OCTOBER End of Life Doula Mentorship Course: The Elements of Practice
This eight week immersive program for end of life Doulas will support you to deepen your competency of the role through case studies, group discussions, and embodiment practices.
The intention of this offering is to alleviate the barrier of lack of experience in order to enable emerging End of Life Doulas to confidently step in and be of service.
Course runs from October 6th to November 24th
Zoom link for all gatherings
Recordings
Recommended Reading
Ask away - a place for questions
Welcome video
How we will be growing together
The Land We Stand On - Practices for Embodied Living, Experiencing the wisdom of your body by Hilary McBride
Nice to meet you!
Let's get to know each other . . .
Connecting With Your Calling
Your Personal Ritual Practice: Intentionally engaging with this course
Grab a journal and a box
Course Details
Course Outline
Course Learning Intentions
Reflection and journal prompts - Inhabiting the Body
The Withdrawal / Dissolution of the Elements
Story object
Soft Belly Meditation
Session 1: Introduction to the embodied role of End of Life Doula
The roots of practice for the role of End of Life Doula
End of Life Doula Timeline
Companioning Model - Dr. Alan Wolfelt
Personal rituals for protection
Dissolution of the Elements - Roshi Joan Halifax
Resources and Tools
Session 2 - Earth Element
Earth Element Correspondences
Grounding Practices and Rituals
Helping, Fixing, Serving by Rachel Remen
Otto Scharmer's Four Levels of Listening: A Journey to Conversational Depth
Fear Contemplation Meditation
How to make an accordion heart
The Family Dance
Self compassion - the one skill that will change the world
Earth Altars
Clearing by Martha Postlethwaite
An Emphasis on Heart Wisdom - Ilarion "Larry" Merculieff
Resources and Tools
Session 3 - Water Element
Water Element Correspondences
Self Ceremony and the Element of Water
Anticipatory Grief
Dying is a state of ongoing loss . . .
Reactions to Bereavement
Self Reflection: Call and Response
Living My Culture - Canadian Virtual Hospice
Your Doula Heart Mantra
The Ring Theory
Handwashing Ritual for Companions
Supporting the surfacing of Soul Wounds and the Role of End of Life Doula
Personal Boundaries Exploration - Journal Prompts
Tears
Pentacle of Pearl Meditation - Love, Wisdom, Knowledge, Law, and Power
The Power of Witnessing Soul Wounds - Case Study Bev
Koru's Death Care Pre Planning Guide - British Columbia
Right Here by Dane
Resources and Tools
Session 4 - Fire Element
Fire Element Correspondences
Sit Around the Fire - Jon Hopkins, Ram Dass, and East Forest
Estrangement Grief
Words on Self Compassion by Andrea Gibson
Life Review Questions
Ritual and the Element of Fire
Inviting young people into Ritual
Nearing Death Awareness
What is Vigiling?
Pentacle of Pearl Meditation - Wisdom
Cremation Prayer
Antidote for fear of not being good enough
Resources and Tools
Increased confidence to step into the role of End of Life Doula by exploring real world case studies; highlighting what we know about dying; identifying the physical, emotional, social, and spirituals sign posts, and accepting the mystery inherent in the journey.
A toolbox full of Doula tools acquired over a decade of experience in the field - intake templates, techniques for guiding clients with spiritual work, supporting the bereaved, and subtle body energy techniques to stay grounded and centred.
Less fear about death through guided meditation and contemplating your relationship to fear so that you can relate to fear and not from it in order to be more present for others on the end of life journey.
Increased intimacy with death and grief through exploring your personal myths and beliefs so that you are able to be more present and less likely to be activated when you are companioning the dying.
Create a supportive community of practice for your Doula offering and a community of end of life Doulas to offer encouragement as you step into the role.
Identify and honour your unique gifts any how to create a Doula offering that reflects you and guidance on how to start to share your Doula offerings in your community.
“I am delighted to share my feedback having had the honour of being taught as a Doula in training by Tracy Chalmers. Tracy consistently brought preparedness, exceptional empathy and kindness to her role as our teacher. She always honoured each of our contributions in class and sensitively balanced the classes need to share with delivering material we needed to learn. Having witnessed her skills as a teacher it is of no surprise to me that she would bring all those same qualities to her own Doula practice. I am also in awe of what she has built around the Grief Well.”
