enCIRCLE Birth Doula Training & Continuing Education
Are you ready to take one birth doula training and become a great doula?
Hi, I am SO excited that you are reading this!
It means that you want to:
- Be in the birth room!!!
- Improve or support the lives of new families.
- Are in the discovery phase to see if being a doula is the right next step in your life.
Learn what you need to know about birth and gain the emotional and relational skills to become a thriving doula.
Just like giving birth, being a birth doula can be exhilarating and nerve-wracking! I'm here to help.
(If you are feeling unsure about what type of doula you want to be, check out this amazing book, So You Want To Be A Doula, by Carrie Kenner. )
Top Reasons People Take A Doula Training
- To start a new career!!!
- They want to help a pregnant person in their community.
- Personal growth and curiosity.
Whatever brings you here I want you to know that I LOVE mentoring doulas and look forward to supporting you on your journey.
Thank you for taking the time to get to know the enCircle birth doula training.
-Amity Kramer
"I have such gratitude for Amity's teaching and time with me and our cohort as well as a deep admiration for her skill in modeling -- really living into -- compassion, pizazz, caring, humor. Amity is a total inspiration. It's clear that she is excellent at what she does, skilled, and experienced, but I don't feel overwhelmed or small next to that. Instead, she's empowered me and I feel capable and ready to serve. Thank you!"
Gain the confidence you need to serve pregnant families in our birth doula training.
Having been called into the world of doula-hood, you've pondered the miracle of birth.
Growing a tiny human, bringing them into the world, and nurturing them into a thriving individual all take time.
Just like doula training it's a journey filled with:
- emotions
- patience
- depth
- and lots of listening - to others and ourselves.
Being a doula is about mastering the art of knowing when to push forward and linger a little longer, and when to release.
Benefits to the enCircle Birth Doula Training
"I took the encircle doula class with Amity and Carrie to be trained to doula. I wondered how I could learn enough to actually do it.
But 10 births later I feel like they truly gave me a wonderful toolbox and lifelong support to give my clients a solid doula.
Don’t think twice.
Their values, philosophies, teaching is solid and will leave you ready to learn more and wanting to jump into the birth world with confidence in yourself."
We help people from all walks of life deepen their understanding of birth and parenting.
enCircle Doula Training Details
Patience and reverence in childbirth aren't just nice-to-haves; they're essential for any nurturing birth experience.
Understanding the tempo of labor and honoring each moment leads to profound outcomes for both the birthing family and birth doula. It's about depth, connection, and tuning into the emotional and spiritual journey.
This extraordinary small-group workshop prepares you to be a birth doula and start serving families right away.
This is the option for you if you are able to join once a week, and want time to digest what you learn and ask questions in real time.
This workshop cultivates a rich and meaningful group of people that can support each other as you grow your doula practice.
WHO: Anyone ready to learn about themselves while they learn about birth. Workshops limited to 7 doulas.
WHERE: All classes will be in-person in the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle, WA.
COST: $1500 (payment plans & scholarships available)
FEATURES:
- 6 in-person sessions to work hands-on and creative work to help you get all of your questions answered in real time!
- Online portal with all of the information from class and bonus content.
- Inclusive content and approach to birthwork.
- Ongoing support and mentoring after your class is over.
- Taught through a social justice and anti-racism lens throughout.
- Doula client referrals from the Threshold community.
"I cannot speak highly enough about Amity’s birth training class!
For seven weeks, I looked forward to spending six hours of my day with her and my fellow doulas, soaking in everything she had to share with us.
If you’re looking for a great starter course or just want to learn more on your path as a birth worker, take a enCircle training with Amity.
Life-changing!"
2026 Dates:
Tuesdays 11am to 5pm
- March 5 to April 9
- May 7 to June 11
- September 17 to October 22
What makes this training different?
What I learned at the first birth I attended changed the course of my life.
It was very exciting! After 24 hours I learned it's also boring at times. That same birth at times I felt very lonely. Then after the baby came out WOW the magic of bonding brought in so much joy.
It was a roller coaster! During this very long birth the family faced much joy and hardship. Even in the face of hardship this family was together and deeply connected the whole time.
Relationships and attitudes are what people CAN control.
I dove into figuring out how to help families overcome the emotional and societal hurdles they face.
I haven't stopped learning about:
- childbirth & postpartum
- emotional intelligence
- healthy relationships
- and the history of birth culture full of wisdom along with dysfunction, racism, power dynamics and constant change!
I've been doing this work for a long time and I feel called to pass this magical blend of skills to other doulas!!
