“Helping you reach your fullest potential”

Fullest Potential

Life Coaching and Hypnotherapy

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Doula-the-Doula

Training/Coaching/Mentoring

The Doula-the-Doula program is an educational and mentoring program for Doulas, both new and established.  Building a thriving practice as a Doula can be a challenge for many doulas.  They may have the skills to provide excellent support to clients but need support, guidance and encouragement while trying to establish their own private Doula practice. 

The Doula-the-Doula program offers doulas different levels of support based on their individual needs.  The ultimate goals of the program regardless of what level you participate at are the following:

· Build on the basic education provided in the Doula Training Workshop.  Providing a more compressive program that expands on the topics covered in the DTW.

· Provide continuing education hours to maintain certification.

· Develop a network of support within the doula community and promote professionalism in the field of doula work.

· Establishing a de-briefing system for doulas to prevent burn out and provide feedback and encouragement.

· Support doulas in the business aspect of building a practice, such as marketing, book keeping, establishing rates, non-profit groups, funding and other related topics.

The Doula-the-Doula program offers the following services and opportunities.  The level of membership that you choose will establish what services you can access.  

Teleclasses:

Members will participate in one Teleclasses each month. These classes are 120 minutes long, and cover a wide range of topics.  The first 75 minutes of the class will be designed to increase the doulas knowledge on a variety of topics such as VBAC, Water Birth, Birth Planning, Postpartum Support and many more.  Class materials will be emailed prior to each class.  The lead trainer/coach will be present in all classes, but there many be additional guest speakers when appropriate.  Guest speakers may include Naturopathic Doctors, Chiropractors and other experts in the childbirth field. 

The last 45 minutes of each class will be addressing agenda items provided by the members.  Each class is limited to 14 participants to ensure adequate time is available for all topics in the Teleclasses. 

Teleclasses will allow members to take part in a doula community regardless of where they live.  Long distance charges will apply.  You may already have a plan in place that will not increase your monthly phone charges, and if not,  the cost of such a plan is very small. 

One-to-One Coaching:

Almost all of the women who attend a doula training workshop have what it takes to be a great doula.  They are kind-hearted, non-judgmental, compassionate and dedicated to supporting women and their families during the birth process.  They have a deep commitment and passion for the work, yet so many women who take the workshop struggle with getting clients, networking and developing themselves as a birth professional. 

Every member of the Doula-the-Doula program will be provided one-to-one coaching in addition to the monthly Teleclasses. The private coaching session can take place by phone or in person if the Doula wants to travel to the trainer/coach.  These sessions take place once each month for one hour.  Additional coaching sessions can be added if the doula feels the need. 

Coaching has become an important part of most professions.  A Certified Coach is trained in helping you establish goals, problem solving, time management and reaching your fullest potential in any profession.   Having access to you own Certified Life Coach can have a tremendous impact on your success as a doula.

Bi-weekly Online Study Group

Peer support and building a community is important to the work of doulas.  It allows you to keep in touch and access the support you will need to have a long career in a helping profession.  The weekly online study group is an informal online chat that happens at a predetermined time ever other week.  Every other week one member of the group will volunteer to act as a facilitator.  The topics will be set by the group.  Suggestions for topics will be sent to the program trainer/coach and the topics will be set at the beginning of each month based on the results form a poll asking group member to rate their interest in the topics suggested. 

Resource Materials:

The Doula-the-Doula program has an extensive website of resources.  These resources contain information on items such as business forms, articles, research, conferences, referrals, back-up request and general information sharing.  These resources are available to members of the program only. 

Continuous email support:

As a full member in the program you can feel free to send questions and concern via email to your trainer/coach at any time.  She may make suggestions or ask that you include your concern in one of the group teleclasses to provide a learning opportunity for the rest of your doula colleagues. 

Conference Discount:

All Doula-the-Doula members will receive a 25% discount on all conference offered by CHOICES or CPTS.  This includes Doula Training Workshops and The Enhancing the Birth Experience Bi-annual Conference. 

Programs and Fees

Full Program (1 year): 

This membership offers the greatest level of support and is recommended for new doula or doulas who are still working on building their practice.  The full membership offers the following:

Teleclasses for 12 months,  once each month.

