WEEK 1 – Foundations: Being Before Doing

Session 1: What Is an End‑of‑Life Doula, Really?

• Define the role clearly
• Differentiate doula vs hospice vs medical care
• Establish love‑centered philosophy

1. Welcome & Community Agreements
2. Why This Work Matters
3. What a Doula Is / Is Not
4. “Being With” vs “Fixing”
5. Love as a Professional Skill
6. Reflection Exercise

Session 2: Death as a Human Experience

• Normalize death
• Explore cultural fear and avoidance
• Introduce humor as humanity

1. Death Across Cultures
2. Why We’re Afraid
3. Reframing Death as Transition
4. Humor at the Edge of Life
5. Group Reflection

WEEK 2 – Personal Work (Essential)

Session 3: Our Own Death Stories

• Examine beliefs and fears
• Begin emotional self‑awareness

1. Your Death Narrative
2. Family Messages About Dying
3. Triggers & Biases
4. Safety in Self‑Awareness
5. Guided Writing Exercise

Session 4: Grief, Loss & Self‑Compassion

• Process personal grief
• Normalize unfinished grief
• Teach compassion for self

1. Types of Grief
2. Unacknowledged Loss
3. Self‑Compassion as Protection
4. Humor as Survival
5. Reflection & Sharing

WEEK 3 – Presence & Nervous System Regulation

Session 5: The Power of Presence

• Teach nervous system basics
• Learn to stay calm in intensity

1. Why Presence Heals
2. Nervous System 101
3. Breath & Grounding
4. Stillness Without Freezing
5. Practice Lab

Session 6: Holding Silence & Emotional Space

• Become comfortable with silence
• Learn not to fill space unnecessarily

1. Silence as Support
2. When Words Get in the Way
3. Body Language at Bedside
4. Sitting With Discomfort
5. Role Play

WEEK 4 – Communication Skills

Session 7: Talking About Death Honestly

• Learn gentle, direct language
• Avoid euphemisms that confuse

1. Naming the Reality
2. Language That Soothes
3. What Not to Say
4. Responding to Fear
5. Practice Scenarios

Session 8: Listening Deeply (Without Fixing)

• Strengthen deep listening
• Learn reflective responses

1. Levels of Listening
2. Reflecting Emotion
3. Avoiding Advice Mode
4. Empathy vs Absorption
5. Partner Practice

WEEK 5 – Practical End‑of‑Life Knowledge

Session 9: The Dying Process

• Understand physical changes
• Reduce fear through education

1. The Body Slowing Down
2. Signs Death Is Near
3. What’s Normal
4. How to Explain This to Families
5. Q&A

Session 10: Comfort Measures & Vigil Planning

• Learn non‑medical comfort care
• Create meaningful environments

1. Comfort Without Medicine
2. Environment Matters
3. Vigil Planning
4. Presence During Active Dying
5. Case Discussion

WEEK 6 – Spiritual & Legacy Work

Session 11: Meaning‑Making at End of Life

• Support spiritual exploration without religion
• Honor individual meaning

1. Meaning vs Belief
2. Existential Concerns
3. What Gives Peace?
4. Gentle Inquiry
5. Practice

Session 12: Legacy, Life Review & Humor

• Facilitate legacy conversations
• Use humor as connection

1. Life Review Questions
2. Unfinished Business
3. Legacy Projects
4. Laughing Near the End
5. Role Play

WEEK 7 – Family Dynamics

Session 13: Supporting Families

• Understand anticipatory grief
• Reduce family panic

1. Family Systems Under Stress
2. Anticipatory Grief
3. Normalizing Reactions
4. Helping Them Be Present
5. Discussion

Session 14: Conflict, Guilt & Strong Emotions

• Navigate tension safely
• Stay neutral and compassionate

1. Common Family Conflicts
2. Holding Neutrality
3. Responding to Anger
4. Emotional Containment
5. Practice Scenarios

WEEK 8 – Ethics, Boundaries & Humor

Session 15: Ethics & Scope of Practice

• Protect doulas and families
• Clarify boundaries

1. Scope of Practice
2. What We Do NOT Do
3. Confidentiality
4. Cultural Sensitivity
5. Case Examples

Session 16: Humor as a Sacred Tool

• Teach when humor heals
• Teach when not to use humor

1. Why Humor Matters
2. Invitations vs Avoidance
3. Laughing With, Not At
4. Reading the Room
5. Role Play

WEEK 9 – Professional Practice

Session 17: Working With Hospice & Care Teams

• Collaborate professionally
• Communicate clearly

1. Hospice vs Doula Roles
2. Interdisciplinary Teams
3. Documentation Basics
4. Professional Language
5. Scenarios

Session 18: Building a Practice (Optional Professional Track)

• Ethical business setup
• Avoid fear‑based marketing

1. Service Models
2. Pricing With Integrity
3. Marketing Language
4. Avoiding Burnout
5. Discussion

WEEK 10 – Integration & Readiness

Session 19: Case Studies & Role Plays

• Integrate all skills
• Practice confidence

1. Complex Scenarios
2. Group Role Play
3. Feedback & Reflection

Session 20: Closure, Readiness & Next Steps

• Assess readiness
• Prepare for internship or completion

1. What You’ve Grown Into
2. Strengths & Edges
3. Internship Pathway
4. Closing Ritual
5. Celebration

2. INTERNSHIP (OPTIONAL – 4 WEEKS)

• 90% attendance
• Demonstrated emotional maturity
• Instructor recommendation
• Completion of reflection assignments

• Shadowing (hospice or doula)
• Minimum hours (you choose)
• Weekly reflection logs
• Final integration conversation

3. PRICING GUIDANCE (REALISTIC & ETHICAL)

Recommended Price Range

• $1,800 – $2,800 for 10‑week course
• Internship optional add‑on or included at higher tier

Suggested Tier Model

• Core Training: $1,800
• Training + Internship: $2,400
• Payment Plan Option: Strongly recommended