I am Joan Sherwood, founder of Peaceful Beginnings To You. My calling to become a doula was born from a personal experience. During the birth of my child, I was left alone in a hospital room without any support. My spouse and brother were sent home because I was not in active labor. My water had broken, so I was admitted, and I faced the daunting process of labor alone, in a secluded area until it was time to push. This experience, where I delivered a 9 -pound, 2-ounce baby without my loved one's present, ignited my passion to ensure that no other person would have to endure such solitude. My journey as a doula began 25 years ago when I assisted a family member through labor. Since then, I have been a source of support and guidance for family and friends, which eventually led me to pursue certification as a birth doula through DONA International. I am deeply committed to holistic birth and postpartum care, and my extensive training reflects this dedication. My education includes a Family Development Credential, studies at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, the Center for Homeopathic Education, and the Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences. I am also a certified Calm Birth Instructor, Infant Massage Instructor Trainer, Womb Sauna Practitioner, and have received postpartum training from Indigemama, BirthMama, Traditional Postpartum Practitioner, and Birth Arts International. My approach to doula care is centered on the needs of the laboring person. I come with no preconceived notions, and I remain as fluid and flexible as possible to meet the evolving needs of each individual. In addition, to running my private doula practice, I have provided doula care to underserved communities as a doula and doula mentor for a federally funded program in Brooklyn.

Hi, I'm Taylor Clarke-Cameron, and I am beyond thrilled to begin this journey as a birth & post-partum doula! 🌟 While I may be relatively new to the world of birth-work, I bring over a decade of experience as a school administrator, nurturing and advocating for individuals and families. That same passion has inspired me to step into birth-work, where my mission is to ensure every birthing person feels informed, empowered, and supported throughout their journey. 🤍 Whether you're a single parent, part of a multicultural or multi-religious family, in the LGBTQIA+ community, or navigating the path of adoption, I am here for YOU. Birth is universal, yet every experience is uniquely yours—a wonder of the galaxy. 🌌 Let’s work together to create a birthing experience that is as strong, vital, and extraordinary as YOU are. 💪✨ 💌 DM me to learn more about how I can support you during this transformative time.

Hi, I am Kareema, a trained postpartum doula with a background as a labor & delivery, postpartum, and nursery nurse. I am passionate about supporting families through the transformative journey of the fourth trimester. With years of hands-on experience in maternal-newborn care, I strive to create a nurturing, informed, and empowering environment for parents as they navigate the early stages of parenthood. I aim to provide compassionate, evidence-based support that promotes healing, confidence, and well-being.

I’m a certified doula, childbirth educator & breastfeeding specialist. I am passionate about birth and looking to help moms experience a glorious push and motherhood journey. I am Haitian and love to incorporate holistic practices from my culture. I stay up to date with evidence based maternity knowledge and I’m big on educating my clients, informed consent and advocacy.

Hello! I'm KathyAnn, and for the past year, I've had the honor of serving as a Birth Doula. My extensive experience with newborns, along with being a mother myself and working in postpartum care, has truly shaped my approach. What I love most about what I do is the opportunity to advocate fiercely for my clients, provide a nurturing and safe space, and help them connect with their innate strength. If you're looking for support, I'd love to chat more about how I can help and see if we connect well.

Julie was born and raised on Long Island and has always loved children which lead her to becoming a performer at Disney World while she was in high school. She later became a stunt woman in film and television until she met her wife and settled back on the Island to start their family. After having their son she realized that life had a new plan in store. She was so inspired by her doula that she trained with the Long Island Doula Association while pregnant with her daughter. She believes that having a birth doula can look different for each family to support their unique journey and so excited to be a birth doula, and can’t wait to be by your side.

I’m Franciska Farkas, a Board Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, Certified Full Spectrum Doula, Certified Lactation Counselor, integrative pelvic floor specialist, and Yoga, meditation, and breath work teacher of over 20 years. I serve clients in and out of hospital and provide fertility, pregnancy, labor, and postpartum support. My doula practice is grounded in evidence-based research as well as traditional practices from Ayurveda, the holistic medicine system of India. As a Board Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner I work with clients through my practice GroundWork Ayurveda + Wellness to reinforce the connection between food, mind, emotions, and spirit through the science of Ayurveda. Alongside my holistic career, I have been a professional video producer for over 20 years. My video production company Franciska Farkas Creative Projects focuses on content for organizations promoting women’s health, gender rights, and environmental awareness. Let’s start working together💫

