Dusk (she/her) is in her third year as a birth doula, but she has worked as a space holder for a decade. Dusk lives in Boiwuring country in Altona Meadows. Her focus is on supporting survivors of sexual assault or trauma and as a survivor of childhood sexual assault herself, she is driven to support others navigating the unique challenges of pregnancy like she did.
Dusk experienced a lot of silencing in her childhood and early 20s, and she was always drawn to listen to other people. This resulted in her creating a business called The Listening Squad, then later The Listening Mama.
When we spoke, Dusk was in the midst of a Masters of Spirituality, where she trained as a spiritual companion. She calls it her Masters in Listening! Dusk also supports pregnant people experiencing grief, informed by the loss of her mother in her first year postpartum.
Dusk has recently created a space for survivors called Dear Dusk. Dear Dusk is a gentle place of companionship for survivors navigating motherhood / parenthood after trauma. It brings light to our unique experience of pregnancy, birth, postpartum and matrescence through an agony aunt style column. You are invited to read the column, reach out and recognise your story in each others.
You can learn more here: https://www.deardusk.com/
To learn more about Dusk and her work, you can follow the links below:
IG @thelisteningmama
Resources she mentioned for doulas:
When survivors give birth by Penny Simkin
Katie Kurtz trauma work
Find out how Mary can support you to turn your passion for birth into a profitable, sustainable business, without compromising on your values or becoming a statistic of burnout: https://www.marygiordano.com.au/for-doulas-landing
Connect with Mary on Instagram @marygiordano.com.au
Music credit: Slow Gusto by Good News Tunes