Continuing Education

Specialty Skills Workshops for Birth Workers

DBGe2_cover_lowRezThe Doula Business Guide Workshop

With Patty Brennan
7.0 DONA Continuing Education Hours approved

2015 Training Schedule & Fees

Doula Business Guide Workshop ($135)
  4. Dates
 

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From passion to profit … make a living doing what you love! Come and learn the skills necessary to be successfully self-employed in your birth-related or service-oriented business. How do you shape and define your practice? What are the basic business components necessary to your work? This class is appropriate for doulas, midwives, massage therapists, lactation consultants, childbirth educators, counselors, and other professionals who have self-employed income or want to establish a small business. Topics include:

  • Pros and cons of self-employment
  • Establishing a business entity—what’s the best model for your business?
  • Money matters—setting and collecting fees, sliding scales, client contracts
  • Record keeping essentials
  • Small business guide to taxes
  • Marketing strategies
  • Managing risk and limiting liability
  • Time management: How do I fit it all in?

Read what past participants in this class have to say:

“This class was money well spent; in fact it’s a bargain for the amount of information and Patty’s personal stories about starting a business.” — Stephanie Bielaska, Ann Arbor, MI

“I’m a lot less scare about taking the plunge toward self employment after attending this class.” — Faith Groesbeck, Muskegon, MI

“Thank you for a great class today! We did a lot of business classes at [massage] school but I finally feel like I can do this after taking your class. Thank you, thank you, thank you!” — Asleigh Cornell, Livonia, MI

“This workshop was very encouraging! It really makes my attempts at business building much more manageable. I came in feeling like it is a complicated process and walked out with a clearer idea of something that can be simple and attainable.” — Gillian McClinsey-Powell, Ann Arbor, MI

“Extremely helpful for me because I knew little about business. Patty helped me understand what I need to do to become a successful doula. Very informative and fun! This class was very motivational.” — Julienne Floetke, Brownstown, MI

“Patty presents her wealth of information and experience in an oganized and engaging fashion. She instills confidence and inspires you to ‘birth your business.'” — Jennifer Campbell, Ann Arbor MI

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Breastfeeding Basics for Birth Doulas

029_8With Barbara Robertson, MA, IBCLC

2015 Training Schedule & Fees

Breastfeeding Basics for Birth Doulas ($90; $75 ERD)
  4. Dates
 

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If you haven’t taken this dynamic, interactive workshop with Barbara Robertson, then you are really missing out! Learn the very latest in evidence-based breastfeeding support from an expert lactation consultant and breastfeeding educator. This class will enhance the doula’s ability to assist breastfeeding mothers immediately post-birth and in the early days postpartum. Topics include:

  • a new look at breast anatomy and physiology
  • importance of skin-to-skin contact
  • newborn self-attachment at the breast
  • a new view of positions and latch-on
  • getting off to the best start possible
  • how to know baby is getting enough/not getting enough breastmilk
  • when to make a referral

This class fulfills a DONA International certification requirement for birth doulas.

Read what past participants in this class have to say:

“It was fabulous. Inspiring, informative, engaging.” — Kat Kieffer, McClure, OH

“I had the privilege of attending Barbara Robertson’s course and wow, did I enjoy it! Living two-and-a-half hours away, some might think it would make more sense to complete the breastfeeding requirement locally, but after attending your DONA Birth Doula Workshop, I knew I wanted to take the class at the Center. I really appreciated the outstanding quality of the workshops.” — Allison

“Thank you for your enlightened approach to educating doulas on breastfeeding. Your humor and energy made the subject even more interesting.” — Valerie Mangual

“Loved, loved, loved it. Super informative.” — Cameron Shaw

“You have such a way of teaching, it makes something not so simple, very simple.” — Sara Pratt

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Reducing Childbearing Risks

Premature BabyWith Patty Brennan & Barbara Robertson

7.25 DONA Continuing Education Hours approved

2015 Training Schedule & Fees Coming Soon!

Are you interested in expanding your role to become an agent for social change? How can we better serve mothers and families who have increased risks and limited resources? How can we maintain balance when serving high-needs clients? In this workshop, we will address challenges faced by community doulas that are often not covered in your core doula training. We’ll focus on:

  • Prematurity as the leading cause of infant mortality-How can doulas help?
  • Introduction to Motivational Interviewing-Communication techniques that support behavioral change
  • Supporting women in emotionally and physically abusive relationships
  • Boundary challenges and strategies for doulas

“Thank you so much for today’s class, it was amazing, and recounting the highlights to my husband had me in tears, just going over the way some of the things I learned could be applied to other areas of our life. You are truly doing amazing work, changing lives for the better.” — Megan Michelotti

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