Backgrounds and Beginnings:
Maria began her professional life as a writing and literature professor in a community college, but found herself more interested in the
psychological aspects of her students' work. After completing a Masters in Counseling, she practiced psychotherapy in women's health
and in community health, working with some of Boston's most marginalized residents. She continues to be an advocate for women's
reproductive and mental health, and in her work maintains a strong commitment to fostering informed and empowering choices for
women and their care.
Working with New Mothers:
Maria's interest in women and their journey to motherhood began with her own experience as a mother. After taking time to be home
with her children, she completed doula training and certification through Doulas of North America International (DONA), a pioneer in the
formalization of professional doula care standards and practice. Maria's counseling background enables her doula care to be
compassionate and focused on her clients' wishes, and believes that birth does not have to be a frightening medical experience, but an
empowering and thrilling one. Maria's most valued asset as a doula is her trust in the physiological process of birth and in her clients'
ability to make choices that are right for themselves.
In her counseling practice, Maria specializes in the emotional processes of pregnant women, new mothers, and with those who seek
healing during post-partum adjustments or traumatic birth experiences. Committed to building a strong community of mothers, Maria is
co-moderator and longtime member of an online community of mothers in Boston, MA that has branched out to include mothers around
the country. Maria maintains up-to-date membership in DONA International, and is proud to belong to The Coalition to Improve
Maternity Services and a supporter of their Mother Friendly Childbirth Initiative, Citizens for Midwifery, and the Massachusetts Midwives
Alliance.
A firm believer in the powers that the body, mind, and heart have to heal and bring peace to an individual, Maria is a certified
Kripalu yoga teacher and relies heavily on principals of mindful breath, visualization, and meditation for labor support.
Personal:
Maria lives with her husband and three daughters in one of Boston's prettiest neighborhoods. You can often find them at the park, the
library, or the bookstore, with the dear friends that enrich their lives. Outside of her family, Maria sings alto with a professional choir. You
can learn more about Maria by visiting her blog.
Maria Dolorico, M. Ed. in Counseling Psychology Certified Doula (DONA International)
|


Continuing Education:
While maintaining a primary interest in women's emotional and psychological experience in birth, Maria greatly respects the role that
evidence-based science plays in the birth experience. To remain up-to-date on current maternity research and practice, Maria relies on
many sources of information for the latest academic research in journals published for the field of obstetrics, midwifery, and
nurse-midwifery, as well analysis from Choices in Childbirth, Lamaze, and Our Bodies, Ourselves. Additionally, she gathers information from
blogs and both "alternative" and popular pregnancy and parenting magazines to study the influences of media and pop-culture on
women's and society's values around childbirth and parenting. She is a life-long learner, eager to absorb information while questioning
accepted norms and looks forward to the Massachusetts Partners in Perinatal Health Conference every year.
She is an active member of the network MassDoulas, encouraging her colleagues in their entrepreneurial and practice endeavors, and
consults regularly with more experienced doulas whom she considers her mentors. In addition to her own practice, Maria cares deeply
about the development and advancement of the doula profession, which is still in its infancy in modern maternity care.
Currently, Maria is enrolled in Birth Arts International's Advanced Certification program, studying herbs and aromatherapy and how they
are used to support the physiological process of birth.