OCD Support Groups Across Canada

Canadian OCD Foundation – Parent/ Caregiver/ Family Support Groups

This resource list is for parents, caregivers, and families of individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The following organizations offer opportunities to connect with others who share similar experiences, gain practical advice, and find a sense of community. Please note that the Canadian OCD Foundation does not endorse these resources or guarantee outcomes. The information provided is self-reported and for informational purposes only.

Alberta OCD Foundation Family & Caregiver OCD Support Group

Contact: Caregivers / Family Members | AOCDF
Meeting Day & Time: Second Thursday of each month from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Register online at the above link with your email address, and you will receive a meeting invite link the day before the meeting.
Open To: Family members and caregivers of someone who lives with OCD who live in Alberta.
Fee: Free
Description: This support group offers an opportunity to meet other family members or caregivers of someone who lives with OCD. It is a supportive environment with a drop-in format that also provides tips and resources. The group is run as a peer-support model rather than led by clinicians and includes members who have valuable lived experience with children with OCD.

AMI-Quebec – Anxiety/OCD Support Group

Contact: Email [email protected] or call 514-486-1448
Meeting Day & Time: First Monday of every month, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, virtual.
Open To: Anyone with OCD challenges, as well as family and friends of those with OCD.
Fee: Free
Description: This Anxiety/OCD Support Group provides a warm welcome to anyone with OCD challenges, and family and friends of those with OCD. A medical diagnosis is not required. Join on Google Meet, no registration required. Looking for a safe and confidential place to vent, learn, and hear from people who understand what you’re going through? This support group aims to help participants feel less alone and better understood. Facilitated by people who have experience, either as a family caregiver or having lived with OCD, they offer an opportunity to develop a healthy perspective on OCD, explore coping strategies, and learn about support services and resources in the community.

Nova Scotia CMHA – OCD Parent & Caregiver Peer Support Group

Contact: Stacey Black, Dr. Julie MacDonald, and Nanette Shroff
Email: [email protected]
Meeting Day & Time: Monthly starting October 17^th from 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm, virtual. Participants will decide as a group when future meetings should be held.
Open To: Nova Scotians across the province.
Fee: Free
Description: Caring for a child with OCD can feel overwhelming, isolating, heartbreaking, and exhausting. Join the OCD Parent & Caregiver Virtual Peer Support Group to find a community of parents and caregivers who truly understand what you are going through. The OCD Parent & Caregiver Peer Support Group is a safe space to share your experiences; connect with others who understand the unique challenges you’re facing; share without judgment; and learn strategies to cope, from those who’ve been there. Join this supportive community today!

OCA Toronto First/Obsessive Compulsive Anonymous Toronto

Contact: Jennifer, [email protected]
Meeting Day & Time: Fourth Saturday of each month from 10:00 am to 11:30 am
Open To: Those with OCD as well as their supporters.
Fee: Free
Description: OCA Toronto is rooted in the 12 Step Program affiliated with OCA World Services. Their website contains resources and information on daily virtual and phone meetings, which include opportunities for sponsorship in the 12 Step Program for OCD. These confidential meetings employ various formats, including personal stories and thematic presentations, but the voluntary sharing of our experiences, strength and hope is at the heart of every meeting. Members also have the opportunity to exchange phone numbers and email addresses and join our confidential Facebook group. Although our in-person meetings began in Toronto, OCA Toronto is pleased to be able to welcome attendees from anywhere via Zoom or by phone. Those at OCA receiving professional help for OCD have found this program a welcome addition and want to express: You are no longer alone!

OCD North – Support Group for Parents & Caregivers of Children with OCD: Drop-In Virtual Support Group

Contact: Heather Armstrong, [email protected]
Meeting Day & Time: The last Thursday of each month from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm.
Open To: Parents and caregivers across Canada.
Fee: Free
Description: This parent-led virtual Parent Support Group is a drop-in group, making it convenient and accessible for parents and caregivers across Canada. There is no need to register in advance; participants can simply join online. Visit com/book-a-program, then choose Parent Support from the drop-down menu. The group is led by parents who share an isolating yet relatable perspective, reminding you that you are not alone. Share your experiences, challenges, and successes with others who understand what you’re going through. Gain practical advice and strategies for supporting your child, managing stress, and navigating treatment options in a confidential and non-judgmental environment where you can express your concerns and ask questions freely. This group also features guest speakers.

OCD Toronto Support Group

Contact: Nathan Poon or Christine Chiu, Co-Facilitators, 647-290-9409
Email: [email protected]
Meeting Day & Time: The third Tuesday of the month from September to June, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Two meeting formats: virtual via Zoom and in person at Romero House Centre, 1558 Bloor Street West (Dundas West subway), with free street parking in front of the Centre after 6:00 pm.
Open To: Persons with OCD, their family and other supporters.
Fee: Free
Description: Our peer-led volunteer-run support group has been meeting for over 30 years. The group fosters a safe, comfortable and confidential space to share experiences and advocate for recovery at everyone’s own pace. We facilitate Wellness Tools presentations by health care practitioners, the mental health community and members, such as Food & Mood, Exposure & Response Prevention Therapy, My OCD Journey plus Self-Care Planning, etc. We also host and organize social gatherings. Meetings are drop-ins, although email registration is required. Members can join our private Facebook Page as well.