This training will equip you with the information you need about birth AND the soft-skills you need to create doula magic!
But the most important part is that I want to be with you on your path so that you never feel like you are alone on your journey. I want to help you get:
"Our trainings were GREATLY missed yesterday. I honestly loved Tuesday’s for seven weeks because of our group and that training."
"Today was AMAZING! Looking forward to next week already."
"I have such gratitude for Amity's teaching and time with me and our cohort as well as a deep admiration for her skill in modeling -- really living into -- compassion, pizazz, caring, humor. Amity is a total inspiration. It's clear that she is excellent at what she does, skilled, and experienced, but I don't feel overwhelmed or small next to that. Instead, she's empowered me and I feel capable and ready to serve. Thank you!"
"I took the encircle doula class with Amity and Carrie to be trained to doula. I wondered how I could learn enough to actually do it. But 10 births later I feel like they truly gave me a wonderful toolbox and lifelong support to give my clients a solid doula. Don’t think twice. Their values, their philosophies, their teaching is solid and will leave you ready to learn more and wanting to jump into the birth world with confidence in yourself."
"I cannot speak highly enough about Amity’s birth training class! For seven weeks, I looked forward to spending six hours of my day with her and my fellow doulas, soaking in everything she had to share with us. If you’re looking for a great starter course or just want to learn more on your path as a birth worker, take a Thresholds training with Amity. Life-changing!"
"I took the enCircle birth doula training with Amity and Davinah and I’m so glad I did. It was one of the few local trainings that I found that considers the impact of racism on birth in the US. In addition to the important and useful info they provided, Davinah and Amity really care about the success of the people who take the course; throughout the training, they went above and beyond to support our growth and help us build community. I highly recommend this training for anyone considering becoming a doula!"
"Thank you again for another beautiful training day."
Soak In Some Wisdom Right Now With These Birth Doula Videos
More About The Seattle Big Belly Services/enCIRCLE Doula History
"I believe we all come into the world with a particular gift to give."
~Carrie Kenner
Carrie Kenner and me, Amity, have some very exciting times ahead.
I am beyond humbled that Carrie has put her faith in me, to build on the enCircle Doula Trainings tradition of:
- integrity
- inclusion
- and love.
The history of enCircle doula trainings started with Carrie Kenner, founder of Big Belly Services.
Carrie had been helping babies come into the world before she even knew what a doula was!
She started leading Birthing From Within childbirth classes and being a full time doula in 2000. (I met Carrie in a childbirth class when I was pregnant in 2008, and started mentoring classes in 2010 after the birth of my second child.)
Carrie started offering doula trainings in Seattle, through Big Belly Services in 2005. Over the years more than 2000 doulas have trained with Carrie, both at Big Belly Services and over her long teaching career with the Simkin Center for Allied Birth Professions. Carrie was even my doula trainer in 2009, when I started my journey as a birth worker.
We have been working together as doulas and childbirth educators for over 15 years.
In that time Amity became an expert in helping new families with emotional intelligence, while Carrie dove deep in all things StoryBrand and copy writing.
In early 2019 we began the transition with many hours of conversation, observation, training, and more conversation.
We have been working together and independently to serve families and birth doulas through enCircle Doula Trainings at Thresholds.
If you wish to learn more about Carrie, or work with her directly, please check out her website at https://carriekenner.com/.
Carrie is one of the most innovative women I have ever met and I highly encourage you to embrace her wisdom. Knowing her has meant the world to me and SO many of the doulas she has trained over her career in birth work.
Thank you for reading about the history of enCircle Birth Doula Trainings.
If you have any questions please reach out. You are welcome to email me at amity@thresholds.info or call directly at 206-819-1383.
In Gratitude,
Curious to learn more about our approach to doula training?
First Latch Support For Doulas
Join Amity Kramer and Catherine Fenner, IBCLC in a workshop that covers everything you need to support your clients during the early nursing sessions. Gain insights on nurturing new families in the crucial first hours and post-birth.
On-Demand
COST: $15
TENS Unit Training for Birth Doulas
TENS units are widely used in Europe for pain management in labor, and they are gaining popularity in U.S. births. Add this tool to your birth bag!
On-Demand
COST: $50
MENTOR: Carrie Kenner
Placenta Encapsulation
Discover the history, research, and current interest in placenta encapsulation, and learn how to encapsulate a placenta safely.
This course is open to anyone; you do not need to be a birth professional to attend.
On-Demand
Cost: $5
MENTORS: Carrie Kenner