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Baby holding parent pinky finger

Hi! I'm Lisa

I am a birth doula, postpartum doula, breastfeeding counselor, music lover, and cat mom. I have always been the first to volunteer to hold a baby when it looks like there's a mom who needs a hand, and a few years ago I decided to turn my passion into a profession. I am fascinated by all things pregnancy, birth, and baby, and it never fails to wow me how individualistic each family's journey is. 

Growing up with an ER physician as a father and a CPA as a mother, my family has always been very science-based, with room for creativity to flow freely on the side. I have witnessed first-hand the benefits and struggles the medical-model mode of care can bring. Doctors and nurses and every individual part of the medical community are vital and essential and worthy of praise for what they do. However, medical professionals are not gods, they are people. They only became doctors and medical professionals by learning and asking questions when they didn't know how or why something is done. Why shouldn't their patients do the same?


While I will never let my personal opinions affect my level of support to a birthing mother and/or family, knowing my background may help you decide if we are a good fit. After all, a doula is someone you must be able to trust in your most vulnerable moments and how can you know that unless you know a little bit about me?! I urge all my clients to simply find out why. I want to help families have the most positive and healthy birth experience possible and being educated on all the options you have while welcoming your child into this world is a part of that. 

My doula instinct operates in a harmonious balance of eastern medicine, western medicine, intuition, and mother's guidance. This is YOUR journey, I'm simply here to make sure it's the best adventure it can be. Birth doesn't have to be scary, it doesn't need to be treated, it needs to be guided. Our bodies were made for this and that's something often forgotten in the heat of contractions. Whether you choose a natural birth plan, or one incorporating medical interventions, I'm here to support your decisions. 

Prior to and while pursuing a career as a doula, I am also a casting producer for reality TV. I moved to Los Angeles in 2014 from Virginia Beach, VA, and have spent years in the world of unscripted television. During that time, I have found a unique way to connect with individuals all over the country, and sometimes all over the world, to get to understand who they are in a very short time. My time as a casting producer has also taught me many lessons that require skills mirrored by a doula: patience, understanding, empathy, and compassion. 

About: About
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Qualifications

Certifications & Education

About: Training
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International Doula Institute, August 2019

Certified Birth Doula

A birth doula is a professional support person trained in the needs of the family during pregnancy and childbirth. The doula offers non-judgmental support, guidance, evidence-based education and practical hands-on support during childbirth including comfort measures. Doula originates from the Greek word meaning woman servant. A birth doula recognizes the profound impact of childbirth on the mother.

The birth doula does not provide medical care, clinical tasks such cervical checks or fetal heart tones and does not speak on behalf of the client.

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International Doula Institute, February 2020

Certified Breastfeeding Counselor

Breastfeeding Counselors are individuals in the community who are called to serve and are an important part of the prenatal and postpartum education and support new mothers receive.

A Certified Breastfeeding Counselor is introduced to a family during a time when they are often exhausted and are in need of some love and positive support.  Contacts with breastfeeding counselors may occur through phone calls, text, emails, social media or in-person group meetings. CBC's scope of practice ranges from the basics of a baby’s latch to troubleshooting with a mom who has low milk supply. 

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International Doula Institute, July 2020

Certified Postpartum Doula

A postpartum doula is a professional support person trained in the needs of the family in the days, weeks, and months after birth or the addition of a new baby. The doula offers non-judgmental support, guidance, evidence-based education, and practical hands-on support immediately after birth through the first six months.

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James Madison University, May 2014

BFA in Media Arts & Design with Concentration in Digital Video & Cinema

Bachelor's Degree of Fine Arts. The School of Media Arts & Design is a highly competitive program within the College of Arts & Letter at James Madison University. This major prepares students in careers that rely on mass media.

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