Program
Doula Training
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It's my mission to provide a doula training experience full of education, inspiration and fun. One that offers professional training for working with women in a personal and intimate capacity.
This jam packed, comprehensive, 12 module program provides the skills necessary to start your new career as a birthing doula whilst broadening your knowledge around the sacredness of birth. Open to anybody with a passion for supporting women and the people they love.
Throughout the training you will learn the necessary skills required to communicate and deliver information objectively and compassionately, hold space emotionally and physically and learn the art of being on call. Together we explore self awareness as a cornerstone to the training, bringing us home to our inner guidance and the importance of being present. Personal growth is guaranteed on all levels.
My hope for every student is that you leave the training with a sense of confidence and feel fully supported as you move into your journey as a graduate doula.
This is so much more than doula training
— doula graduate Maddison
THE COURSE INCLUDES:
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12 study modules presented by Kellie Whiskin
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Experienced and talented guest speakers
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Workshops with practitioners from the local doula and birthing community
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Networking opportunities
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Delicious food
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Free gift on arrival to the training
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A Certificate of Completion
PERFECT FOR PEOPLE INTERESTED IN:
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Midwifery
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Postpartum Care
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Pregnancy Massage
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Mental Health
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Counselling
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Women's health
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Supporting a loved one
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Birth photography
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and beyond
CAREER PATHS:
My doula training has lead graduates into many differing job titles and directions. From midwifery to psychology, support work to death doulas, birth photography to new mothers, just to name a few! The skills you will learn lend themselves to any role that involves supporting others in a personal or professional capacity.
On completion of the training not all graduates feel they have time or space to be a doula or be on call and that's perfectly ok. In module 11 we define what being a doula may look like for you personally and ensure you find a path that best suits your current circumstances. There is room and a place for everyone.
I encourage and support students to identify their strengths, passions and personal values. From here students begin to create their own roadmaps in establishing best options for future career opportunities and pathways. I look forward to supporting you in finding your place in the birth world.
Be sure to scroll down and check out our graduate doula testimonials below.
2023 Intake Information
DOULA TRAINING DATES
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Commences - 17th July 2023
CLASS DAYS AND TIMES
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Mondays and Tuesdays
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9.45am - 4.45pm
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12 modules offered over 6 weeks
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72 hours of training + personal study time
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Venue Torquay Victoria - TBA
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Classes are offered in person
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Online classes not currently available
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Class attendance is compulsory for all 12 modules
INFORMATION EVENINGS
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Monday 19th June 2023
COURSE FEE
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$3000 (inc GST)
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$2,800 upfront early bird payment available up to 4 weeks prior to commencement of training
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Payment plans available. $500 deposit required upon enrolment
HOW TO APPLY
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Apply using the form below
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I will contact you to arrange your pre-selection interview
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Places are strictly limited
Supporting women and the people they love...
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Do you provide vegan/vegetarian options for the meal plan?Absolutely, Kate from Nourish the Mother has you covered when it comes to your dietary requirements. Please ask at the time of your booking.
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What is a Closing of the Bones Ceremony?During pregnancy and birth our physical bodies and energy fields expand at peak levels. A Closing of the Bones Ceremony acknowledges new mothers following their birth. This is done by wrapping long scarves or rebozo’s from head to toe resembling a grounded warm embrace. A gentle ceremony that guides you back to your body, your bones into place, whilst increasing warmth and blood flow. Re-establish a sense of self through this ultimate self care and age old ritual.
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What is Abhyanga massage?Abhyanga massage is a full body massage using warm Ayurvedic herbal oils to pacify and bring balance to the nervous system. You will be gently invited into a state of deep rest and rejuvenation using long sweeping strokes with various pressure and activation of marma points. Some of the many benefits include: Reduces fatigue and promotes deep sleep Stimulates and strengthens the lymphatic system Enhances blood circulation Increases oxytocin, the loving, bonding and anti-anxiety hormone Detoxification of the body Supports digestion
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What is the duration of the Abhyanga massage and Closing of the Bones Ceremony? And when can I book in?Abhyanga warm oil massage is 80 minutes duration and recommended 21 days postpartum or 3 months post c-section. The Closing of the Bones ceremony is 90 minutes and recommended 6 weeks postpartum.
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Can we bring our newborn along with us to the Abhyanga massage and Closing of the Bones Ceremony?Yes, of course your little one can join us. However, if you are fortunate on the day to have someone mind your bubba either at home or together with you, that’s great too. It may be difficult at times to hold your baby whilst receiving your treatment. Trust what feels right for you and your baby on the day.
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Can I choose one of these above options without choosing the whole Ayurvedic Experience?This package has been designed with a new mother and full immersive experience in mind. It is preferred that new mothers experience the full package for optimal results. I am more than happy to discuss individual options at the time of your enquiry.
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Can I add the Ayurvedic Postpartum Experience to my birthing support package?YES absolutely. This package can be added to any of my birthing support packages.
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Have another question?I'd love to hear from you! m. 0400 907 370 kellie@ourdoula.com.au
Course Content —12 Modules
Graduates Say ...
