Certified Healing Birth Practitioners
Listed here are the people who have completed the Healing Birth Practitioner Training programme. This is an intensive eight week course where Carla leads participants to dive deeply into the art and science of birth trauma support work. Graduates from the programme have been trained to provide birth healing services that stem from the same philosophy and knowledge-base that Carla's work does.
Naomi Ruth Gilbert (May 2025)
Region: Bay of Plenty
Roles: Postnatal doula; sleep consultant; Faith-based transformational coach; Nurse/former Midwife; online courses; Healing Birth Practitioner
Email: nurture@naomiruth.nz
Facebook: @naomi.cavanagh.58
Peet Fysh (January 2025)
Region: South West, Western Australia
Roles: Whole Mother Perinatal, Healing Birth Practitioner
Ph: (+61) 0472 872 292
Courtney Vercoe (December 2024)
Region: Nelson
Roles: Birth & Postpartum Doula, Healing Birth Practitioner
Website: www.bumpandbeyond.co.nz
Helen Bartrom (May 2025)
Region: Warkworth, Auckland. Online
Roles: Clinical trauma informed Hypnotherapist & Hypnobirthing facilitator; Author of Positive Birth in NZ; Podcast host: Positive Births NZ; Healing Birth practitioner
Website: www.positivebirths.co.nz
Lara Borell (May 2025)
Region: Tauranga, Bay of Plenty
Roles: Healing Birth Practitioner
Email: lborell@outlook.com
Phone: 021 961 635
IG: @wellness_mama__
Ina Mae McCormick (January 2025)
Region: Otautahi/Christchurch
Roles: Doula, space holder & ceremony facilitator, Healing Birth practitioner
Email: doula_ina.mae@yahoo.com
IG: @doula_ina.mae
Ph 027 3804476
NZ Doula profile: ina-mae-mccormick
Heidi Jensen (November 2024)
Region: Queenstown
Roles: Registered Midwife, HypnoBirth Certified, Healing Birth Practitioner
Email: heidi.jane.jensen@gmail.com
IG: @modernmamamidwifery
Sigrid Alwall Ekendahl (August 2024)
Region: Sweden (online English or Swedish
speaking sessions available worldwide)
Roles: Home birth Midwife, Healing Birth Practitioner
Website: www.jordmorvarmland.se
Email: jordmorvarmland@gmail.com
IG: @jordmorvarmland
Lisa Gear (August 2024)
Region: Central Lakes (Queenstown)
Roles: Perinatal Nurse Specialist/Registered Nurse, Healing Birth Practitioner
Email: lisa@clfs.co.nz
Maggie Morgan (February 2025)
Region: Wanaka
Roles: Healing Birth Practitioner (retired RM, RN & LC)
Email: maggie.morgan@gmail.com
Lou Rix (February 2025)
Region: Waikato, Huntly
Roles: Hypnobirthing Childbirth Educator, Reiki Master, Yoga Teacher, Women's Circle Facilitator, Healing Birth Practitioner
Website: www.unwindwithlourix.co.nz
FB: @unwindwithlou
Ph. 021 0884 8024
Amelia Kurth (August 2024)
Region: Taranaki
Roles: Healing Birth Practitioner
Email: ameliakurth.hbtp@outlook.co.nz
Phone: 020 402 66252
Dr Ruth Surtees (May 2024)
Region: Otautahi/Christchurch
Roles: Mental Health Clinician (referral via Pegasus PHO GPs), ex-Midwife, Healing Birth Practitioner
IG: dr_ruthjoy
Rose Skerten (April 2024)
Region: Tauranga, Bay of Plenty
Roles: Acupuncturist, Chinese Medicine Practitioner, Astrologer, Healing Birth Practitioner
Website: www.aldebaranhealing.co.nz
Email: rose@aldebaranhealing.co.nz
Phone: 021 665 915
Suzan Lee Anderson (Sept 2023)
Region: Auckland
Roles: Midwife, Holistic Wise Birth Practitioner, Healing Birth Practitioner
Website: www.wildbirthwisdom.com
FB: @wildbirthwisdom
Sandra Powell (May 2024)
Region: Manawatu
Roles: Health Coach, Perinatal Wellbeing Support Service (THINK Hauora), Healing Birth Practitioner
THINK Hauora self referral form link