Carol Ann Courneya“I took the End of Life Doula course with Tracy at a time when my mother was declining in health and it was exactly what I needed. Thanks to the course I was much more prepared for what was to come both emotionally and practically. We were fortunate enough to have my mom die peacefully at home surrounded by family. With the knowledge I gained from Tracy I was able to handle the strong emotions of the moment not only for myself but for the rest of my family too (and they didn’t even know it!). There was tears, laughter, joy, heartache, pain, beauty, and a dash of chaos in those final days and in hindsight it couldn’t have gone better. The course paid invaluable emotional dividends just when I needed them. ”
David P“I participated in the End-of-Life Doula course at Douglas College in Coquitlam and Tracy was my instructor. From our very first class together, Tracy radiated compassion, gentleness and warmth. She is a wealth of knowledge in deathcare yet very humble about her contributions in this field. She infused her lessons with lots of personal stories from her years of experience as a hospice volunteer and end-of-life doula, which enriched the classes. Tracy is extremely well read and offered TONS of great book recommendations throughout the course. She also brought in guest speakers that were experts in niche areas like green funerals and starting a doula business. The course took place over 6 weeks and I looked forward to the class every week. Tracy's facilitation style is very informative, collaborative and inclusive - we were always encouraged to contribute to the class discussions if we had something relevant to share but there was never any pressure to share if we did not feel comfortable doing so. This was important because all of us in the class were at different points in our grief journeys and not everyone in the class was ready to talk about their personal experiences with death and dying. There is so much respect and integrity in the way Tracy describes her work as a doula. She is a heart-centered individual that is sincerely devoted to being of service to others. By the way she describes her practices, I'm certain that she provides an outstanding level of care to her clients. I was very inspired by Tracy's approach to doula work and hope to take more courses with her in the future as I continue on this path.”
Maia Mercure“I first crossed paths with Tracy Chalmers as the facilitator for the online EOL Doula Course offered by Douglas College here in Vancouver, BC. As a facilitator, I found her to have this innate ability to turn each classroom session into a journey, an adventure into the world of the EOL Doula. Tracy's years of experience when it comes to reducing the suffering of those living out their final moments, takes all the necessary required and applied knowledge and turns it into the wisdom of a 'Valley-Walker' speaking with a voice of confidence and compassion, that which flows from a heart of love. She is for me and multiple others a mentor, trusted confidante and pioneer in end of life care. ”
Paul“I took the Death Doula course in the Spring of 2021. It was a few months post my sister Karen transitioning out of this world. This course brought me so much comfort in so many ways. My sister - when in her mid 40’s - was in the hospital, on the complex care floor for ten years. What I know now, I wish I would have known pre her journey. However, I can now use my knowledge and assist others to ensure they have the information and support needed to take control of their EOL. Tracy is knowledgeable, compassionate, patient and a wonderful instructor. I learned so much about EOL, information as to what we should all know (for ourselves and supporting others) and an understanding how being a Death Doula is not about dying, it is about living. I now share with many how I believe that this course is one that ALL humans should take. We all need to gather and share information to support each other. Thank you Tracy - I am just so grateful for you and for so many others who continue to bring awareness to a topic - EOL - that is so important to us all.”
Kathy Samuel“I first met Tracy when she facilitated my End-of-Life Doula training in 2020. I was so impressed by her empathy and sincerity and her ability to lead all of us in such a sensitive, compassionate and knowledgeable way. Training with Tracy was a profound experience and has changed my life. I have been inspired by her to dedicate myself to provide EOL support as a hospice volunteer, grief group co-facilitator, and grief yoga instructor. I also reached out to Tracy around the death of my father in 2022, and I'm grateful for her gentle caring support. Tracy is a light and touches everyone she meets with her beautiful soul. ”
Kelly Oberle“I recently had the privilege of taking a Death Doula course with Tracy Chalmers who left a lasting impact on me. From the moment I walked into the classroom, I was greeted with warmth, compassion, and a kind energy that set the perfect foundation for a beautiful learning experience. Tracy's expertise in the field of Death Doula work was evident from the start. She went above and beyond to create a safe and inclusive space where everyone felt comfortable sharing their thoughts and experiences. The course itself was comprehensive and well-structured, covering a wide range of topics related to end-of-life care, grief support, and the importance of self care when supporting individuals and their families during this sensitive time. Beyond the course curriculum, Tracy shared personal stories and insights that brought the material to life. Tracy's genuine passion for her work was palpable and served as a constant source of inspiration for all of us. I felt encouraged to reflect on my own values and beliefs, challenging me to grow both personally and professionally. I can confidently say that this Death Doula course was a life-changing experience, and it wouldn't have been possible without the exceptional instruction provided by Tracy. Her warmth, kindness, and unwavering dedication to the field of Death Doula work have left a lasting impression on me. If you are considering taking a Death Doula course or seeking guidance in this field, I wholeheartedly recommend Tracy Chalmers. Her expertise, genuine care for others, and ability to create a nurturing learning environment make her a truly exceptional educator. You will not only gain valuable knowledge and skills but also be inspired to make a positive difference in the lives of those facing end-of-life journeys. Thank you, Tracy Chalmers, for being an extraordinary instructor and for your invaluable contribution to the field of Death Doula work.”
Carmen Smith“I would highly recommend Tracy as a facilitator and as an End of Life doula. She facilitated the End of Life Doula course I took at Douglas College where she made a safe space for everyone to be heard, while providing course content that was inspiring and thought provoking. This not only helped me professionally as a doula, but I also felt validated as she witnessed and supported me as I traveled on my own personal journey of grief and loss throughout the course.”
Wendy Christensen“I struggled with my Dad’s passing and since then have continually felt called to become an End of Life Doula. I did my research and thankfully landed in Tracy’s class. To say that it was amazing is an understatement. It was educational, eye-opening, heart warming and healing. Tracy’s delivery was inclusive and not once did I feel uncomfortable given the context of the course. She creates a death-positive environment and leaves you feeling inspired to companion the dying with confidence, compassion and empathy.”
S. Diamond