Sit down a moment, I’ve got you.
I’m a doula for every stage.
Being a loving parent will stretch the edges of your soul.
This is me and a kiddo I took care of as a newborn <3
I’m Lee, and as a doula and coach I help parents trust themselves:
Removing shame about worries and fears in pregnancy, growing in confidence and power to advocate for yourself, and preparing for birth in a way that makes sense for you.
Learning what your child is saying, and communicating back to them lovingly and clearly.
Navigating the sometimes twisty roads of birth plans, breastfeeding/bottle feeding, deciding on childcare, and other parenting choices in the modern era.
In a culture that casts so much doubt and judgement on parents… I believe in you.
Together, we’ll uncover the parenting wisdom you already have in you, and help you follow it.
We’ll combine that with science, tradition, common sense, mindfulness, and occasional plain old parenting hacks (all where appropriate), to help you feel more confident in your choices and habits on this journey.
So your family feels like home. To every member in it.
While supporting 100’s of families since 2012, I’ve said these things over and over:
A good birth is FAR more about accessing a sense of agency, respect, and connection than choosing an epidural or not.
Supportive parenting comes from true loving presence rather than following a “method”. Listen to your kid, and you’ll learn a lot.
In uncertain times (of which there are many when caring for kids) Your Inner Compass > Beats > Information.
As a different kind of doula, I don’t attend births in person, but I support people through the whole journey of pregnancy, birthing and postpartum.
My approach is to help you connect to your inner guidance, which will support you as a parent.
Through a combination of coaching, role play, guided imagination, mindfulness practice, and somatics, we attune to the nuanced messages within your experience to look for creative paths forward.
My support is on 50 minute video calls, with occasional in-person meetings available in the Philly area.
You’d be surprised how well we can sink into the big stuff in a meeting or two.
An hour with me can look like:
Imaging and preparing for labor contractions, and practicing ways of being with them, so when you feel the first one you feel more open to the experience, whatever it brings.
Working with a particular worry about pregnancy, birth, or parenting to look for a new relationship to this experience.
Zooming in on something that is baffling you about your baby. What might they be saying? How do you respond? How do you get them to do X?
Learning what to do with the voice that says “…. you can’t be a good parent because you’re too….”
Trying on choices in how to address sleep, feeding, childcare, working from your deeper values.
Working through shifting relationships with partners, family, friends, especially around asking for what you need, receiving support, creating new boundaries/expectations.
My perspectives are nonclinical, nonpathological, and based in the belief that each person has an unfolding human spirit, each beautiful and unique. We work with deep sense of meaning, without being religious or dogmatic.
We do three big things together.
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Find Center in the Swirl
Whether making a big choice, or soothing a baby, the first step is usually slowing down.
Imagine being able to shift a pit of tension in your stomach to an open sense of possibility, consistently.
I’ll teach you a toolbox full of 60-second ways to dial down worry so you can shift into working from curiosity and wisdom.
We will work with a suite of imaginative practices that are interesting, profound, and simple to use. (that you’ll also be able to teach your kids as they grow).
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Uncover Your Inner Wisdom
We live in an era of incredible amounts of pressure, judgement and shame put on parents, even while there is less support than ever.
My approach is different than telling you to ignore what other peopne say and helping you grow a thicker skin to it all.
When you are worried, frustrated, angry, tense, antsy, in pain, or exhausted I help connect with and understand the deeper message, which can often be huge sources of strengths and self-assuredness in the face of challenge, judgement or oppression.
When you have a sense of excitement, joy, delight, peace, or other sweetness, I help you bring it out and find ways to integrate it into your daily life.
Through our work, you will get to know your more authentic self, which will support you to be a loving and powerful parent.
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Grow Your Family Culture
You’re growing a family, which something special, more than the sum of its individual members. As a parent, you get a good deal of power (though not sole responsibility!) for nurturing, guiding and growing the culture of your family — what you do, how you do it, and how it all feels.
We’ll dig deep to uncover your values and treasured beliefs so you can name them, live them, and pass them on more easily.
We live in one of the most comlex and uncertain eras in history, and your supportive family culture can help your kids to find their own inner strength and skills that will support them throughout their lifetime.
Let’s Talk
The first step is to book a free call with me so I can get to know you and you get to know me.
From there, if my support is valuable, we’ll set up continued support on the frequency you need it, for as long as you’re getting a lot out of our time together.
For some expectant parents that might be three sessions to prepare for birth. For other people that might be a year+ if we click together and you want my support through a longer arc of parenting.
My fee is $150 per 50-minute session, or $350/month for 3 sessions/month.