WHY I DO WHAT I DO
I believe that all families deserve compassionate and competent care when welcoming a baby into their world.
As a postpartum doula and family educator, I have the honor of helping families build strong foundations for healthy development. I love to assist parents in reading and responding to their baby’s communication- it is so empowering for parents to have a solid grasp on understanding baby’s cues which is a positive factor in both baby and parents’ mental health. I love to assist parents in regulation and co-regulation with their babies; this empowers parents to prioritize their own mental health as well as their child's. I use evidence-based practice to assess the psychosocial and emotional needs of the whole family and to guide them in positive interactions.
Why did I choose to become a doula?
The answer is actually very simple: I find so much joy in nurturing families in the early stages with a new baby. Many new parents experience anxiety in caring for their newborns and I am here to be your companion and cheerleader. There is no silly question when it comes to education and I am skilled at providing evidence-based information with no judgment.
In my approach to family care and education, I always aim to empower the parents and help babies have a voice. Bringing a sense of calm to your home is paramount in my services; I provide flexible and reliable care in a laidback, go with the flow approach. I prioritize familial mental health and encourage parents to engage in self-care activities while their baby is in my care. I understand that it can be daunting to welcome a new person into your home to care for your precious baby and my demeanor and expertise make parents feel at ease during this big transition.
EXPERTISE AND TRAINING
In addition to her degrees, Veronica actively pursues professional certifications so that she can provide deeper experiences for her client families.
DOULAS OF NORTH AMERICA (DONA) INTERNATIONAL
CERTIFIED POSTPARTUM DOULA [PCD(DONA)]
Veronica is a fully certified postpartum doula and keeps current with continuing education to provide expert services to families in the fourth trimester and beyond. As she is certified through DONA, her services are eligible for reimbursement funds such as Carrot and Maven.
ERIKSON INSTITUTE
POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN INFANT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH
Veronica successfully completed her certificate in infant mental health and has been trained in various methods of supporting the relationships between parents and their young babies. She is educated on perinatal mood disorders, generational trauma, and caregiver struggles in welcoming a new baby.
ASSOCIATION OF CHILD LIFE PROFESSIONALS
CERTIFIED CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST (CCLS)
As a Certified Child Life Specialist, Veronica has been clinically trained to provide psychosocial emotional support and developmental education to families during times of illness, injury, stress, trauma, and life transitions. Veronica completed a 640 hour clinical internship at Shriners Hospital of Chicago where she supported infants and their families through surgery and hospitalization. She also completed internships at various children’s hospitals throughout the city and has experience supporting families in nonprofit settings, such as Make A Wish Illinois and Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center.
THE INSTITUTE OF SOMATIC THERAPY
CERTIFIED INFANT MASSAGE INSTRUCTOR (CIMI)
Veronica is a Certified Infant Massage Instructor and loves to educate parents, siblings, grandparents, and other caregivers in providing positive touch to their babies. These infant massage lessons include instruction on reading baby’s physical cues and guidance on bonding and attachment.