Posts by Patty Brennan
Event Planning Guide & More (September Newsletter)
Increase your reach! Free Event Planning Guide & Networking Opportunities for End-of-Life Doulas We have been emphasizing the importance of getting out in the community to spread the word about end-of-life doulas and your services. Here are some opportunities coming up in Michigan. I want to encourage you think outside the box a bit. For example,…
Read MoreThoughts on “Holding Space” and More (August Newsletter)
From a student: “I loved talking about what it means to “hold space.” I think sometimes in life we always want to have an answer for everything or be doing something when we have a friend or client in need of support. The idea of “holding space” really has helped me to be okay stepping back…
Read MoreAtomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results (July Newsletter)
Atomic Habits (Book Review): You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Success as a doula business owner is certainly related to our skills, including both doula support skills AND business skills. Equally important is our mindset and the personal habits that enable us to…
Read MoreDoula Legal Challenges (June Newsletter)
Rites and Rights Revisited: Legal Challenges for End-of-Life Doulas This virtual townhall, co-sponsored by NEDA and INELDA, featuring two lawyers who have been active in defense of EOLDs in California and Indiana, was tremendously informative. The legal team shared these tips as general lessons for doulas: A recording of the townhall is available at the link above,…
Read MoreMedical Aid in Dying, End-of-Life Doulas, and the Doula Scope of Practice
By Patty Brennan Recently, I was conducting a webinar for end-of-life doulas (EOLDs) when someone in the audience shared that Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) clients were her specialty and that she travels to other states to “do it.” As MAiD was not the theme of our webinar, I did not pursue questioning her as to whether she…
Read MoreSetting Fees as an End-of-Life Doula (webinar)
With Patty Brennan Join a discussion on how to value our doula work. Fee setting considerations include your cost of doing business, your need for income, your geographic location and population served, whether to charge by the hour or set a package rate for services, how to do market research, and more. For more information…
Read MoreOhio Doula Legislation (May Newsletter)
Should nurses have oversight over doulas? New doula legislation in Ohio says “yes.” A new law (Section 4723.89 | Doula certification) in Ohio states: “Beginning on October 3, 2024, a person shall not use or assume the title “certified doula” unless the person holds a certificate issued under this section by the board of nursing.” So now, the…
Read MoreDoula Training Expansion (April Newsletter)
Events & Information for Birth & Postpartum Doulas (and aspiring Midwives!) Grant pays for tuition-free midwifery program at the University of Michigan. The University of Michigan’s School of Nursing has partnered with Birth Detroit to launch the Michigan Maternity Care Traineeship Program. What an opportunity! Laughing gas for labor pain? Nitrous oxide (N2O) has some advantages over injected…
Read MoreTop Networking Tips for End-of-Life Doulas (webinar)
Networking often gets a bad rap for three main reasons: This webinar addresses these concerns and reframes networking by bringing it back to its roots and true, authentic purpose: connecting with people. Attendees will walk away with a fresh perspective on networking, understand the importance and critical need to do it, and the skills to…
Read MoreDoula Businesses Evolve (Leap Year Newsletter)
Doula Businesses Evolve (= to develop slowly, over time) What are the three main reasons we procrastinate? Do you identify with any of these? Perfectionism is my home turf so I will speak to that. I have learned through necessity and experience to let go of perfectionistic thinking. The impulse is so strong in me that I can’t…
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