Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Online Transdiagnostic Group CBT for Postpartum Depression and Anxiety

This study is testing an online group therapy called Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for new mothers in Ontario, Canada, who are experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety after having a baby. It's for mothers whose babies are under 12 months old. The main goal is to see if this 10-week online program can be successfully run for many people, how easy it is to sign up for, and if people like it. Half the participants will get the online group CBT plus their usual care, and the other half will just get their usual care. This will help researchers understand if the online therapy is a good step towards helping more new parents.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

McMaster University

Enrolment target

Start

09 Sep 2025

Estimated completion

01 Sep 2026

Postpartum Depression (PPD)Postpartum Anxiety

What is this study about?

Having a baby is a big change, and it's common for new mothers to experience feelings of sadness or worry. This can sometimes develop into postpartum depression or anxiety, which are real conditions that need support. This study is exploring a way to help by offering an online group talking therapy called Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). CBT is a well-known type of therapy that helps people understand how their thoughts and feelings affect their actions, and then learn new ways to cope.

The researchers want to find out if offering this CBT in an online group setting is a good idea. They'll be checking how easy it is to get people involved, how many people stick with the program, and if those taking part find it useful and helpful. They'll also be looking to see if the therapy makes a difference to how mothers are feeling, which could lead to bigger studies and more widely available support in the future.

This is a 'pilot study', which means it's a smaller-scale test to gather important information before potentially launching a larger, more comprehensive study. The aim is to make sure that if this online therapy is offered more widely, it will be effective and easy for mothers to access when they need it most.

Key takeaways

Tests online group talking therapy (CBT) for new mothers.
Aims to help with postpartum depression and anxiety.
For mothers in Ontario with babies under 12 months.
Half receive online CBT, half receive usual care.
Helps researchers understand effective online support.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be at least 18 years old and living in Ontario, Canada. You should also have a baby who is less than 12 months old. It's important that you can understand and speak English well enough to take part in the group sessions and answer questionnaires.

The study is for mothers who are experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression or anxiety. The researchers will use a couple of standard questionnaires to see if your symptoms fit the study's criteria.

However, some conditions might mean you can't take part. This includes if you have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a psychotic disorder, borderline personality disorder, or if you are currently struggling with substance use. These conditions would need different types of support.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Is your baby less than 12 months old?
Do you live in Ontario, Canada?
Can you comfortably speak and write in English?
Are you experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety after childbirth?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll be randomly assigned to one of two groups, like flipping a coin. One group will receive the online group CBT alongside their usual postnatal care. The other group will continue with their usual postnatal care only.

The Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) group will involve 10 weekly online sessions. Throughout the study, you'll be asked to complete several questionnaires. You'll fill these out when you start the study, again after 10 weeks (around when the CBT group finishes), and then a final time about six months after you first joined. If you're in the CBT group, you'll also be asked to complete a satisfaction questionnaire with a few open-ended questions about your experiences and ideas for improving the online therapy.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study could offer several potential benefits. If you are in the CBT group, you might find the online therapy helpful in managing your feelings of depression and anxiety. Even if you're not in the CBT group, your participation will help researchers understand more about supporting new mothers, which could benefit others in the future. As with any study, there could be some potential drawbacks, such as the time commitment required for the online sessions and questionnaires. Some people might find discussing their feelings challenging. However, you are always free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

McMaster University
Verified postcode
Hamilton, Canada

Common questions

What is 'postpartum depression'?

It's when new mothers experience strong feelings of sadness, anxiety, or emptiness for a long time after childbirth. It's more intense and lasts longer than the 'baby blues'.

What is CBT?

CBT, or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, is a type of talking therapy that helps you understand how your thoughts and feelings affect your behaviour, and gives you tools to manage them better.

Is the therapy online?

Yes, all the group therapy sessions will be conducted online, making it easier to access from home.

Will I definitely get the therapy?

No, there's a 50/50 chance, like flipping a coin. Half the participants will get the online CBT, and the other half will receive their usual care.

How long will I be involved in the study?

You'll be involved for about six months in total, completing questionnaires at the start, at 10 weeks, and at six months.