Parents of Adult Children with OCD (US and Canada)

Contact: Susan A Lane/ Kathy Stocking
Email: [email protected]
Meeting Day & Time: Twice per month, Virtual. Please email for details.
Open To: Parents of Adult Children (minimum age 18) with OCD, from the United States and Canada.
Fee: Free
Description: Our parent-led groups provide parent-to-parent support to parents of adult children with OCD. It is a safe place for parents to connect with each other, share experiences, ideas, and resources, and receive compassionate support from other parents who are on a similar journey. We also hold special online events with invited guest experts who have specialized expertise in OCD and/or have lived experience.

Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton – Virtual Family-Focused OCD Booster Group

Contact: Call 905-522-1155, ext. 35377; participants must register by 5:00 pm the day before.
Meeting Day & Time: First Thursday of each month, 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm.
Fee: Free
Description: This virtual booster group is designed for parents of children and adolescents with OCD who have completed the family-focused treatment for OCD at the Anxiety Treatment and Research Centre. The sessions are facilitated by clinical nurse specialist Carrie Bullard. A parent champion will also be present for the sessions.
Group Goals: maintain gains and prevent relapse; review skills learned through completing the family-focused CBT for childhood OCD; obtain help with continued skills practice; provide parental peer support. The group will review and practice the skills learned during the treatment sessions. Group members are encouraged to support each other and help one another problem solve.

Sunnybrook OCD Family Support Group in conjunction with Hope + Me, Frederick W. Thompson Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Mood Disorders Association of Ontario

Contact: Register at hopeandme.as.me/OCDfamilysupport to access the group. Call for registration help or more information, toll-free, at 1-888-486-8236.
Meeting Day & Time: First Tuesday of each month, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, virtual via Zoom.
Open To: Anyone over the age of 18 who is a family member or loved one supporting someone with OCD. Participants must live in Ontario.
Fee: Free
Description: In conjunction with Hope + Me, Sunnybrook’s Frederick W. Thompson Centre for Anxiety Disorders offers a monthly online peer support group for family members of loved ones living with OCD. This group is facilitated by trained family peer support volunteers. Come gather and support one another through these challenging times in a safe, judgment–free space.

U.S. Support Groups that Accept Canadians

GSO OCD Family Member Support Group

Contact: Rhonda Wakefield (in North Carolina)
Email: [email protected]
Meeting Day & Time: Usually first or second Wednesday of the month, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm, virtual.
Open To: Family members and parents of those with OCD anywhere in the world.
Fee: Free
Description: This virtual professionally led support group provides a supportive, confidential environment to allow parents, partners, and family members of children and adults with OCD and OCD-related conditions to meet on a monthly basis. The group will give its members the opportunity to receive and offer hope, provide support, discuss OCD accommodations, and form connections. Participants will discuss ways to encourage and motivate their loved ones in their Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) goals and how to stop participating in rituals. Attendees will have an opportunity to discuss their personal experiences and challenges, as well as get expert information about OCD and related conditions.

Mental Health Community

Contact: Ryan Glubo
Email: [email protected]
Meeting Day & Time: Second Tuesday of every month, 6:00 pm EST, virtual via Google Meet.
Open To: Anyone dealing with or who knows someone dealing with OCD, anxiety and/or depression.
Fee: Free
Description: This support group is run via Google Meet for adults who suffer from OCD, depression and/or anxiety, as well as their loved ones. It is a group for individuals to be able to listen or speak as much as they want and offer support to one another. This is not a therapist-run group; rather, it is a group to let others know that they are not alone and offer a way to discuss some things that are going on in their lives. Please email Ryan Glubo to be added to the invite to join the group. Please note that while Ryan is not a doctor or therapist, he is someone with lived experience who feels a support group is a great way to help others feel supported and less alone.

Parents of Anxious Kids (PoAK) Support Group

Contact: Jeanette Nogales (in New Hampshire), [email protected]
Meeting Day & Time: Second Tuesday of the month at 8:00 pm EST, virtual via Zoom.
Open To: Parents of school-aged children with OCD/anxiety-related disorders.
Fee: Free
Description: The group is facilitated by Jeanette Nogales, LCMHC, M.Ed., C.A.G.S. of The OCD and Anxiety Center for Change. This group is free to attend, and attendees do not have to live in New Hampshire to participate. Please email [email protected] for the Zoom link.

Notes

A number of US-based support groups meet virtually and are open to any parent/caregiver/family member, regardless of location. See the IOCDF website to learn more.

Do you run a support group or treatment group? Add it to the Resource Directory on the IOCDF website! If you already run a support group for OCD and related disorders in your area, create a free listing in IOCDF’s Resource Directory to help more people find your group.

Can’t find a group in your area? Consider starting your own support group! You don’t need to be a mental health professional to run an effective support group. Take a look at the IOCDF’s Guide to Starting a Support Group.

Thank you to Jan Stewart for preparing this Anxiety Canada resource. Special thanks to members of the IOCDF Canada Task Force for their input and review.