Years in Birth Work
Births Attended
Live Workshops
Doulas Trained
Laura teaching the cardinal movements of labor during an in-person birth doula training workshop.
Why Choose Holistic Beginnings?
Doula training shaped by decades of real birth experience.
Learning how to become a doula requires more than memorizing positions, terminology and comfort measures.
Laura’s teaching has been shaped by more than 1,000 births. She knows what it is like when labor changes quickly, when a partner needs direction, when a family becomes overwhelmed and when the doula needs to remain grounded enough to support everyone else in the room.
Students learn how to think, communicate and adapt—not simply memorize techniques. Each birth doula training workshop is practical, participatory and grounded in professional scope, ethics, respectful care and evidence-informed support.
Want to know more about your trainer?
Meet Laura DePasquale →
What Students Can Expect
What to expect from your birth doula training.
Laura does not teach at students. She teaches with them through conversation, demonstration, hands-on practice, case examples and the questions that emerge as people begin imagining themselves in real birth spaces.
Learn the foundations
Understand the birth doula role, professional scope, ethics, labor and birth, prenatal preparation and the responsibilities you carry into the room.
Practice doula skills
Practice comfort measures, positioning, communication and hands-on labor support with other students rather than learning solely through lectures.
Prepare for real clients
Work through advocacy, professional boundaries, difficult moments, DONA certification and the first steps toward building a sustainable doula practice.
Inside the Three-Day Workshop
Birth doula training curriculum: what you will learn and practice.
This DONA-approved doula training covers foundational knowledge while making room for physical practice, discussion and the real questions that surface when students prepare to support families professionally.
Understanding birth and the doula’s role
Physical and emotional labor support
Communication, advocacy and teamwork
Equity, history and respectful birth support
DONA certification and beginning your doula practice
Your Certification Path
How this doula training fits into DONA certification.
The Holistic Beginnings workshop satisfies the Childbirth Class for Professionals and the DONA-Approved Birth Doula Workshop educational requirements. Certification also includes additional requirements completed directly through DONA International.
Review DONA International’s current Birth Doula Certification requirements →
During doula training
Complete the covered educational requirements, practice foundational skills and develop a clear understanding of the professional birth doula role.
After the workshop
Continue working through DONA’s remaining reading, experience, documentation and certification submission requirements.
While working toward certification
Continue turning to Laura for mentorship, certification questions, practical feedback and support as you begin navigating your first experiences as a working doula.
Doula Mentorship After Training
Doula training ends. Laura’s mentorship doesn’t.
Becoming a confident birth doula takes more than completing a workshop. Students who complete their Holistic Beginnings doula training can continue to seek mentorship from Laura as they work toward DONA certification and begin supporting real families.
Navigate DONA certification
Ask questions about certification requirements, documentation and next steps as you move through the process.
Bring the questions that come later
Once you begin working with real families, new questions emerge. Laura remains a resource for the practical questions that often arise for new doulas.
Develop professional judgment
Learn from the perspective of an experienced trainer and birth professional as your confidence, skills and professional judgment continue to develop.
You are not expected to know everything on day three.
The goal is to leave doula training with a strong foundation, a clear path toward certification and an experienced mentor you can turn to while you grow into the work.
In-Person Workshops
Birth doula training workshops in cities across the U.S.
Holistic Beginnings offers in-person DONA-approved birth doula training in multiple U.S. cities. Current 2026 training locations include Boston, Austin, Jacksonville and the Morristown area of New Jersey, with additional workshops and professional education added throughout the year.
Birth Doula Training
Boston, Massachusetts
Birth Doula Training
Austin, Texas
Birth Doula Training
Jacksonville, Florida
Birth Doula Training
Morristown Area, New Jersey
Curious About Becoming a Doula?
Considering doula training? Start with a virtual info session.
If you are interested in becoming a birth doula but are not ready to register for training yet, join Laura online to learn more about doula work, DONA certification, what training involves and what the profession actually looks like.
Bring your questions. This is a low-pressure place to explore whether becoming a doula and completing Holistic Beginnings doula training feel like the right next step for you.
Monthly Virtual Session
Second Wednesday of Every Month
Online · Registration required
Learn about doula training, DONA certification, birth work and what to expect from a Holistic Beginnings workshop.
Upcoming DONA-Approved Workshops
Choose your upcoming birth doula training.
Each three-day in-person workshop includes the Childbirth Class for Doulas and DONA-Approved Birth Doula Workshop. Select a training below to review the full schedule, policies and registration.
Aug
29–31
In-Person Doula Training
Boston, Massachusetts
August 29–31, 2026 · Three days of DONA-approved birth doula education and hands-on practice.
Sep
18–20
In-Person Doula Training
Austin, Texas
September 18–20, 2026 · Three days of DONA-approved education, practical skills and certification preparation.
Oct
2–4
In-Person Doula Training
Jacksonville, Florida
October 2–4, 2026 · Hands-on birth support education, professional preparation and DONA certification guidance.
Dec
4–6
In-Person Doula Training
Boston, Massachusetts
December 4–6, 2026 · An additional Boston opportunity for students beginning their DONA birth doula education.
Dec
12–14
New Jersey Training
Morristown Area, New Jersey
December 12–14, 2026 · Train near Holistic Beginnings’ New Jersey home base with Laura in person.
Looking for another class, continuing-education course or virtual session?
Laura’s full event calendar also includes virtual education and additional professional programming.
From Laura’s Doula Training Students
What students carry with them after doula training.
“She didn’t just teach me techniques—she taught confidence, critical thinking and how to truly show up for families in one of the most vulnerable and powerful moments of their lives.”
“Laura laid the foundation for the framework that has shaped my entire career as a doula.”
“Laura lit a fire in me that I didn’t know existed. I am a fully booked, successful doula and educator now.”
“When you train with Laura, you get an amazing education, a colleague, a mentor and a friend.”
Doula Training FAQ
Questions about birth doula training and certification.
What is birth doula training?
Birth doula training prepares students to provide non-clinical physical, emotional and informational support during pregnancy, labor and birth. Holistic Beginnings combines classroom education, hands-on practice, professional communication, scope and ethics with guidance for students pursuing DONA certification.
Will I be DONA certified when doula training ends?
No. The workshop completes covered DONA educational requirements, but DONA certification also includes additional steps that students complete and submit directly through DONA International.
Do I need birth experience before taking doula training?
No previous professional birth experience is required. Students should complete assigned preparation and come ready to participate fully throughout the three-day workshop.
What is included in Holistic Beginnings doula training?
Training includes three days of instruction, hands-on practice, the Birth Doula Manual, workshop materials and certificates of attendance for the educational courses covered during the workshop.
Is doula mentorship available after training?
Yes. Laura continues to mentor Holistic Beginnings students as they work toward DONA certification and begin navigating common questions that arise during early professional practice.
How can I learn more before registering for doula training?
Laura hosts a virtual Becoming a Doula information session on the second Wednesday of each month for people who want to ask questions about doula work, training and DONA certification before choosing a workshop.
Are payment arrangements available for doula training?
Payment arrangements may be available. Contact Laura before registering to discuss current options and payment deadlines.
Start Your Doula Training
Begin birth doula training with education—and support for what comes next.
Explore upcoming DONA-approved doula training workshops, attend a virtual info session or contact Laura with questions about training, mentorship and certification.