The Family Centre will be closed on Wednesday, January 1. We will open again on Thursday, January 2.
Our office and counselling hours are reduced during the holiday season.
If you’re struggling with feeling low, anxious, or mentally unwell after having a child, you may be experiencing postpartum depression (PPD) as a new parent.
Therapy Group for Postpartum Depression and Anxiety
Welcoming a newborn in your family can be one of the greatest joys in life. However, transitioning into parenthood and caring for a newborn can also be demanding and overwhelming. Many new parents experience something called the “baby blues,” which can manifest into more serious symptoms of depression and anxiety. This is also known as postpartum, post-pregnancy, or post-natal depression.
The Postpartum Therapy Group is a safe, comfortable, and judgment-free space where parents can speak about their personal experiences and receive therapeutic support on how to treat postpartum depression and anxiety. While there isn’t an immediate cure for postpartum depression and anxiety, this therapy group is designed to empower parents with the knowledge, skills, and support they need to assist them on this journey.
In this supportive community, you’ll find understanding, comfort, and the strength on how to deal with your postpartum journey with confidence. You are not alone, and together, we can help you rediscover joy and balance with your new family.
This group will be beneficial for you if you are:
Feeling sad, anxious, or isolated at home and needing community
Feeling irritable, angry, and crying more often postpartum
Having trouble with their self-care (eating, sleeping) or bonding with your baby
Experiencing, or have a history of depression, anxiety, or mental health concerns (including postpartum depression/anxiety with previous children)
Looking to learn new coping strategies
The group is facilitated by a mental health therapist and will have a maximum of 8 participants per group.
Any birthing parent with a child aged 3 years or younger, who is looking for a safe environment to understand the mechanisms of postpartum depression and anxiety and steps to change areas that you wish while learning tools to support the healthy growth of your family.
What can I expect?
A 6-week in-person group, facilitated by a mental health therapist
Connect with other new birthing parents and share experiences
Learn about common postpartum experiences, including depression and anxiety
Explore topics such as emotional awareness and regulation, relationships and communication, identity shifts, self-care and community care
Develop and practice coping strategies and self-care tools
Free childminding with snacks is available during group time at all locations except Castle Downs YMCA. Childminding only is available at this location at a cost.
When and where is it offered and how can I sign up?
Each group runs for 6 weeks (6 sessions) for 2 hours each week.
This group is FREE for participants to attend. The group is offered at no cost thanks to funding from the Government of Alberta.
Can my partner also attend?
The Postpartum Therapy Group is strictly for birthing parents. However, we have a separate therapy group for partners/loved ones that is also free to attend.
The Partner Postpartum Therapy Group is designed for partners or close family members supporting someone through pregnancy and postpartum. Join this virtual-only group to learn more about the physical, emotional, and psychological changes your loved one (and you!) may experience, as well as how to provide effective emotional and practical support.
Sessions will cover topics like managing stress, maintaining healthy relationships, navigating new parenthood, and the importance of self-care for partners.
The group will meet online on Tuesdays from 5 to 7 PM starting on January 14, 2025, and will run for six weeks.
The Family Centre acknowledges that we are on Treaty 6 territory, a traditional meeting ground, gathering place, and traveling route for the Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Métis, Dene, and Nakota Sioux. We acknowledge all the many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit whose footsteps have marked these lands for centuries.
