Cost of certification
How discouraging. I don't really feel like I need to be certified, to be honest. But I understand it's probably good from a client's point of view to be sure I've passed the criteria of a 'governing body'. So I have been looking into it, but it is so expensive! It's several hundred dollars. Even to be listed in DONA's directory is $80 for two years. Ouch.
posted by Amber Sebold @ 7:46 PM
8 Comments:
DONA members certified with DONA International are listed for free; it's one of the many perks, including the International Doula magazine, discounts to conference, member area of the discussion board, etc. There are lots of free ways to be listed online, of course though!
Hh
P.S. I've written (on the sidebar on my blog) about certification and agree it's such a personal subject. It's worth it for many doulas and saving up to do it is great. But the quality of the doula, to me, isn't better as a DOULA only because she is certified.
I had seen this blog! See?! I commented weeks ago...I don't think I realized it was YOU.
Hh
Oops... I forgot you posted here! I've been meaning to reply to this comment for a while anyway. I totally agree with what you said. I think I've found every free doula site there is... I'd love to be listed with Dona though. I found out I can get a discount if I join the local doula organisation so maybe I will at least do that for now.
I agree that the any certification is only as good as the doula. I've been doing this for eons and don't find that clients care one iota about certification as much as they care about if you connect with her and her partner. It may be different where you live, though.
It sounds like you might benefit by marketing yourself. There are lots of free resources at your local library or on the Internet. They work!
Hi there - thanks for posting on my blog. I've been a doula before I knew the word existed - since 1992. It all started when I volunteered to help a neighbor whose dh was on deployment with the Navy. Then it spread by word of mouth. I think volunteering is a great way to start. Oh, I'm not certified. It doesn't mean a thing to me (nor has it to my clients).
Hey there! I'm quixoticmama on alldoulas.com - Just read your birth stories - such beautiful children!
Sooo, are you thinking of staying uncertified? Let's talk more :)
Thanks for the comments. I don't think lack of certification will make a huge difference - my doula was not certified. I do wonder if people will care that I wasn't officially trained.
I think I have decided to stay uncertified, yep. :) I've also been reading about some restrictions put in place by various doula organisations. There's nothing wrong with that, but I'm not sure *I* want to be bound by that.
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