Contemplative Doula
Compassionate support for living fully and planning ahead.
End-of-life doula support isn’t just for those who are nearing the end of life. It’s also an opportunity to reflect, prepare, and consider what matters most—in any season of life.
As a doula, I offer attentive, personalized support to adults of any age and health status, whether you’re interested in proactive planning, navigating serious illness, or exploring the stories and experiences that have shaped your life.
SERVICES
Holistic Advance Care Planning
Planning ahead is an opportunity to reflect on what matters most and make your wishes known. Together, we’ll explore your values, beliefs, and preferences while working through practical and personal aspects of planning for the future. This may include completing advance care documents, researching death care options, obituary writing, and guided “death journaling.”
Contemplative Planning for End-of-Life Care
Clarify your wishes for the end of life through a guided exploration of your values, beliefs, needs, and preferences. Together, we’ll create a personalized document that can help loved ones, caregivers, and your healthcare team better understand and honor what matters to you.
Vigil Wishes Development
Vigil Wishes offer guidance to loved ones and caregivers about the atmosphere, meaningful rituals, personal touches, and sacred moments you’d like to invite into your space as you approach the end of life.
Special Place Guided Imagery
Create a personalized visualization that invites you into a place of peace, comfort, and ease. Through guided exploration, we’ll develop a script that can be read aloud or recorded for personal listening, offering a supportive practice for easing anxiety, quieting the mind, and encouraging rest.
Life Stories Interview
Your life is full of stories worth remembering. Through guided conversation and thoughtful prompts, we’ll explore the experiences, relationships, milestones, values, and moments that have shaped you. This process can be just for you, or your stories and messages can be preserved in writing or audio/video recordings, creating a meaningful keepsake for yourself and those you love.
Remembrance Project Creation
Together, we’ll create a meaningful project that captures your personality, stories, and messages for loved ones. Projects might include scrapbooks, photo collages, family cookbooks, greeting cards, digital slideshows, or other creative expressions of your life and legacy.
Calendar & Communication Coordination
When life becomes complicated, coordinating support can feel overwhelming. I can help organize communication among family, friends, neighbors, and other members of your support network, as well as coordinate schedules, meal deliveries, and shared updates.
Companionship Visits
Sometimes the greatest gift is simply having someone present. Through gentle conversation, active listening, and shared moments, I offer a steady, compassionate presence. We might read together, look through photographs, reminisce, share concerns, or simply sit quietly. There is no agenda—just space to be as you are.
DETAILS
My services are available to adults of any age and health status. You don’t need to be facing a serious illness or approaching the end of life to benefit from working with a doula.
Perhaps you’re someone who believes in being prepared, wants to clarify your wishes while you’re healthy, hopes to preserve your stories, or simply wants to explore what a meaningful life and death might look like. Perhaps you’re navigating a life-changing diagnosis or supporting someone you love.
Wherever you find yourself, there is room for thoughtful conversation and support.
WORKING TOGETHER
Services are available through in-person meetings in Greater Chittenden County, Vermont, or virtually, making support accessible wherever you are.
A complimentary 15-minute introductory conversation is available by phone or virtual meeting to explore your interests and needs.
