November 2024 Hybrid Training

with Debra Pascali-Bonaro LCCE, AdvCD/BDT/PDT(DONA)

In Person Days in Asbury Park, NJ on November 22-23rd

All times are in ET (New York) time zone


Virtual Sessions via Zoom

  • Welcome Session and Anti-racism & Birth Equity - November 11th, 4:00 - 6:00 PM
  • Intro. to Childbirth Part I - November 13th, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Introduction to Childbirth Part II & DONA Birth Doula Part I - November 20th, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

In-Person Sessions in Asbury Park, NJ

Lunch is served each day, accommodations are not included.  

  • DONA Birth Doula Part II - November 21st, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • DONA Birth Doula Part III - November 22nd, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 
    *Debra will be honored to join the group for dinner after class this day. We'll pick a local spot to gather informally and connect deeper. Everyone will pay their own way.

Virtual Bonus Session

  • DONA Certification and Birth Biz Q & A - December 19, 4:00 - 5:30 PM

What's Included

Our Hybrid DONA Birth Doula Training includes both virtual and in person sessions

  • VIRTUAL - Welcome, Anti-racism & Birth Equity Session

    November 11th, 4:00 - 6:00 PM
    We’ll kick off with introductions and an overview of the agenda, Then special guest, Shawnee Renee Benton will lead a deep dive into the History of Racism, Anti-Racism, and Birth Justice, providing valuable insights into these critical topics.

  • VIRTUAL - Introduction to Childbirth

    November 13th & November 20th, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Our Introduction to Childbirth fulfills one of the requirements needed for DONA Birth Doula Certification. Build a strong foundation and understanding of childbirth traditions, pregnancy, physiological birth, interventions and more.

  • IN PERSON - DONA Birth Doula Training

    November 21st & 22nd, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Gather in person in Asbury Park, New Jersey for two days of in person learniing. Understand the history of birth doulas, prepare for meeting with clients, learn communication skills, comfort techniques and your role postpartum. Special guest, Midwife Alejandra Lozano will join virtually to teach comfort and pleasure techniques with the rebozo.

Discover the transformative power of our workshop!

Hear directly from our inspiring doulas

Are you fascinated with birth and supporting MotherBabies and Families?

Would you like to learn skills to support a partner, friend, family or your community?

Do you feel called to study, learn and experience the nourishing sisterhood that becoming a doula will provide?

Are you a nurse or educator that would like to enhance your skills?

Are you ready to use your special gifts, compassion and desire to make a difference in a career that will fulfill you, your soul, and help to change the world?

If you said yes to any of the above, Debra Pascali-Bonaro’s Orgasmic DONA Approved Birth Doula Training will provide you with sessions covering the Introduction to Childbirth and DONA Birth Doula Workshop, two of the requirements to begin your DONA Birth Doula Certification and support you in beginning your doula practice.

The sessions will also include special guest speakers and provide the space and time for more engagement, learning and community .

You will receive an extra bonus session on doula business, a Q & A and extra support in preparing for DONA certification, you’ll feel prepared and empowered to begin supporting your clients as they prepare to give birth.

  • BONUS

    Plus, you’ll receive free access to:

    ~ DONA Birth Certification Q+A
    ~ Ask me anything Q+A with Debra

    A value of over $250

Pricing options

“Debra did a wonderful job fostering connection and intimacy in this training. Although I was in a virtual learning environment, I could feel Debra’s deep compassion, honor, and respect for birth and birthing people. I love how she brought racial and social justice issues to the forefront and provided guidance on how to address some of those issues as a birth worker. I am inspired to work with people in my community in the same nurturing and honorable way. I’d recommend this class to anyone who wants well-rounded, culturally diverse and grounding training.”
-Zuri Davidson


“The workshop covered all the practical, ethical and resources needed to do the job. I feel empowered as a Doula to support the birthing person, their partner and community agencies. I appreciate the virtual and in-person sessions and Debra’s wealth of knowledge, she is a fantastic storyteller and delivered the training humbly with grace. I would recommend her Birth Doula workshop to everyone and would be interested in taking other workshops under her guidance.”
-Railyn P.