Email: sandra.powell@thinkhauora.nz
Maria Curtis (May 2024)
Region: Stockholm, Sweden
Roles: Doula, Healing Birth Practitioner
Website: www.doulabymaria.com
IG: @doulabymaria
Email: doulabymaria@gmail.com
Tessa Pitt (December 2023)
Region: Manawatu/Hawkes Bay
Roles: Breathwork Facilitator, Yoga Teacher, Healing Birth Practitioner
Website: https://bio.site/tessapitt
IG: @tessaleighpitt
Kate Jagdale (December 2023)
Ashleigh Rees (Sept 2024)
Region: Tasman
Roles: Registered Social Worker, Hakomi Therapist, Healing Birth Practitioner - providing counselling & therapy in Tasman region & online, ACC registered
Email: ashleighreestherapy@gmail.com
Website: www.ashleighrees.com
Gem Casson (January 2024)
Region: Hibiscus Coast
Roles: Childbirth Educator, Infant Massage Instructor, Birth & Postpartum Support, Healing Birth Practitioner
Phone: 021 367 994
IG: @pixie_dustnz
Lynley Erin Rice (May 2024)
Region: Waikato
Roles: Women's Circle & Ceremony Facilitator, Rites of Passage, Mama-Cocoon, Healing Birth Practitioner
Website: www.lynleyerin.com
IG: @lynley_erin
Abby Williamson (December 2023)
Eva Maria Ghannam (January 2024)
Region: Waitakere Ranges, Auckland
Roles: Doula, Cert Breastfeeding Specialist, Healing Birth Practitioner
Email: hello@itsevamaria.com
Website: www.itsevamaria.com
IG: @TetaWardeh
Mererina Dunn (August 2023)
Region: Tauranga, Bay of Plenty
Roles: Birth & Postpartum Doula, Healing Birth Practitioner
Email: mererina.dunn@gmail.com
Phone: 027 254 3151
IG: @wearemama__
Jojo Hogan (September 2023)
Region: Devon, UK
Roles: Postpartum Doula, Perinatal Care Specialist, Yoga Teacher, Massage Therapist, Healing Birth Practitioner
IG: @slowpostpartum
FB: @slowpostpartum
Website: www.slowpostpartum.com
Kelly Reid (April 2023)
Region: Helensville, Auckland
Roles: Mama Coach, Baby Consultant, Healing Birth Practitioner, Doula
Website: www.mamacoach.co.nz
Email: kelly@mamacoach.co.nz
IG: @mamacoach_kelly
Alex Cech (December 2023)
Laura Scholey (May 2023)
Alida Aitken (October 2023)
Region: Auckland
Roles: CBE, Birth Doula, Counsellor, Healing Birth Practitioner
Website: https://empoweredbirth.co.nz/
Email: kiaora@empoweredbirth.co.nz
Amellia Kapa (May 2023)
Region: Otautahi/Christchurch
Roles: Registered Midwife, Kairomiromi/Kaimirimiri (Traditional Māori Healing practitioner)
Email: amellia.kapa@gmail.com
Merekaha Waiomio-Brown (May 2023)
Region: Eastern Bay of Plenty
Roles: Rongoā Māori practitioner, Breastfeeding kaiāwhina, kaupapa Māori Hapū Wānanga facilitator, Childbirth Educator, Doula, Te Reo Māori advocate
Email: mwaiomiobrown@gmail.com
Georgia Abbey (July 2022)
Region: Mid North Coast, NSW, Australia
Roles: Birth Debrief offerings, Healing Birth Practitioner
Email: georgia.abbey@hotmail.com
IG: @innate.birth
Bianca Whalley (Aug 2023)
Region: Christchurch
Roles: Postpartum Doula, Healing Birth Practitioner
Phone: 021 08439858
Grace Taylor (May 2023)
Region: Hawkes Bay
Roles: Birth & Postpartum Doula, Healing Birth practitioner
Website: www.modernvillage.co.nz
Email: hellomodernvillage.co.nz
IG: @modern.village
Phone: 027 777 6603
Chloë Rosser (October 2022)
Region: Maniototo, Central Otago
Roles: Healing Birth Practitioner
Email: chloebethrosser@gmail.com
Instagram: @chloebethrosser
Sabrina Alvarez (June 2022)
Region: Marlborough/Tasman
Roles: Healing Birth Practitioner, Birth Photographer & Doula, Childbirth Educator, Baby Loss Photographer (koha service)
Email: sabrialvarezbirthservices@gmail.com
Website: coming soon
Cathy Fletcher (June, 2022)
Region: Sth Auckland/Franklin/Nth Waikato
