Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss
Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss Trainings, offered both online and in-person, compassionately and wisely prepare participants to more confidently and clearly hold space for one of life’s most painful and devastating losses.
Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss
In-Person & Online Trainings
September 2022
September 7 & 14 ~ 6:30-9pm EST
This online training is taught by Abby Jorgensen and is open to all.
Learn more here.
October 2022
October 8 & 15 ~ 1-3:30pm EST
This online training is taught by Joanne Zerdy and is open to all.
To register.
November 2022
November 10 & 17 ~ 10am-12:30pm EST
This online training is taught by Joanne Zerdy and is open to all.
To register.
Abby Jorgensen is a PhD candidate in sociology at the University of Notre Dame, a birth and bereavement doula, and a teacher. As a researcher, Abby studies how family transitions affect the way individuals view themselves and their societies. In her dissertation, she examines the ways that the work of motherhood that occurs before birth informs women’s self-concepts and relationships with government. Some of her other work focuses on explaining the connection of religious and feminist identities in weddings, evaluating governmental impacts on child mortality rates, and advocating for research methodologies that are appropriate, healthy, and beautiful. In addition to her research work as a lifelong learner, Abby is also an award-winning teacher of undergraduates, graduate students, birth workers, and expecting parents as professor and educator. Abby is a birth and bereavement doula in South Bend, Indiana, USA. In addition to serving private clients, she also works closely with her local Family Resource Center in providing events and classes and with The Mother Well in providing community groups for parents experiencing pregnancy, postpartum, and bereavement. Abby’s professional roles all revolve around the desire to companion parents through tender moments of transition and she companions them as they move through those moments. Abby lives in South Bend, Indiana, with her husband, their daughter, two dogs, a cat, and five chickens. Learn more here.
Joanne Zerdy, PhD is a former university professor in theatre arts, Joanne brings her experience as an educator, researcher, and grieving parent to her work at Inviting Abundance, co-created by Joanne and her husband Will Daddario (Listen to their Circle of Care webinar HERE). Joanne has been teaching this training for the Institute since 2019. In addition to teaching Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss trainings, Joanne facilitates an online Grief Mapping course, a Grief Pen Pal Project, and Creative Grief Workshops. She also utilizes her communication, writing, editing, and curriculum-design skills as an education consultant. As part of her personal grief work since the death of her baby boy Finlay, Joanne studies permaculture design and herbal medicine; she makes herb-infused honeys and herbal tea blends for Finlay’s Garden. She enjoys exploring the outdoors with Finlay’s younger brothers, Phalen and Ren, and, when time allows, drinking a quiet cup of tea. Learn more here.
*The above offerings are distinct from the 15-hour, self-guided, pre-recorded Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss online course. Learn more about that course here.