Welcome to our Certified CareDoula® Application Process
Please read through the details of our End-of-Life Doula Certificate Program below. If you are inspired to apply, please do so through the application link at the bottom of the page.
WHAT YOU WILL ACCOMPLISH at Certified CareDoula®
The Art and Craft. We teach you all that is most important in the end-of-life time frame from when treatments begin to stop working through early bereavement. And, we help you build the framework of your practice just like this scaffolding of this bridge. If its not solid, the bridge will not only fall apart but people may be hurt, including you. When things aren’t right, your service may start to unravel in unusual places at first. We so often take it personally, but it’s not a personal issue 99% of the time, it is a systems issue. There is something off about how your service is put together.
WHAT YOU WILL LOSE
Phase 2. When you learn all the right stuff, all your misconceptions and any myths, fears and doubts drop by the wayside. You will lose insecurity, overwhelm, and confusion because you are no longer trying to figure this out on your own. You will quit wasting time NOT helping people and doing what you know you are meant to do. You have a guide now—saving you time, energy, and money. And you will lose the isolation of working completely alone. You will have a professional community along with Deanna who will have YOUR back as you serve your clients, deal with complex issues and all the things that go with a professional practice.
FROM THE DESK OF DEANNA
"We are the same. We want to do all we can to make a difference and to reduce suffering at the end of life.
In 2005 I took a different path into the non-traditional arena of developing the end-of-life doula concept for myself—just as you are doing now.
I realized when my mom died in 2005, that I could make more change outside of mainstream healthcare than within it. Hospice was already established and doing an incredible job; where people needed help was beyond where hospice was available.
There is so much to learn!
People who are drawn into this new role tell me all the time, "I have so much life left in me, I want to do something with my life; I want to make a difference.
Most of you reading this already know you are 'good' at accompanying people through hard times and through dying. You have proof of that. That's why you are here wanting to apply to our program.
Most people that come to me are THAT person. Its just that you want help speaking to people in an educated way and really know how to work with families, hospice and other healthcare organizations.
Most people are not exposed to the end of life enough to be able to just set up practice, although you have an inner knowing you will be great at it if you just knew the ins and outs of the dying time and how to support families.
And the biggest thing most people need help with? It's the business side of things. All of it from how to structure your service with proper boundaries to pricing and packaging and how to get the word out.
If you want help with all this, I am here and it would be my honor to have your back as you have theirs. This is what I'm on this planet to do."
SPECIAL NOTE: I'm only able to work with a few people at a time, so we are not able to bring everyone in to the School who would like my help unfortunately. You may need to be placed on our waiting list.
HOW It Works
Phase 1: Deanna teaches you everything she knows that is most important in accompanying the dying and the end-of-life time period. She culls from her 25+ years of direct professional end-of-life service as a hospice nurse, palliative consultant, corporate end-of-life doula program developer and end-of-life doula in private practice. You will have access to our full online training center, mentoring sessions, Special Guest sessions, community education platform and our CareDoula® community.
Phase 2: All along the way, for an entire year, you will be rolling up your sleeves with her to custom build your unique end-of-life service. She has built a comprehensive training system working personally with you via small group Mentoring Sessions with her and other special guests, LIVE classes with her coaches, and her strong CareDoula® community. You will continue to have access to everything in the School, as well as the weekly LIVE classes to ask all of your questions.
Phase 3. After your year is complete, you may continue to retain Deanna for consultation as you continue to grow and serve for a small annual fee. As you roll out your service, grow your business, serve your clients and try new things, you are not alone. Stay close to your professional community to work out cases and adjust or scale your business and continue to access all continuing education sessions through the year to keep your practice updated. And you will always have access to all of our updated material.*We don't say to you, "...ok, see ya! ... hope all goes well, drop a line and tell us how its going!..." We are here for you for the long haul.
This is Deanna's specialty, supporting the practitioner to care for themselves as they care for others through every means possible.
