Become a Certified Birth Story Specialist

“Birth stories are not static memories. They are turning points, evolving.”

~ Pam England

Join Our Growing Birth Story Medicine Community Around the World and Help Transform Birth Stories

You already know birth.

With Birth Story Medicine ®, you will know how to help change the way moms, dads and other birth professionals feel about their birth story or themselves, especially when they are carrying pain, grief, anger, despair or are anxious to face birth again. As a Birth Story Specialist with Birth Story Medicine ®, you will be among a growing community of birth and perinatal health professionals who not only understand birth and the impact of the experience, you will understand how to transform a person’s narrative about birth. You can’t change everything about birth in our culture. You can’t change what happened to a person. But, you can help them find a new way to think about, feel, and know their story and themselves. You can help them discover something new. You can help them find meaning after a difficult or traumatic birth experience.

While it is possible to become a more empathetic birth story listener on your own with time and intention, do you know how to help parents really transform almost any birth story in just one hour? When you know what to listen for and how to follow the thread of a narrative, you can quickly reach the heart of a birth story, and the pain and struggle at the core of suffering. In this course, you’ll learn the unique elements and structure of birth stories, along with essential story-tracking skills and the philosophical foundation and techniques of Birth Story Medicine ® to transform birth stories.

The first story you learn to listen to - may be yours.

The first birth story you heal - may be your own.

Our small, selective cohort meets weekly on zoom for two hours to learn the transformational model and trademark process of Birth Story Medicine ® . This innovative approach and apprenticeship program was developed by Pam England, Birth Story Specialist and counselor, Founder of Birth Story Medicine, author of Birthing From Within and Ancient Map for Modern Birth. Pam will serve as a consultant to facilitators Farrah Sheehan and Raissa Trend during your Birth Story Specialist training.‍ ‍Next Training begins October 21, 2026.

“Open Your Ear” - Tune in to Birth Stories and Your Own Medicine

We call birth story school “Open Your Ear” because you will learn to listen differently and deeply. You will listen with the “ears” in your head, your heart and your belly. During the first 14 weeks, we are building a solid foundation for your work as a Birth Story Specialist. You will learn the philosophy of Birth Story Medicine, ® principles of narrative story work, and our innovative trademark process. This course alone would make you a better birth story listener! Throughout our weekly two hour classes on zoom, we balance didactic learning with supervised practice; you have the opportunity to learn, practice and demonstrate your learning with rich and effective feedback.

The Second 14 weeks of Open Your Ear focuses on advanced techniques and utilization of our trademark process that will prepare you for your work as a Birth Story Specialist or weave Birth Story Medicine ® into any birth profession including work as a doula, nurse, midwife or mental health professional. You will receive thoughtful feedback in writing and personal mentoring sessions on twelve birth story sessions you lead. Our weekly two hour classes continue, as well as a one hour weekly case study. Personal mentoring sessions accelerate your confidence and expertise as a Birth Story Specialist and are designed to help you cultivate your particular genius and talents in this field and give you the support you need to achieve certification.

More details about the course, certification process, prerequisites and fees can be found on the application. You can also contact me for questions.

Apply now - next training begins October 21st

Birth Story Medicine FAQs

  • Birth Story Medicine ® sessions are for moms, dads, partners, or birth professionals who have experienced or witnessed a difficult or traumatic birth. The birth does not have to be physically traumatic. If a person is carrying pain or suffering, wishes the birth had been different, or doesn’t understand what happened to them or why, a Birth Story Medicine ® session can help.

  • Birth Story Specialists work in many settings. They are doulas, nurses, midwives, psychologists, and counselors. They are in private practice or work in healthcare settings.

  • Sessions take place on zoom or in comfortable settings where birth professionals or counselors see clients in person.

  • Sessions are usually 60-75 minutes and can be virtual or in person. Some storytellers (the person sharing the birth story) feel better and experience change after just one session. Some need a few sessions.

  • Birth Story Medicine ® sessions do not replace and are not mental health counseling. Often, a person working with a mental health professional finds that a Birth Story Medicine ® session greatly enhances their therapeutic work by brining new awareness about their story and themselves.

  • Becoming a Birth Story Specialist takes months of study, commitment and learning new ways. As with any specialization, you will always be learning. The first step is to read and complete the application form in the link below.

Join Us and Help Transform Birth Stories

What are Birth Story Medicine clients saying after sessions?

“Everyone deserves a Birth Story Medicine session” - Taylor

“I never thought I could feel good about my birth. But now I really see how it has helped me become the mother that I am.” ~ Pooja

“I have started sharing my birth story in a new way. Instead of feeling embarrassed, I feel proud of how hard I worked for my baby and me.” ~ Meg

“I know that I am a good enough mother, and that I did the best I could. I still wish it had gone differently, but giving myself the permission to grieve has lifted a weight from shoulders, and I am more present with my baby, and excited about the future.” ~ Elizabeth

“I thought I would know what to do. I thought I would be able to help, and in that moment, I couldn’t. I thought I failed my wife and my baby. But now I know its not just what I can and can’t do that makes me a good a dad, its how I show up to be there, to keep going and to be a support when life isn’t going as planned.” - Tom