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

Ohio doula legislation

Ohio Doula Legislation (May Newsletter)

By Patty Brennan | May 1, 2024

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 Ohio…

birth doula training

Doula Training Expansion (April Newsletter)

By Patty Brennan | March 30, 2024

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…

top networking tips

Top Networking Tips for End-of-Life Doulas (webinar)

By Patty Brennan | March 22, 2024

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…

doula businesses evolve

Doula Businesses Evolve (Leap Year Newsletter)

By Patty Brennan | March 6, 2024

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…

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 Suffering Palliate:  To make (a disease or its symptoms) less severe or unpleasant without removing the cause. Palliative care is being…

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.…