Frequently Asked Questions
Want more information about working with Ayla Alliance for End-of-Life Doula, Life Transition, and Grief-Informed Organizational services? Here are answers to some common questions about us and the services we offer.
Additional information can also be found on our Services and Resources pages. If you have questions but are not quite ready to Schedule a Free Consultation yet, please send us a message through the Contact Us page.
What does an Life Transition Professional do?
A Life Transition Professional takes a comprehensive approach to assessing, prioritizing, and assisting with the completion of tasks related to life changes or settling the estate after a loss. Unless in a related profession, knowledge of the processes required to wrap up a loved one’s affairs may be limited. As a Life Transition Professional service, Ayla Alliance will provide insight into the multiple facets, design a consolidated plan, and guide you through the steps as we navigate forward together. Associations like Professionals of After Loss Services can also provide additional clarification.
What does an End-of-Life Doula Do?
An End-of-Life Doula provides non-medical, non-judgmental support and guidance to individuals and families through times of critical, transformative life change. They nurture, inform, support, guide, empower, comfort, and provide practical and logistical assistance, as well as working with families, caregivers, and members of the medical team, before, during, and after death.
At Ayla Alliance our support focuses on, and adapts to, the specific needs of the family being served. By gathering information, presenting relevant options, and encouraging families to make their own informed choices about what is right for them, we seek to foster an environment of reassuring self-determination. Our services are designed to supplement and compliment the work of the family, caregivers, and medical team.
Not all End-of-Life Doulas offer the service offering or expertise. For client and family needs that fall outside of our scope of practice, referrals to appropriate professionals and community resources will be made. Our overall goal, is help those dying and their loved ones achieve an end-of-life experience that is as meaningful, peaceful, and as well-prepared as possible. Lifespan Doulas provides additional resources for defining the End-of-Life Doulas’ Model of Care and Scope-of-Practice.
What doesn’t an End-of-Life Doula Do?
End-of-Life Doulas are non-medical care providers and do not perform clinical tasks (e.g., monitoring vital signs, administering medication). They will not impose their personal values or beliefs, instead providing a welcoming environment to understand and uphold the client and family’s values and beliefs.
End-of-Life Doulas refrain from giving medical advice, or persuading clients to follow a specific course of action. They do not undermine their client’s confidence in their caregivers, or usurp the role of other professionals and caregivers. If conflict or dissatisfaction with caregivers or other professionals exist, the End-of-Life Doula supports their client (and family) in initiating communication to address and resolve the issues.
How do I find the right doula for my needs?
There are some amazing end-of-life doulas working in Virginia! While each doula will offer their own specialized areas of focus, they were all called to this line of work through their desire to bring care and compassion to honoring others’ greatest time of need. Grief is an intimate and deeply personal process, so inherent trust in who you invite to walk beside you on your journey is essential.
I recommend speaking with your potential doula about your priorities and reviewing what services they can provide within their scope; from there it comes down to your comfort level with the individual. Is their energy and personality a good fit for you? Do you feel confident in their ability to help you achieve what needs to be done? Do you get the sense that you can rely on this person to supplement, support, and champion your journey?
If you still aren’t sure how to find the right End-of-Life Doula for your needs, the following directories may provide more insight into each individual’s scope of practice and specialized area of focus.
End-of-Life Doula Directory – Consumer’s Guide – Lifespan Doulas
Doula Directory – National End-of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA)
Why do you do this work?
When my mom’s illness progressed faster than expected, we found out firsthand how trying it can be to create the necessary framework of administrative and logistical tasks associated with the end of life. Trying to complete those responsibilities while managing her care, helping her achieve a peaceful end-of-life experience, and struggling through our grief often felt impossible.
My aunt’s husband passed shortly after that experience and while the circumstances were vastly different, they brought a whole new set of unexpected challenges. In their forty-year marriage, she had not been involved in their financial matters and had no idea where to start. With virtually no record keeping and insufficient documentation to guide us, getting her back on solid footing took months. During that time the combined pressure of her financial uncertainty and our individual grief took its toll.
I felt like there had to be a better way to help families cope with loss. What I found in researching were related professions with clear gaps in scope that created a disproportionate amount of effort to tie together. As more friends and acquaintances approached me to provide insight into their own approaching losses, I realized that I could create a conduit to streamline the process and ease the burden of others.
If you would like to know more about my professional and personal experiences, please visit About Us.
What are your qualifications?
As a member of the United States Army Reserve, I served in administrative and nutrition care capacities until I was I was honorably discharged at the rank of sergeant (E5) in 2007. During my time in service, I also advanced my professional career as a solutions consultant in long-term care industry while completing my Bachelors of Science in Business Administration. With numerous learning and career opportunities since, my experiences have fine-tuned my skills in organization, communication, leadership, and professionalism.
