Experience in multifaceted training
Insights from Buddhism, providing a spiritual and philosophical grounding to my approach.
Contemporary death care practices, including home funerals and green burials, honoring the environment and the individual.
Social justice and decolonizing perspectives on grief, ensuring that every individual’s unique story and needs are acknowledged and respected.
Knowledge in dementia care, ensuring those with cognitive challenges experience a dignified and peaceful end.
A Journey Beyond the Ordinary
I have been a practicing licensed psychotherapist for over 40 years. As I entered my 70’s, for reasons both obvious and mysterious, I began a new path as an end-of-life doula (EOLD).
I’ve completed training through three well-known intensive end-of-life doula training programs:
Following the Intensive EOLD training program through INELDA (The International End of Life Doula Association), I was certified after a process of review and evaluation. As noted on their website, “the end-of-life doula field does not have government or industry oversight on certification. However, INELDA is committed to helping establish a meaningful credential that lets prospective clients, communities or organizations know that you have the knowledge and skill to serve them well. End-of-Life Doula Certification is a statement about your competence and experience.”
The 3-part training program through Doulagivers: Certified End-of-life Doula, Elder Care, and Care Consultant who has expertise in all aspects of advanced care planning.
The University of Vermont EOLD professional certificate program
In addition, I am NEDA Proficient having passed an assessment of EOLD Core Competencies through the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance.
Pioneering New Approaches
In 2022-2023, I was the first End-of-Life Doula (EOLD) at a distinguished Massachusetts hospice agency, pioneering a groundbreaking fellowship program. This intensive immersion, alongside the dying and their care community, both at home and in hospice settings, has equipped me with a depth of knowledge and experience.
I have a wide range of tools as an EOLD that are practical, conversational, reflective, and thorough. I understand the nature of hospice teams and work collaboratively with them. As an EOLD, I am caring, direct, inquisitive, knowledgeable, respectful, and unafraid. I will create a path with you through the end in deep partnership and care.
From Psychotherapy Innovator to End-of-Life Expertise
For over 40 years, I've been a prominent figure in the psychotherapy realm, starting with my groundbreaking contributions to the national family therapy sphere where I led over 130 workshops. A strong advocate for feminist perspectives in therapy, I’ve delved deep into the complexities of power dynamics, gender roles, and the profound inner world of therapists. My writing includes co-editing psychotherapy books and publishing over 30 articles. Throughout my career, my mission has always been to nurture and refine therapists' inherent skills, ensuring their practices resonate deeply with their own truths and potentials.
My professional & personal history and talents enrich and enliven who I am as an end-of-life doula.