Doula Training – Diploma
The Diploma in Living Well Dying Well Person-Centred Approach to Death and Dying is made up of the Foundation course, plus four separate and additional modules, and delves deeper into the role of an End of Life Doula.
All modules are externally monitored and certified by Crossfields Institute, and the full diploma has been awarded the Crossfields Institute Quality Mark.
The Diploma consists of four modules covering the following themes:
- Complementary and Creative Approaches at End of Life
- Working with Spirituality at End of Life
- End of Life Person-Centred Practice
- Understanding Relationship Dynamics at End of Life
- Interpersonal Skills for Supporting End of Life
- Personal and Professional Development for End of Life Doula Practice
It is important that Module 1 is taken as the first module after completion of the Foundation and Module 4 is completed at the end of the diploma training. Modules 2 and 3 can be taken in any order.
Course Content
- Use of imagery and the use of metaphor
- Unconscious processes, acknowledging the shadow
- Maintaining healthy energy system
- Motivation for becoming a Doula
- Ethics, assisted suicide/ euthanasia/exit
- Reflective practice in the Doula Role
- Compassionate presence
- Palliative care symptom control
- Pain and suffering
- Spirituality, faith, belief and religion
- Role of the Doula in spiritual care
- Unusual phenomenon at the time of dying
- Complementary therapies in end of life care
- Reminiscence work
- The arts in end of life support
- The concept of the soul's journey
- Inner and outer practices to support the soul's journey
- Assessing needs of client and family
- Endings and new beginnings
- Withdrawing from a relationship
- Self-care building resilience
- What I bring to the Doula role
- Volunteering opportunities
- Exploring boundaries
- Practice issues – signposting & safeguarding
- Mapping the family tree
- Family relationships and family dynamics
- Listening and communications skills
- Relaxation techniques -stress responses acute/chronic stress
- Appropriate use of touch
- Personal perspectives on life and death
- Dynamics of power and control in the helping relationship
- Practice standards /record keeping/LWDW Values, code of practice
- Involving your community
- Role of the Doula in hosting a community event
Delivery and structure
We currently deliver each module in a fully online or a blended format, and each module will be advertised as either 'online' or 'blended'. Please check before you book as to which delivery format you are booking as blended courses cannot be taken fully online and fully online courses are not offered with any days face to face.
Each module is comprised of 8 sessions of approximately 3.5 hours. Some sessions are held back to back, making a full training day, other sessions are held as 3.5 hour blocks; hosted live over Zoom in the morning, afternoon or evening (please check each modules description before booking to make sure you are able to attend all sessions).
Assessment and certification
The Diploma is awarded to individuals who complete modules 1 - 4 (previously Part II and Part III) and have completed a Portfolio that has been assessed and passed by our external assessors.
Prerequisites
The diploma modules are only available to those who have completed the Foundation training and have been awarded a Progression Statement. Please refer to 'Progression to Diploma' section of the website. We advise those who have had a significant bereavement within the last 18 months to contact us prior to booking so we can work with you to ascertain the most suitable time for you to begin your training.