Episode 22: Season Two – Doula Shadowing and Mentoring

Welcome to Season Two! We are kicking off season two with a very common topic in the doula world.

Doula Shadowing and Mentorship.

We get calls all the time that request the opportunity to shadow us at a birth. Sometimes the caller simply wants to shadow a birth to see if doula work is for them. Others have taken training and are looking for more hands-on education to build their skillset. Then there are those who have taken training but lack the confidence to strike out on their own and are looking to ease into the work and build confidence through shadowing.

Some newly-trained doulas also believe that doula shadowing and mentorship are required. Certain certification organizations may also require it as a part of their certification process.

In this episode, we discuss shadowing and mentorship and the positives and negatives that doulas may encounter. We dive into the burnout that mentoring doulas may experience. Consider the possible shortcomings of shadowing and look into a different model of shadowing where the mentor doula is compensation for their time.

Let’s dive in!