Want To Become a Doula?

If you have worked with Great Expectations, you probably know me as the agency’s owner and lady who you talk to on the phone as you make arrangments to hire a doula or take a class etc….but I am so much more.☺ I also own a national doula certification company named BEST Doula Training.

Having co-created BEST Doula Training, I have thought a lot about what I believe should be included in doula training.  If you are considering becoming a doula (and you should, it is the best job in the world!), I encourage you to ask each organization some questions so that you can find the program with the best fit for your career.  I have already answered each one with the BEST Doula answer and I encourage you to find out the answer from each organization you are considering.

Do I want to attend an in-person training or a virtual training?

This is a big one. Many people love the idea of online training because it is convenient and that is a big pro to online only training. However, online training can only offer so much when it comes  to hands-on skills and network building. There really is nothing like spending a weekend with other people who share the same passion and digging into knowledge together, practicing your new doula skills all while sharing laughter (and sometimes tears).

Luckly with BEST, we offer both options and we have done our very best to make online training community building as well as pracitcal for learning the hands on skills. We also still offer the same dynamic and comprehensive in-person trainings (typically in fun cities – come explore them with us!). So join us in your home town, travel to a training or attend in your PJs from you computer at home. (Want to read more about what it is like to attend virtual training with BEST – we have a blog about that too.)

The other great part about training is the relationships built during training. Amanda and I lead every training with BEST, so no doula that has trained with us is a nameless face in the crowd. We know them, we have jokes with them and we have chatted with them to discuss their goals for becoming a doula and how to reach them. While I can’t say what one on one time you would get from other trainers – there is no doubt that you will form a bond with the doulas you train with. Consider that time away from your life an investment in yourself, not just your career. My guess is that no matter where or how you train you will leave your workshop exhausted but full of joy and excitement.

What happens when I register?

You get a bunch of stuff from BEST! We offer all inclusive pricing. That means that we set you up with everything but your books – and there will be no addition fees, membership dues etc. BEST will send you access to 6 podcasts to listen to for your childbirth class, a lactation training video and a Think Log. You will also be added to the BEST study groups online and will start receiving mentorship.

Depending on the training date you chose – it’s  training time! Our doulas receive about 30 hours of hands on training at our workshop.  The training is so fun – time flies by! The even better news? After completing the workshop our doulas leave certified. NO certification births are required (read why). We have a whole blog about what to expect at one of our workshops, so if you are considering our training don’t skip this post.

Does your certification include marketing and business skills?

You can have the best hip squeeze in the business, but if no one can find you to hire you – it just won’t matter. And that is sad. A doula these days has to have some business skillz! BEST prepares our doulas to be wonderful doulas and successful business owners.  We include client contracts, intake forms and other paperwork as part of the training and we teach interview and marketing skills. New doulas can walk out of the training and sign a client immediately! Every BEST training includes what we call BEST Launch. It is the combination of the business sessions we teach during the workshop and it means that you leave the workshop with your business ready to lift off. LLCs, EPNs, SEO etc…..it’s all in Launch.

What is the total cost to be certified?  Are there other fees besides training?

This question is going to get you a lot of answers because many programs have several fees for certification. Find out all of them as you budget (memebership fee, packet fee, course fee, CBE fee…).  If the organization you are looking at also requires free or low cost cert births to finish your training, you will need to count those expenses too (your childcare, gas, parking materials, etc.). Luckily for Amanda and I (and our accountant), the fee for BEST is just one fee and it includes everything. The fee as of 2021 is $649 with early bird registration discount of $50. So basically if you sign up a month in advance you will become a certified doula for $599. This includes the childbirth class, workshop, study materials, and ongoing mentorship. There are no hidden fees or membership costs. 

Will your organization make me sign a non-compete or limit my professional development?

Some doula organizations expect each doula to sign a non-compete as a part of training. A non-compete is a legal document which might bar you from working as a doula for a period of time if you choose not to re-certify with that organization or state that you cannot train with or promote other similar organizations…and everything in between. Do not skip asking this question – nobody wants legal hassles as they become amazing doulas! It’s not that you should never sign a non-compete – but if the organization of your choice does have a non-compete, strongly consider spending the money to have a lawyer review the non-compete document before signing so you can understand what you are being asked to sign.

BEST does NOT have a non-compete and we love to hear that doulas are doing professional development and we know that can come from working with other doula organizations. (Remember the T in BEST stands for working together. We love collaboration!) While we feel our training is more than enough to get doulas on their way to a sustainable, ethical and fulfilling career – more training is never a bad thing.

Where will my training be and who will do the training? 

All training is led by Maria Pokluda (founder of Great Expectations in Dallas, TX) and Amanda Devereux (founder of Nola Nesting in New Orleans, LA).  Together they have decades of experience running successful doula practices. Having Maria and Amanda lead all training helps to insure that each BEST Doula receives the same info and expertise – and that we have a personal relationship with every doula we train. Your success is our success and we take our role as our doula mentors very seriously. We know that teaching new doulas how to do a great hip squeeze (and we certainly do that) is important but our comprehensive training also teaches sustainable business practices.

BEST Doula will train anywhere we are wanted (and sometimes places where we want to go). If you want a BEST Doula Training in your town, let us know and let’s do it. All training is also available virtually and you can attend any virtual training from anywhere in the world.

When will I receive certification?

BEST sends or certificates shortly after you attend training – usually the same week. However, if you ask other organizations the answers will also vary greatly. Many organizations have you send in a packet when all your work is complete and you wait for it to be graded – sometimes months.  Others will will send you a certification by mail when you complete your assignments. Others don’t send out actual certificates at all. BEST doulas are certified when they leave training and will receive an actual certificate in the week following training. 

How does your organization see itself advocating for the doula profession as whole?

BEST stands for 4 principles we believe are at the core of great doulas – Business skills, strong Ethics, Sustainability and the ability to work Together with others. We believe doulas are professionals who provide a valuable service to expecting families.  We also believe that each doula should be equipped to build a sustainable practice based on her goals and as an certifying body we want to help her meet these goals.When a new doula builds a sustainable practice that can last for the course of a long career, the doula wins, expecting families win and maternity care is improved. We believe doulas change the world!

What does your doula training cover beyond basic skills?

This good question as a follow up. As I mentioned, BEST Doulas receive lactation training with an IBCLC, doula skills taught by experienced doulas, and a marketing class led by marketing experts who specialize in promoting birth businesses. Every doula in the BEST program is provided with the course Preparing for Birth as a part of their certification work. (By the way, you will LOVE this class!).

Can I conveniently find everything about your program on your website?

Websites make research easier. They also tell you a lot about an organization. Does the website look current? Do they do online registrations and payment? Do you like the name and branding? Of course BEST would love to have you check us out on our website! 

How can I get in touch with the organization?  Is your customer service prompt?

We are happy to have you contact us at any time about the program and we will reply to you quickly. Our email is hello@bestdoulatraining.com and you can contact us at (214) 223-0226 during normal business hours.

Want to keep chatting about becoming a doula and doula training? BEST runs a Facebook group for new and experienced doulas and we would love to have you join the group: Love What You DOULA