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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 first and foremost a human who believes in creating deep connections with others. I am privileged to be able to do that as my life's work. I am a mother to one beautiful daughter. I am on my own healing journey that continues to evolve as I learn and grow. 

Professionally, I am a somatic bodyworker and coach with a deep emphasis in scar tissue, trauma, and abdominal/core care. I am a lifelong doula, but have "retired" from attending births, and have shifted my postpartum care to focus on traditional healing modalities, coaching, and bodywork. Along with Celina Wigle-Olias-Varga, I founded Embodied Doula Trainings, a somatics/trauma informed doula training organization. My somatic and bodywork training comes from the incredible Ellen Heed of STREAM. 

I am based in my hometown of Memphis, TN. After some time out west, I returned to the south to reconnect with my roots. While away, 
​I obtained 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.

 

I continue to write poetry, non-fiction, and fiction, and have several forthcoming books. I primarily write about womanhood, birth, motherhood, and sexuality.

My office is based in Memphis, TN. I serve local clients, regionally based clients who travel to me, and virtual clients across the US and abroad. 

Education & Trainings

Primary Training & Certification

STREAM (Scar Tissue Remediation Education and Management) Student with Ellen Heed, 2020-2022
Certified in 2023

Certified Embodiment Doula, Embodied Doula Trainings, 2020

Certified Postpartum Embodiment Doula, Embodied Doula Trainings, 2020

Certified Embodied Childbirth Educator, Embodied Doula Trainings, 2022

Certified Embodied Lactation Guide, Embodied Doula Trainings, 2022

Certified Embodied Newborn Care Specialist, Embodied Doula Trainings, 2022

CAPPA Childbirth Educator Training, September 2015, Tabitha Ames

The Artemis School: Nurture Training, November 2015,  Lara Catone (Focus on Holistic Postpartum Recovery and training in Level I of the Elemental Body Method)

The Artemis School: Initiate Training, June 2015, Lara Catone (Holistic Sexual Wellness Coaching and Sex Educator Training)

CAPPA Postpartum Doula Training, October 2014, Darla Burns

CAPPA Birth Doula Training, February 2013, Rena Koerner

CAPPA Postpartum Doula Training, April 2012, Darla Burns

Supportive Trainings

LA Doula Project Full Spectrum Doula Training, May 2015, taught by Elsa Asher and Chanti Smith

End of Life Support Doula Workshop, taught by Carolyn Conger, PhD, March 2015

Plus Sized Birth Training with Jennifer Rue McLellan, December 2014

How to Raise Emotionally Healthy Children Teacher Training, taught by Gerald Newmark, Ph.D., November 2014

Spinning Babies Training with Gail Tulley, 2014

Advanced Doula Training with Two Doulas Birth, November 2013

Women’s Way Moon Cycles Series 2, taught by Barbara Hannelore, April 2014

Women’s Way Moon Cycles Series 1, taught by Barbara Hannelore, August 2013

Two Doulas Birth Childbirth Education Series, taught by Becca Gordon and Kimme McGuire, August 2013

SquatFest Conference 2013

Working with Orthodox Jewish Clients, taught by Dr. Eliot Berlin, June 2013

Babywearing, taught by Laura Brown, June 2013

Contraception: Choices, Culture, and Consequences, February 2013 (through UCSF)

Advanced Doula Training with Birthwell LA, 2012

Breastfeeding Class with Birth and Beyond, Cheryl Baker, 2012

YogaFit Level One Teacher Training, 2009

Honors and Awards

Nominated for the DASC Doula Mentor and Postpartum Doula of the Year, 2016

Nominated for the DASC Doula Mentor of the Year, 2015

Recipient of the Beutner Award for Excellence in the Arts for Poetry, 2011

Higher Education

California Institute of the Arts, MFA in Writing and Critical Studies, 2012

College of Santa Fe, BA Creative Writing and Literature, Magna Cum Laude, 2009

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