Roles: Social Worker & Facilitator Perinatal Mental Health - Well Women Franklin, Healing Birth Practitioner
Website: www.wellwomenfranklin.org.nz
Julie Edlin (November 2022)
Region: Christchurch
Roles: Midwife, Life Coach (supporting the transition to and through motherhood), Pregnancy/Postnatal Yoga Teacher, Mindful Birth Skills Workshop Facilitator, Healing Birth Practitioner
Email: julieedlin@hotmail.com
Phone: 02102670265
Instagram: @thenurturedmothercoach
Facebook: The Nurtured Mother Coach
Keryn Satherley (January 2023)
Andrea Jury (December 2022)
Region: Waikato
Roles: Mother of 4, Healing Birth practitioner, Trainee Counsellor
Email: andreavajury@gmail.com
Facebook: Healing From Within
Justine Pasfield (July 2022)
Region: Christchurch
Roles: Midwife, Hypnobirthing Educator, Lactation Consultant, Healing Birth Practitioner
Website: www.breathehypnotherapy.com
Email: justine-pasfield@hotmail.com
Kerry Beets (April 2022)
Region: Hamilton
Roles: Healing Birth Practitioner, HypnoBirthing Educator
Email: zenhypnobirthing@gmail.com
Website: www.zenhypnobirthing.com
FB: Zen Birthing
IG: @zen_birthing
Marta Willis (April 2022)
Region: Nelson
Roles: Pregnancy/Postpartum Therapist, Keepsake Artist, Healing Birth Practitioner
Website: www.lunabloom.co.nz
IG: @lunabloomnz
Contact: via website
Ph: 022 586 2686
Denise Ives (April 2022)
Region: Dunedin
Roles: Breastfeeding Counsellor, DipHE, Healing Birth Practitioner
Website: www.deniseives.com
Email: denise@deniseives.com
IG: @denise_ives
Ph: 027 476 1339 (text)
FB: @deniseivescom
Jessebel Chan (July 2022)
Region: Warkworth, Auckland/Rodney District
Roles: Personal Trainer (specialty: pre & post-natal women), Life Coach, Healing Birth Practitioner
Website: www.collectivecare.co.nz
Email: collectivecarenz@gmail.com
IG: @collectivecare_
Melissa Smith (April 2022)
Region: Taranaki
Roles: Mother, Healing Birth Practitioner
Email: melissas_healing@outlook.com
IG: @melissa.smith.healingbirth
FB: Melissa Smith Healing Birth Practitioner
Website: www.melissashealing.co.nz
Melany Ginders (April 2022)
Region: Auckland
Roles: Healing Birth Practitioner, Doula
Website: www.responsivewellbeing.co.nz
Email: mel@responsivewellbeing.co.nz
Ph: 020 4148 9733
Allie Ivy Monks (April, 2022)
Region: Wanaka, Otago
Roles: Registered Nurse, Healing Birth Practitioner
Email: allieivymonks@gmail.com
Emma Snelgar (December 2021)
Region: Perth, Western Australia
Roles: Registered Nurse, non-practicing Midwife, Matrescence Coach, Healing Birth Practitioner
Website: www.empowermatrescence.com
Email: emma@empowermatrescence.com
Angela Ivory (December 2021)
Region: Auckland (Eastern Suburbs)
Roles: Childbirth Educator, Birth & Postpartum Doula, HypnoBirthing Teacher, Homeopath, Bach Flower Practitioner, NFNZ Accredited Natural Fertility & Reproductive Health Educator, Healing Birth Practitioner
Website: www.bespokebirths.co.nz
Email: angela@bespokebirths.co.nz
Phone: 021 297 2312
IG: @bespokebirthsnz
Heidi Goebbels (April 2022)
Sarah Noble (December 2021)
Region: Christchurch
Roles: Online Worldwide Mindset Coach for Mums with Young Children, Healing Birth Practitioner, QFT Healer
Website: www.mindfullyyou.nz
Email: hellomindfullyyou@gmail.com
Tineke Sutton (December 2021)
Region: Auckland
Roles: Parenting Education/Support Facilitator at Nurture People, Healing Birth Practitioner
Website: www.nurturepeople.org
Email: tineke@nurturepeople.org
Phone: 027 430 5292
Service Name
Alexa Pederson (January 2022)
Region: Hawkes Bay