Beyond my previous professional career experience, the following educational training and certifications were obtained to allow me to best serve my clients through Ayla Alliance:
End-of-Life Doula Certification – Lifespan Doulas & IAP Career College
Five Wishes Advance Care Planning Facilitator Foundations – Five Wishes & Hospice Foundation of America
Professional Organizer Certification – IAP Career College
Professional Practices Coursework Certification – National Alliance of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO)
Grief-Awareness & Professional Organizing Certification – National Alliance of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO)
Grief-Informed Organizing Advanced Certification – National Alliance of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO)
After Loss Professional Training – Professionals of After Loss Services (PALS)
Notary Public – Commonwealth of Virginia
For more information about my educational and career experiences, please visit the About Us page.
What services do you offer?
Ayla Alliance offers a comprehensive range of support and professional services designed for personalized guidance and assistance throughout your journey, whether you are anticipating loss, currently going through it, or making your way through the aftermath of the loss. Services include Preplanning, Doula & Caregiver Support, Administrative & Logistical, and Grief-Informed Organizational options. We are here to compassionately ease the emotional toll, as well as the practical responsibilities that fall to the family or executor.
During our consultation we will discuss your current priorities and determine the plan, services, and approach that suit you best. For more information on the types of services offered, please see our Services. If you find that you are looking for services beyond the scope of what I offer, I will be happy to offer referrals to the appropriate resources.
Are there services you don’t offer?
Yes. While we would love for Ayla Alliance to be all-encompassing in our support offering, there are limitations. Passion and compassion are not substitutes for training and expertise, so we maintain our service integrity by operating within our qualified scope. While we educate and guide, when it comes to legal advise or mental health counseling we yield to the appropriate professionals through collaboration or referrals.
There are some areas that fall within the possible scope of End-of-Life Doulas and Life Transition Professionals, that we do not currently offer. Some examples of these are the selection/vetting of assisted living and long-term care facilities, the creation of wills and trusts, serving as an estate executor, homeopathic and therapeutic comforts, home funerals, and green burials.
For more information on the types of services offered, please see our Services. If you are looking for services beyond the scope of services listed, let us know. We are open to discussing them and accommodating you when possible, or offer referrals to the appropriate professional resources when available.
When is the best time to engage your services?
Ideally, the best time to engage our services is before they are needed. However, you know what they say about the best laid plans of mice and men. We provide a range of services to fit into multiple points on the spectrum of life transitions and loss. Whether you find yourself with the benefit of time or your need is urgent, our approach and services will be tailored to meet you where you are. Either way, we would love to talk with you about your situation.
What if I need additional services beyond your scope?
Ayla Alliance strives to provide the best support possible and sometimes that means recognizing that there are other professionals better equipped to handle certain aspects. In those instances, we will either collaborate with our network partners or provide a referral to additional resources to ensure your needs are met.
What if my service needs change?
Even with the best preplanning, unexpected challenges will arise. So it is possible that your service needs may evolve. During our consultation, we will discuss your immediate needs and start there. Regular check-ins and continual communication are built into our collaboration, so there will be opportunities to adjust as we go along. The services we offer are designed around you, so you tell us what we can do to help.
What clients do you serve?
I am here to provide services to anyone who has the need for support in anticipation, during, or in the aftermath of a life transition or loss. Whether you are concerned about being the adult children of aging parents, a solo-ager, approaching the end of your own life, facing the impending loss of a loved one, or struggling with the recent passing of a loved one, I will provide support to your individual situation.
Do you work with clients in the LGBTQIA+ Community?
Absolutely. The support we offer for those facing challenges associated with loss is inclusive to everyone that needs it.
Do your services only apply to end-of-life support?
No. Transition and loss do not necessarily mean the end of a life is near. Perhaps there is a transition from independence to the need for assistance with daily living or there is a loss of physical or cognitive ability. Our professional support services are designed to support you throughout your experience, whether you are anticipating loss, currently going through it, or making your way through the aftermath of the loss. We are here to assist with the responsibilities that outside of the scope of estate attorneys and financial planners, which fall to the family or executor.
During our consultation we will discuss your current priorities and determine the plan, services, and approach that suit you best. For more information on the types of services offered, please see our Services. If you find that you are looking for services beyond the scope of what I offer, I will be happy to offer referrals to the appropriate resources.
How does the process work?
After answering a few simple questions, we will schedule your initial consultation. The initial consultation will be conducted via phone call or video chat and may take about an hour. We’ll spend time getting to know each other; you helping me better understand your situation and me helping you better understand our services and approach. If our support offering is a good fit for your needs, we can get started.
