Our Blog & Newsletter Archives From birth to end-of-life care

doula business development toolkit

Doula Business Development Tools & More! (February Newsletter)

By Patty Brennan | January 30, 2024

NEW! The fully updated 4th editions of The Doula Business Guide and Workbook are now available! In addition to being a comprehensive guide to setting up a doula business from scratch, The Doula Business Guide and Workbook include new guidance on:The Metrics of SufferingPalliate:  To make (a disease or its symptoms) less severe or unpleasant without removing the cause.Palliative care is being implemented as a regular…

doulas in hospice

Doulas in Hospice: A Successful Business Model (Webinar)

By Patty Brennan | January 18, 2024

This presentation covers how Present for You doulas support hospice and how doulas can help solve several ongoing gaps in care within the health system. Our speaker, Jane Euler, shares how she formed collaborative relationships with hospice care providers to better serve families. After completing doula training with two different organizations and pursuing “private pay” clients, Jane…

Doula Business Guide and Workbook

January 2024 Newsletter

By Patty Brennan | January 5, 2024

When just starting out, I recommend doulas keep their offerings simple. It’s great to have a grand vision, but it needs to roll out organically, evolving as you go. As your business gets rolling, specializing in more than one area allows you to change gears and adapt as your life circumstances dictate.

winter scene

Are we helping, fixing, or serving? December Newsletter

By Patty Brennan | December 3, 2023

Are we helping, fixing, or serving? These concepts were introduced by a participant in a recent end-of-life doula training. Contemplation of these ideas, as applicable to doulas, reveals key relationship dynamics that may be undermining our efforts with families. We must stay mindful about our role and purpose. Do we view our clients as weak…

SEO 101 for Doulas

SEO 101 for Doulas Webinar

By Patty Brennan | November 17, 2023

Search Engine Optimization with Sarah Juliasson When you understand the basics of SEO, your website has so much more potential to reach your ideal clients. Learn the basics of how to properly format a blog post to show up on google. We’ll explore choosing keywords, keyword placement and density, post length, alt text, images, formatting and…

behind closed doors

We live in a death denying culture ~ November 2023 Newsletter

By Patty Brennan | October 30, 2023

Behind Closed Doors In the U.S. today, more people are choosing to die at home than ever before. The institutionalization of dying behind closed doors means that many of us have never witnessed a death and have no idea what to expect. Our death denial means that we avoid having conversations about the end of…

doula business mentoring

Invest Now & Save! (October Newsletter)

By Patty Brennan | October 2, 2023

Absolutely Everything is ON SALE through October 14th!  Save 15% on individual trainings, training packages, my books, directory listings, cross certification, membership, and mentoring (NEW!). Use coupon code = october2023. We have many updates on our website: Keep in mind that it is possible to earn back your investment in doula training with your first couple…

Francesca Arnoldy

Introduction to Death Journaling (webinar)

By Patty Brennan | September 22, 2023

Join community doula and educator, Francesca Lynn Arnoldy, for an introduction to “Death Journaling,” based on her new book, The Death Doula’s Guide to Living Fully and Dying Prepared. During this workshop, participants are invited to reflect back, turn inward, and plan ahead with intention and insight, focusing first on introspection and then extending care to others.…

What is end-of-life doula?

What is an End-of-Life Doula? September 2023 Newsletter

By Patty Brennan | September 6, 2023

NEW Educational Outreach Tool for End-of-Life Doulas! What is an End-of-Life Doula? is new outreach tool for end-of-life doulas, now available to download and customize for your audience ($14.95). The PowerPoint slide show can be used to make presentations to consumers, hospices, home health agencies, student groups, veterans’ groups, and more. Nine simple and beautiful slides…

international end-of-life doulas

International End-of-Life Doulas ~ August Newsletter

By Patty Brennan | August 1, 2023

Especially for our International End-of-Life Doulas Researchers have been exploring the role of end-of-life doulas from an international perspective, according to a recent webinar sponsored by NEDA. The research is intended to be published before the end of 2023 in the journal of Palliative Care and Social Practice under the title, “International Reflections on a…

Palliative touch

Comfort Massage at End of Life ~ Webinar

By Patty Brennan | July 20, 2023

Comfort massage at end of life is slow, small, and soft. Cindy teaches that “we can give deep presence without deep pressure.” Comfort massage or palliative touch provide an opportunity for doulas to comfort and connect with their dying clients. This session is designed to build confidence to incorporate gentle techniques used by massage therapists…

leaving my comfort zone

Leaving our comfort zone as new doulas ~ July Newsletter

By Patty Brennan | July 4, 2023

Is it normal to feel nervous? “I just finished training and took my exam last week. I already have someone interested in talking with me about my doula services. Is it normal to feel a little nervous? I have been out of the work game for about five years now. While I am excited to jump…