What Does a Trauma Consult & Birth Planning with Doula even Look Like

Each person I work with has a different history, reason for seeking additional support and needs. This means that every consult will be different in order to meet each birthing person right where they are. It is important to note that trauma consultations are not therapy, and while I have extensive abuse & trauma training and a background in psychology, I am not a therapist. While some context can help me understand your needs, we can do an entire consult without ever talking about your past. We focus mostly on the experience ahead. 

Our sessions will follow a general outline: The book When Survivors Give Birth (WSGB) delves into research on perinatal triggers common to survivors of childhood and sexual abuse, intimate partner abuse, and birth trauma, as well as those who have experienced other trauma that may be re-activated during pregnancy. They explore strategies for minimizing the impact of previous traumas in the birth room and finding support that birthing people deserve. WSGB provides specialized training for perinatal professionals in additional trauma counseling and birth planning, which I completed in 2024. Together, we review these points and themes together to cultivate clarity your personal stressors and anxieties. We spend a good portion of our time together focusing on strategies for coping that will support you during your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum periods. One strategy I always recommend based on this work is to engage a doula. Where appropriate, I can be retained to provide seamless trauma informed birth support before, during and after your prenatal journey. One important aspect of birth planning is a strong focus on mindfulness, which I support with my experience as a yoga, breathwork and meditation coach for the last 8 years.

Survivor consultations can be done via zoom or in person in the Northern California Bay Area.  Clients may book a minimum of 2 and maximum of 8 hour long sessions, but 6 hours is recommended to receive the  full benefit of trauma consultations, which have been shown to reduce the stressors of your current pregnancy and allow new parents to enter the next phase of their parenthood journey with a greater sense of self-compassion and confidence.

The hourly rate for each hour consultation is $150. This includes the time we spend meeting together as well as the birth planning notes I provide afterwards. 

I am committed to increasing access to trauma informed services so I offer a sliding-scale for clients who otherwise would not be able to experience the benefits of this important work.