Heather Ford
Meg
birth doula • Hakomi therapist
...this very body that we have, that's sitting here right now, with its aches and its pleasures ...is exactly what we need to be fully Human, fully awake, fully alive - pema chodron
I have been working in the realm of womxn's health for the past 20 years: initially as a licensed acupuncturist in the UK where I established a community acupuncture clinic as well as my own reproductive health practice. After my experience of birthing my 2 sons and upon my return to the US, I transitioned towards doula work and in the past 13 years have supported over 450 families in San Francisco and Seattle through their unique experience of birth.
In addition to specializing in acupressure for labor support, I am further trained to provide trauma informed care across the full spectrum of reproductive health from miscarriage, pregnancy loss and abortion to birth, postpartum and menopause.
During the pandemic, I sharpened my focus on trauma awareness through a deep study of polyvagal theory and the somatics of trauma which led to my training as a Hakomi Therapist.
Hakomi therapy is an experiential somatic psychotherapy rooted in the Buddhist practice of mindfulness and loving presence. This nourishing therapeutic approach centers the felt experience of the body as the foundation for assisted self discovery.
I also have a collaborative partnership with Kelly Dungan offering trauma informed educational retreats and workshops for birth professionals exploring systems change, the science of safety, non violent communication, and advanced labor support skills.
I now live on Whidbey Island in a multigenerational household where I continue to work as a doula, retreat facilitator and Hakomi therapist.
I maintain my doula certification through the International Childbirth Education Association and received my Hakomi certification through the Seattle Hakomi Education Network.