Sacred Story Keeper
A Trauma-Informed SOUL Care Program for Doulas
To start download a copy of the 5 Key Ingredients to (L)EARN the Art of Holding Space
As a Birth Keeper you hold both the glory and the gory of someone's process...
Simply stated, traumatic stress injury is a result of holding and witnessing 'crimes-against-wisdom' A.K.A moral injury.
Moral injury is inflicted when you witness or hear about procedures, behaviours, or crimes that cause harm and go against your moral code - your heart code.
You felt powerless to do anything about the circumstance. You couldn't stop what was unfolding or you felt helpless to take away the pain in another.
In other words: What was witnessed or listened to caused too much stress within your system (heart, mind, and body).
As a helping professional, have you experienced any of the 7 D symptoms?
Depletion in energy and focus; exhaustion; flat
Dissatisfaction in vocation; energetically distant from client; lacking empathy
Denial that you are being affected; dark intrusive thoughts; cynicism
Disheartened; loss of hope or belief that people can change
Disbelief that good exist in the world
Disoriented; flooded with personal memories; overwhelmed by emotional material
Disbelief in your role and purpose; lack of confidence; guilt and/or shameful feelings
As your soulful guide into the territory of trauma-informed soul care, I would like to share a bit about my journey thus far
I am passionate about teaching trauma-informed SOUL care programs because I have been through the muck and yuck of restoring my heart, mind, and soul back to health personally and professionally ... And I want this for you!
Here is the truth, I was taken down fast and hard by the symptoms of compassion fatigue (burnout) as a practicing psychotherapist. Forced to stop everything. That meant: stop seeing clients; stop attending births; stop being creative; stop building a business; stop being of service; stop writing; and stop generating an income to care for my family.
Not only was I physically sick due to a compromised immune system, I was forced to look at the remaining unresolved trauma from my past that was contributing to the crash.
I was officially SOUL sick (for the second time around).
I knew that the terms: compassion fatigue and burnout, did not do justice to what I was experiencing. As a trauma-informed Psychotherapist and previously, a practicing Doula and Traditional Birth Attendant, I had held a lot and witnessed a lot.
Like you, I thought I was invincible to what I was witnessing, hearing, and holding.
I believed that if I was serving and living my passion that I would have unlimited energetic resources and thus, could handle anything and everything - Can you relate?
Well, I was wrong.
A traumatic injury, when left unresolved, depletes you (to be frank, it guts you).
I learned that as a helping professional I am not magically protected from 'catching' a traumatic stress injury - nor are you.
Worse off, because I had already healed from PTSD, I had a vulnerable nervous system. Like with any injury, if you jump back in too fast, too soon, you are at risk of re-injuring.
This is exactly what happened to me: I dove in too fast and too soon, without nourishing my energy reserves.
And the result?
A collapse of the nervous system, immune system, mental system, heart system, and SOUL system.
Burnout is NOT what is really going on underneath the surface; Burnout is a nice word that lessens the blow of how debilitating traumatic stress injury can be.
Look, I really don't want you to be gutted emotionally, energetically, financially, relationally, and soulfully. So why wait until the symptoms are bad enough for you to 'relate' to what I went through?
Start now, by learning how to prevent a traumatic stress injury from setting in AND (L)EARN the art of holding space for your clients!
I have poured my knowledge, wisdom and soul into developing trauma-informed SOUL care programs and a Deep Dive Signature System that not only teaches you about trauma-informed soul care, but supports you to do the deep work to nourish, strengthen, and replenish your inner reserves so that you can continue to hold space for healing and transformation.
If you want to learn more about my journey and professional credentials CLICK HERE >
The Sacred Story Keeper program strives to provide you with cutting edge trauma-informed information that will enhance your practice AND your personal life. The following is a list of tangible take aways from the program:
The neuroscience of trauma-informed care
How to help a mother weave a birth story from traumatic to transformative
How to facilitate a safe foundation for emotional processing
How to prevent compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress injury
(L)EARN the art of holding space
How to lead with the heart
10 Modules to Deepen Your Knowledge and (L)EARN the Art of Holding Space
LIVE Monthly Group Coaching Calls - Second Wednesday each month 10 am MST
October Monthly Call - A review of setting the stage for integration and healing
November Monthly Call - Discussion on how to integrate the material into practice.
December Monthly Call - Discussion on prolonged survival stress, challenges doula's are experiencing, and uncertainty during COVID times
Extra Reading Material and Resources
You are in! Now what?
