Member Webinars Continuing Education & Enrichment
This page is under development and the webinars are not yet ready for purchase.
They will be available no later than November 1st.
We have curated the best of our collection of webinars featuring experienced doulas, authors, and experts in the field. Each one-hour webinar has been approved for 1 CEU toward Lifespan's recertification requirements.
Become a member to gain priority access to all live webinars. Connect with other doulas!
Options
#1
Choose any 1 webinar for $19
#2
Choose any 5 webinars for $75
#3
Choose any 10 webinars for $125
#4
Choose a Pre-selected Package of 5 Webinars for $75
#5
Access the entire collection for $200
Browse the Collection
* Indicates that the session is appropriate for birth and postpartum doulas, as well as end-of-life doulas.
** Indicates that the session is specifically for birth and postpartum doulas. (More coming in 2027!)
Naturopathic Comfort Care at the End of LIfe
With Beth Barbeau, CPM
The paradigm of medicalized death in our culture today is pervasive. In this session, we discuss ways end-of-life doulas can move forward purposefully and strategically to return death to its natural, sacred place in the circle of life.
Beth Barbeau, CPM, LM, is a homebirth midwife and educator with 40+ years of experience in holistic maternity care and naturopathic family health. Beth pioneered the Holistic Doula Program at The Naturopathic Institute in Mount Pleasant, Michigan and taught Death and Dying within their Certified Naturopath curriculum. In 2007 she founded Indigo Forest: Healthy Births, Healthy Lives where she focuses on practical, evidence-informed courses and resources to empower families and professionals.
Introduction to Death Journaling
With Francesca Lynn Arnoldy, author
This session is based on Francesca Arnoldy's book, The Death Doula’s Guide to Living Fully and Dying Prepared. Participants are invited to reflect back, turn inward, and plan ahead, focusing first on introspection and then extending care to others.
Francesca Lynn Arnoldy is a community doula and death literacy advocate. She is the author of Living Fully and Dying Prepared (a workbook), Cultivating the Doula Heart: Essentials of Compassionate Care (a guidebook), and Map of Memory Lane (a picture book). Francesca is a researcher with the Vermont Conversation Lab and was the original course developer of the University of Vermont's End-of-Life Doula Professional Certificate Programs. Visit her website.
Shifting Away from Medicalized Death
With Jacki Mann, EOLD
When Beth’s mom had a long home-hospice journey, it was natural to support her with the holistic approaches she had cherished throughout her life. Homeopathy, botanical medicine, flower remedies, and more eased discomforts.
Jacki Mann, a former Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse, witnessed the catastrophic effects of medicalized dying in her work. With a desire to be a catalyst for change, she became an end-of-life doula eight years ago, serving as an educator, Home Funeral Guide, Green Burial Consultant, and most recently, as a Sacred Comfort Care practitioner. She has also created a training program for Sacred Comfort Care Practitioners.
How to Navigate Families in Conflict
With Grey Leifer, EOLD
When family members are not on the same page regarding a client’s care, End-of-Life Doulas often serve as the go-between. In this webinar, Grey shares tips on holding space for, and mediating groups, even when group members are all in different locations.
Grey Leifer is a full-time end-of-life doula and energy worker from the Hudson Valley, New York. Grey is also the creator of Aska Energetics, supporting the development of an energetic frequency designed to help caregivers fortify themselves for long-term caregiving.
The Doula Art of Balanced Caregiving
With Ellie Atherton, RN, author
As an experienced hospice nurse, Ellie helps us understand how to give to others in a compassionate way while maintaining our own precious energy. She shares nurturing practices for self-preservation that ultimately help to enhance the quality of our care.
Ellie Atherton began her work as a midwife to the dying in the early 90s as an herbalist. In 2003, she became a registered nurse and chose community hospice as her medical specialty. For Ellie, caring for patients in their home settings was a challenge, an honor, and a tremendous privilege. As a hospice nurse she continued to advance her training to include becoming a palliative care nurse educator and a hospice consultant. She is the author of three books:
- Stepping-Stones: Following a Pathway to the End of Life (2020)
- More Stepping-Stones: Unique Experiences and Vital Lessons Along Life’s Pathway (2021)
- The End-of-Life Pocket Guide: Honoring the Journey and Offering Care (2021)
Key Aspects of Honoring the Dying
With Ellie Atherton, RN, author
Ellie shares her techniques for building trust with clients, advocating for clients without alienating caregivers, addressing common concerns that arise as death approaches, and honoring each patient’s unique experience.