*we have weekly sessions at this time. We reserve the right to change the frequency of our sessions for the needs of our School.
WHAT YOU RECEIVE
WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?
Step 1: Apply to the School. Application Here. There is a nonrefundable 25USD application fee to apply.
Step 2: You will be notified within 5 business days of our decision.
Step 3: If accepted, you will decide if you'd like to begin studying with Deanna and the team and if so, we will get you registered and begin immediately!
Get prepared for one of the most amazing journeys of your life! ❤️
Are you ready?
THE BIG QUESTION
[Drum roll]
Return on Investment
This is the big question everyone asks:
“I know investing in your program is worth it as far as mentoring, end-of-life education, certification, self-care tools, support, community connection, as well as professional development goes; and, will I also see a financial return on my investment?”
The answer is YES.
How long it takes to recoup your investment (of time, energy and money) is in your hands and totally dependent on if you do the work to promote your business. We show you best practices to come out into your community strong, confident and as an end-of-life resource positioning your service in a clear, concise, easy to understand way.
Below is the realm of realistic fees that professional end-of-life doulas earn. Know that every doula has a philanthropic arm to their business. I do not know of one doula personally who would ever turn anyone away due to their inability to pay.
Based on my own private practice since 2010 and polling my own CareDoulas since 2010, end-of-life doulas are making anywhere from $25 - $200/hour and basing their packages on this. Within this wide range, most doulas choose to begin with their fees between $45 –$75/hour to start, typically*.
The next most popular subcategory $25- 45/hour, depending on what services you are offering and how comfortable you are with the business process. Many doulas who really know their service is worth $50 - 60 (for example) feel shy about charging that to start, so they begin at $30 - 40 an hour.
And the next most common subgroup is $75 - 125. Once you feel comfortable, you will naturally move to the fee that feels right. And all doulas have their philanthropy and work with all people regardless of the ability to pay.
An example of calculating a session rate:
- Choose Your Time Block. If you choose a conservative amount to begin with, let’s say $45/hour, and you are doing a 4-hour session (adding 1 hour for drive time), that will make each session 5 hours.
- Calculate Your Session Rate: $225 (5 hours multiplied by $45/hour)
If you knew EXACTLY how to use your all your gifts and skills in an end of life service, pull it together in a powerful practice, narrow it to a simplified offer that people can understand and earn even as little as $225/session, what is that worth to you to do the rest of your life?
So, the answer is absolutely! If you invest in yourself to learn EXACTLY what you need from someone who KNOWS ... who will guide you it's a no brainer that your investment will be worth it.
Not only could you recoup your investment within several months of beginning your service, you will have a source of income for the rest of your life.
And if financially investing in yourself at this time is not feasible, just know you can learn over time step by step. Just have compassion for yourself as it will take years to figure it all out.
You literally have 2 choices: 1) do it yourself or 2) have help.
Figuring it out piece by piece is totally fine, just accept it may take you a very long time to figure it out--Deanna did it that way and you can too!!
The real question is: do you want a guide to save you time, money and frustration? Or do you want to take your time and figure it out on your own?
You know yourself best.
PROGRAM VALUE
We hired business valuation experts to determine the market value of our program in January 2024. They assessed our entire program at $12,100 (market value).
Certified CareDoula® components breakdown:
- Private Consulting via small group sessions, group chat, email. Initial 16 Weeks: $3500
- End-of-Life Doula Certificate Program®: $1800
- Community Education/Promotions Program: $1800
- Continuing End-of-Life Service Professional Development & Consulting, 1 year: $5000+ (and we offer way more than that--we offer consulting for the life of our program)
People need us now. The sooner you get started, the sooner you can make a difference.
CareDoula Tuition. Fall 2024/Spring 2025: 4500 USD.
Refund Policy. If you choose to leave the program within 7 days, we will return your entire investment withholding a 300 administrative fee. No refunds thereafter; no exceptions. You have an ENTIRE week to ensure this is a great fit for you!
Meet a few of our happy CareDoulas below 😊
Sara W.
