About

S.W. Doula, LLC

Founder

Shanna M. Williams LCSW, MED

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Thank you for visiting S.W. Doula! My name is Shanna and I am a Doula, a Mama, an Educator, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and an Advocate.  Over my 20 years serving the Greater Philadelphia Region, I have encountered many parents who love their children dearly. Many of these same parents also struggled with challenges experienced throughout their lives, including upsetting birth or postpartum experiences, which created a barrier preventing them from reaching their highest potential as parents during their child's crucial early childhood years. When I became a parent, I found that I also had to overcome challenges, including Pregnancy Loss and Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorder. But I found a support system, evidenced based knowledge and community resources which has helped me heal and my family thrive. I found my life’s purpose in dedicating myself to providing that same type of support and knowledge with others families.

I believe an integration of Clinical counseling and Full Circle Doula/Birth Companion services will have a lasting impact on your family's ability to thrive, and in turn, ultimately build more healthy families and communities.   Educated by the "Queen Mother of the Midwifery Movement", Ms. Shafia M. Monroe, I was trained as a Full Circle Doula/Birth Companion in the tradition of the holistic practices of the 20th Century Grand Midwives of the South. I carry on their birthwork legacy by integrating holistic knowledge with clinical counseling, evidenced based research and resource navigation skills to empower Mamas, babies and their families to achieve the birth, bonding and postpartum experience they desire.
 
Parents…I see you… I am you. Let’s walk this journey together. 
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Education

Training

Specialties

• SMC Full Circle Doula-Birth Companion Certification  
  
• Master of Social Work (MSW)
  

Research focus-Clinical work with Sexual Abuse Survivors, Culturally Competent Social Work Practice, Spirituality, Grief & Loss, Trauma Therapy

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

State of Pennsylvania #CW017864

• Master of Human Sexuality Studies (MEd)
• PhD in Social Work (In Progress)

Research focus- The impact of trauma on Black women's Breastfeeding experiences, Infant Mental Health, Perinatal Mental Health, Reproductive & Birth Justice
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Trauma Focused Therapies

• Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Mindfulness Approaches

Family Therapy

• Family Systems Therapy
• Ecosystemic Family Therapy

Birth, Prenatal and Attachment Psychology

• Trained by the Prenatal, Birth & Attachment Clinic, Pacifica Family Maternity Center, Berkley, CA
  

Serving populations vulnerable to pregnancy and postpartum health disparities, including:

•  Black Women
• LGBTQIIA parents

Serving populations with increased risk of social or emotional challenges in pregnancy, postpartum and parenting including:

• Survivors of Pregnancy and Infant Loss,
• Expectant parents who have a mental health diagnosis
• Expectant parents who have experienced birth trauma or other types of negative birth experiences,
  
• Expectant parents with a history of trauma including physical or sexual abuse or assault survivors

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