Ellie Atherton began her work as a midwife to the dying in the early 90s as an herbalist. In 2003, she became a registered nurse and chose community hospice as her medical specialty. For Ellie, caring for patients in their home settings was a challenge, an honor, and a tremendous privilege. As a hospice nurse she continued to advance her training to include becoming a palliative care nurse educator and a hospice consultant. She is the author of three books:
- Stepping-Stones: Following a Pathway to the End of Life (2020)
- More Stepping-Stones: Unique Experiences and Vital Lessons Along Life’s Pathway (2021)
- The End-of-Life Pocket Guide: Honoring the Journey and Offering Care (2021)
Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss*
With Amy Wright Glenn, author
What does it mean to hold space? What does it mean to companion the bereaved? How can doulas feel both confident and compassionate in the event of a planned fetal demise or an unexpected and heartbreaking outcome?
Amy Wright Glenn is the owner of the Institute for the Study of Birth, Breath and Death, and author of a book by the same title. You may be interested in reading Amy's book, Holding Space ~ On Loving, Dying, and Letting Go, as an accompaniment to the webinar.
Remember Me: The Work of Legacy
With Colleen Hewes, EOLD
Colleen shares how she approaches life review and legacy conversations with clients. Using a process she developed, she discusses five domains of life and how to create a vision map for clients as they engage the work of life review.
Colleen Hewes is a death doula, end-of-life consultant, and conscious dying educator. She is a member of the Gentle Passage Doula Collective in Washington state. Colleen developed the Best 3 Months program for creating legacy.
Navigating the Healthcare System
With Bonnie Blachly, EOLD
Doulas can help clients navigate the healthcare system maze to ensure they receive the best care possible. In this session, Bonnie shares how she helps clients—accompanying them to visits as a witness and coach, and debriefing afterwards.
Bonnie Blachly is an end-of-life doula, coach, and mentor. Her doula practice focuses on providing educational programs and hosting a monthly Death Café with her Gentle Passage Doula Collective colleagues.Â
Riding the Rollercoaster of Grief*
With Kathleen Putnam, EOLD
As a grief coach, Kathleen doesn't guide the grieving process, but rather walks along side the person who is grieving, listening with curiosity and not trying to fix their grief. Session includes discussion of compassion fatigue, myths about grief, and more.
Kathleen Putnam is an end-of-life doula and certified life coach specializing in Life’s Transitions through Grief and Loss. She is a founding member of the Gentle Passages Doula Collective in Seattle, Washington.
Trauma-Informed Care at the End of Life
With Tamara MacIntyre, EOLD
Tamara explores key principles and practical strategies to recognize and address past traumas, enhancing the care and support provided to clients. Gain valuable tools to create a safe, compassionate environment and improve the end-of-life experience.
Tamara MacIntyre, an end-of-life doula with over two decades in holistic healthcare, is dedicated to increasing death literacy and fostering open dialogue around mortality. She empowers individuals to navigate life’s transitions with confidence. As a death educator and advocate, Tamara provides end-of-life education, personalized care planning, and client advocacy. She also crafts sustainable willow coffins through consciousdeath.org, blending artistry with mindful end-of-life practices.
Role of the End-of-Life Doula in a Skilled Nursing Facility
With Jane Whitlock, EOLD
Jane Whitlock has spent four years working as an end-of-life doula as part of a larger care team for long-term care residents. Learn how Jane forged her heart-centered path of service to families into gainful employment.
Jane Whitlock became an end-of-life doula in 2015 and launched her business Death Doula Jane in 2016. She performed a TedTalk titled What I Learned about Life from Death. Jane also became a certified nursing assistant (CNA) to add to her skill set. She is the co-founder of the Minnesota Death Collaborative and Full Circle Care, an end-of-life doula program at Providence Place SNF in Minneapolis. She is currently on the board for End in Mind, a nonprofit that encourages people to have the tough end-of-life discussions.
