Passionate about birth and/or postpartum?
Empathetic & sensitive to the needs of others?
Interested in becoming a doula or focusing your business as a doula?
Harmony Doula Mentoring offers Community-Centered (also called Community-Based) Doula Training workshops in-person in California, live online, and through self-paced on-demand courses online. It is an approved doula training for students in the midwifery program at Midwives College of Utah (MCU). We also offer one-on-one business coaching and mentoring for professional doulas and doula groups.
Our goal in this comprehensive, 46-hour birth and postpartum doula training program is for our doulas to feel confident in supporting clients and families through the whole perinatal period to the fullest of their ability.
Students learn:
"Teri is an INCREDIBLE teacher, and so knowledgable in all aspects of pregnancy, birth, postpartum, breastfeeding, and so much more! I feel very well prepared and am confident in knowing I will be an excellent doula. So grateful for this training!" - Corinne
Are you a doula for whom birth or postpartum work has ignited a passion, but you don't know where to start? Or are you a doula whose flame is starting to burn out and you need a little help to tend that spark? Or you a group of doulas looking to get a new practice off to a great start?
Whether you are looking for a mentor, an accountability buddy, or a business coach, I'm happy to help. As an experienced solo- and group-practice doula and successful business owner, I know how to help you get known in your community, build a client base, create passive revenue streams, and have financial security. Book your mentoring session now!
Working toward certification?
Want to advance your knowledge of breast & chest feeding?
After completion of this course, you will be able to:
This workshop fulfills the DONA and CAPPA requirements for lactation education and will prepare you to offer breast/chestfeeding support for your clients. It is taught using a variety of teaching methods including lecture, videos, roleplay and Q&A. Certificates of completion will be awarded. If you are seeking DONA or CAPPA certification, please bring the appropriate documents for Teri to sign. Students have three options for the course: 1. live, online instruction with lecture and discussion all integrated, 2. hybrid instruction with the same lecture offered as a recording to watch in your own time, followed by live, online interactive discussion, and 3. Independent study, completing the lecture and assignments at your own pace. Please note the for the hybrid course, the date given is for the discussion group. Please give yourself at least 4 hours to watch the lecture in advance of the discussion group. Upcoming Schedule:
Fee: |
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Interested in advancing your skill set?
Want to know how you can improve outcomes?
Upcoming Classes:
Jan 22-23, 2024 - Live, in-person
Our general catalog of classes (*** denotes classes that can be taught virtually / online):
Find out more here and Subscribe to Harmony Doula Mentoring on Facebook for class schedule and updates.
Interested in scheduling a workshop for your local doula community? Teri is available and willing to travel throughout the US to teach on a variety of topics. Combine topics to make a half day, full day, or full weekend Advanced Training Experience.
Active listener
Really listen to your clients. Meet them where they are at. What do they want? What do they need? What are their hopes and expectations?
Watchful
In watching your client, what is their body languages telling you? Are they open? Are they safe? Are they grounded? Are they trying to reposition their baby through movement?
Instinctive
Trust yourself. Follow your instincts. Be compassionate and nurturing. Do what you’re moved to do. Say what you’re moved to say. Be authentic.
Patient
Being on-call, waiting for a labor to start, then waiting on a baby to come can take a long time. You have to be able to sit in the waiting without getting bored, discouraged, or impatient.
Reliable
Be available, be present, be consistant, be impecible with your word. When you commit to attend a birth or assist a new family, it's important to follow through and be at your best. Always have a back-up in case you cannot do that.
Myth: You have to have given birth yourself
False. There are many wonderful and effective doulas who have never given birth or parented a child.
Myth: You have to identify as female
False. A doula can be anyone who cares about and understands the needs of birthing and postpartum people.
Myth: You have to be "crunchy"
False. Every person deserves the doula that is right for them. The only commonality between all doulas is their commitment to supporting people in their journey through pregnancy, birth, or postpartum.
Myth: Doulas only support unmedicated births or don't support cesareans
False. Doulas support birth. Birth is a full spectrum of experiences. Doulas advocate for people being an active decision-maker on their care team and to choose the path that feels the most right to them, whatever that might be. Some doulas may choose the kind of client they prefer to work with or have an ideal client, but if the client's preferred birth plans change, the doula continues to support them.
Myth: You can't make a living as a doula
As an individual, you will decide how you run your business: if you want to volunteer (some doulas do), if you want to offer low or reduced rates (some doulas do), if you want to price yourself at the top of the scale (most doulas don't, but some do), how often you want to work (many doulas work part-time, others work full-time). If you want being a doula to be your primary source of income and you're willing to put in the effort it takes to be a successful business person, then you will.
Myth? You have to fight the system
This one is true. All birthwork is political. You have to care about birthing and postpartum people and how they are
treated. You have to be aware of whether or not they are being heard and understood, and advocate for them when they are not. Being in an environment where this might not be
true is hard on doulas.
The Harmony Doula Mentoring team offers regular mentoring and peer review sessions to doulas who train with us in order that they
feel supported in the work they are doing.