Phoenix Valley
End-of-Life Doula
Training Program
Bring Light to the Darkness of Grief
*Class enrollment is open to the public. NCBTMB Approved Course
Instructors:
Jimmy Gialelis, LMT, EOLD
Clara Brown, LMT, Death Midwife
National Certification Board for
Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork approved class
CEUs: 28 hours
Location:
Advanced Massage Arts & Education
8058 S. Priest Drive, Suite 101
Tempe, Arizona
85284
Tuition: $1000. Payment plans available.
$250 non-refundable deposit is required to enroll.
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UPCOMING 2024 Classes:
June 6th, 2024 - June 9th, 2024
9AM - 5PM each day
Thursday - Sunday
Duration: 4 days
CEUs: 28
IN PERSON
16 seats - 4 seats left!
ENROLLMENT IS OPEN
Please contact me to enroll.
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What is an End-of-Life Doula?
End-of-Life Doulas or Death Doulas are considered deathworkers and provide non-medical, holistic support and comfort to a dying person and their family. They may also provide support and comfort to surviving family members and those who are grieving.
Deathworkers identify themselves with many different titles like: End-of-life Doula, Death Doula, Death Midwife, End-of-Life Specialist, End-of-Life Coach, Transitions Companion, Death Companion, Death Comadre, Funeral Friend, Home Funeral Guide, End-of-Life Planner and many more. Each deathworker is unique and they share their special healing gifts with the communities they serve.
Students of this class will embark on a sacred journey into deathwork. They will learn the role and scope of practice of an End-of-Life Doula (deathworker), the history of hospice, burial and mourning traditions around the world, massage techniques for end-of-life comfort care, and how to generate income as an end-of-life doula. This course prepares students for the NEDA (National End-of-Life Doula Alliance) proficiency exam (optional).
Class materials: Please bring a notebook, writing utensil, and one sheet to lay upon during hands on practice. All other class materials including our discussion book On Grief and Grieving by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross will be provided.
Please contact me if you would like to enroll in the class, or if you have questions that are not answered in the FAQ section below.
***There is no universally recognized local, regional, or federal authority, regulatory or accrediting body that holds the liability or provides monitoring for end-of-life doulas.***
Testimonials
I wasn't sure why I was being called to this experience and quickly realized it was the next step in my personal journey of grief. I could not have imagined the amount of personal growth that would take place during this course. Parts of myself I have been avoiding for over 22 years were confronted, comforted, and acknowledged. This course was grounding, compassionate, and helped me to soften in ways I didn't know were possible. Death seems a little less scary to me at this point. I'm not sure where this certification will lead me. What I do know is I'm opening doors and leaning into areas of life - my life that I now have the courage to face day by day.
- Jess, June 2023 Program Graduate
I highly recommend this class since it provided me with absolutely important tools, knowledge, and wisdom which supported and helped me, my dad, and my family in tremendous ways, preparing us all to support him on his journey with dignity. I know he transitioned peacefully because we openly talked, shared, and honored all his wishes with an open mind and heart before he ended his earthly existence. As in birth we need to step out of old routines, find our way back to 'new' old ways, supporting our loved ones respectfully and with all the knowledge and wisdom available. Thank you Jimmy and Clara!
- Gila, April 2023 Program Graduate
FAQ
How can I use this EOL Doula certificate?
Students choose to take this class for a variety of reasons. Some are looking to add a professional skill so they can better serve their clients/patients. Some want to open a private practice. And some are simply interested in learning how they can better help a friend or family member through the dying process. Many of our past graduates have found that this class also helped them to move through their own grief.
Do I need a medical background to enroll?
Nope. You don't need any formal training or previous credentials to become an EOL doula. Our curriculum is written for students with little to no experience in deathwork. This class is open to the public.
I am not a massage therapist. How much time does the class dedicate to massage techniques?
We will only be teaching one hands-on massage technique per week. Each demonstration, including practice will take about 2 hours. You do not need to be a massage therapist to provide a comforting touch for those nearing the end of their lives. These gentle techniques can be extremely helpful and a part of your doula "toolbox."
You are more than welcome to wear a mask and/or vinyl gloves during the hands on practice sessions if you wish.
If you have an aversion to giving or receiving touch therapy, we recommend that you enroll in a different program that does not teach massage as part of its curriculum.
Keep in mind that learning these massage techniques does not equal a certification in that specific technique.
What makes your class different than the others?
I believe it is important for every person to do their own research and decide what path is right for them; that includes finding a class that best fits their goals, budget, and learning style. What makes our class different is that it is offered in-person, whereas most doula programs are only available online.
We will give continued support to students after the class ends as well as helping students find local support and resources. All graduates are welcome to retake any of the sessions at half price.
There aren't many classes that teach massage techniques and the ethics of touch as part of their program. It is uncommon for an EOLD class to be taught by massage therapists.
If you'd like to schedule a tour of the classroom space and meet the instructors before committing to the class, please reach out to me. I'd love to meet you!
What is the easiest way to get experience?
One of the easiest ways to get direct experience with the dying is to volunteer for a local hospice or in your community. I encourage anyone who is interested in professional deathwork to volunteer only as long as it is necessary to build confidence in the role. Your time, energy, and emotional labor are valuable.
I am unable to attend the class due to my work schedule. Do you offer an online option?
At this time, we do not offer an online option and it is not something we are considering at this time. We believe that learning to build relationships with clients and other death care professionals is best done in-person.
How does the payment plan work if I don't have the full tuition today?
You can pay as much as you want per month as long as the tuition is paid in full on the last day of class. The only way to reserve your seat for the class is to pay the $250 non-refundable deposit, which goes towards your tuition. Receiving the invoice alone is not sufficient to guarantee your spot, the deposit must still be paid.
What happens if I have to cancel?
If you cannot make the class for any reason, please let us know as soon as possible. You are entitled to a refund for any funds paid to us minus the non-refundable $250 deposit if you cancel your seat.
If the class has already started and you are unable to make one or more of the sessions, you will not receive reimbursement for tuition and will need to make up the session(s) you missed when the next class starts. If you are unable to make-up sessions in the next class, you will need to re-enroll for a future class. The only way to earn the End-of-Life Doula certificate is to attend all four sessions.