End-of-Life Support for a Person with Dementia
With Lori Smith, EOLD
Lori shares practical tips for doulas and caregivers in the art of end-of-life support for a person with dementia. Topics include: communication challenges in expressing pain and the four main triggers that cause distress for a person with dementia.
Lori Smith, MA brings 24 years’ experience working in a variety of elder care models, including adult day care, home care, long-term care, memory care, and more. For the past 12 years Lori has specialized in dementia care and educating families to help them keep loved ones at home for as long as possible.Â
Creative Care Ideas for Dementia Support
With Grey Leifer, EOLD
Learn to protect your own connection to reality and expand your patience when working with clients with dementia. Grey's tips include improvisation techniques, adjusting our concepts around time, and practicing the art of skillful presence.
Grey Leifer is a full-time end-of-life doula from the Hudson Valley, New York. Having been exposed to many family members with dementia as a child and through adulthood, Grey cultivated an ability to hold space for people in this altered state of consciousness without fear or judgment. This skill would later become central to their life's work as an end-of-life doula and energy worker, serving families struggling with the disease. In addition, Grey is the creator of Aska Energetics, supporting the development of an energetic frequency designed to help caregivers fortify themselves for long-term caregiving.
Palliative Touch: Comfort Massage Basics
With Cindy Spence, author
Massage offers moments of wellbeing and connection at the end of life. This session is aimed at building confidence to incorporate gentle massage into your doula practice. Safety, positioning, and propping are emphasized.
Cindy Spence is the author of Palliative Touch: Massage for People at the End of Life. With her teaching partner, Susan Gee, Cindy teaches a three-day class for massage therapists and other professionals. She currently works at the T. Boone Pickens Hospice and Palliative Care Center in Dallas. Learn more about Cindy’s work at Final Touch Training.
Sacred Comfort Care: Restoring Humanity
With Jacki Mann, EOLD
In a society wrought with dehumanized, medicalized death care, Jacki has created a comprehensive, therapeutic approach known as Sacred Comfort Care designed to restore humanity, natural methods, and the sacred to modern death care.
Jacki Mann, a former Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse, witnessed the catastrophic effects of medicalized dying in her work. With a desire to be a catalyst for change, she became an end-of-life doula eight years ago, serving as an educator, Home Funeral Guide, Green Burial Consultant, and most recently, as a Sacred Comfort Care practitioner. She has also created a training program for Sacred Comfort Care Practitioners.
Weaving Willow Coffins & Green Burial
With Tamara MacIntyre, EOLD
Tamara shares her journey into weaving willow coffins and the role of handcrafted, biodegradable vessels in green burials. She provides insight into natural burial options and how doulas can support informed, sustainable end-of-life decisions.
Tamara MacIntyre, an end-of-life doula with over two decades in holistic healthcare, is dedicated to increasing death literacy and fostering open dialogue around mortality. She empowers individuals to navigate life’s transitions with confidence. As a death educator and advocate, Tamara provides end-of-life education, personalized care planning, and client advocacy. She also crafts sustainable willow coffins through consciousdeath.org, blending artistry with mindful end-of-life practices.
Cultural, Religious & Spiritual Practices at the End of Life
With Bonnie Blachly, EOLD
An overview of beliefs and practices from Judaism, Catholicism, and Islam is provided. The presentation includes a definition and discussion of what is meant by cultural/religious humility and encouragement for doulas to embrace it.
Bonnie Blachly is an end-of-life doula, coach, and mentor. Her doula practice focuses on providing educational programs and hosting a monthly Death Café with her Gentle Passage Doula Collective colleagues.Â
Hospice Inclusion & Ongoing Care for Companion Animals
With Judy Ramsey
Animal companions bring comfort to the dying person. In this session, Judy discusses the animal’s viewpoint of the experience and provides resources doulas can share with clients to assure the well-being and ongoing care of their beloved animals.
