Hey Birth Worker
Lots has changed since I first started attending births nearly 20 years ago...
The competition is high amongst birth workers these days. With so many of you trying to sell an extra special ingredient to bring into the birthing space, Having the 'old fashioned' skill set of supporting a family in birth is no longer enough. You need to be massage therapists, counsellors, acupuncturists, energy worker etc. to stand out amongst the competition.
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I want you to stand out as a birth worker, not because you have another special 'thing' to offer but because you bring a presence to the space that is unlike anyone in the room can bring.
Path To Certification
Learning How to Apply and Embrace NSI Skills Starts Here!
The NSI birth worker certification training program is both a trauma and nervous system informed approach to birth care. It is divided into three levels of learning. Each level furthers you towards certification and assists you in applying the material learned. I am committed to providing you with a learning atmosphere that builds your confidence and competency to integrate nervous system informed care and embody a nervous system skill set into your practice.
Level I: Foundations to Nervous System Informed Care Course
Level I is a stand alone course providing you with foundational knowledge about nervous system informed care and polyvagal theory, birth trauma, maternal mental health, and recovery
Level II: Integration and Skill Building Course
Level II assists you in integrating, embodying, and preparing to apply the knowledge learned in Level I. Together, we dive deeper into the concepts presented in Level I.
Level III: Application and Certification Course
Level III focuses on application and hands on mentorship to ensure you can embody the concepts with success. Once completed, you will be granted certification as a Nervous System Informed Doula.
Course Content
1.
FREE Introduction to Level I
• What To Expect Throughout This Course
• What Is Nervous System Informed Care?
• Inside Out and Outside In Tools for Nervous System Regulation
2.
Course Orientation
• Welcome Message
• Course Overview
• Community Guidelines
• Activity: Course Intentions
• Reflective Questions
• Module Checklist
3.
Module 1: An Intro to Trauma and Nervous System Informed Birth Care
• Module 1: Learning Objectives
• NSI + Trauma Informed Birth Care
• Presentation Slides
• Journal Exercise
• Module Assignment
• Module One Quiz
4.
Module 2: Trauma Stewardship and The Birth Keeper
• Module 2: Learning Objectives
• Trauma Stewardship Introduction
• Presentation Slides
• Trauma Stewardship: Risks and Benefits
• Signs and Symptoms of Burnout - Handout
• Reflective Questions
• Module Assignment
5.
Module 3: Neurobiology 101
Module 3: Learning Objectives
The Triune Brain Explained
Polyvagal Theory Explained
An Overview of Nervous System Informed Care
Guiding a Mapping Session
Profile Map Explained
Reflective Questions
Module Quiz
6.
Module 4: What is Trauma?
Module 4: Learning Objectives
Trauma Defined
Trauma and Three Systems of Knowing
Coherence As a State of Health
Befriending Your Wild Animal
Module Assignment
Module Quiz
7.
Module 5: Childbirth Trauma and Maternal Mental Health
Module 5: Learning Objectives
Birth Trauma Explained
Three Contributing Factors
Maternal Mental Health + NSI Lens
PPMD Symptoms + NSI Lens
Reflective Questions
Module Assignment
Module Quiz
8.
Module 6: A Healing Road Map for Recovery
Module 6: Learning Objectives
The Therapy Map Explained
Supporting in the Postpartum
Reflective Questions
Module Assignment
Module Quiz
9.
Module 7: Grief As Medicine
Module 7: Learning Objectives
Grief as Medicine
Posttraumatic Growth
Reflective Questions
Module Assignments
Module Quiz
Hello, nice to meet you...
Over the past 20+ years, I have worn multiple hats within the birth culture. It all started with my first pregnancy, after which I co-owned a cutting edge natural parenting and pregnancy store, taught childbirth classes and prenatal yoga (before it was a certification thing), certified as a holistic doula, studied traditional direct-entry midwifery, attended two internships, wrote two books, and now, specialize in perinatal mental health as a clinical counsellor and founder of ASK Therapy for Moms.
So, let's just say, I know something about working within the childbirth industry. Lots has changed, and some things, not so much. I know what it is like to think that you have failed a family because you couldn't help them experience the birth they had hoped for. Birth trauma is in on the rise, and I recently read t that we are in a maternal mental health crisis.
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Feelings of insecurity or inadequacy can get in the way of offering exceptional care during high stakes moments during the birth and postpartum.
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I knew that there was something I was missing as a birth worker. It wasn't until I learned about trauma and healing through a nervous system lens that it clicked - this was what was missing throughout the birth space.
I want to help you learn how to embody these the skills of nervous system anchoring so you can feel confident and competent as a birth worker, especially when the stakes are high or risky. I want you to feel competent in helping your families have the best birth experience possible, despite unexpected outcomes, and know how to support them emotionally and mentally in the postpartum.
What You Can Expect
When you join the Level I: Foundations course you are embarking on a journey of
personal and professional development
Seven postsecondary level modules released every two weeks
A private forum moderated by Jennifer for deeper inquiry and case consultation
Course activities to facilitate integration of the content and build confidence
Access to Jennifer's calendar for 1:1 mentorship sessions
Completion of Level I grants you access to Level II
