FOUNDERS
Cary and Tif started the ATX Doulas 2013 with a vision of providing support for birthing people and families throughout the childbearing year with compassion, knowledge and experience. They are passionate about working together as a strong team of women and truly tapping into the vast wealth of knowledge that each woman brings to the team.
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Cary Burtt, TLCD
Cary is a DONA-trained birth doula with a BA in English and Women’s Studies from the U of Michigan and a MA in English from Hunter College. Cary abandoned the corporate world in New York City in favor of a career working with women in a nurturing environment. She believes that birth presents a tremendous opportunity for women to really explore and treasure their own strength, and she is thrilled to be able to be a part of such an amazing process. Cary also knows that laughter and touch can go a long way during labor, and she strives to create an atmosphere of warmth, respect, and humor. Outside of doula work, Cary is an avid reader, knitter, baker, and animal lover and enjoys spending time with her partner, Dave, and their dog, three house cats, and one outdoor “stray” kitty. Cary has two little girls Winnie (2014) and Lydie (2016).
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Tif Greening, TLCD
Tif has a BA in Legal Studies from UMass Amherst with and emphisis in Social Justice and Civil Rights. She has worked in a variety of fields from Government to Corporate but has found her passion in the world of birth which she entered in 2011. Tif is excited to work with families of all backgrounds who picture the birth of their baby in a variety of ways; from natural to medicated, and from home to hospital. Tif strives to enhance and protect the intimacy of birth between partners; she strongly encourages sleeping, showering and staying home as long as possible. When Tif’s not Doulaing she's probably traipsing the world with her family or chilling in Cuernavaca with her awesome husband, sweet dogs, son’s, Seamus (1998) and Cash (2012) and daughter Levi (2014).
OWNERS
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Amelia Vick, Birth Doula (DONA)
Amelia is a DONA trained birth doula with a BA in Global Studies and emphasis in Public Health. Originally from Minnesota, Amelia moved to Austin in 2019 and immediately started volunteering with GALS and working for People’s Community Clinic as a Pregnancy Health Educator; before arriving in Austin, she was a volunteer doula at a hospital in Minneapolis. Her passion has always been to serve other women and help them achieve their health goals, whether that be through their birth experience or otherwise. She became a doula so she could help women feel empowered to take control of their birth experience and allow their body to do what it was built to do. Outside of doulaing, she teaches yoga, dances salsa and bachata, and spends any other free time finding inner peace outdoors. With her grounding presence, and sprinkles of corny jokes, she helps the family feel connected to the moment as they bring their new little human into the world. Amelia believes each birth is beautiful and unique and she is honored to assist you.
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Katie Cullen, Birth Doula (DTI)
Katie is a DTI Certified full spectrum doula. She holds a BA in Industrial Engineering from Mississippi State University. She began her journey to birthwork after delivering her daughter (2013) at a birthing center. It was the most empowering experience and she was in awe of what her body and mind were capable of. However, she did not have doula support and wish she had. Two years later, she delivered her son in what was a fast and furious birth. This all ignited a passionate calling in her to support birthing people and their families during pregnancy, labor and postpartum. She began her birthwork career by volunteering with Giving Austin Labor Support and this helped her decide to become a doula full time. Katie values empathy, inclusion, respect, empowerment, and compassionate care and will work to ensure clients have the most positive birth experience possible. She is always learning from her teammates and is committed to continued education. Katie loves to educate families on all of the options available to them, normalize physiological birth, and be a calming presence. Outside of doula work, Katie enjoys spending time with her family, entertaining friends, and trying new foods.
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Kelly Pedrozo, Birth Doula (DTI)
Kelly is a DTI Certified Birth Doula. Born and raised in Austin, she holds a BA in English Literature from St. Edward's University. Kelly was called to the world of birth from a young age when her own mother had home births. When she became pregnant with her first baby Emilia (2018) she went into birth and parenthood with her eyes closed, not aware of the journey ahead. After a very intense labor and birth experience, followed by a difficult NICU stay, she found herself on the other side--transformed as all birthing people are as they cross the threshold. Not able to reintegrate into her previous life, Kelly did her doula training when her daughter was just three months old and has embraced supporting families ever since. In the birth room she holds and protects space for the reverence of the experience as pushing the boundaries and perceptions of our minds and bodies. Kelly enjoys supporting birthing people by tuning in with fetal positioning and labor patterns, using the knowledge that she has learned from others to encourage an optimal labor flow. She believes that our births are a unique part of who we are and that our babies have their own story. However the story unfolds, support and advocacy have a profound impact on the perception of that experience. Since becoming a Doula she has had one more baby, Tosin (2020). She and her Brazilian husband, Luan, are learning about the ebb and flow of parenthood and keeping things real by laughing and crying through the fun and ferocity of life. Outside of her work Kelly's loves include snuggling her family, cooking and eating good food, embracing simple living and organizing literally everything. After a birth you can find her at Pioneer Farms with her kids, healing with the land and exploring historic homes.
*Amelia Vick, Katie Cullen & Kelly Pedrozo are all on the birth team.
