What does your NEDA EOL Doula Proficiency Badge mean?

The National End-of-Life Doula Alliance created the NEDA proficiency assessment as a way for NEDA member doulas to demonstrate what they know. Achieving the NEDA proficiency badge signifies that I successfully completed the assessment and have met specific end-of-life doula core competencies and standards.

What does Thanadoula mean?

Thanatos is the Greek word for death, and thanatology is the scientific study of death and grief. While some deathcare professionals prefer this term, many members of the general public find it confusing, so death doula or end-of-life doula tend to be used more often.

Why would someone hire an end-of-life doula or an infant and pregnancy loss doula (IPLD)?

For most of us, death is the scariest thing we face in life, which causes us to avoid some of the most important conversations that we should have. The reality is: we are born, and we die. End-of-life doulas—whether they deal with the death of adults or of children—are experts in the end-of-life process and can guide clients and client families through all the options they don’t know they have. Such doulas provide guidance and care for many clients do not have any, or little support systems. They also use their knowledge of the dying process to make individuals feel at peace with their available choices. This is particularly true for parents who are overwhelmed by information at one of the worst moments of their lives. They only have a limited time with their baby that they will never get back and having an IPLD gently explain all their options to them enhances the care they receive during this heartbreaking time.

Do you provide therapy? Are you a qualified therapist?

No, I do not provide therapy. In Ontario, psychotherapy is a controlled act that can only be performed by qualified individuals who are registered either with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) or the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). I am not registered with either of these colleges, nor am I a formally educated therapist. Instead, what I can offer is a sympathetic and empathetic ear and peer support for those who need grief or bereavement support. I can also provide information to help educate families about death and grief to equip them to care for themselves and to respond appropriately to the needs of grieving children. 

Can you help with talking to children about death?

Absolutely! While this news should come directly from a primary caregiver or the next closest person to a child, I have training in children’s bereavement, which equips me to help you understand how to have these difficult conversations with children and how you can explain death in a way that they will understand and not be frightened by. I can also offer your child another safe and supportive adult to whom they can share the emotions and concerns they might not want to burden their parents with.

Are your services covered by health insurance?

Unfortunately, at this time, the work of an end-of-life doula is not recognized under provincial or private health insurance benefits. Ideally, these services may be covered one day.

Do I have to be religious to work with you?

No. I am open to working with clients from all religious and cultural backgrounds. I am a Christian and my worldview does inform my practice. I have completed various Christian faith-based trainings in counsel and care, so if you are interested in having a Biblical worldview be the lens through which we interact, I am more than willing to engage on that level, but you do not need to be a Christian to work with me.