A Foundation for the Future
What distinguishes IDLM from many other programs is its integrative and forward-thinking approach. IDLM prepares doulas to work with hospice systems, not outside of them. The curriculum includes education on early hospice enrollment advocacy, regulatory awareness, ethical boundaries, and professional communication within healthcare environments.
Moving Through Transition
When a death doula becomes involved in the transition process, their job is to step back and look at the whole picture. The medical workers will do their work and the funeral workers will do theirs—the doula’s job is to see what isn’t being handled, and to figure out the best way to fill in the gaps.
Bringing Yourself to the Work
It may seem at first that doula work is completely unrelated to whatever you were doing before, and that you’re starting again from scratch with no idea what you’re supposed to do. But the truth is, whatever you are bringing forward with you is something that you will be able to use as a doula.
The Value of Community Spirit
We talk a great deal about the ways we serve; the things we do for the people we assist. But it is important to take time to also consider whom we serve. We serve our clients: end-of-life patients and their families. In addition to that, as doulas, we also work to serve the communities we are a part of, whether we are currently working with individual clients or not.
When the Wind Blows
It is always wise to be prepared for an emergency, especially when there is so much happening in the world and it seems like there are emergencies all around us, all the time. As doulas, we have chosen a special calling to be of service, and now is no time to be caught off guard.
Getting Yourself Out There!
It probably won’t be easy, especially if you’re starting from scratch. But nothing worth really doing is ever easy, and the good news is you have the whole community at IDLM behind you, supporting you every step of the way.
Winding Down and Winding Back Up
Whether this year is the very start of your doula career or whether it’s a new chapter in your continuing story, the work you do with your clients is going to be unique. No two doulas are the same, and no two clients are the same. The thing we all have in common is a desire to serve our clients and our communities.
Welcoming Dr Qwynn Galloway-Salazar!
Founder and CEO of In Their Honor, Dr. Galloway-Salazar leads a consulting organization that
integrates storytelling, applied theatre, and community engagement to transform how societies
care for Veterans and their families through aging, loss, bereavement, and survivorship. Her
work bridges public health, the arts, and compassionate community design to advance culturally
responsive and trauma-informed care models.
Finding Gratitude in the Hard Times
Studies have shown that taking even just a few minutes out of the day for mindfulness focused on gratitude has measurable positive effects on a person’s mental health. Whether you spend that time meditating, writing in a gratitude journal, or with someone else, sharing thoughts about what you are each grateful for, there is a very high statistical likelihood that your gratitude moments will help you to have a more positive outlook, a calmer general demeanor, and an easier time handling challenges that come your way.
Caring for the Caretakers
We all know the importance of self care. Part of client care is making sure that the people who are caring for their loved ones have the time and the opportunity to care for themselves as well, whether that means getting away for an afternoon to do some shopping or just a couple of hours to get a decent meal and a nap.
