Becoming a parent is a major life transition. While it can be a time of joy and connection, many fathers also experience stress, uncertainty, low mood or emotional difficulties as they adjust to their new role.
Around 1 in 10 fathers experience depression during pregnancy or after the birth of a child, yet many fathers do not seek support through traditional mental health services.
To address this gap, the Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI) developed DadBooster, a free online cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) program designed specifically for fathers experiencing depression during the perinatal period.
A new study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research has found that DadBooster significantly improved depression symptoms among fathers experiencing postnatal depression.
First randomised controlled trial of DadBooster
The study evaluated DadBooster in a randomised controlled trial involving 50 Australian fathers experiencing clinically diagnosed depression following the birth of a baby.
Participants were randomly assigned to either receive DadBooster immediately or a waitlist control condition receiving usual care.
After 12 weeks, fathers who used DadBooster experienced significantly greater improvements in depression symptoms compared with fathers in the control group.
The study found:
- Fathers using DadBooster experienced an average 72% reduction in depression symptoms
- Average depression scores moved from the moderate range into the normal range
- Fathers also experienced improvements in stress, negative thinking and confidence in their parenting role
The program was also associated with strong engagement, with 80% of fathers completing four or more of the six DadBooster sessions.
Holt C, Ericksen J, Gemmill A, Rodrigues A, Milgrom J. Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Fathers With Postnatal Depression: Randomized Controlled Trial of DadBooster. Med Internet Res 2026;28:e94541 URL: https://www.jmir.org/2026/1/e94541 DOI: 10.2196/94541
A program designed specifically for fathers
DadBooster was developed by PIRI researchers with input from fathers and fathers-to-be.
The program builds on PIRI’s experience developing evidence-based online CBT programs for parents, including MumMoodBooster, while being specifically adapted to reflect the experiences and needs of fathers.
Adaptations included:
- father-focused examples, imagery and videos;
- language reflecting common paternal experiences;
- a design approach informed by fathers’ preferences;
- a more concise and accessible presentation of information.
These changes recognise that fathers may experience and express emotional distress differently and that programs need to be designed in ways that encourage fathers to engage.
Supporting fathers and families
Supporting fathers’ mental health is important not only for fathers themselves, but also for partners, babies and the wider family.
Digital treatment programs such as DadBooster provide fathers with private, flexible access to evidence-based support that can be completed at a time and place that suits them.
The findings from this study add to the growing evidence that father-specific approaches are an important part of perinatal mental health care.
Accessing DadBooster
DadBooster is a free online treatment program for eligible Australian fathers and can be accessed without a referral.
DadBooster is an accredited digital mental health program that meets the requirements of the National Safety and Quality Digital Mental Health Standards, supporting the delivery of safe, high-quality, evidence-based care.
The development and delivery of DadBooster has been made possible through generous support from the Ian Potter Foundation, Perpetual Impact Philanthropy and Men of Malvern, with additional support from the Baker Foundation and the Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI).
Read the published research paper (Journal of Medical Internet Research, 2026)