The University of Vermont’s End-of-Life Doula Certificate program, with its unique connections to a research institution, medical school, and the Osher Center for Integrative Health, is positioned as a leader in the death doula movement towards becoming an integral part of the healthcare team as a provider of essential support during one of life’s most challenging transitions.
Helping the dying and their loved ones navigate grief, loss, and the complexity of death calls for empathy, strength, and compassion. UVM’s End-of-Life Doula Certificate training guides graduates in providing emotional, spiritual, and physical support at the end of life.
Alumni Retreat Theme: Cultivating Inner Sustainability
Launching in July 2024, the University of Vermont is hosting a retreat titled “Care of the Care Provider: Cultivating Inner Sustainability” for graduates of the End-of-Life Doula and Companion Animal End-of-Life Doula Certificate program on its beautiful Burlington campus.
The theme “Cultivating Inner Sustainability” emphasizes the importance of self-care and resilience for caregivers, ensuring that they can continue to offer compassionate and effective support without compromising their own well-being.
This two-day retreat is an enriching opportunity for alumni to reconnect, share their experiences, and continue their professional development. The serene and picturesque setting of UVM’s campus provides the perfect backdrop for reflective and transformative workshops, discussions, and activities tailored to enhance the skills and knowledge of end-of-life doulas.
“This new, annual retreat, themed ‘Care of the Care Provider: Cultivating Inner Sustainability,’ underscores UVM’s commitment to ongoing education and excellence in end-of-life care, ensuring that our doulas are well-prepared to make meaningful impacts in their communities. Participants will have the chance to engage with like-minded individuals, learn from esteemed guest speakers, and partake in various hands-on sessions focused on resilience, self-care, advanced doula techniques, and new developments in the field of end-of-life care. We’re crafting this retreat to foster a strong sense of community, allowing graduates to build enduring relationships, and support networks that are vital for their roles.”
— Frances Pope Hewitt (LPC/S, LAC, LCMHC), End-of-Life Doula Program Lead
UVM End-of-Life and Companion Animal Doula Alumni Retreat Details
Workshop Topics:
- Comprehensive Pain Management and Alternative Healing for Self
- Wellness for the Doula
- Food as Nurturance
- New Frontiers in Care
Activities:
- Community Building and Dinner
- Holistic, Integrative Therapies
- Mind-body Wellness Practices
- Networking and Relationship-Building
Retreat Schedule:
- July 17th: 2:30 PM to 7:00 PM
- July 18th: 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Pricing:
- $875
- Includes all education and self-care sessions, meals, and parking.
Retreat Location:
- University of Vermont Campus
- Specific Buildings and Rooms Coming Soon!
Lodging Options:
- Explore local accommodations through HelloBurlingtonVT.com
Register now! Attendee Registration Page
For all questions, please contact learn@uvm.edu.
UVM’s End-of-Life Doula Professional Certificates
UVM’s programming for both End-of-Life Doula and Companion Animal End-of-Life Doula professional certificates are a supportive learning experience with an abundance of opportunities to build collegiality, as the subject is intense, challenging, and affecting. Helping the dying and their loved ones navigate grief, loss, and the complexities of death calls for empathy, strength, and compassion. UVM’s End-of-Life Doula training will guide you in providing emotional, spiritual, and physical support at the end of life.
Pioneering Excellence: UVM’s End-of-Life Doula Certificate at the Forefront
Expert testimony supports this growing UVM recognition. Peg Ehrlinger, a graduate from the UVM online doula certificate program, shares her transformative experience:
“The inner searching and soul work was so powerful. It’s taken me to a higher level of understanding of my own life and the lives of my loved ones and my therapy clients,” she says. “The course shares a wide variety of traditions and philosophies from around the world regarding living, dying, death, and grief after death. And I learned about the many ways I can assist a dying person and their circle of support.”
Such testimonials highlight the profound impact that doula certificate training can have on both the caregivers and those they serve, underscoring the trend towards formal recognition and integration into the healthcare system.
