Fostering Agency in Times of Transition (Webinar)

A-gen-cy/: defined as the human capacity to determine and make meaning from the environment through purposeful, conscious, reflective, and creative action.

This webinar discusses the role of the doula in fostering personal agency for our clients and families. There is no time where agency as an individual is more important than during illness and end of life transition. Yet, it’s during these vulnerable times that agency is too often compromised by conventional medicalized emphasis on quantity over quality. We will explore how we can assist our clients to exercise agency individually, by proxy, and in community. Emphasis will be on communication strategies to help clients clarify their needs, wants, and wishes regarding end-of-life matters. Finally, we will consider ways that doulas can foster client agency so that decisions are congruent with the core values they live by. This is true empowerment for the families we support.

The importance of self-awareness for doulas is paramount in the process of fostering agency. Tamara points out how certain clients will challenge doulas and require a disproportionate amount of our time. She invites us to explore whether we may be making assumptions regarding our client’s values and our own, and how that leads to poor communication. We fail at client empowerment if we are not truly providing non-judgmental support for their decision making.

Resources

Canadian Virtual Hospice Resources / Cultural Considerations

Two spirited LGBTQ+ EOL Resources

Books

The Story of Pain: From Prayer to Painkillers, by Joanna Bourke.

Health at the Crossroads, by Dean Black.

Our Presenter

Tamara MacIntyre, certified end-of-life-doula, is also a chiropractor, doctor of functional medicine, and recovering higher education administrator. Tamara is the co-founder of The PRANA Foundation where she offers education, mentorship, and retreat to others serving in health and healing professions. She is passionate about assisting, educating, and supporting others in choosing a death that aligns with the core values that have defined the way they have chosen to live their lives. Her vision is to facilitate a space where people are more curious than afraid. Tamara offers end-of-life education, individualized and small group care planning, and client advocacy.

How to contact Tamara:

www.ConsciousDeath.org / Linktr.ee/tamaramacintyre / IG – EndofLIfe_Architect / FB – drtamaramacintyre Email – hello@consciousdeath.org