Just because your doula trainer says you know all you need to know in order to start your doula business doesn’t mean that you feel ready to jump in quite yet! I’ve been there. It took me a few years to really break into this work, but I’m 10 years in and now I turn away leads regularly. I want to help you have an easier start to your doula career than I did back in 2015!

***I am not looking for backup support at this time - I collaborate with backup doulas who have commensurate experience, and they will continue to handle all 1:1 backup support. This position is strictly for apprenticeship and mentorship.***

About me:

• My work is informed by the understanding that we all carry trauma, and that life transitions can bring that trauma forward in a tangible way. I value harm reduction, autonomy, and informed consent.

• I have been doing this work for 10 years and I’m planning to move into full time IBCLC work within the next year. I really love my clients and the community based practice I’ve been able to build, but I am likewise needing to move to the next chapter.

• I’d love to help guide a few newer doulas before I retire, and would love having a few more great perinatal workers to divert my leads to next year.

About my practice:

• I am queer and nonbinary, and many of my clients are queer/trans. I do work with many cisgender, heterosexual folks as well.

• My personal capacity is 2 births per month and 48-72 hours of postpartum work per month.

• I am almost fully booked through November so this apprenticeship could be fast and furious, or month to month. If you want 2-3 months of mentorship rather than 8-12 months, I am open to that! I’m hoping to match with at least 1-2 aspiring doulas who are looking to shadow at a time.

• I am not looking for admin or marketing support, although I’m happy to give advice and guidance on that part of creating your own business.

About You!

• You must be comfortable supporting all outcomes and choices without caveats, including abortion and termination for medical reasons - sans judgment.

• Completion of a full spectrum doula training (or a birth and a postpartum doula training) is required prior to working with my clients.

• Must be located within 2 hours of Detroit and willing to attend births/prenatal and postpartum home visits in Washtenaw, Wayne, and Oakland counties to shadow, learn, and occasionally provide hands-on support in exchange for mentorship and hourly payment. I do occasionally travel further for fellow queer and trans families (usually no further than Lansing, Jackson, or Toledo), so openness to some extra driving is also required.

• You do not have to be queer/trans but you must be celebratory of all identities.

• Up to date TDAP and annual covid/flu booster shots are required.

• You must be open to wearing an N-95 mask when with clients, at their request. (I will provide one for you if you do not have one).

• You must be willing to take an at home covid test if requested (I will provide the test).

• Must be open to being contacted and working in the night, with little notice.

• Must be extremely responsive to texts and phone calls.

• Must be able to stand and squat for long periods of time.

• You must be open to attending births in any hospital or birth center in metro Detroit, and homebirths when requested.

• You are more than encouraged to retain your own clients/work another job while apprenticing with me, as I cannot guarantee any minimum amount of compensation per month (i.e. an expected birth is rapid and you aren’t able to make it, a client has a scheduled c-section and is only able to have one doula present, a client requests no additional support).