During this workshop:

  • Connect to a community of like-minded people

  • Discover the role, traditions and research of doulas

  • Discuss the impact of racism and a doula’s role in advocacy, reducing disparities, and creating equity globally

  • Learn the importance of respectful care and how a doula supports informed decision making

  • Explore current practices vs. evidenced-based care

  • Deepen your passion for providing a doula’s nurturing care and touch to women/birthing people in childbirth

  • Learn 10 tips for doulas to support the hormonal physiology and close gaps when they arise, making birth safer and easier

  • Develop a toolkit of comfort measure

  • Create a language for gentle birth and enhance your communication skills

  • Learn birth traditions: dance, songs and comfort

"I would tell literally anyone who wants to birth, who has a partner who will birth, or who wants to learn about their inner power - “you must attend this course to heal yourself and the rest of our society.”
-Melissa Rose Hirsch

Meet Debra

Debra has trained thousands of doulas, birth keepers, and parents around the world in the practices of gentle birth support. She is the Founder & President of Pain to Power Childbirth Experience, Director of the award-winning documentary Orgasmic Birth: The Best-Kept Secret, author and inspirational international speaker, and chair of the International MotherBaby Childbirth Organization. Debra’s passion comes from her years as a Lamaze International childbirth educator, and birth and postpartum doula trainer with DONA International where she has worked with women, men, midwives, doulas, nurses, and physicians in over 40 countries bringing comfort, love, and pleasure to birth and life!
  • Alejandra Lozano
  • Shawnee Benton Gibson

Special Guest Teachers

  • Alejandra Lozano, LCCE, Midwife

    Since the birth of her son Mariano, she became passionate about birth, and began her preparation to become a professional and traditional midwife, with the intention that more women have the opportunity to live a respected, pleasurable, transcendental birth experience, with company, trust and love. Combining ancestral knowledge from the ancient and traditional midwives of México and Latin America with the most up-to-date scientific evidence to find a balance in the needs of today’s women and to keep the traditional medicine alive.
    Her personal interest is to offer quality midwifery services at low costs so every woman can have the same opportunities, always working as a team with other Midwives and health providers.

  • Shawnee Benton Gibson, LMSW / FDLC

    Shawnee Benton Gibson is the Co-Founder and CEO of Spirit of A Woman (S.O.W.) Leadership Development Institute, an organization established in 2002 and designed to educate, elevate and effect positive and sustainable transformation in the lives of individuals, groups, families and communities. Under Shawnee’s leadership and vision, S.O.W. offers innovative coaching, counseling, workshop and training experiences to individuals, groups and organizations seeking to expand their power, purpose and impact in the world. Ms. Benton Gibson is a graduate of New York University’s Silver School of Social Work and is a licensed practitioner with over 28 years of professional experience in the areas of substance abuse prevention, treatment and recovery, adolescent development, individual, family and group counseling, women’s health, birth equity, social justice, grief, loss, bereavement and trauma. Shawnee unearths how patriarchal and misogynistic notions have altered the birthing narrative, making women feel they can’t trust their own bodies without medical intervention. From rites and rituals before childbirth to the role of doulas and midwives who resonate with their cultural backgrounds, we dig deep. Shawnee underscores the essence of daily introspection and the continuous journey of anti-racist education.

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Scholarships

In childbirth, systemic racism is the root cause of disparities leading to higher maternal mortality rates for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).

We believe doulas help to create a more equitable, respectful, maternity care system.

We want to support and amplify BIPOC voices and support every person to have a safe, satisfying, and pleasurable birth and ensuring there is a doula for every person who wants one is an essential step.

We are offering a number of BIPOC Scholarships to promised doulas at 25% rate.

If you are an individual who identifies as a BIPOC and has a financial barrier to taking our course, we welcome you to apply for our scholarship.

Please submit a 1 minute video or letter addressing the questions below:

Why would you like to become a doula?
How will you use this opportunity to support your community?
Do you identify as BIPOC?


Submit your entry and/or questions to: [email protected]

Our scholarships are reserved for BIPOC individuals with financial need. If you are not a BIPOC, we have payment plans available.



Refund Policy


If you find it necessary to cancel your reservation, the following cancellation policy will apply:

A deposit of $300 is nonrefundable, remaining paid balance is refundable in full until 3 Months prior to start.

After Three Months, a 50% refund will be given

No refunds after two month, however, spaces are transferable so you may sell or gift your space.