Judy Liu Ramsey is an ordained animal chaplain, a shamanic practitioner and teacher, a professional animal communicator and interspecies counselor with over 40 years of experience in counseling, teaching, and mentorship. About 80% of her practice is working with people and their beloved animal companions during the dying and death process. She offers grief support and hospice communication to families in need. Heart to Heart Animal Communication & Shamanic Practice.Â
How End-of-Life Doulas Help Families in Crisis
With Jane Callahan, EOLD, author
When a person enters hospice late, or suddenly after unexpected bad news, families often spiral into crisis mode, unsure of next steps. Jane shares strategies for helping patients, families, and friends find peace and clarity amid high emotions and uncertainty.
Jane K. Callahan is an end-of-life doula, hospice volunteer, and community death educator. She serves on the board of directors for the Funeral Consumers Alliance North Carolina and is pursuing an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a focus on thanatology. In addition to authoring A Death Doula's Guide to a Meaningful End, Jane publishes a death care Substack, The Terminal. Learn more at www.JaneKCallahan.com.
Fostering Agency in Times of Transition
With Tamara MacIntyre, EOLD
This session explores how doulas can assist 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 in end-of-life matters.
Tamara MacIntyre, an end-of-life doula with over two decades in holistic healthcare, is dedicated to increasing death literacy and fostering open dialogue around mortality. She empowers individuals to navigate life’s transitions with confidence. As a death educator and advocate, Tamara provides end-of-life education, personalized care planning, and client advocacy. She also crafts sustainable willow coffins through consciousdeath.org, blending artistry with mindful end-of-life practices.
Doula Burnout & Compassion Fatigue*
With Beth Barbeau, CPM
Are you feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or drained in your doula work? In this session, we will focus on simple body-based practices and nervous system resets to help doulas stay grounded and steady on hard days.Â
Beth Barbeau, CPM, LM, is a homebirth midwife and educator with 40+ years of experience in holistic maternity care and naturopathic family health. Beth pioneered the Holistic Doula Program at The Naturopathic Institute in Mount Pleasant, Michigan and taught Death and Dying within their Certified Naturopath curriculum. In 2007, she founded Indigo Forest: Healthy Births, Healthy Lives where she focuses on practical, evidence-informed courses and resources to empower families and professionals.
Setting Your Fees as an End-of-Life Doula
With Patty Brennan, author
Join a discussion on how to value your doula work. Considerations include your cost of doing business, need for income, geographic location, population served, whether to charge by the hour or set a package rate for services, and more.
Patty Brennan is the owner and visionary force behind Lifespan Doulas. For 40+ years, she has been a doula, trainer/educator, author, nonprofit executive, and entrepreneur. She is the author of The Doula Business Guide: How to Create a Successful Birth, Postpartum or End-of-Life Doula Business and The Doula Business Guide Workbook.Â
Creating an Effective Client Contract (EOLDs)
With Patty Brennan, author
What is the purpose of a doula contract or service agreement? Will it hold up legally? What information should be included? What tone do you want to strike? Should volunteer doulas have a contract? Do you need to hire a lawyer?
Patty Brennan is the owner and visionary force behind Lifespan Doulas. For 40+ years, she has been a doula, trainer/educator, author, nonprofit executive, and entrepreneur. She is the author of The Doula Business Guide: How to Create a Successful Birth, Postpartum or End-of-Life Doula Business and The Doula Business Guide Workbook.Â
Networking Tips for End-of-Life Doulas
With Kelly Collins, EOLD
This session brings networking back to its roots and true, authentic purpose—connecting with people. Doulas will gain a fresh perspective on networking, understand the critical need to do it, and learn the skills to do so successfully and with ease.
Kelly Collins is a certified end-of-life doula and owner of Soul Bridge Partners, offering concierge care for seniors and those at the end of life. After decades working in corporate America, Kelly was divinely guided toward holistic healthcare as a result of her father’s cancer and hospice journey. She developed a business as a holistic cancer coach and then went on to become a certified end-of-life doula through Lifespan Doulas. She serves as a dedicated and passionate guide, encouraging, educating, empowering, and equipping clients and their families at the end of life to find contentment and closure, and to die at peace, on their terms.
Doulas Embedded in Hospice: A Successful Business Model
With Jane Euler, EOLD
This session covers how Present for You doulas support hospice and how doulas can help solve ongoing gaps in care within the health system. Jane shares how she formed collaborative relationships with hospice care providers to better serve families.
