Doula Students’ Testimonials

Taking the Birth Coach Method training was one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve made on my path to becoming a doula. I loved the hybrid format—the online modules allowed me to study at my own pace, which was perfect for my schedule, while the in-person workshops gave me the hands-on experience I needed to feel confident supporting real births.

What really stood out was the sense of community. I made real connections with classmates—some of whom are now my trusted back-up doulas! It’s rare to find a training that combines flexibility, skill-building, and relationship development so well.

Our instructor, Neri, was incredible—knowledgeable, supportive, and passionate about birth work. She brought in excellent guest speakers who added depth and diversity to our learning experience. I left each session feeling more empowered, informed, and inspired.

Chelsea Price-Gallinat, Spring 2025 cohort

I can’t recommend this training enough for anyone looking to enter the birth world with both strong clinical understanding and emotional intelligence. Birth Coach Method didn’t just teach me how to be a doula—it helped me become the kind of doula I always hoped I’d be.
I had such a meaningful experience in this doula training program. The curriculum was comprehensive and empowering, blending evidence-based education with deep emotional support and real-world preparation. Neri is incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely invested in our growth, not just as doulas, but as whole people. I left feeling confident, inspired, and truly ready to support families through birth.

Leona Pickard, 2025 Spring Cohort

I began my journey with only a desire to become a birth doula, no other experience or training. But through the weeks and months with Neri and my cohort I gained so much insight on what a doula is, her role in throughout pregnancy and the significance she has in this generation of birth. I learned so much through the reading materials and one big takeaway was that doctors and modern medicine are not the enemy to birth support work, they just have to be introduced when necessary. I take this into my practice now and I am so grateful for this experience! I am not even a year in and have supported 3 healthy births!! Thanks for your vision and insight Neri!

Tyliah A. Kekele, Fall 2024 cohort

I am grateful to have found the Birth Coach Method training to integrate into my work as a Birth Doula and Holistic Childbirth Consultant. For me, this was a very comprehensive program because there was a complete online course as well as in-depth personal training with hands-on labor support tools and comfort measures.

One of the biggest contributions this training made when working with my clients was in the area of prenatal coaching sessions. Integration of the Birth Coach Method principles prenatally has aided my clients to have clarity in their birth goals that are in alignment with their beliefs and because of this, they have taken the necessary steps and actions to achieve those goals in their birth. Many of my clients have been inspired to explore their options prenatally through evidence-based resources and this has empowered them to make more informed decisions when communicating with the medical staff especially during labor and delivery.”

Melissa Schurger, Certified 2019

By sheer luck, I happened upon Bay Area Doula Training on Google as I typed in keywords I felt passionate about when wanting a slight career change: birth, holistic, acupuncture, comprehensive, compassionate. And I’m confident when I say, I don’t feel my learning experience would have been half as good or all-encompassing with any other training company.

The depth of skill Neri has as a doula is evident in all of her classes. She’s passionate, knowledgeable, strong, and dedicated, to each students success in their new career. I felt supported and confident after each interaction.

In this training, there’s a sense of community, love, and openness to ask any questions you may have, in a very open-minded atmosphere. I was provided with hands-on training in every class. I learned so much more about pregnancy (as I haven’t been blessed with children yet) and women in general, through this class. The guest speakers for alternative thinking and healing was an extra bonus, but just part of her amazing program.

The list of positives continues. I feel I could go on forever! I’m forever grateful to have been a part of this program. And I’d recommend it to anyone wanting to be a part of “healthy births on earth”.

Cynthia Clement, Certified in 2018

This is a comprehensive and in-depth course, and the coaching principles Neri integrates into the program make it unique. It is women-centered, empowering the woman and family to make their own decisions throughout their birth experience, while the Doula supports and nurtures. Through a stimulating combination of class, online and practical training, graduates of Neri’s course attain a deep, balanced knowledge base which puts you in the strongest position to begin formal practice as a Doula.

