What is HEAL?

HEAL stands for Healing, Education, Accountability, and Liberation. HEAL is a closed cohort virtual support circle for people who have experienced pregnancy, birth, or postpartum trauma, or obstetrical violence on their journey to parenthood. It is a space for deep healing, sharing, and being witnessed in community.

Co-led by two doulas—one of whom is also a social worker—HEAL offers grounding exercises, somatic therapies, and trauma-responsive methodologies to support parents in processing their experiences while actively parenting.

This is a free offering, but it requires a deep commitment to yourself and the group. Healing is an investment, and participation in HEAL asks for your presence, accountability, and engagement in the process.


Who is HEAL for?

HEAL is for anyone who has experienced:

  • A traumatic pregnancy, birth, or postpartum experience

  • Obstetrical violence or mistreatment during their reproductive journey

  • Loss, grief, or complex emotions related to birth and parenthood

  • A desire to process their birth story in a supported and structured way

What happens in a HEAL session?

HEAL follows a structured yet flexible format to hold space for participants’ healing:

  1. Grounding & Check-in – We begin each session with a guided practice to help center and regulate the nervous system.

  2. Sharing Space – One participant shares their full birth story (or stories), being witnessed in a compassionate and non-judgmental way.

  3. Integration & Reflection – The group holds space for the story, acknowledging the experience without fixing, minimizing, or bypassing emotions.

Some sessions also focus on education around trauma healing, birth justice, and accountability in the birth space, giving participants tools and context to understand and process their experiences.

We close HEAL with ceremony, marking the transition out of the cohort while recognizing that healing is an ongoing process.

How long does HEAL last?

The length of the cohort depends on how many participants join.

The formula is:

  • Number of participants + three additional sessions. (For example, if seven people join HEAL, it is a 10-week journey.)

  • We meet every Monday at 4 p.m. Eastern on Zoom, and each session is two hours long.

What are the participation requirements?

To join HEAL, participants must:

  • Be committed to the full journey (barring emergencies or unexpected life events). Consistency is a key part of our time together in HEAL, and we ask that participants commit to attending each session, as the group dynamic and shared experience are essential to the process. We understand that life happens, and if you need to miss a session, we ask that you communicate with the facilitators in advance. Missing more than one session may impact your participation, as each gathering builds on the last. Our approach to accountability is non-punitive and rooted in care—if challenges arise, we’re here to support you in staying engaged in a way that feels sustainable. We appreciate your commitment to yourself and the group!

  • Keep their cameras on during sessions. This builds trust and ensures that participants are seen and witnessed in their experience. However, HEAL is a parenting-permission space—you do not need to be seated and staring at the camera. You can be tending to your child, eating, doing laundry, or moving around, as long as you remain visible. WE ENCOURAGE VISIBLE PARENTING.

  • Stay for the entirety of each session

  • Honor the care agreements of the space (see below).

Can I pop in and out of HEAL?

Unlike other JustBirth Space groups that allow for flexible attendance, HEAL is a closed, committed cohort. This means that once the group begins, the same participants journey together through the full series of sessions.

This structure is intentional—healing work requires trust, continuity, and a sense of shared experience. Each session builds on the last, creating a space where participants can go deeper without needing to reintroduce themselves or recap for new members. The consistency of the group allows for meaningful connections, non-punitive accountability, and a sense of collective care that wouldn’t be possible in a drop-in setting.

Because of this, we ask that participants commit to the full series and communicate with facilitators if challenges arise. Your presence matters—not just for you, but for the group as a whole. Thank you for being part of this intentional space with us.

Is HEAL recorded?

At HEAL, we prioritize creating a space that is safe, intimate, and rooted in trust. Our conversations often touch on deeply personal experiences, and we want everyone to feel comfortable sharing openly, knowing that what is said in the space stays in the space.

Recording can shift the dynamic of a group, making it harder for participants to be fully present and engaged. Instead, we emphasize real-time connection and mutual accountability—showing up for one another in the moment, without the concern of words being captured or revisited outside of context.

We also honor the privacy and emotional safety of each participant. Healing work is nuanced, and we recognize that people may share in ways they wouldn’t if a recording existed. By not recording, we uphold a non-punitive, community-centered approach to accountability, where participation is about presence rather than playback.

If you ever need support catching up on what was covered, we encourage you to connect with facilitators or group members for a summary or key takeaways. Thank you for being part of this space with care and intention.

What if I can’t keep my camera on?

We understand that virtual spaces can be challenging but HEAL is a cameras-on space to create safety, trust, and accountability. If you are unable to keep your camera on, this may not be the right fit for you at this time.

What happens after HEAL ends?

HEAL is never truly over. We recognize that healing is non-linear and takes time. Once you have participated in HEAL, you are always welcome in our HEAL Reunion space, a monthly gathering where past cohort members can return for:

• Continued community care and emotional support

• Resources and tools for ongoing healing

• Connection with others who have shared this journey

What does accountability look like within HEAL?

Accountability within HEAL is a structured, non-punitive approach that:

  • Encourages providers to listen to the stories of those who have experienced harm.

  • Offers guided reflection and facilitated dialogue on the impact of medical mistreatment.

  • Provides education on racial bias, obstetric violence, and trauma-informed care.

  • Supports providers in making tangible commitments to change.

  • Creates pathways for institutional and systemic reform.

Is HEAL a legal advocacy program?

HEAL is not a legal service, but we provide guidance on navigating options after birth trauma, including referrals to legal resources and patient advocacy groups if needed.

How do I sign up for HEAL?

We’d love to welcome you into HEAL — a safe, supportive space where you can share your story, connect with others, and take steps toward your own healing.

Joining is simple: visit our Support Groups & Classes page and sign up. If a cohort is already underway, you can add your name to our waitlist. We’ll reach out when the next group begins so you can join us from the very start.

Whether you’re ready now or in the future, there’s always a place for you here.