Steps to Wellness Program for Perinatal Depression

Ottawa Public Health is pleased to share this opportunity with you to invite mothers↗ and fathers↗ who are expecting or have a child (birth or adoption) and who have been feeling depressed, sad, anxious, angry or overwhelmed to a FREE 9-week group-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) program.  

During a nine-week series, participants meet in a virtual group setting with a public health nurse and learn skills to help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety by changing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.  

Next sessions for mothers: 

• English Group starting Thursday March 26th, 2026 from 10 am to noon - OPEN for registration 

• English Group starting Tuesday April 28th, 2026 from 10 am to noon - OPEN for registration 

Interested participants can visit ParentingInOttawa.ca/CBT↗ for more information, and to register↗.  

Next session for fathers: 

The program for fathers is being offered as part of a research study to determine whether a group CBT intervention is helpful for fathers and fathers to be. All participants in the research study will complete three online questionnaires and three brief telephone interviews.  

• English group starting Thursday, March 5th, 2026 from 6pm to 8pm - OPEN for registration 

Interested participants can register now by emailing dadscbt@mcmaster.ca or by accessing this registration link↗.