Bi weekly online study group

Member access to Resource website

Monthly one-to-one Personal Coaching

Continuous email support

Conference discounts

Fee:  $700

Part Program (1 year):

This membership may be suitable for doulas that already have a thriving practice but are looking to upgrade their skills and connect to the larger doula community.  This membership offers the following:

Teleclasses for 12 months, once each month.

Bi-weekly online study group

Member access to the resource website

This level of membership does NOT include the one-to-one coaching, continuous email support or reduced fees for conferences.

Fee:  $400

Graduate Membership (1 year)

This membership is for those who have completed the 1 year  Full or Part Membership.  This membership is for a one year period. 

Bi-weekly study group (Graduate level Members)

Resource material

Conference discounts (25% discount)

Reduced fees for Personal Coaching (25% discount)

Fee:  $100

Additional Programs

Teleclasses:

Registration in a Teleclass is available to any doula.  The classes are 120 minutes long and the last 45 minutes of the class is devoted to agenda items established by members of the Doula-the-Doula program.  If you are registering for a Teleclass and are not a member of the program you man not submit items for the agenda, but you can sit in on this part of the teleclass. 

Fee:  $35 Class

Private Coaching

Professional coaches help individuals establish and reach person or business goals.  They bring another perspective to issues and establish a co-creative relationship with their clients.  A Certified Coach can help you establish and reach your goals and your fullest potential. 

Personal Coaching can be done in person or by phone, depending on the needs of the clients.  Generally you meet with your trainer/coach three times a month, but your individual needs are always considered when establishing a schedule.

Coaching Fees: $75/session or $240/4 session (booked in advance)

FAQ

What is a teleclass?

A Teleclass is essentially a conference call.  Participants call into a bridge-line number and when asked they will enter a personal code (provided by the instructor).  Once they are connected they can hear and communicate with all members of the class. 

When taking part in a teleclass you should call from a land line.  Cell phones don’t’ work as well.  Also, if you are in an area that has a lot of background noise, we ask that you mute your phone.  So if the kids are screaming in the background you can still listen, but other participants won’t hear them. 

Teleclasses are a very convenient and effective way for groups that are separated by miles or availability to meet. 

When you register for the program you will be given full instructions on when and how to attend the Teleclasses. 

What if I can’t finish the program?

There is no requirement that you FINISH the program.  If you choose not to attend your coaching session or your teleclasses you will not get what you paid for and the program will not be as effective for you, but there is no penalty.  There are no refunds for those who choose not to complete the program. 

What if I miss classes?

Well if you are going to be a doula, you are going to miss birthday, holidays and yes, you will likely miss a class.  At the onset of the program you will be assigned a “buddy”.  This will be the person you can contact if you miss a class.  Teleclasses are recorded and are available for a minimal cost to program members.

What if I miss my coaching session?

Same as with the classes, if you are at a birth there is not much you can do about it and your trainer/coach understands that.  Your one-to-one coaching session can be rescheduled, but we ask that you please email or phone the trainer/coach to let them know you will no be available.  Contact information will be provided to you when you register for the program.

What if the trainer/coach is at a birth?

Yup, this can happen too.  If this is the case you will be notified that class will be rescheduled.  Please check your email before you dial into the teleclass. If there is a guest speaker scheduled for a class but the trainer/coach cannot attend, the guest speaker may continue with their portion and the 30 minute agenda items will be rescheduled and covered by your trainer/coach.

Does the 25% discount included Doula Training Workshops?

Yes, it does.  If you have taken a workshop but want to attend another one, or maybe you took one approved by someone other than DONA, or you are just taking one now, you will receive a 25% discount of your registration.  The workshops taught by CPTS are DONA approved. 

How will this program give me continuing education hours?

Doula of North America requires that you obtain at least 15 hours of birth related education each certification period (every three years).  The trainer/coach will provide you with the information you need to submit to DONA to have the Teleclasses approved. 

Other organizations (ICEA, Lamaze, ALACE…) may have a process by which you can have the Teleclasses count for contact hours.  If you get the information from the certifying organizing your trainer/coach will assist you.

 

 

Doula Programs

“There is no more noble occupation in world than to assist another human being—to help someone to succeed.”

Alan Loy McGinnus