Lay Peers’ Experiences Delivering a Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Intervention for Postpartum Depression: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

This study aimed to explore and describe the experiences of lay peers learning and delivering a group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) intervention for postpartum depression (PPD). Informed by the principles of qualitative description, interviews were conducted with five lay peers who had delivered the intervention. Transcripts were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Delivering group CBT may have personal and professional benefits for peer facilitators and support them in accepting and making meaning of their past PPD experiences. Training in evidence-based therapies in a supportive environment is important for facilitating benefits experienced by peers and supporting efforts to scale these treatments.