Mentorship: End-of-Life Death Doula (8 Sessions)

Mentorship with an experienced death doula offers one-on-one support as you develop your end-of-life doula practice and client approach.

Mentorship Overview

Welcome to the next step in becoming an end-of-life doula. This work really benefits from having some time as an apprentice to grow into the role. I am offering 8 hours of coaching time that can be used anyway needed to support you as you get started. I have included a sample syllabus but am more than willing to just spend time responding to what you feel you need at the time.

A Comprehensive Guide to Launching Your Career
Session 1: Introduction to the End-of-Life Doula Field
So, you are trained and ready to go, now what? In this foundational session I will introduce you to the ethical considerations and emotional challenges inherent in this field.

Session 2: Starting to Get Clients
This session focuses on marketing and outreach strategies to attract clients. We will explore the importance of networking, building a solid online presence, and leveraging social media. Additionally, we will discuss the creation of promotional materials and how to effectively communicate your services to potential clients.

Session 3: Conducting Your First Meeting
Your first meeting with a client is crucial in establishing trust and understanding. In this session, we will go over the key elements of a successful initial consultation. Topics will include setting the right tone, active listening techniques, and asking pertinent questions to understand the client’s needs and expectations.

Session 4: Outlining Your Services
In this session, we will cover how to clearly outline the services you provide as an end-of-life doula. We will discuss creating a service agreement, setting boundaries, and managing client expectations. You will learn how to communicate the value of your services and ensure clients have a clear understanding of what you offer.

Session 5: Navigating the Death and Dying Process
This session delves into the practical and emotional aspects of supporting a client through the death and dying process. We will cover techniques for providing physical, emotional, and spiritual support. Additionally, we will discuss how to manage your own emotions and maintain professional boundaries during this time.

Session 6: Providing Support to Families
Supporting the family of the dying is an integral part of a doula’s role. In this session, we will explore ways to offer comfort, guidance, and practical assistance to family members. Topics will include facilitating family meetings, providing grief support, and helping families navigate the logistics of end-of-life care.

 Session 7: Post-Death Protocols and Services
Once a client has passed away, there are several important steps to take. This session will cover post-death protocols, including assisting with funeral arrangements, offering bereavement support, and helping families with closure. We will also discuss how to handle your own emotions and practice self-care during this period.

Session 8: Reflection and Continuous Improvement
The final session will focus on reflecting on your experiences and identifying areas for growth. We will discuss the importance of continuous learning, seeking feedback, and staying updated on best practices in the field. This session will also provide an opportunity to address any lingering questions and set goals for your future as an end-of-life doula.
With these eight coaching sessions, you will be well-equipped to start your journey as an end-of-life doula, providing compassionate and comprehensive support to those at the end of their life and their families.

About the Instructor

Jane Whitlock

Utilizing Life’s Lemons to make Lemonade for the Community!

Jane’s husband became ill and died after a short time with kidney cancer. Hospice was amazing but Jane didn’t feel prepared.

She was not prepared for the active dying experience. like how to say goodbye to her husband, how to help her children (12 and 9) to say goodbye. She had no idea how to create rituals to help them all start to heal. She didn’t know what the time after his death would look like. She had this craving for someone on the hospice team to look her in the eye and ask her if she had any experience with death and dying. Someone who could stay with her as long as she needed. Now with her experience as an employee in a SNF she sees how stretched everyone in the medical system usually is. If you have been a nurse and sensed a need that you did not have time or energy to respond to, this is the career for you.

Jane is able to meet residents and families where they are. She spends time building trust, then educating people on their choices so their death can reflect the unique values by which they led their lives. She prepares people for moments that they might not be prepared for: active dying, sitting vigil, the moments just after death, saying goodbye to the body for the final time. In her work Jane has seen families heal wounds that have been lingering for years. She has also seen people let go of unsolvable hurts. Jane believes that facing our own deaths can be the last stage of development for humans. Doulas hold the space for people to do the hard work of deciding how they want to say goodbye.

Jane trained as an EOLD through Doula givers out of NYC in 2015. She created her own LLC death doula business, Death Doula Jane in 2017. In 2018 she delivered a Minneapolis Tedx entitled “What Death Taught Me About Life.” This launched her career as a death educator. At the start of Covid-19 she wanted more hands-on experience and trained as a certified nursing assistant and worked in a care center. In 2019 She co-founded the Minnesota Death Collaborative. In 2023 she joined the board for End In Mind, a MN based non- profit dedicated to educating people in having these important end of life conversations.

Currently Jane works as an Integrative Care Specialist/EOLD at a skilled nursing facility where she co-founded Full Circle Care, a program to support residents and their loved ones during end-of-life journeys.