Next, a $195 deposit will be collected that will be applied toward your service agreement, we will schedule a follow up meeting, and I will begin creating the framework of your customized plan. During our in-person follow up meeting, we will review the plan together. This will allow us to adjust and clearly define the services, scope, priorities, duration, and cost. After the important immediate questions have been answered, we are ready to get to work for you.
It is important to remember that some aspects of our service offering allow us to complete necessary tasks on your behalf and while others will require that we work together. Either way, our support is designed around your needs so we will work to take as much off your plate as possible.
What should I expect from the initial consultation?
We will connect for about an hour, either via phone call or video chat, depending on your preference. If you are not sure what questions you have or what services you need just yet, that is alright. This is a chance for us to get to know each other. Learning more about you and the situation you are facing will help guide our approach and recommended services. If you feel that working with Ayla Alliance can provide the guidance and support you are looking for, we will take the next steps to begin our collaboration.
How much do your services cost?
Ayla Alliance’s current rate for standard services is $65 per hour. As outlined on our Services page, there are also standalone services and package rates that may differ. Some aspects of our service offering allow us to complete necessary tasks on your behalf and others will require that we work together. With any service we offer, we are dedicated ensuring you understand the scope and cost before proceeding.
Does insurance cover your services?
No. Our provided services are non-medical and designed to compliment, not replace, end-of-life care, so, unfortunately, at this time health insurance providers, including Medicare and Medicaid do not cover End-of-Life Doulas or After Loss Professionals.
What methods of payment do you accept?
Payment for the initial deposit can be maid through credit card or money transfer app. For all other payments, Ayla Alliance accepts payments by check, money transfer app, or credit card.
What local areas do you service?
Ayla Alliance offers local services in greater Richmond area, including Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, and Powhatan Counties. For the services that can be offered virtually, I am also happy to discuss how I can be of assistance.
Do you offer virtual support?
Yes. While some of our services require in-person availability, others can be provided through phone calls and video chat platforms, such as Google Meet. If your individual needs evolve to necessitate in-person support, we will help you find the appropriate resources local to you.
Do you offer weekend or on-call service hours?
Our services are intended to help ease your burden, so part of our collaboration will be determining what works best for the client’s schedule. Standard business hours are from 9am – 7pm, Monday – Friday. However, extended availability can be arranged if the need arises, particularly when a loved one’s final days are drawing near.
I am already working with an estate and/or financial planner, isn’t that enough?
If you have existing relationships with an estate attorney or financial advisor, that is great! They will prove to be an invaluable resource in understanding what documents and accounts are already in place. They may also provide a starting point and some initial guidance on the next steps. However, there are many tasks that fall outside their scope that will still need to be handled.
The responsibility falls to the family or person representing the estate and Ayla Alliance is here to provide support for tackling these tasks. By working in conjunction with you and these professionals, we will build a comprehensive plan that ensures nothing falls through the cracks. Some examples of these tasks may include calling to close or transfer accounts, gathering relevant documents, reviewing online accounts/social media, submitting death certificates, updating agencies like Social Security, and handling material possessions.
My loved one asks for my suggestions, then resists them. Is that something you can you help with?
What you are experiencing is not uncommon. If your loved one asks for your help, but then seems defiant to your suggestions, it is not about you. More likely it stems from their struggle with loss of independence, guilt and fear of being a burden, or their desire to maintain control. Even the strongest relationships can become strained by perceived changes in established interpersonal roles.
Unfortunately, it is common for sound, well-informed advice to be discounted when it comes from someone with a close personal relationship. The shift to a dual relationship (i.e., adult child becoming caregiver; close friend helping manage affairs) complicates existing relationship dynamics and can create unexpected conflict, frustrating everyone involved. These challenges may manifest through difficulties with boundaries, unrealistic expectations, and ineffective communications, which can all lead to an erosion of trust.
Ayla Alliance may be able to lessen this strain by providing professional neutrality. Presenting educational resources and available options through an outside perspective, may help facilitate more productive conversations. Reframing suggestions through the lens of an unbiased third-party may allow your loved to feel more empowered in their autonomy and can feel more comfortable giving their informed consent.
If it interests you to learn more about the struggle of interpersonal dynamics, specifically in relation to providing care for a parent, please check out this study called “My Parent is so Stubborn!” – Perceptions of Aging Parents’ Persistence, Insistence, and Resistance published by The National Library of Medicine.
Will my information be kept confidential?
Yes. While End-of-Life Doulas are not required to maintain HIPAA compliance, Ayla Alliance adheres to the Codes of Ethics established by the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA) and the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO), ensuring the privacy of all clients and their families is respected and protected. For more detailed information outlining our policy, please see our Privacy Policy.
Are you affiliated with any religious groups?
No. I consider myself to have a deep spiritual nature, however I do not adhere to any formal religious structures. I believe that spirituality and religion are deeply personal, and I greatly respect and honor what individuals chose for themselves.