Reflective Questions for Welcome Module
Informed Consent and Group Agreements
How Trauma-Informed Are You?
Trauma-Informed Soul Care - Mini e-Book
5 Key Ingredients to (L)EARN the Art of Holding Space
Intro to Module One
On Healing and Safety
Guided Imagery - Getting Rooted
On Grounding - Reflective Exercise
Guided Imagery - Calm Place
'Tapping' and Inner Resource Development - Video
Guided Process - Connecting to Inner Resources
EXTRA RESOURCE - Butterfly hug, Tapping, and EMDR
Reflective Questions for Module One
Module One - SURVEY
Welcome to Trauma-Informed Care Module
Trauma-Informed Presentation for Birth Professionals
For Mothers - What Is Trauma-Informed Care?
For Mothers - Did I Have a Traumatic Birth Intro Video
For Mothers - Were You Negatively Impacted by Your Childbirth Experience?
For Mothers - BirthMARQ Assessment
Guided Meditation - Connecting to The Three Brains
HAB - Introduction to Trauma
HAB - Introduction to Trauma (PDF)
HAB - Trauma and Therapeutic Activities Explained
The History of PTSD
Peter Levine - How Does Trauma Get Trapped in The Body
Hand Model of the Brain - 3 Parts of Brain
Dan Siegel - Flipping the Lid
Van Der Kolk - Three Ways Trauma Changes the Brain
Penny Simpkin - Birth Trauma
Gabor Mate - On Trauma
Building Better Brains - Alberta Family Wellness
The Resilient Brain - Alberta Family Wellness
Module Two - CLOSING SURVEY
Welcome to Module Three - Intro Audio
Welcome to Module Three
What Is a Scope of Practice?
Video - Doula and Scope of Practice
Doula Canada - PPD Scope of Practice
Role and Scope of Doula
Reflective Questions - On Scope of Practice
Reflective Questions - On Emotional Support
What is Informed Consent?
Reflective Questions - On Informed Consent
Video - Ethics and Doula Care
Video - When a Doula Witnesses Discrimination
Video - Abuse in Birth
Module Three - CLOSING SURVEY
PODCAST - Boundaries in the Birth Room with Hermine Hayes-Klein
*Audio* Introduction to Module Four
*Text* Introduction to Module Four
PART ONE - THE WINDOW OF TOLERANCE
The Window of Tolerance Explained
Dysregulation Chart
Mindfulness of The Window of Tolerance
Dan Siegel - Flipping the Lid
Dan Siegel - Name It to Tame It
Helping Clients Come Back to Window of Tolerance
The Polyvagal Theory Explained
PART TWO - SCIENCE OF THE HEART
The Science of the Heart
Heart's Intuitive Intelligence
Mysteries of the Heart
Resilience, Self-Regulation, and HRV
How to Harmonize the Heart
Heart Coherence Meditation
EXTRA READING: Science of the Heart
PART THREE - EMOTIONS, FEELINGS, AND SENSATIONS
*Audio* Sensations, Feelings, and Emotions
How to Use Feelings and Needs List?
Needs List
Feelings List
Module Four - CLOSING SURVEY
PART ONE - Extra Resourcing Activities
Belonging and our inner community
Inner 'round table' guided exercises
The round table handout
Inner Child Guided Journey
Reflective exercise - A Love Letter
Exploring your inner community - Handout
PART TWO - Introducing Deep Dive Signature System
Intro Video - 10 Step Process
E-Book - 10 Step Process: How To Get Into Your Heart and Out of Your Head
Deep Dive Workbook
Guided Audio - The Deep Dive Process
Module 5 - CLOSING SURVEY
Audio Introduction to The Art of Holding Space
Text Introduction to The Art of Holding Space
Video - The Wheel of Awareness
Guided Meditation - The Wheel of Awareness
Video - What is a healthy mind
Video - Power of Thought and Mindfulness
Audio - Breath Awareness
Video - Healing Past with Presence
Mindfulness Apps and Tools
Handout - About Mindfulness
Handout - Tools for Mindfulness
Reflective Exercise
Extra Resource - The Present Moment
Module Six - CLOSING SURVEY
Introduction to Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, and STS injury
Audio - Personal Story About Moral Injury and STS
Outline of Video Presentation
(Video 1) Secondary Traumatic Stress Injury and Compassion Fatigue
(Video 2) What Is a Crime-Against-Wisdom and a Moral Injury?
