CERTIFICATION IN PAIN MANAGEMENT WITH HYPNOSIS: Trained and certified with M. Ron Eslinger, RN, CRNA, APN, MA Healthy Visions Training for Professionals. December 2011.

CERTIFIED HYPNOBIRTHING FERILITY THERAPIST: Trained and certified with Lynsi Eastburn & National Guild of Hypnotists. August 2008

CERTIFIED CLINICAL HYPNOTHERAPIST: Trained and Certified through the New England School of Hypnotherapy and National Guild of Hypnotists. October 2007.

NEONATAL RECESUSCITATION PROGRAM CERTIFICATION: Current Issues & Controversies in newborn Resuscitation at the Planned Homebirth. August 2005, 2008, 2011.

LACTATION COUNSELOR CERTIFICATE TRAINING PROGRAM Trained and Certified by Healthy Children Project, Inc . June 2005

CERTIFIED HYPNOBIRTHING PRACTITIONER: Trained and Certified by the HypnoBirthing Institute (Marie Mongan Method) September 2003.

CERTIFIED LABOR ASSISTANT: Trained and Certified by The Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators, (ALACE) February 1999.

DOULA TRAINER: DONA trained and curriculum approved by Doulas of North America. October 1997.

CERTIFIED NEWBORN MASSAGE INSTRUCTOR: Trained and Certified by Baby’s First Massage, (CNMI) May 1997.

CERTIFIED DOULA: Trained and Certified By Doulas of North America, (DONA) January 1996.

CERTIFIED CHILDBIRTH EDUCATOR: Trained and Certified by International Childbirth Education Association, (ICEA) October 1995.

CERTIFIED CHILDBIRTH EDUCATOR: Trained and Certified by Waterville Childbirth Education Association, (WCEA) August – December 1987.

2007 – Present   Absolute Hypnotherapy   Brewer ME

1995 – Present   Your Birth Connection   Brewer, ME

President and Founder

Expanded the practice to offer a full scope of perinatal services. Your Birth Connection offers childbirth education, breastfeeding education, labor support, hypnosis for birth, birth photography, postpartum home care, newborn massage classes, infant massage instruction, and postpartum support groups.

1988 – 2007: Independent Childbirth Educator offering prepared childbirth classes to the birthing community. These classes held at Mabel Wadsworth Women’s Health Services.

1988 – Present: Independent Childbirth Educator, contracting with Eastern Maine Medical Center’s Center for Family Medicine Residency Program. Providing childbirth and breastfeeding education.

1985 – Present: Labor Support Person. In my practice I have served teen mothers, single parents and traditional families. I have assisted women during vaginal birth, home birth, cesarean section and vaginal birth after previous cesarean, (VBAC).

Cofounder of Maine Association of Independent Doulas, (M.A.I.D.) a non-profit organization dedicated to providing support to peers and community education regarding the importance of doula attended childbirth. February 1999.

Childbirth Support Consultants of America: Conceived July 1997. DONA Approved Doula Trainer, October 1997.

“A Joyful Cry: Issues in Newborn Resuscitation at the Planned Out of Hospital Birth. Presented by: Nell Tharpe, CNM, CRNFA June 2011
Maine State Breastfeeding Coalition Conference 2011. May, 2011

“National Guild of Hypnotists, Inc. The Five Phases of Regression. Presented by C. Roy Hunter, August 2009

“Vermont Lactation Consultant Assoc. Presents Linda J Smith, BSE, FACCE, IBCLC and James McKenna PhD. April 2009

“Identifying Pieces of the Puzzles” Presented by Maine State Breastfeeding Coalition, May 2008

“Vermont Lactation Consultant Assoc. Presents Ruth Lawrence, MD and Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC. April 2008

“What would Mammals Do?” With Diane Wiessinger, MS, IBCLC, On Line Workshop. January 2008

“Breastfeeding Pharmacology & Issues in Perinatal Care “ Presented by Maine General Medical Center. April 2006

“Spinning Babies Workshop” Facilitated by Gail Tully and Hosted by Emerson Hospital. February 2006

Lactation Counselor Certificate Training Program: Trained and Certified by Healthy Children Project, Inc . June 2005

“In the News: Breastfeeding’s Hot Topics” Hosted by: EMMC, Maine Lactation Consultants Assoc and WIC Nutrition Program in the Bureau of Health. May 2005

“Birth, Breastfeeding, and Beyond” Presented by BEST Connection. November 2004

“Supporting the Woman in Labor.” Facilitated by Penny Simkin. Presented by Maine General Medical Center. November 2003.

“A Celebration of Birth: Past, Present and Future” Facilitated by: Sheila Kitzinger, Penny Simkin, & BACE. Presented by The Boston Association for Childbirth Education, INC. June 2003.

“Addressing Emotional Barriers to Breastfeeding.” Presented by St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, Lewiston ME. May 2003.

“HypnoBirthing® Practitioner Training.” Facilitated by: Jessica Porter. Presented by Jessica Porter/HypnoBirthing Institute/Marie Mongan, November 2002.

“When Survivors Give Birth: Counseling Skills and Strategies to Assist Pregnant Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse in Preparing for Birth” Parts 1 &2. Facilitated by Penny Simkin. Presented by Ballard House. October 2002.