Perinatal Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (pOCD): Diagnosis and treatment

Presented by SickKids CCMH Learning Institute

Date: June 17, 2026
Time: 1 to 4 p.m. ET
Facilitator: Kristine Aanderson, R.Psyc, PMH-C, MA.

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. 

Registration fee: General - $150  |  Student and group rates are available

For full program overview and registration details please visit: https://cvent.me/kYgQGR

Facilitator Bio:
Kristine Aanderson, R.Psyc, PMH-C, MA, is a Registered Psychologist with a longstanding commitment to advancing the awareness and treatment of perinatal mental health. She was the first psychologist in Western Canada to be certified by Postpartum Support International in the treatment of perinatal mood disorders and went on to become a developer of test questions for the PMH-C exam.

Over the past 15 years, she has focused on supporting individuals through the complexities that can occur with pregnancy, loss, birth, and postpartum. She has specialized training and experience in the areas of perinatal OCD/scary thoughts, birth trauma, hyperemesis gravidarum, fertility, anxiety, depression, grief, pregnancy after loss, support through termination for medical reasons, disordered eating, and parenting with ADHD.

In addition to her clinical work, Kristine is a sought-after speaker who has presented across North America and Europe, sharing her experience and insights with colleagues committed to supporting the wellbeing of individuals through the transformative – and often challenging – perinatal journey. 

Continuing Education (CE) information: 3 CE hours