Certified End-of-Life Practitioner

An end-of-life doula or a death doula is a non-medical professional who guides individuals and their families through the dying process offering presence, support, advocacy, education, and companionship. An end-of-life practitioner (ELP) is a non-medical individual trained to care for the dying and their families. They provide an integrative solution working side by side with hospice, hospitals, and other end-of-life organizations to provide the dying and their caregivers with an inclusive and supportive approach to dying and death. An ELP is a death doula, but death doulas may not be ELPs. The difference often lies within their educational backgrounds, their scope of practice, and services they provide. Their services are often directed towards helping families cope with death, restoring sacredness to dying, and bringing deep meaning to the dying experience. An ELP is trained as a death doula, and they are also highly trained in skills that involve practical, psychological, social, and spiritual support for the dying and their caregivers. End-of-life care practices include vigil, end-of-life rituals, Yoga Nidra, care planning, legacy projects, as well as after death care and grief support.

An end-of-life practitioner (ELP) is a comforting and supportive presence with knowledge of the death process, and a compassionate resource for families who may be overwhelmed and grieving about the imminent death of their loved one. ELPs offer a range of services to assist in the transition of dying, but are above all a grounding, dependable, knowledgeable and comforting presence during a highly emotional time.

End-of-life practitioners (ELPs) complement the professional medical care from hospices, hospitals, or senior care facilities. An ELP supports not only the dying person but also their loved ones. Upon request of the person or the family, ELPs can offer vigil sitting, life review, death planning, legacy work and/or grief support at home or in the hospital setting. Many services are also available virtually. In my end-of-life practice, I am not affiliated with any hospice; however, my work complements their services. I provide support to meet your emotional, spiritual, and practical needs before, during, and after death.

Yes, I have a breadth and depth of training. My initial training as an end-of-life doula was provided by the International End of Life Doula Association (INELDA). I have also been certified as end-of-life practitioner through The HeartWay upon completing 600 hours of education, client hours and supervision. In addition, I have the following training and skills: Yoga Nidra Teacher Training through California College of Ayurveda, Yoga Nidra End-of-Life Training through California College of Ayurveda, Certificate of Completion in Aromatherapy in Palliative Care through CSU Shiley Institute for Palliative Care, and completion of First and Second Degree Course in the Usui System of Reiki Healing. Additionally, I have completed training in medical aid in dying through the American Clinicians Academy on Medical Aid in Dying. I have served as a volunteer for The HeartWay, Traditions Health, and Salus Hospice. With a public relations career spanning 30 years, I can write outstanding memorial obituaries. I am bilingual in Spanish and English and have conversational competency in French.

Spirited Crossings is not associated with any religion or denomination nor does it have a religious agenda. However, I respect my client's religious beliefs and needs, and will integrate these into my services whenever requested. I welcome clients with all religious beliefs and those who have none.

Clients can work with me whenever they feel ready to. In fact, it is not necessary to have a terminal diagnosis to work with an end-of-life practitioner. It is never too early to consider what your final wishes might be or to begin work on legacy projects. Some of my clients have come to me a few weeks or even days before death and others I have worked with for more than a year. I can offer holistic modalities for stress and pain reduction, including guided imagery, Yoga Nidra, Reiki biofield therapy, essential oils, loving rituals, and sound therapy.