I have learned that despite my inner fears and insecurities, I am innately ready to support the dying and their loved ones. I have felt the ability and strength to do this work most of my adult life but now, after taking this beautifully designed course, I know I was made to do it. It’s like all of my experiences, struggles, abilities, strengths, lessons, interests, so many facets of me point directly to me doing this work. I’ve had the tools the whole time, but your experience and direction has offered a structure to put all the technical details in order. I’ve mentioned before that I am not a technical person so this course has helped me tremendously. I feel I have a foundation to build upon now rather than standing in a murky pond knowing what I need lies beneath the surface but not able to see it. It’s so much clearer now. It gives me great comfort knowing I have the section material and my responses at my finger tips for reference to easily and often refresh myself.
Simon F.
All I knew before I began Deanna's programs was that I felt an intense yearning to be of service at the end of life. I had very little experience in this realm and wasn't even clear what this work looked like. Deanna saw my earnest desire and welcomed me into what has become deep and meaningful work. Being mentored by Deanna has been a life-changing gift! I watched my skills and intuition in this work, grow, deepen and flower. Serving my community as a death doula and grief coach I see how those of us working at the threshold are shaping our collective experiences with death and grief. Deanna is a fierce and loving warrior in this cause and I am honored to be with her on the path.
Nicole G.
"What an amazing experience this has been, and I know I will refer to these lessons and learnings forever, and it will form, or already has I should say, how I serve."
Mary M.
"It was and is an honor to know you; a simple authentic truth statement. My CareDoula® School of Accompanying the Dying (recently renamed – most excellent!) certainly advanced my capabilities, your program and teaching and mentorship are highly unique and unsurpassed in as a whole and in its parts."
Kathleen M.
"I want to take this opportunity to say, 'Thank you' for creating this much needed course and creating a space for those who are called to the work, to gain valuable insights and practical information to better assist those in need."
Lee F. W.
I love how this course integrates the medical, the alternative, the compassion-based, the intuitive, and the spiritual sources. I have loved the readings…and the other resources. The case studies…have given me more "experience," even though it is not on-site. Of course, what is underscored is the uniqueness and preciousness of each individual. Everyone is distinct, but there are still general guidelines I can follow when being with/accompanying a patient and his/her caregiver(s)…I love the thoroughness/rigor of the program.
Nancy S.
I so appreciate the chance to be present on your calls and to listen. You’re such a teacher! I love that you speak from your own experience, that you welcome any and every question, that you somehow ‘hold space’ for where every person is at. And I love that you speak easily, from a deep place of integrity and that you allow your amusement free reign!
Janet M.
My life is so naturally flowing and completely full right now. Thank you for your guidance through this new birth of my path. The most important part of your course for me has been the self care part. If I hadn't done that work, I would be spreading myself quite thin now. I am a recovering Yes person, and although sometimes I feel like I should be helping more people, I feel really good and energized when I wake up in the morning.
Course Objectives
Establishing Rapport & Peace
Mastering the art of building trust and confidence in your service.
Exploring Types & Settings of EOLD Work
Awareness: serving your client expertly and correctly.
Providing Emotional & Spiritual Support
Awareness: the essence of our service, compassionate presence.
Spiritual Care of Self & Others
Mastering the journey into the great unknown with confidence.
Providing Practical Support
Mastering top End-of-Life Doula guidance skills.
EOL Doula Tools
Legacy, aroma therapy, vigil, planning, and more.
The Dying Body
Awareness: accompanying during the last days of life.
At the Bedside
Mastering physical and supportive care for person and family.
Special Topics in End-of-Life
Palliative sedation, home funerals, medical issues, green burials, and more.
Professional Issues
Creating a structure to support yourself, ethics, standards of practice, promotions.
Extended Support
Our self-paced program is 16 weeks. Afterwards, you will continue to be invited to all sessions and receive all our support for as long as the program is open.
More Course Details
Common Questions About Certified CareDoula®
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