In last week's post we explored 3 ways doulas work their magic in celebration of the important role birth workers play. This week we want to highlight a critical issue in the doula field: burnout. Why is there such a high turnover amongst doulas? What factors are associated with this problem and how are these factors affecting not only ourselves and our families, but also our clients?
We've invited a special guest blogger, licensed professional counselor Tamela Hughes, to share more about this. Tamela created a special workshop series just for doulas to help address the issue of burnout as well as equipping doulas to be better prepared for the intensity of our work.
The Courage to Carry training series is a four-part, wellness-centered curriculum thoughtfully crafted for doulas supporting birth, postpartum, fertility, and grief journeys. Rather than focusing on clinical protocols, this series centers the emotional and relational complexity of doula care, offering reflective tools and strategies for navigating the invisible labor that often accompanies holding space for others.
In Tamela's own words, here are 3 reasons she created The Courage to Carry workshop series:
- Doula Burnout: Many doulas experience burnout due to unpaid labor, systemic inequities, and poor working conditions, which can lead to early attrition in the field (Mama Glow Foundation, 2023).
- Need for Training on Emotional Complexities: Research shows doulas frequently report feeling underprepared to support clients through emotionally intense events like trauma or grief, highlighting the importance of targeted training (Bohren et al., 2022).
- Stress Management Matters: Doula training that includes emotional preparedness and coping strategies has been linked to reduced stress, higher confidence, and stronger client relationships (Morton & Clift, 2021).
In this month's DTI member workshop, The Emotional Load of Holding Space, I'll be guiding the doulas to explore what birth workers carry emotionally, mentally, and energetically while supporting others. Participants will reflect on the invisible weight of their work, learn how to identify signs of compassion fatigue, and walk away with practical tools to protect their emotional well-being without withdrawing their care.
The 3 additional sessions will cover:
- Client-Partner Dynamics: In this session, we explore how to manage the layered complexity of working with not just clients—but entire support systems.
- Silent Wounds: The session guides doulas toward naming their pain and accessing healing without guilt.
- Protecting Your Purpose: This final session helps doulas reflect on their values, affirm their purpose, and explore sustainable habits that allow them to show up fully, without burning out.
Through each session, participants are invited to name and normalize the emotional toll of their work, while gaining sustainable strategies for protecting their purpose, setting healthy boundaries, and navigating complex client-family dynamics. The series is especially attuned to the realities of burnout, compassion fatigue, and over-functioning in care work. Empowering doulas to maintain their emotional presence without absorbing the full weight of their clients' experiences.
---
Tamela Hughes, LPC is the founder of Courage to Thrive Consulting, where she works as a Relational Wellness Consultant helping people, programs, and communities build emotionally sustainable environments. Her work centers around three core tiers: reproductive transitions & postpartum identity support, educational training & speaking, and organizational culture & emotional wellness consulting. With a deep commitment to creating safe spaces for healing and reflection, Tamela designs experiences that hold space for both the heart and the mission.