Biography
Dr. Helen Olaoye is a psychiatrist with focused expertise in Perinatal Psychiatry, Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), and evidence-based psychotherapies, including cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, and psychodynamic approaches. She completed her psychiatry residency at the University of Ottawa and earned her medical degree from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, with qualifications in Medicine, Surgery, and Obstetrics.
Dr. Olaoye brings a strong commitment to culturally responsive care, shaped by her lived experiences as a Black female physician and mother. Her clinical interests lie in supporting women and families during the perinatal period, particularly those navigating complex emotional, social, and cultural challenges. She has completed multiple electives and shared care placements in Perinatal Psychiatry at The Ottawa Hospital and is certified in the administration of ECT through the International Society for ECT and Neurostimulation (ISEN).
She has presented on topics such as Cultural Considerations in Perinatal Depression and maintains scholarly interests in psychotropic use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Olaoye is active in medical education and mentorship, having served as the Ontario Representative for the Canadian Psychiatric Association’s Members-in-Training Subcommittee and mentoring medical students through the Black Medical Students’ Association of Canada. She has also contributed to postgraduate teaching initiatives, including the University of Ottawa’s simulation-based ECT training course for clinicians.
Dr. Olaoye remains engaged in leadership and teaching roles within the community and is committed to advancing culturally sensitive, collaborative approaches to mental health care.