(Video 3) Healthy Stress vs Toxic Stress
(Video 4) What Gives Rise to Perception and Fosters Resilience
*Extra* video for review on PTSD
*Extra* video for review on survival response
*Extra* The Triune Brain Video
Reflective Questions
Burnout Assessment Tool
Module Seven - CLOSING SURVEY
(Audio) Introduction to Postpartum Support
(Text) Introduction to Trauma-Informed Postpartum Care
Video - Regulation of the nervous system
Guided Exercise - Neurosensory Meditation
PART ONE - Resources for Families
Resource - Identify Pregnancy and Postpartum Stressors
Resource - Wheel of Stress
Audio - Thriving in The Postpartum
Audio - Pelvic Floor Health
Audio - Postpartum Mental Health
Resources - Global Postpartum Mental Health Support
Resources - Local to AB Postpartum Mental Health Support
BONUS - A New Perspective on Postpartum Struggles
BONUS - A New Perspective on Postpartum Struggles (2)
BONUS - A New Perspective on Postpartum Struggles (3)
BONUS - A New Perspective on Postpartum Struggles (4)
PART TWO
Assignment - Local Resource List
Reflective Questions
Module Eight - CLOSING SURVEY
(Audio) Introduction to Weaving the Birth Story
(Text) Introduction to Weaving the Birth Story
Hidden Agendas and Uncovering Biases
(MOTHER) Reflective Exercise - On Childbirth Trauma
(MOTHER) Narrative Exercise - On Doubt and Disappointment
(MOTHER) Guided Imagery - Building Compassion
(MOTHER) Reflective Exercise - Birth Story
(MOTHER) Reflective Exercise - New Birth Story
(MOTHER) Narrative Exercise - Embracing Yourself
Reflective Exercise
Module Nine - CLOSING SURVEY
How Trauma-Informed Are You - Checklist?
Additional content and support that you will receive as part of the Sacred Story Keeper Program
You will receive BONUS access to the Healing After Birth Online Program for Personal and Professional use. You will be granted permission to use the content with your clients AND you will receive an affiliate link to sell the program to your clients. PLUS a copy of the Healing After Birth guidebook.
As part of the Sacred Story Keeper program, you receive lifetime access to the online content PLUS two full days of an in-person retreat. Together, we dive deep into embodying the content taught through the online program. The retreat will be held once a year for all members of the SSK program (travel, accommodations, and food will be extra).
As part of the Sacred Story Keeper program you receive access to my signature system! I am sharing The Deep Dive process with you, as a gift, so that you can personally work with any challenges, triggers, or stressors that arise throughout the program.
Words from those who decided to dive in with full heart...
“The Sacred Story Keeper was somehow more than I anticipated it would be (and I had high expectations to begin with). I will use the tools and insight that I obtained so far not only in my doula practice, but when listening to the stories of trauma outside of birth.”
“Learning about trauma-informed care one thing, unpacking your own story so you can be emotionally balanced for your kids and clients is very different. The in person portion allowed for a deeper invitation to unpacking my own trauma and recognizing the barriers and challenges our own clients may be experiencing when being faced with their own story. ”
“Every type of birth and postpartum worker and persons who support families in these spaces, would both personally and professionally benefit from this program. I found so many aspects that will help me both personally and professionally. The in person portion and the people we met, and conversations we had, were absolutely invaluable. Jennifers vast knowledge in the area of trauma informed care is incredible to listen and witness, and be a part of her learning. ”
“The Sacred Story Keeper workshop and training has helped me on a personal level to work through trauma and has given me the tools and resources to support my clients in my work as a Doula.”
“I look forward to Jennifer’s mentorship as I work towards embodying the skills of a Sacred Story Keeper. Being able to listen deeply to families throughout the pivotal life event of birth, no matter how it played out, is support that is truly needed.”
“The Sacred Story Keeper program has deepened my ‘head knowledge’ of trauma and has given me ‘body knowledge’ and experiential tools that I can bring directly and immediately into my acupuncture and doula practice. Jennifer is a gem - a true treasure in the birth world - and to learn from her in person has been a gift”
Find the pricing option that fits your budget
$697.00
Regular price
8 x $97.00
8 monthly payments of $97
3 x $249.00
3 x $249 Payment Plan
Take a moment to learn a bit more about my point of view on maternal mental health and healing in general, watch these videos.
In this 4 part video course you will learn about postpartum mental health through a trauma-informed lens, what may be contributing to your postpartum depression/anxiety, and what you can do about it.
Dive into this 5 part video series that outlines Jennifer's point of view on healing through a trauma-informed soul care lens.
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