About Me
My name is Zoë Etkin and I have dedicated my life to supporting others as they step through transformational phases of the human experience. I do this by offering somatic coaching to individuals and couples, scar tissue remediation and structural somatic bodywork, holistic perinatal support, and childbirth preparation. While the majority of my experience lies within the spectrum of reproductive health, I have expanded focus beyond the childbearing year to support mothers, partners, couples, and any individuals who feel like I’m the right fit for their journey. I am a retired birth and postpartum doula who now trains and mentors doulas all over the USA. I write books and journals that focus on embodiment, motherhood, sexuality, pregnancy, and the human body.
My Background
I am the co-founder of Embodied Doula Trainings, and am a Certified Embodiment Doula (CED), Certified Postpartum Embodiment Doula (CPED), Certified Embodied Childbirth Educator (ECE), and Certified Embodied Lactation Guide (ELG), and Embodied Newborn Care Specialist (ENCS). I am a certified STREAM (Scar Tissue Remediation Education and Management) practitioner. I offer my services nationally, and also see clients locally in Memphis, TN.
I’m a Memphis native who returned to the Mid-South in 2018 after a decade in the Southwest and West Coast. During my time out west, I gained extensive experience in birth, holistic reproductive wellness, and the new parenthood/motherhood experience. My time was also spent obtaining my undergraduate degree at the College of Santa Fe, where I earned my BA in Creative Writing & Literature, with a minor in Theatre. I then went on to earn my MFA in Writing (Poetry) & Critical Studies from California Institute of the Arts.
After I graduated CalArts, I decided to pursue my passion of empowering people to take charge of their health. The first step in that journey was beginning my doula education with CAPPA. I went on to do three formal trainings with CAPPA (Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula, and Childbirth Education). While doula training and doula-related continuing education (including Spinning Babies) was fantastic, I still needed more tools to serve my clients. I made the decision to train under Lara Catone at her institute, The Artemis School for Women’s Sexual Wellness. The education I received at The Artemis School was by far the most expansive, thorough, and truly holistic I had ever experienced. This program opened me up to be able to serve clients seeking menstruation support, fertility coaching, sexuality coaching, and so much more.
I am now thrilled to be certified by STREAM (Scar Tissue Remediation and Management), a program led by the incomparable Ellen Heed. This program focuses on the mobilization and reintegration of scar tissue, especially that which may reside in the pelvis or abdomen (often from birth but not always), but is so much more. It is an overall education in Somatics, in bodywork, in the nervous system, the brain, trauma, biochemistry, biomechanics, and more. In this program, I learned, from many angles, how to help people feel better in their bodies and souls. It is an incredible education that has and will continue to radiate out into everything I do.
I’m grateful to have multiple passions in life. In addition to my work serving individuals and families, I also write poetry and non-fiction, and have several books published, which you can learn more about here.
I am the mother to a fantastic 6 year old named June.