I’m Erica Castillo a full-spectrum doula, body literacy educator, and folk herbalist walking the path toward becoming a home birth midwife. I offer culturally rooted care across the reproductive spectrum, including birth, postpartum, fertility, menstruation, and reproductive health support. My practice weaves together ancestral knowledge and contemporary support, grounded in the traditional healing ways of my African and Taíno ancestors. In many traditions, midwives were more than just birth attendants, they were community healers, herbalists, bodyworkers, and spiritual guides. That legacy shapes how I show up in this work: with reverence, skill, and a deep commitment to care that uplifts the whole person. For the last 8 years, I’ve supported families with a blend of intuition, evidence-based tools, and heart. If you’re looking for a grounded, culturally aligned doula who honors your intuition and uplifts your experience, and advocates for you, I’d be honored to support!

Hello, My name is Tyreema and I'm a Full Spectrum Doula here in Northern NJ.

Jaslyn is a compassionate and dedicated full-spectrum doula based in Brooklyn, New York. With a background in healthcare and fertility support, she combines hands-on expertise with deep emotional support to guide families through the life-changing transition into parenthood. When she is isn't supporting families you can usually find Jaslyn working on her hobby of photography, simply curled up with her favorite fuzzy blanket watching horror movies or having a great time with her family and her partner. Raised by a strong single mother who navigated life with grit and grace, Jaslyn has a personal understanding of the challenges that many Black and Hispanic mothers face, especially when balancing family, career, and self-care. Her upbringing shaped her commitment to showing up with empathy, cultural awareness, and unwavering support in her doula practice. Jaslyn’s approach to care is rooted in empowerment, education, and advocacy. Her goal is to help you feel confident in your decisions, connected to your instincts, and supported as you find your voice as the parent of a new baby. She believes that informed choices are powerful, and that every parent deserves a safe, affirming space to explore what works best for their family. Whether you're preparing for birth, navigating postpartum healing, or seeking support after fertility treatments or IVF, Jaslyn tailors her care to meet you exactly where you are. She supports all birth plans and parenting choices, and honors the unique dynamics of each family, always without judgment. Clients often describe her as intuitive, grounding, and deeply present. She sees her role as part guide, part steady hand, and part instruction manual; someone who’s there to ease the transition and make sure you feel seen, supported, and never alone. Jaslyn also offers sliding scale services to make doula care more accessible, and proudly supports all families, including single parents and blended families. She is CPR certified.

Greetings, my name is Cathleen. Born and raised in Rockland County NY. My background has been weaved in women's wellness focusing on mind-body-spirit connectedness. My style of work is intuitive & spirit-led fusing evidence based information and ancestral wisdom. I'm a full spectrum doula, breech without borders trainee, Postpartum Healing Specialist weaving ancient & indigenous healing modalities. I have a more holistic approach such as breath work, the use of essential oils, physical touch, and change of laboring positions. I support hospital and home births. I work with you to help you have the empowered birthing experience that you desire and deserve. Although, I didn't listen to the call to this path until 2020 to become certified doula, my first birth that I supported and postpartum care was provided in 2006.

I am a certified birth doula. I love helping families get ready to meet their baby! I am also trained in child birth education as well as provide photography - portrait, maternity, family, birth and baby.

The doula meets with the birthing person and their support person to discuss their prenatal needs, birthing preferences, and birthing environment choices - home birth; birthing center; or hospital. The doula also providers referrals to the appropriate medical personnel (primary care, OBGYN, Midwife, specialists, CLC (certified lactation counselor, IBCLC ( International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), etc) when it is determined that any issue(s) are out of the scope of practice of the doula. The doula facilitates communication between the birthing person and the medical team, helping to ensure that the birthing person's preferences and concerns are heard and understood

Hi, I’m Colleen Anderson! As a Full-Spectrum Doula, Newborn Care Provider, Lactation Consultant, and founder of Colleen's Birth & Lactation Support, my passion is helping parents feel confident, supported and empowered throughout their journey into parenthood. Every family deserves care that meets them where they are whether that’s guidance through labor, support with breastfeeding, or practical advice for life with a newborn. My approach is rooted in partnership. I’m here to listen, cheer you on and provide the tools and encouragement you need to thrive. With years of experience in newborn care, postpartum support and parent education, I bring a compassionate, holistic perspective to every interaction, helping you build a strong foundation of love, confidence and care.