Shannon Letten, Certified in 2018

Bay Area Doula Training went far beyond my expectations. Neri combines strong technical knowledge with her background as a professional life/business coach. Those two skills are crucial for those of us who want to support women to have their desired birth experience.
The class sessions include a balanced mix of teaching and review of lessons, group discussion with opportunities to ask questions, and time for hands-on practice.
Neri is passionate about what she does and she puts her heart and soul into this training. She supports us not just during the training but as we continue as Doulas in training and then beyond as Doulas in practice. She wants us to succeed and to join her in this beautiful work.
I strongly recommend Bay Area Doula Training.

Tafra Mayo, Certified in 2018

This is an incredibly extensive course. A wonderful tool for those without experience in the field or those who are in search of a continued education opportunity. Be advised that this course is a 3-month commitment. You will have access to 15 online courses, regular group sessions, guest speakers, 25+ hours of on-site support practice at El Camino Los Gatos Hospital with BAM midwives, as well as individual mentoring and career connections within the community. As already mentioned in other reviews, there is a tremendous scope of information taught in this course but Neri’s main focus is the hands-on technique. You will be expected to remain accountable for your individual studies and keeping up with the coursework at home, the group sessions and on-site support at El Camino is there to practice techniques and build relations with members of the local doula community. I can’t stress how much growth and knowledge you gain from this course. I went from zero experience to 6 births in a little over a year. It’s life-changing. At the end of it, you will have a budding business and a community of support. I think Bay Area Doula Training is the best course available and I’ll highly recommend it to anyone.

Lou Hohertz, Certified in 2018

This is hands down the best training. I was blessed with a great group of supportive women who shared the same passion that I have. Neri is extremely caring and knowledgeable. She provides you with every tool you need to be successful. She’s always available for questions and comments so that’s always a plus. The practical hours are amazing. I made new friends and really learned a ton from going to these births. If your looking for not only a certification but a network of women then this is the place to be.

Sarah Frisch, Certified in July 2018

The Bay Area Doula Training is my second doula training course and I am so pleased that I invested in it. From my point of view, there were various components that appealed to my learning style: 1. The format of the class. The learning program offers video lessons to watch at home, study guides, meeting every two weeks to discuss materials, review important topics, and practice hands-on techniques. It is a very comprehensive base to get you started as a doula. I feel so confident in my practice. 2. The partnership with BAM ( Bay Area Midwives) which allows for hands-on training in the field. 3. A mentor for life, Neri Choma. She is accessible and approachable. I really connected with her teaching style- guiding us the students to ask questions. 4. The Birth Coach Method- As a former student-athlete, I was really drawn to incorporating coaching principles into birth. For me, it just makes sense. I can relate. The Birth Coach Method offers very useful principles for interacting with clients and other caregivers that make up the birthing team. Good luck with your doula journey!

Stephanie Sheldon-Mollinier, Certified Jan 2018

Neri’s doula training is the most comprehensive and professional. At the same time, Neri makes sure to teach in a very tangible way that helped me feel ready to practice from the first birth I attended. Having practical hands-on hours when taking shifts at El Camino Los Gatos hospital and working with the midwives instilled confidence in me. I felt very supported as a student in this program. One very unique benefit of this program is the Coaching tools for childbirth developed by Neri Life-Choma. I feel so ready to launch my career as a birth doula. I highly recommend this training

Merav Greenberg, Certified Jan. 2018

Excellent training. I enjoyed the program, Neri is an entertaining and knowledgeable teacher. When we started working on live births I was able to jump right in with confidence. Thank you, Neri!

Julie Williams, Certified, July 2017

The Birth Coach Method was the perfect tool to answer my doula calling. Compared to other doula programs, I think that the Birth Coach Method is extremely thorough and offers a lot of value. I enjoyed the good balance between the theoretical part and the practical sections. Neri delivers the right amount of information and all the examples she brings up kept me very interested. Also, I felt like I was studying with a friend thanks to her warm voice, her encouragements, and the added tips and tricks that she shares from her extensive experience. Now that I have started my birth coach practice, I came to realize how precious the coaching tools are. As a birth coach/doula I often rely on them to get to know my clients better or to navigate through sensitive situations, whether it is during the prenatal sessions or during birth. Beyond what is offered in the program, Neri’s knowledge, kindness, and availability made it so worth it. As I progressed through the program, I realized that this experience was so much more than just taking a class, to me it was a real-life transformative journey.