BIRTH DOULAS
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Ashlei Gochenouer, DONA
Ashlei (Ash-lay) was born in California, but was called back to her Hawaiian roots in 2008. She studied Elementary and Special Education at UH Manoa and taught for many years in the public and private school sectors. With the birth of her daughter in 2016, she learned how to truly listen to her body – it’s every need and desire - and how to advocate for that. This inspired her to become a DONA trained doula so that she can hold space for others` birthing experience where they feel safe, supported, and empowered. She is also Spinning Babies trained to assist with optimal fetal position and bring balance to the body, a certified Indigenous Lactation Counselor, and trained in the meditative Yoga Nidra. In Hawaii she also founded Birth Professionals of Oahu, and hosted events to educate and provide support for the local families. Her hope is that each client experiences a “birth” of their inner strength, wisdom, and courage - all of which will be carried into motherhood. She enjoys outdoor activities, slow mornings, and pizza nights with her husband and 2 children.
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Ebony Williams, DONA
Ebony is a Childbirth Doula (DONA), community Herbalist, and holistic wellness advocate who specializes in placenta encapsulation. Born and raised in Long Beach California, Ebony recently relocated to the Austin area to continue her support and advocacy for maternal health. Ebony comes from an ancestral lineage of birth workers and approaches birth work with ancestral reverence, at the forefront. Her work is deeply rooted in the divine wisdom, legacy, and practices, laid by her foremothers. Ebony is an advocate. She is particularly passionate about improving outcomes for Black birthing families who are disproportionately affected by maternal mortality and morbidity. She is actively a part of an initiative that partners with OB’s, midwives, and women’s health providers to help counter systemic racism and disparities in clinical settings. Ebony hopes to be a part of the change in revitalizing birth support and breaking down barriers that negatively impact birth outcomes. Ebony creates a safe space for birthing families, from all walks of life, to feel empowered, connected, safe and educated during their pregnancy and postpartum journey. Outside of birth work, Ebony finds fulfillment spending time with her partner, son (12), and two dogs. Ebony practices herbalism and founded an herbal wellness apothecary where she provides education on herbal support and creates herbal wellness preparations for her community. She enjoys foraging plants, gardening, yoga, cooking, trying new foods and other forms of healing modalities.
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Holli Phillips, MATRONA
Holli is a Matrona Foundation certified Holistic Birth Doula with a BA in Education and Marketing. She moved down to Austin from her home in Ohio, after years of traveling and self exploration. The 9 to 5 lifestyle never suited her, and it was her mission to find what her heart called her to do. As she began to make space for her own emotions and heart, birth work and women’s work called to her. Witnessing women have courage to be vulnerable, give birth, and trust the unknown inspires her to her core. She is highly passionate about holding space and supporting others, as well as helping others find their internal safety to feel and be immersed in their own experiences. Helping others feel seen, heard, respected, honored and trust their intuition is very important to her. Outside of doulaing, Holli holds sister circles and retreats. She is also a bushcraft skills teacher, passionate about living closely to the Earth, loves to garden and make herbal remedies, practice somatic therapy techniques, write poetry, practice yoga, and loves to dance. You can always find her outside enjoying nature. She is honored to support you in your journey of birth!
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Tanya Zal, DTI
Tanya is a full spectrum doula dedicated to providing compassionate companionship and support to a variety of life experiences. Tanya did birth and postpartum training with DTI, and actively engages in continued education related to BIPOC and LGTBQ+ trauma informed care. Body autonomy, consent, and evidence based information are the foundation for her practice. Her warm grounding energy is an anchor to dive deeper into your lived experience. Tanya is grateful for her own transformational life experiences, and having felt held and supported throughout. Together she will work with you to co-create a brave space where your body and intuition are trusted, your vulnerability is respected, and an embodied and empowered experience is possible- no matter what unfolds! Outside of the wellness world, Tanya is a ceramic artist and comes from a background working in non profit art organizations, creating events and programs for community engagement.
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Teresa Lance
Teresa comes from a strong background in childcare and supporting families, and has always had a passion in caring for & supporting others. After the birth of her daughter she felt inspired to learn more about the birth world and how she could support families in a new facet of parenthood. She's worked with families in various settings and backgrounds, and loves being able to connect with families in settings where they feel the most comfortable. Teresa is a lactation specialist, and is anxiously awaiting the results for her IBCLC certification this December! She also holds certifications in CPR, NRP, and NICU breastfeeding specialist.
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Denice Pickens
Denice was born and raised in Canada and moved to California for college at 17 years old. She met her husband, got married, and had her first baby all within 3.5 years! Denice, her husband, and their beautiful bi-racial toddler now live in Austin which is where her husband is from. Denice struggled with postpartum anxiety due to lack of support and community after having her baby. She became awakened to the dramatic identity shift entering motherhood and the desperate need for new moms to be nurtured. This inspired her to get certified to become a postpartum doula and help her friends and family through the most vulnerable time of their life! She also enjoys baking and paddle boarding in her free time.
