What is a Holistic Doula?

A holistic doula supports the whole person, body, mind, and spirit; through pregnancy, birth, and the early postpartum period, using the Wise Woman approach.

She combines practical knowledge of undisturbed physiological birth with an awareness of the wider social and medical systems that shape birth. Her work is not only about holding space for intuitive decision making, but the inner work needed for clients to claim their birth.

At the Holistic Doula School, we teach doulas to blend wisdom and evidence, using a grounded, relationship-based approach that values trust in the body, inner wisdom, and deep respect for each person’s journey.

What makes your training different to other courses?

This is the slow, soulful path, where you get to dive deeper into the physiology, explore what your own beliefs and conditioning is around pregnancy and birth, ready to work with your dream clients.

This training isn’t just about holding space - it’s about offering a holistic Wise Woman approach to pregnancy and helping clients experience genuine change so they can claim their amazing birth. You’ll learn how to offer holistic support throughout pregnancy and birth, with a focus on optimising health, wellbeing, and confidence. The course teaches you how to guide clients towards natural, physiological birth where possible, while also giving them tools to feel calm, informed, and supported whatever unfolds. By the end, you won’t be just a birth doula, you’ll know how to walk alongside clients through their whole journey, in a way that transforms their experience of pregnancy and birth.

Do I need previous experience to train as a doula?

No. Most students have already have a baby and bring that experience and wisdom with them as they learn. Some have not though and the most important thing is to be open to doing your own inner reflection, releasing your own conditioning; to step into this work with a growth mindset and being ready to learn.

How long does it take to become a doula?

This course runs over 12 months but your journey will be personal to you. Because it’s flexible and online, you can train alongside work, study, or caring responsibilities. But why wait 12 months to step into your calling? With our course, you’ll practise while you train - gaining real-world experience, collecting testimonials, feedback and building confidence from the very start. You’ll have guided templates, client feedback tools, and my mentorship to support you every step of the way. Many students are already supporting clients and creating birth communities before they finish - one even launched a homebirth group within her first month.

But of course, ultimately it’s how much you put in; reading the birth books, listening to podcasts, volunteering and gaining experience, will all help you grow into this role. I’ve been doing this work since 1999 and trust me there is always something new to discover. A true doula works with integrity, is humble and doesn’t have to know it all - they know this is a journey.

Is your doula training recognised?

Doula training in the UK isn’t regulated so it’s important to look for the experience, reputation and quality of the course. The Holistic Doula School has been evolved from over 25 years in birthwork as a midwife and birthkeeper. It combines real experience across the spectrum of pregnancy and birth, weaving physiology, research and the Wise Woman tradition to give a truly balanced and holistic approach. The course is accredited through the IHPM (International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine)

Can I really make a career out of being a doula?

Yes but let’s be honest: it takes dedication, visibility, and a willingness to grow your practice - to become a known and trusted doula. Just like any other forms of self employment. That’s why my course isn’t just about birth skills; I also teach you how to set yourself up in business, attract clients, and build a practice that works alongside your life. Many of my students begin charging as student doulas, easing the transition into a full practice.

Can I train while working or raising my children?

Absolutely. Most of my students have small children, others are juggling work and family life. I get it because I’m still a carer for my family members with chronic illness and take a big responsibility for my small grandchildren. You’ll usually hear them in my voice notes (which I love to drop into the Whatsapp group or if someone DMs me). That’s why this course is designed to fit around real life. You can learn in your own time, join live sessions when you can, and always have my support when you need it.

How much does doula training cost in the UK - and is it worth it?

• Doula training in the UK generally runs from £500 to over £2,000, depending on the length, depth, format (online, in-person, hybrid), mentoring included, and whether there are in-person intensive days.

Is it worth it? Absolutely - it’s not just a training but often you gain friendships, a sisterhood and an opportunity for self development that impacts your whole life.

What you’ll get if you choose well…

• Confidence & competence: being able to hold space, respond to curve balls in pregnancy and labour, and support birth deeply.

• Real-life experience: practising during the course gives you early wins, feedback, and testimonials (helps with credibility, getting clients later).

• Faster progress: courses that integrate business mentoring mean you can start earning sooner and more sustainably.

• Personal growth: more than just skills - you build your identity as a wise woman doula, overcome self-doubt, stretch into responsibility.

• Return on investment: many doulas earn back the cost of their training from just one or two clients once they set fees aligned with their skill and offerings.

Final Thought

Yes - doula training is an investment but if you pick a Holistic Doula Training that covers both the deep skill side and the business/practice/mentorship side, it can absolutely be worth it. You are building more than a qualification - you’re joining the movement to have joy filled pregnancies, remember our inner wisdom and claim our right to a transformative and healing birth.