological offers confidential online therapy for women across Alberta, including Edmonton and Calgary. Sessions are by secure video, for people who are physically in Alberta at the time of each session.

Book a free 15-minute consultation

A woman on a mountain trail in Kananaskis, Alberta, in warm evening light

What the research shows

Some mental health struggles are more common for women:

  • Depression is about 1.5 times more common among women than among men, according to the World Health Organization.
  • About 8 in 100 women will have PTSD at some point in their lives, compared with about 4 in 100 men. The US National Center for PTSD notes this is partly because of the kinds of trauma women are more likely to face, such as sexual assault.
  • In a 2018 Statistics Canada survey, 44% of women who had ever been in an intimate relationship reported some form of psychological, physical or sexual abuse by a partner in their lifetime.

None of this means something is wrong with you. It means these struggles are common, and help is available.

What women come to therapy for

Women come to therapy for all kinds of reasons, including:

  • stress, anxiety and burnout
  • low mood or depression
  • trauma, including sexual trauma and complex trauma from childhood
  • the effects of an abusive or controlling relationship
  • relationship strain, separation or divorce
  • grief and loss
  • the strain of caring for children, a partner or aging parents
  • self-esteem, boundaries and people-pleasing
  • life changes, including perimenopause and menopause

All women are welcome here, including lesbian, bi, trans and queer women.

Menopause and your mood

Perimenopause and menopause can bring mood swings, low mood, anxiety, poor sleep and trouble concentrating, according to the NHS. NICE, which sets health guidance in England, says cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help reduce some menopause symptoms, including low mood, sleep problems, and hot flushes and night sweats.

Medical options, such as hormone therapy, are a conversation with your doctor. We don't prescribe, but therapy can help with the stress, anxiety and low mood that can come with this stage of life, alongside your medical care.

If you're not safe at home

If someone is hurting, threatening or controlling you, your safety comes first.

  • In an emergency, call 911.
  • Alberta's Family Violence Info Line: call or text 310-1818, any time. Phone support is available in more than 170 languages.
  • Alberta's One Line for Sexual Violence: call or text 1-866-403-8000, 9 am to 9 pm daily.

Therapy can help with the effects of abuse, when and how you're ready.

How we work

We start by understanding where you are now, what you have been carrying, and what you want to feel different. Then we plan together, with clear goals.

Depending on what fits, therapy may include CBT, DBT skills for strong emotions, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and trauma-focused therapy such as EMDR. You set the pace, and nothing happens without your agreement.

Things that can help day to day

  • Make room for rest. Sleep and small breaks matter, even on busy days.
  • Keep one or two people close. A friend, partner or family member you trust.
  • Notice your limits. Saying no to one thing can mean saying yes to yourself.
  • Use your breath. In this video, Kyle teaches box breathing, a simple way to take the edge off stress.

Who you'd see

  • Marissa Whalley, MC, R.Psych (she/her) focuses on anxiety, relationship issues and stress. She also works with trauma, depression, life transitions, family conflict, codependency and self-esteem. She currently has openings, often as soon as the following week.
  • Kyle Poon, M.Ed., R.Psych (he/him) focuses on EMDR and trauma-focused therapy, including childhood, relational and sexual trauma. He is an EMDRIA Approved Trainer and Consultant. Kyle currently has a waitlist.

What therapy looks like here

Sessions are 50 minutes, by secure video, so you can join from home or another private space. 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 $235 with Marissa and $250 with Kyle. 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

Can I choose to work with a woman?

Yes. Marissa Whalley (she/her) sees individuals aged 16 and older. Let us know when you book your free consult.

Do I need a diagnosis to start?

No. You don't need a diagnosis or a referral. Many women come in because something feels off, or because they're tired of carrying it alone.

Can therapy help with menopause?

Therapy doesn't treat menopause itself. It can help with the stress, anxiety and low mood that can come with it, alongside care from your doctor.

Is therapy confidential?

Yes. What you share is confidential, with a few legal limits, such as a serious risk of harm to you or someone else. We'll explain these limits before you start.

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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