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Ellen Rees
Ellen is a married mother of four children and has called Austin home since 1995. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Counseling at St. Edward’s University and loves coming alongside people during challenging times to provide practical support and a listening ear. After her fourth child was born she embraced the help of a postpartum doula which inspired her to reach out to other moms to uphold and empower them during this unique season of folding a new baby into the family. Ellen loves exploring the outdoors, cuisines from around the world, and discovering the beauty of people and their stories.
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Jeanie McGaughy
Jeanie received her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition at The University of Texas and is a married mother of four children (b. 2004-2011). Jeanie teaches Pre‐K at City School as well as helping her husband in his work with college students. Jeanie is a gifted encourager and finds great satisfaction providing mental, physical and emotional support during the critical transition time of bringing a new baby home. She also enjoys looking for practical ways to support families while they settle into this next season of life. Her sense of humor and joyful spirit help families relax and enjoy bonding with the newest addition to their family.
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Kala Rose Anderson, TLCD
Placenta Encapsulator
Kala Rose was named after one of the two midwives who were at her own birth ("Kala and Kelly"). Kala has six amazing kiddos: Jahkaia (2008) Kaede (2010) Luka (2013) Aura (2016) twins Bodhi & Zara (2019) and Uriah (2021). She's had her kids at both the hospital and at home which were all beautiful in their own right. She attended her first birth when she was 8 years old and after that she soon came to know it was her calling to support mamas/ families through birth and early postpartum. Kala guides and supports mamas and their partners through the birth process and postpartum period with love, patience and compassion. She brings a warm smile to labor and birth, a calm reassuring voice, encouragement and confidence to all involved. She wants parents to know their options and encourages them to make decisions that best suit them. She is fully there for them in every moment, and is there to help find their voice when needed, she comes with her whole open heart to every family welcoming new life. Kala is currently on maternity leave.
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Katie Trainum, BSN, RN
Katie was born and raised in Virginia. She studied Nursing at the University of Virginia and, after graduating in 2018, moved to Austin to work as a Labor and Delivery nurse. During her 4+ years in Labor and Delivery, Katie developed a deep appreciation for doulas and the invaluable role they can play in the birth experience. Katie believes in meeting her clients where they are and helping them create a positive birth story. She recognizes the unique joys and challenges of the postpartum period and aims to ease this transition by empowering her clients and lessening some of the burdens. Katie is currently perusing her PhD in Nursing at the University of Texas at Austin, with a focus on healthcare policy and reducing nurse burnout. Outside of school and doula work, you can find Katie on her bike exploring Austin’s trails, swimming spots, and coffee shops!
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Leah Blum
Leah received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Digital and Photographic Imaging (2009) at Texas State University. She received Postpartum Doula certification through Tiny Love Doulas. When her first born (2007) was four months old she suffered a misdiagnosed ruptured appendix. The surgery and recovery were difficult, especially the heartbreak of not being able to continue breast feeding and caring for her son the way she did before surgery. Years later, and after two additional abdominal surgeries, she gained perspective that life is short and must be lived to the fullest. Leah believes mental health deserves a safe space to heal in times of hardship in order to move forward with greater perspective and thanksgiving. Through her postpartum work and family photography she explores the natural fragility of life. She believes nature, community, and children should be nurtured, treasured and honored. In 2017, Leah was able to get pregnant with her and her husband’s second son. One of Leah’s closest friends, Darby with ATX Doulas, was their birth doula. Leah was impressed with how Darby navigated with them a natural birth and nurtured the family bond. That experience inspired Leah to join ATX Doulas as a postpartum doula. Among her family, friends, and clients Leah is known for her love, compassion, support and creating a safe space without judgment or shame. The moments closest to Leah’s heart are living life to the fullest with her family, horseback riding with her dad, sharing a meal and laughing with friends, photographing family moments, and supporting postpartum families.
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Laure Jackson
Laure is a French mom of 2 and a fully trained postpartum doula. After studying English at university and working as a translator in France, she moved to Texas, where her husband is from. Her interest for the transition into parenthood bloomed after the birth of her son in 2018 and she felt drawn to postpartum work after her daughter was born in 2021. Laure is passionate about supporting new moms and dads through this vulnerable phase and wishes to offer them a comforting presence and practical help so they can focus on healing and bonding with their baby.
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Rosemary Annan
As a mother of four, I have 33 years of experience with children. Among family and close friends, I am the go-to person for childcare advise and support. Over the years, I have learned that parenting is not a linear process and your children need a happy mom not a perfect mom. This realization has helped me adjust to the different needs of my own children.
I am a good listener and communicator. I am emotionally intelligent and pride myself on being warm and open to every family I meet. I will give loving suggestions aimed at providing the best care for the baby and support for the parent. I am an observant individual dedicated to picking up on the needs of babies, as they are not able to communicate yet.
I also believe it is important to listen to new moms about motherhood, their thoughts and fears, and how motherhood has changed them and their family dynamic. I always try to give good, informed, practical, and objective advise.
Lastly, I am understanding and welcome people from all cultures, beliefs, and values.
When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my three daughters, trying new food, listening to world news, and cooking.