Words really cannot express what an incredible experience training with Kellie was. As a teenager at the time with an interest in all things pregnancy, birth and beyond, I attended Kellie's training with the expectation that I would just learn to become a kickass birth support person, but I left with so much more.
Not only did I gain an abundance of knowledge, I also made strong connections with some beautiful likeminded women, learnt so many amazing techniques which I was then able to implement throughout my own two pregnancies and drug-free natural births.
Despite never actively pursuing the path of a Doula, my training gave me the tools to confidently offer birth photography in my business; knowing that I am capable of 'holding the space' and being more than just a photographer if need be. I cannot thank Kellie enough for facilitating such an amazing experience.
Zadie Clapham | Photographer
The Doula training with Kellie is a thorough and thoughtfully planned course which provides a solid foundation of knowledge that I still employ in my various client facing roles outside of birth support.
Kellie provides and warm and safe space for the group to connect, learn and support each other through the training and I highly recommend the training course for anyone who has an interest or passion for pregnancy, birth and postpartum care whether personally or professionally.
Madison Chamley | AOD Clinician
When I started my doula training with Kellie in 2015 I had literally come a long way. I had arrived from Ireland the previous year and given birth to my third baby at home. Having tried to get into midwifery courses in Ireland the previous 5 years and being unsuccessful, I was suffering from a huge lack of self-confidence and belief in myself.
Starting this training was something I felt I needed to do as I wanted to go back to basics - what was the most necessary thing in the birthing room? I felt guided to doing this. I arrived on Kellie’s doorstep, baby in arm, with a mini travel cot for naps and changing bags. I did my weekly training in and around my baby’s naps and feeds, while a new friend minded my other two children.
As the weeks progressed, I started to feel a shift within myself. Like I had a new-found understanding of what birth was. Of what it should and could be. Of the support of sisterhood with my fellow doula trainees. The understanding and love that’s required. Doing this course not only provided imperative necessary info - it healed me. It filled my cup - a saying Kellie would talk about a lot and where I first heard this! I learned how to ‘drop my shoulders’ and ask the important questions of myself, such as ‘where am I at? Where are my shoulders at?’ which allowed me to enter future birthing spaces feeling grounded and where I needed to be for these high energy settings.
The most important thing that Kellie taught me was how to HOLD SPACE. I had never heard of the concept, but now, nearly the bones of a decade later, I still use this concept as a midwife. When my clients ask me what it is my role will be in the birthing room, I tell them that first, I hold space. I protect and honour it.
After that I listen to the baby’s heartrate, but all the while still protecting and holding space for the woman and her family. While I only practiced as a doula for a short time before finally getting accepted into a midwifery degree in Australia, I still carry all the tools that Kellie taught me in this very special time of my life.
She held space for me when I didn’t know how to hold space for myself. I am so glad I moved to Australia and I am so glad my journey meant that I didn’t get into midwifery in Ireland. Because it meant that it took me to this course and it made me the midwife, doula, mother, sister, daughter and friend I am today. I will be forever grateful for these beginnings. I guess you could say it was my birth- the birth of who I needed to be, for who I am today. A passionate, privately practicing midwife in Ireland, holding space, honouring and trusting birth. To say thank you is not enough. Much love, Amy.
Amy | Midwife
While studying medicine Meg was overwhelmed with the lack of women centered care and choice for birthing families. She was particularly disappointed with the model of care in our public training hospitals that only offered families routine antenatal visits and birth support options, and little to no post-partum care at all.
As a medical student striving to become a doctor that offered culturally appropriate care options, she knew that her university training alone would not provide her with the necessary skills and training to really advocate and inform birthing woman and their families.
She researched training programs both locally and internationally, where she found the most perfect fit in Kellie Whiskin’s Doula Training Program. Kellie offers students a doula training program where she builds support, caregiving, decision making skills, and advocacy into empowering Student Doulas to privilege the voices of the families which they support. Kellie works from an evidenced-based model of care alongside current midwifery and obstetric guidelines to provide women with a complete care package that meets their individual needs.
Upon completing the training and becoming a graduate Doula, Meg
felt that she now possessed the tools to support women in a way that honoured their choices and informed them of all their perinatal options. To address the gap of care options in the maternity support sector, she created BirthCo, a free online directory of evidenced based support services and qualified professionals. Her aim was to pair Australian birthing families with all manner of timely care options local to them to eradicate some of the main barriers experienced by families when accessing care. Meg has since partnered with Dr. Alexandra Gadsden (Chiro) to expand her directory service into a national organisation.
BirthCo now runs in partnership with Kellie Whiskin in her recently rebranded “Our Doula” Service where she offers her trademark bespoke doula support and doula training program.
Kellie also plays an integral role as the BirthCo Advocates Training Coordinator where she provides support to the maternity workforce that list on the BirthCo directory. Together we are supporting Australian birthing families to access additional care options that cater for all their needs whilst navigating the private or public maternity care sectors, ensuring that they are informed and educated every step of the way.
Meg | Midwife
Train with us!
Very happy to chat with you about any aspect of this course, including payment plans!
m. 0400 907 370