Perinatal Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (pOCD): Diagnosis and treatment

Date: June 17, 2026

Time: 1 to 4 p.m. ET 

Facilitator:  Kristine Aanderson, R.Psyc, PMH-C, MA.

CE hours: 3

This training is suitable for: 

• Mental Health Professionals:  psychotherapists, counsellors, psychologists, social workers
• Medical Professionals: nurses, psychiatrists, pediatricians, family doctors
• Other:  Doulas, midwives, birth workers, pelvic floor therapists, any professionals that work with postpartum birthing persons

Client category: Professionals working with adult (18+) clients.

Level of training: Introductory 

Description: This professional workshop offers a comprehensive, evidence-based framework for understanding and treating the often complex and hidden experience of perinatal obsessive compulsive disorder (pOCD) with scary/intrusive thoughts.

Grounded in over 15 years of clinical experience the facilitator will cover the prevalence of pOCD, symptom profile, diagnostic criteria, and how to differentiate pOCD from postpartum psychosis, perinatal anxiety, and normative thoughts/adjustment reactions. Participants will explore common obsessive themes present in pOCD, and how these can manifest in new parents who are often suffering in silence. These will include the new and worsening effects the  pandemic had on perinatal mental health overall, and pOCD specifically. 

This program includes clear information on current best practice for the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of pOCD. Treatment options will address the advantages and disadvantages of various approaches, as well as how to engage in client-based treatment planning. Approaches covered will include psychoeducation, CBT, DBT, ACT, Inference-based CBT, and other specialized treatments. 

Attendees will learn to:

• Assess for pOCD with language that reduces stigma and encourages disclosure 
• Differentiate high-risk from low-risk symptoms 
• Engage in differential diagnosis when pOCD symptoms are present   
• Help clients understand their symptoms 
• Work together with clients to co-create treatment plans 

Learning objectives:

• Differential perinatal OCD from other perinatal mental health concerns, such as postpartum psychosis, perinatal anxiety, and normative postpartum adjustment, through the accurate assessment of symptoms, onset patterns, and client presentation. 
• Design and implement individualized, evidence-based treatment plans for clients with perinatal OCD. 
• Demonstrate effective use of clinical strategies that reduce stigma, enhance the working relationship with perinatal clients, and help them address and work through intrusive thoughts and compulsive urges. 

Audio/visual recording disclaimer: This live webinar will be recorded by the SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health Learning Institute for future resale as an on-demand learning offering. Registered participants in the live webinar will not receive access to the recording. Course materials include copyrighted material and other intellectual property with ownership rights attached to it. Participants may not copy, screenshot, record, duplicate, or share the materials or access to the materials with anyone who is not registered for the course. Participant video or audio recording of the session is strictly prohibited, except where a pre-approved accessibility accommodation has been arranged.

Please review the audio/visual consent form upon registration.