“A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself. A mentor is someone who allows you to know that no matter how dark the night, in the morning joy will come. A mentor is someone who allows you to see the higher part of yourself when sometimes it becomes hidden to your own view.”
– Oprah Winfrey
What is mentoring?
It is a trusting relationship that seeks to build confidence and support the mentee to take responsibility for their own development for the present and future. Each mentoring session creates an opportunity to be listened to, encouraged, nurtured and supported by someone who has already ‘walked the path’. It is a valuable space to reflect and review where you have come from, where you are now and where you hope to be.
Why do doulas need it?
• We are always learning
• To be supported in growing a business, especially looking at networking and marketing
• Support with the interview process
• To self-reflect
• To develop self-awareness
• To be nurtured and inspired
• For personal and professional growth
• To debrief and reflect on client experiences, each one being unique
• Compassion fatigue
How long should doulas be mentored for?
Mentoring is beneficial for anyone working with families at any time. We see mentoring as an ongoing process and encourage everyone to have mentoring throughout their journey supporting families. This continues to be of great value when mentoring others.
What difference does mentoring make?
• Boosts self confidence
• Helps you identify and achieve your goals more quickly and effectively than working alone
• Feel more supported when making business decisions
• Helps with boundary-setting
• Encourages the practice of self-care and self-reflection
• Helps you identify unique skills and gifts
• Helps you identify areas for growth and development
• Helps with life/work balance
• Gives space to process challenging experiences with a client or colleague
• Rekindle any lost passion for doulaing
• Helps you stay grounded
On signing up for mentoring a doula will be supported in choosing the right mentor. Both mentors and mentees receive guidance on how to make the most of their mentoring sessions.
What options are there?
Mentoring for New Doulas is for anyone who has recently completed a doula course and is embarking on doula work for the first time.
Mentoring for Existing Doulas is for any doula who would like support, reflection and confidence wherever they are on their doula journey.
Who are our mentors?
They are a team of experienced doulas who are receiving on-going mentoring themselves. They are skilled in motivating and empowering mentees to identify their own needs and goals and helping them find ways to resolve or reach them.