Roles: Doula, Birth Photographer, Healing Birth Practitioner
Web: www.alexadoulaphotography.co.nz
Phone: 022 410 8290
IG: @alexa.doula
Service Name
Sky Kodner (January 2022)
Region: Hibiscus Coast, Auckland
Roles: Midwife, Psychology degree, Healing Birth Practitioner
Email: skykodner@gmail.com
Phone: 020 488 4411
Service Name
Julia Metcalfe (January 2022)
Region: Christchurch
Roles: Registered Midwife, Allied Health Care Professional, Healing Birth Practitioner
Email: juliavmetcalfe82@gmail.com
Service Name
Rachel Rachmani (January 2022)
Region: Waikato
Roles: Registered Psychologist, Healing Birth Practitioner
Email: rmrachmani@gmail.com
Service Name
Amy Plaisted (January 2022)
Region: Christchurch
Roles: Midwife, Healing Birth Practitioner
Email: plaisted.amy@gmail.com
Website: www.envisionbirthing.co.nz
Phone: 027 863 2952
Service Name
Alexandra Bate (January 2022)
Region: Auckland
Roles: Hypnotherapist, Healing Birth Practitioner
Email: lexybate@hotmail.co.nz
Website: www.chooseyouhypnotherapy.com
Service Name
Bella Johnson (Dec 2021)
Region: Whakatane, Bay of Plenty
Roles: Healing Birth Practitioner, Mama, Mystic
Email: bella@boldlyshe.com
IG: @boldlyshe
Service Name
Taylor Stone (February 2022)
Region: Auckland
Roles: Healing Birth Practitioner
Email: taylor@wholemama.co.nz
Phone: 021 023 71283
Website: www.wholemama.co.nz
IG: @wholemama_
Service Name
Toyah Hicks (July 2021)
Region: Hawkes Bay
Roles: Pre-conception and Postpartum Doula, Healing Birth Practitioner, Yoni Steaming Facilitator
Email: healingbirthwithtoyah@gmail.com
IG: @rosewomb_x
Service Name
Georgiana Fitzpatrick (Dec 2021)
Region: Hamilton
Roles: Waikato Prenatal Yoga Teacher, Pelvic Floor Educator, Healing Birth Practitioner
Website: www.georgiannafitzpatrick.com
Service Name
Megan McNeill (July 2021)
Region: South Canterbury & Mackenzie District
Roles: Hypnobirthing Childbirth Educator, Healing Birth Practitioner, Early Birth/Miscarriage Support
Email: megan.mcneillnz@gmail.com
Phone 027 238 3319
IG: @thebirthglow_
Service Name
Sheena Roberts (July 2021)
Region: Central Auckland
Roles: CBE, Healing Birth Practitioner, student Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist, retired RN
Email: authenticembrace@gmail.com
Phone 0274 880 690
Website: www.authenticembrace.co.nz
Amy Attwood (July 2021)
Region: Hamilton & Waikato
Roles: Birth Doula, Healing Birth Practitioner
Email: amy@doulaamy.co.nz
Website: www.doulaamy.co.nz
Phone: 021 990 307
IG: @doulaamynz
Gemma Kurth (July 2021)
Region: Bay of Plenty
Roles: Midwife, HypnoBirthing Childbirth Educator, Healing Birth Practitioner
Website: www.empoweredbirthing.co.nz
Email: info@empoweredbirthing.co.nz
Phone: 027 263 6346
Ali Woodhouse (July 2021)
Region: Waitaha - Canterbury
Roles: Midwife, Healing Birth Practitioner, Trustee - Home Birth Aotearoa
Email: birthwithali@gmail.com
Phone: 021 781 615
Kristin White (July 2021)
Region: Christchurch
Roles: Childbirth Educator, Birth & Postpartum Doula, Healing Birth Practitioner
Email: mamarisenz@gmail.com
Website: www.mamarise.co.nz
FB: @MamaRiseMR
Michelle O'Connell (July 2021)
Region: Auckland
Roles: Counsellor, Healing Birth Practitioner, Birth Psychology Educator (APPPAH), Advanced Diploma in Hypnotherapy, Coach
Email: pmoconnell@slingshot.co.nz
Phone: 021 589 998
Josie Gritten (July 2021)
Region: Northland (North Shore to Whangarei)
Roles: Childbirth Educator, Doula, Breastfeeding Support, Birth Healing, Birth Ceremony, Photographer
Website: www.nurtureaotearoa.com
Email: josiegritten@gmail.com
Phone: 021 2234 0519
