CSEP Launches World’s First Exercise & Depression Specialization™ to Support Mental Health Through Movement

OTTAWA, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) proudly announces the now complete CSEP Exercise & Depression Specialization™, the world’s first evidence-based credential designed to train and certify qualified exercise professionals in supporting individuals living with depression through structured, supervised exercise.

Mental illness affects millions of Canadians, and depression remains one of the most common and disabling conditions, significantly impacting quality of life, daily functioning, and overall health. While psychotherapy and medications are widely used treatments, they’re not always timely, accessible, or affordable. Long waitlists, stigma, and resource shortages leave people without help in many communities. At the same time, Canada’s primary care system continues to be overextended.

This specialization positions CSEP Certified Personal Trainers® (CSEP-CPT) and CSEP Clinical Exercise Physiologists® (CSEP-CEP) as part of the broader mental health solution, providing safe, effective care grounded in clinical research.

"The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology is proud to offer the world’s first evidence-informed credential designed explicitly for exercise professionals to support individuals living with depression," said Dr. Kristi Adamo, Chair, CSEP Board of Directors. "CSEP is committed to addressing mental health challenges. With half of Canadians experiencing mental illness by age 40, this specialization meets an urgent need for accessible, sustainable, and effective mental health interventions."

Developed in collaboration with leading mental health and exercise science researchers, including Dr. Guy Faulkner, a world-renowned expert on the role of physical activity in mental health, and Dr. Madelaine Gierc, a behavioural medicine researcher with a background in clinical and health psychology, the program builds on the Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) clinical guidelines. These guidelines now recognize exercise as a first-line treatment for mild to moderate depression, on par with therapy and medication.

Exercise has been identified as a safe and effective treatment for depression, but for many people living with depression, following a regular exercise routine is easier said than done. Symptoms like fatigue, cognitive difficulties, and low motivation can make exercise difficult. Additionally, many people experience co-occurring health conditions that require special consideration when developing exercise programs.

The specialization is developed to help increase exercise professionals’ confidence in working with clients with depression. Our work was guided by people with lived experience, exercise professionals, and clinicians; and informed by current research, clinical guidelines, and best practices in mental health care. The result is a comprehensive program that will increase exercise professionals’ knowledge of depression and introduce practical skills for supporting clients.

"We are thrilled to launch this specialization with CSEP—and, over the next years, explore its impact on clients, exercise professionals, health systems, and communities. We hope it will move us closer to offering exercise as a standard part of mental health care. One of our favourite things about EBT-D (exercise-based treatment for depression) is all the positive side effects. On top of being an effective antidepressant, people also experience improved physical and mental well-being. Exercise is a way to learn new skills, challenge ourselves, have fun, connect with our communities and culture, explore nature, and feel good in our bodies. Exercise professionals, with their training and experience, can play an essential role in helping people with depression achieve these benefits." - Dr. Madelaine Gierc and Dr. Guy Faulkner.

Research shows that exercise-based treatment for depression is more effective when an exercise professional supports people. However, traditional exercise prescriptions, which tend to focus on physical health, might not be a good fit for clients who experience depression. Programming that takes into consideration symptoms and the clients’ unique needs can help support people as they work toward recovery.

The CSEP Exercise & Depression Specialization™ now includes 40 hours of self-paced video, audio, reflection exercises, and applied learning. Participants build practical skills in behaviour change, mental health literacy, and exercise prescription tailored for people living with depression, including postpartum individuals and those with chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic pain, and cancer.

Key features of the program include:

• Recognition by CANMAT as a treatment-aligned credential.
• Exclusive eligibility for CSEP-certified professionals with post-secondary education.
• Multimedia training that combines empathy-building, professional communication, and applied programming.
• Tools for diverse populations, including those navigating recovery, stigma, or complex health needs.

With this credential, exercise professionals can expand their capacity to contribute meaningfully to mental health care and help reduce pressure on traditional systems by offering an evidence-based, movement-focused pathway to better well-being.

Enrollment for the CSEP Exercise & Depression Specialization™ is now open. To learn more, visit www.csep.ca.