Foundations of Doula Practice
Sound Guidance to Help Your
Doula Practice Flourish
Foundations of Doula Practice is open to anyone, including those who have not trained with us, because we want ALL doulas to be successful. Join our experienced Foundations Coaches during this nine meeting course, designed to help you focus on your target clients; set up your practice paperwork; decide on a media/marketing strategy; develop your vision for your doula life; prepare for client meetings, and to support you through your first birth support experiences. Foundations of Doula Practice meets every two or three weeks in a small group. You also receive a one hour one on one session with your Coach, which you can take advantage of at any time.
Course Content
Open to All Doulas
Your experienced doula Coach will mentor you through nine topics. Participants will have creative projects to complete before each meeting. This original curriculum is unique to Doulaing The Doula, and was designed by Amy Gilliland to be insightful, fun, and educational. Join others in a supportive atmosphere as you grow your doula selves!
Each meeting includes some prep work and discussion about culture, colonization, or other relevant topic to doula support. In our readings, group work, and time together, we strive to be respectful of all peoples and their differing experiences.
The topics covered are:
Week 1: Who Am I? Who Is Supporting Me?
Week 2: Getting Out of My Own Way and Who Are My People?
Week 3: What is my Vision for My Doula Practice? What is my Purpose?
Week 4: How Am I Compensated? What are my Rewards?
Week 5: How Will People Know What I’m Doing? Getting the Word Out
Week 6: How will I Organize Everything? How Do I Implement my Plan?
Week 7: Beginning The Client Relationship
Week 8: Doulaing in Times of Grief and Loss
Week 9: Creating A Team with Medical Staff; Revisit Your Vision
Plus: One-hour private discussion with your Coach at the time of your choosing!
Course Work
All participants are required to complete the reading list (six print or audio books from 21 choices). Participants may upload their book response in writing or via video.
When you sign up for the Foundations of Doula Practice Coaching Program, you will receive:
- The Foundations of Doula Practice Program Workbook by Amy Gilliland
- A copy of the Doula Business Guide Workbook by Patty Brennan
- Six months of small group mentoring from a qualified Certification Coach
- Debriefing and support sessions to discuss the births you attend
- One hour of one-on-one time with your Certification Coach to be spent how you wish
Get Help with This Course and Connect with Other Doulas in Our Book Club
A few times a year we offer this reading list as a Book Club. Our Book Club meets six times and meetings are every three to four weeks. The first hour will cover book group discussion, and the second hour focuses on listening to your birth and client stories. You are responsible for making sure that the facilitator can tell that you read the book and thought about it during your discussion.
Join Our Online Learning Community to Further Develop Your Doula Skills
Powerful Prenatal Relationships
Become the confident calm doula, nurse, family visitor or social worker who knows how to develop transformative relationships with pregnant clients. Increase your effectiveness with families through trauma informed & anti-racist approaches.
Recognizing the Previously Traumatized Person in Labor
How do you recognize whether a patient or client has previous trauma (PT)? What do you change in order to optimize their birth outcomes? Apply these strategies immediately after completing this one hour course! Return for the intriguing resources.
Your Social Brain
Our brains are designed for us to connect to others. Come on a journey with me where I show you how our social brains work and how to meet those needs – even in a virtual environment. Increase your social effectiveness by understanding your brain!
Business and Marketing for New Doulas
Learn new ways to build your practice, better manage paperwork, and identify your target clients with experienced, professional doulas.
Check Your Schedule!
Doulaing The Doula offers a wide range of courses and workshops throughout the year. Check out our course calendar to see what educational opportunities are waiting for you.