Myriam Chaouki, Certified, Nov. 2014

When I decided I wanted to be a doula, I researched different training programs. I ultimately decided on the Birth Coach Method because of how extensive it was. I loved being able to take the time each evening to listen to the lessons, answer questions from my study guide, and really let the information soak in. I valued the coaching sessions I had with Neri where I could put my knowledge to the test and apply the information to real-life scenarios. I know that I would not have the confidence and success in my business with just a 2-4 day training. If you’re looking for an amazing, extensive, comprehensive program, then the Birth Coach Method is the choice for you.

Carrey Ward, Certified, Dec. 2014

I recently completed my doula training with Neri. What a phenomenal experience! Not only do I feel well prepared and confident to assist in births, I feel well supported in launching my doula practice. Neri has an impressive background of teaching birth education and personal experience as a doula…she has seen it all! Her approach is very personable yet professional. She is insightful, fun and enthusiastic about life and natural birth. As an experienced life coach, Neri was able to provide personal coaching during class which helped us each to overcome any concerns and develop our own style. Neri goes above and beyond for her students. As an instructor, she demonstrates her commitment to her students’ success with frequent communication, post-certification follow-up, and assistance with networking. Because Neri is so well known in the birthing community, her reputation adds credibility to her student’s certification. I’ve been told by many birthing practitioners that they enjoy working with graduates of Neri’s program because they are so well prepared and professional. Additionally, her passion for supporting women and natural, safe births inspires her to continuously seek new resources and information which she generously shares with her students. I really shopped around before choosing this program. I have met graduates of DONA who don’t feel well prepared to step into the role of the doula. I’m shocked by the amount of hands-on experience I received in my training with Neri compared to some other certification programs. We spent DAYS reviewing and practicing various positions and techniques to support laboring moms and their partners. Being a doula is a hands-on job, literally. Studying in a book would not have left me feeling half as confident as I did when I graduated from Neri’s program. In addition to birthing support techniques, her class covers a broad spectrum of topics such as medical interventions, stages of labor, the anatomy and physiology of birth, breastfeeding, pathologies of pregnancy, the business of being a doula, how to work with medical staff, and many, many tricks she has learned from the hundreds of births that she has assisted. I’m so grateful for having been introduced to her and for having the experience of being taught by her. If you are serious about becoming a doula, Neri’s program is the best investment you can make!

Dana Giggey, MHA, Lic.Ac.

Neri is the doulas’ doula: always available to support and encourage, with wisdom and compassion. This is true throughout the extensive training and long after getting the certification. The doula training course covers all aspects of what a doula training course should cover, including both theory and practice of labor and birth support, anatomy, possible medical interventions and postpartum. A large focus of the training is the hands-on tools needed to support families during labor and birth. Neri has an amazing passion for what she does and transmits this to her students along with her wealth of knowledge and experience. She manages to be thorough in teaching while taking the time to make it personal. I feel both wise and very fortunate for choosing the doula training course Neri teaches.

Renee Ben- David, Early childhood teacher, CD

Dear Neri, “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”

(William Arthur Ward )

Thank you for being you, and for your endless giving.

Dorit Shindler, CD

Dear Neri, Thank you so much for a wonderful, professional and comprehensive course. I feel that during this course I’ve not only learned a lot, but I also went through some kind of transformation: This course and your guidance allowed me to process and understand my birth experiences. I cheer for your professionalism, your knowledge, your persistence and most of all for your dedication for the cause in which I strongly believe: restoring the power of birth to the mothers. Thanks for being my teacher. Wishing you all the best,

Tali Levi, CD