Tailored Treatments for Specific Populations

PIRI develops and evaluates perinatal mental health interventions tailored for specific populations, including pregnant and postpartum women, couples, and fathers, delivered across a range of formats such as self-help, distance-based therapy, group, individual, and web-based programs.

PIRI has pioneered preventive and treatment approaches for antenatal depression and anxiety with the aim of protecting later child development. This work reflects PIRI’s strength in designing interventions and conducting RCTs that translate knowledge of mood, behaviour, and relationships into effective, real-world treatments.

A major achievement has been the development of MumMoodBooster, progressed to delivery-ready scale through collaboration with international experts at the Oregon Research Institute. Funded by the US National Institute of Mental Health, MumMoodBooster was developed through a staged, evidence-based process and has demonstrated effectiveness in randomised controlled trials, including direct comparison with face-to-face psychological therapy.

Building on this work, PIRI is developing DadBooster, a world-first, web-based CBT intervention for fathers experiencing perinatal depression or anxiety. This program addresses a critical service gap, as new fathers are less likely to access traditional supports and often remain untreated.