Anitya Doula Services

Catherine Durkin Robinson answers the question, "What is a death doula?" She discusses how supporting those at end-of-life can bring peace and joy into this sacred experience. How do you want to die? https://lnkd.in/gsTWQGE2

While I also enjoyed visiting Zen Buddhist shrines and Shinto temples, eating sushi, and drinking matcha tea, these three Japanese customs hit home the most for me. I look forward to bringing some of these ideas back to my clients in America. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gcrNac5F

The doctor-and-doula partnership transforms how people experience their final chapters of life, the experience of their loved ones, and how society approaches end-of-life journeys. In fact, a recent study published by Sage Journals found that patients who received care from an end-of-life doula (death doula) increased their death literacy, leading to a sense of personal empowerment, positive end-of-life experiences for the family, and personalized deaths for patients. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gkQKdC2M

October 1-8 is Mental Health Awareness Week! In recognition of that, End of Life Psychedelic Care is highlighting our new directory service to support the mental health of those with terminal illnesses. We believe that safe and supported use of psychedelic medicines can help many faced with a terminal illness by easing depression, anxiety, and existential distress. This is a very vulnerable population whose mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing are often not served by our current medical systems. As William Turner, EOLPC Board Member and End of Life Doula states, "I’ve seen firsthand how people nearing the end can feel abandoned, isolated, and left to face their fears alone. Psychedelic therapy offers them a chance to confront those fears and find comfort. But it’s not enough just to have the tools; we need to make sure they’re accessible and safe. Society has been dragging its feet on this for too long. It’s time we step up, provide the care our elders deserve, and ensure they have access to these life-changing therapies.” Lisa Ritter, LPC and Co-Founder, Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy Association, also reiterates, "We’re in a mental health crisis, especially for older adults with terminal illnesses. They are often hardest hit by depression and anxiety, but traditional mental health services don’t fully address their emotional and spiritual needs. Psychedelic therapy offers a powerful alternative, helping them find peace and emotional resilience. During Mental Health Awareness Week, it’s vital we focus on this vulnerable population and their need for holistic care.” To read more, please go to: https://lnkd.in/emfkGh5W Thanks also goes to EOLPC's other Board Members: Jason Burdge Julia Mirer MD Amy Samuelson Catherine Durkin Robinson #endoflife #mentalhealth #endoflifedoula #palliativecare #hospicecare #eldercare

October 1-8 is Mental Health Awareness Week! In recognition of that, End of Life Psychedelic Care is highlighting our new directory service to support the mental health of those with terminal illnesses. We believe that safe and supported use of psychedelic medicines can help many faced with a terminal illness by easing depression, anxiety, and existential distress. This is a very vulnerable population whose mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing are often not served by our current medical systems. As William Turner, EOLPC Board Member and End of Life Doula states, "I’ve seen firsthand how people nearing the end can feel abandoned, isolated, and left to face their fears alone. Psychedelic therapy offers them a chance to confront those fears and find comfort. But it’s not enough just to have the tools; we need to make sure they’re accessible and safe. Society has been dragging its feet on this for too long. It’s time we step up, provide the care our elders deserve, and ensure they have access to these life-changing therapies.” Lisa Ritter, LPC and Co-Founder, Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy Association, also reiterates, "We’re in a mental health crisis, especially for older adults with terminal illnesses. They are often hardest hit by depression and anxiety, but traditional mental health services don’t fully address their emotional and spiritual needs. Psychedelic therapy offers a powerful alternative, helping them find peace and emotional resilience. During Mental Health Awareness Week, it’s vital we focus on this vulnerable population and their need for holistic care.” To read more, please go to: https://lnkd.in/enc_tCrs Thanks also goes to EOLPC's other Board Members: Jason Burdge Julia Mirer MD Amy Samuelson Catherine Durkin Robinson #endoflife #mentalhealth #endoflifedoula #palliativecare #hospicecare #eldercare

I am so excited to announce End of Life Psychedelic Care's new Directory Services. Our Connector Directory fills a need for anyone with a life-limiting or terminal illness who is seeking psychedelic support. The first-of-its-kind, our Directory consists of practitioners experienced in both psychedelic and end of life care. Check out the Directory at https://lnkd.in/eR7sEj55. To be listed, you must sign up to be a Member. More info on that is at https://lnkd.in/ewAeQe9a. #psychedelic #hospicecare #palliativecare #psychedelictherapy #endoflife #endoflifedoula With special thanks to the EOLPC Board: Jason Burdge Julia Mirer MD Amy Samuelson William Turner Heath Catherine Durkin Robinson https://lnkd.in/ewHbFUCC

My free weekly newsletter includes award-winning columns about: - Emotional and spiritual support - Guided meditation - Educational services - Gender-affirming and patient-centered advocacy - Creating advance care directives - Connecting with appropriate local resources - Trip sitting - Living with joy, dying with peace ...and so much more. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/g6xGzYGh

“How I Comfort the Dying at Home” – Online – Thursday, August 1, 2024 (2 pm – 3:30 pm central time) This is available for 1.5 CEUs through the Continuing Education Institute of Illinois. I’d also welcome caregivers, patients, and curious participants. Please join us! Each session also includes an “Ask a Doula” Q&A at the end where I’ll answer all your questions. Description: As an experienced death doula, I will teach you about the dying process and the various stages people go through at the end of life. We will examine how to best support people going through this process at home. Upon completion of this program, you will: ∙ Understand the dying process and common experiences at the end of life. ∙ Identify the active dying phase including the symptoms and causes of terminal agitation. ∙ Recognize the ways to support someone who wants to die at home. ∙ Understand the importance of The Ring Theory and self-care for caregivers. ∙ Recognize how death doulas, care teams, and loved ones can support people dying at home together with grace and empathy. The link will be emailed to you before the session. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gfamAjyw

When my clients, their loved ones, and I consider and choose specific grief rituals, we do this to process grief and honor loved ones. Sometimes we do this before a death occurs and other times long after. We choose from among many different cultures, religions, and faith traditions. I travel worldwide and read countless books, making sure I can offer my clients something that feels right to them. Each ritual holds profound meaning and provides insight into the values and beliefs of that community. Rituals also connect us across ethnic and cultural lines, no matter our backgrounds. After all, everybody hurts. Read about some of the many grief rituals my clients utilize to process their grief: https://lnkd.in/gUqTvbmv

When working with clients who utilize psychedelics to reduce end-of-life anxiety, I always stress the importance of integration. This looks different for everyone, but generally speaking, psychedelic integration is the process by which we explore what happened during the journey to learn from it. I work with my client and his/her/their therapist to do this effectively. Integration is essential so my clients make sense of their experience, derive meaningful insights, and apply those insights to their everyday lives and a more peaceful death. Integrating After a Psychedelic Experience at End-of-Life I’ve written about the importance of planning before a psychedelic journey. This includes set and setting. I’ve also been a trip-sitter for many clients and have some training in how to handle difficult trips. Let’s now discuss how I integrate with dying clients *after* a journey.  Read more: https://lnkd.in/gJhz65qw