Jane Euler is a practicing end-of-life doula, palliative care leader, hospital hospice liaison, and co-founder of Present for You LLC, a public benefit company. Present for You LLC provides support for individuals and their families navigating serious illness and the end of life.
After completing doula training with two different organizations and pursuing "private pay" clients, Jane realized that collaborating within the current health systems for end-of-life care might serve more individuals and families. Concurrently, Jane obtained a Masters in Palliative Care which solidified her commitment to working within both palliative and hospice systems.
Death Doula vs. the State: How to Legally Protect Yourself
With Lauren Richwine, EOLD
The State of Indiana tried for four years to shut down Lauren Richwine's doula business. She filed a case in federal court claiming her free speech rights were being violated. Join us to hear Lauren's story and learn what steps doulas can take to protect themselves.
Lauren Richwine was one of the first death doulas to serve in the Midwest. A published writer and photographer, she received her initial mentorship with the Earth Traditions Death Midwifery program in 2018 after keeping vigil at deathbeds with a local hospice. She launched her practice, Death Done Differently, LLC in 2019. Lauren is also a trained Advance Care Planning facilitator through Respecting Choices and continues to be passionately committed to defending community led death care.
Next Steps after Completing Doula Training*
With Patty Brennan, author
Are you tired of just being inside your own head and trying to figure out how to manifest your doula energy into action and income? This session is not about the nuts and bolts of doula business setup. Rather, we will focus on your goals and next best steps.
Patty Brennan is the owner and visionary force behind Lifespan Doulas. For 40+ years, she has been a doula, trainer/educator, author, nonprofit executive, and entrepreneur. She is the author of The Doula Business Guide: How to Create a Successful Birth, Postpartum or End-of-Life Doula Business and The Doula Business Guide Workbook.Â
Goal Setting & Business Planning for Doulas*
With Patty Brennan, author
When it comes to launching your doula practice, do you feel daunted, as though you are standing at the bottom of a mountain looking up? We can help identify the challenges you are facing, set realistic goals, and create your plan for success.
Patty Brennan is the owner and visionary force behind Lifespan Doulas. For 40+ years, she has been a doula, trainer/educator, author, nonprofit executive, and entrepreneur. She is the author of The Doula Business Guide: How to Create a Successful Birth, Postpartum or End-of-Life Doula Business and The Doula Business Guide Workbook.Â
Staying Out of Trouble with the IRS*
With Patty Brennan, author
This session provides an overview of IRS requirements for small business owners. Topics include: IRS forms you will need; maximizing your deductions; financial record keeping; setting up a system; options for paying your taxes; and avoiding IRS red flags.
Patty Brennan is the owner and visionary force behind Lifespan Doulas. For 40+ years, she has been a doula, trainer/educator, author, nonprofit executive, and entrepreneur. She is the author of The Doula Business Guide: How to Create a Successful Birth, Postpartum or End-of-Life Doula Business and The Doula Business Guide Workbook.Â
SEO Strategies for Doula Business*
With Patty Brennan, author
It's not enough to create and launch a website ("build it and they will come"). You need to employ strategies in the design process to optimize your site so it can start ranking with the search engines. Learn the SEO tricks of the trade.
Patty Brennan is the owner and visionary force behind Lifespan Doulas. For 40+ years, she has been a doula, trainer/educator, author, nonprofit executive, and entrepreneur. She is the author of The Doula Business Guide: How to Create a Successful Birth, Postpartum or End-of-Life Doula Business and The Doula Business Guide Workbook.Â
Search Engine Optimization 101 for Doulas*
With Sarah Juliusson, web design expert
When you understand SEO basics, your website has so much more potential to reach your ideal clients. Learn the tricks to start ranking on google. We'll explore choosing keywords, keyword placement and density, post length, alt text, images, formatting, and more.
Sarah Juliusson, founder of The Website Doula, has helped hundreds of health and wellness pros launch smart, strategic websites that attract dream clients. She was a doula and childbirth educator for over 20 years, and loves helping clients better serve their communities with a strong online presence. The Website Doula: SEO Packages