Michelle is the owner of Baby, Please Birth Services Agency located in NJ but with a team serving the metropolitan areas of (NY, PA & CT) as well as Baltimore. She is a certified Doula and certified Childbirth Educator teaching the Bradley Method ®, and her own Holistic Course expressly for The Birth Center of NJ of which she is the Doula Director. Michelle serves on the National Black Doula Association (NBDA) Advisory Board where she revised the doula training curriculum to enhance the needs of Black Doulas working in systemically racist environments. As a NBDA Doula Instructor and Doula Mentor she spends her time providing critical thinking skills for her students to be successful and competent in their fields. She is also a Poppy Seed Health Advocate supporting birthing persons virtually where access otherwise would not exist financially. In addition, she established the NJ Virtual Doula Program for Overlook Hospital by galvanizing over 40 local doulas to volunteer their time during the COVID crisis. Michelle recently cross-trained with DONA International to build on her expertise as an educator. She is co-founder of The NJ Birth Justice Collective and Board Chairperson of The Perinatal Health Equity Initiative fostering awareness to Black Breastfeeding Families and Infant Mortality. Michelle tirelessly works in the birth industry since 2005; helping over 450 families navigate their birthing spaces, offering training for birth professionals while ensuring birth justice through state and national initiatives, serving on non-profit boards and panels, enhancing the platform through blogs and podcasts. A mother of two wonderful children born by amazing natural birth experiences. She has been married for 26 years to an incredible man who shares her birth passion, he teaches childbirth education classes with her to share the partner perspective. Michelle empowers others by offering education, support and advocacy. Michelle is also a full time Chemical Engineer working for a German Based company. She holds degrees in Chemistry, Mathematics and Chemical Engineering.

Hello! My name is Sierra Wilson, and I’m a certified Newborn Care Specialist with over 8 years of infant experience supporting families during the earliest, most delicate stages of parenthood. I specialize in overnight newborn care, helping new parents get the rest they need while knowing their baby is in safe, nurturing hands. My approach combines evidence-based care with a calm, structured routine tailored to your baby’s unique needs. I believe in creating a peaceful environment, building healthy sleep habits, and empowering parents with the tools and confidence to thrive. Whether you need guidance as a first-time parent or an extra set of hands during a transition, I’m here to support your journey.

Hello! My name is Stacy, and I am a certified birth and postpartum doula, and childbirth educator located in Northern New Jersey. I love serving and supporting families as they prepare to welcome their bundle(s) of love! To that end, my husband and I work together as a Doula/Doulo team to prepare and support couples to parent/co-parent as a team. My background is in education, and birth work is a beautiful calling that wonderfully utilizes my passion to serve families, particularly in marginalized communities. In my spare time, I love gardening, water activities and sculpting.

I am a compassionate baby nurse dedicated to serving families in Westchester County, Dutchess County, New York City, and Connecticut. With over eight years of experience, I am a certified Newborn Care Specialist, a Postpartum Doula, and a Lactation Consultant. My specialty is in sleep training, starting from the earliest stages of life, ensuring families are well-equipped to transition back to work with their little ones on a consistent sleep schedule.

Elizabeth Alleva is a leading voice in childbirth education. She is dedicated to empowering women to embrace birth as a transformative and joyful experience. Drawing on over a decade of expertise in guiding women through one of life’s most profound moments, Elizabeth has developed a holistic approach focusing on mental strength, relaxation, and the deep connection between mind and body. Her dance and arts background has given her an exceptional understanding of the body’s innate capabilities, which she seamlessly integrates into her childbirth teaching. Elizabeth’s journey into this work began after the birth of her son Mason, when she realized the immense power of a calm, confident, and informed birthing experience. Since then, she has helped countless women overcome their fears and anxieties, guiding them through techniques that enable them to approach birth calmly. Her teachings go beyond the physical, offering women the emotional tools to step into motherhood with a sense of empowerment and purpose. Elizabeth holds a BA in Dance, a BA in Sociology from Wesleyan University, and an MA in Dance Education from New York University. She is certified by the HypnoBirthing International Childbirth Education Program. She offers in-person and virtual sessions from her serene woodland home in Wilton, Connecticut, creating a safe and nurturing space for families worldwide. Elizabeth’s mission is to equip women with the confidence to welcome their babies joyfully! Liz Alleva Certified HypnoBirthing Childbirth Educator hypnobirthingmommy@gmail.com 917-363-4968 www.hypnobirthingmommy.com

As a doula, my goal is to ensure that you are an active participant in decisions surrounding your labor rather than your labor happening to you. We will do this through education, support and advocacy. Looking forward to helping you achieve the birth of your dreams!