About Amber (serving Whatcom & Skagit County):
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As a survivor of postpartum anxiety and depression I found my calling to serve families affected by these conditions. I wanted to become a counselor, but I wanted to do more than that as well. As a mom who has experienced these issues first hand, I have a deep understanding of the value of practical in-home support. Once I understood what a doula was, I realized that I should first become a Postpartum Doula. I started out by taking all of the trainings that I could relating to Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders from organizations like Postpartum Support International, 2020 MOM, and Perinatal Support Washington. I then became a postpartum doula through Pro-Doula in 2015 and last year I became a birth doula as well. After working with families during the postpartum period for several years and hearing dozens of birth stories I felt moved to bring my skills and knowledge into the birth room. As a mother of five myself, I have much personal experience to draw from and have always had the innate ability to connect with and support people. I value a non-biased, evidence-based approach and support parents to make their own informed choices. I maintain a sense of calm in situations that might otherwise be overwhelming while holding a space of warmth and non-judgment that fosters confidence within new parents. I help empower parents to find their own voice and cultivate their own unique family rhythm. My personal birth/postpartum experiences include: •unmedicated •medicated/epidural •hospital, birth center & homebirth •hemorrhage/trauma •postpartum mood disorders •breastfeeding issues/success •special needs infant •medically challenged infant I have training and experience with supporting families affected by perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, PTSD, and birth trauma. I also have experience with: twins, preemies, medically fragile infants, special needs infants, high risk pregnancy, precipitous birth, gestational diabetes, recovery from cesarean section & birth related injury, stillbirth, pregnancy after a loss, new sibling adjustment, No-Cry Sleep Solution, co-sleeping, breast feeding, attachment parenting, Psychological First Aid, meditation and mindfulness. Tidbits •Married for 21 years to my high school sweetheart, Jason. •Mother of 5 feisty girls! Our children range from 1-14 years old. •8 years (and counting!) personal breastfeeding experience. •Field Marshal and instructor in thrown weapons (spear, axe, knife). •Enjoy camping, hiking, martial arts, and medieval events. •Was on a NASCAR pit crew for my father and have done a lot of auto mechanic and autobody work. •Can cook/bake almost anything! •Artistically talented in clay sculpture, drawing & painting. •Brew homemade kombucha and hard cider, and make homemade kefir, cheese and sourdough bread. Make homemade salves, lotions, household cleaners and health/herbal remedies. •Love gardening and green, growing things. •Collect Elf Quest comic books, enjoy video games, D&D, Sci-Fi/Fantasy books and other nerdy things. •My husband is a member of Summit to Sound Search & Rescue, he is a certified EMT, and he also unexpectedly delivered our 5th daughter unassisted at home during a precipitous birth! Before I Became a Doula, I… Was a Blackjack dealer at Swinomish Casino for 8 years! Education Love and Logic training for Parents and Educators (2010 & 2014) Darkness to Light Steward of Children Sexual Abuse Prevention (2015) Pro Doula Postpartum & Infant Care Doula certificate training (2015) HIV and Bloodborne Pathogens for Healthcare Workers (2015) Pro Doula Advanced Doula Training - As They Mourn for pregnancy & infant loss (2016) Pro Doula Advanced Doula Training - Postpartum Meal Planning Guide (2016) Postpartum Support International Maternal Mental Health 8-week certificate training for Mental Health and Clinical Professionals (2017) Perinatal Support Washington peer-support training for warm line volunteers (2017) Perinatal Support Washington Prevention, Identification, and Treatment of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders: Best Practices (2018) Pro Doula Birth Doula certificate training (2018) Perinatal Support Washington Trauma and Birth: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Prevention and Healing (2019) Current cards for: Pediatric CPR, First Aid, and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Operation. |
Ongoing Education
I am currently working toward my BA in Maternal Child Health & Human Lactation and intend to sit for the IBCLC (Internationally Board-Certified Lactation Consultant) exam in 2020. From there I will pursue a master’s degree in psychology and obtain credentials to practice as a mental health counselor specialized in supporting families experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Volunteerism Member of the Perinatal Mental Health Task Force of Whatcom County Perinatal Support Washington peer-support warm line volunteer Little Cheerful Soup Kitchen Agape House Women and Children’s Shelter |
