Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen Willoughby.
Hi Jen, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I created the Blue Water Doula Collective because I realized early on that this work—educating families, filling gaps in the medical system, and supporting people through death—was far too big for one person to do alone. While building my practice as a private-duty occupational therapist and doula, I also had to learn web design, marketing, grant writing, partnership building, and everything else that comes with starting a mission-driven business.
I knew there had to be a better, more collaborative way.
In June 2024, the Collective launched with our first members, Jacqueline Neis (hospice nurse and death doula) and Judy Haynes (dementia specialist and death doula). Together, we expanded into both birth and end-of-life support, creating a community-centered model where doulas work together rather than independently.
The BWDC was founded because the medical system leaves many gaps—palliative and hospice services are often accessed far too late, and birthing families are frequently told what they can or can’t have instead of being empowered with choices. Doulas bridge those gaps. We help families create meaningful birth plans and end-of-life plans, offer emotional and physical support, and ensure no one walks through life’s biggest transitions alone.
Today, the Blue Water Doula Collective continues to grow as a collaborative, heart-centered community committed to compassionate care at every stage of life. Featured in the photos are members of our team: Jen Willoughby — Occupational Therapist, Founder, and End-of-Life Doula; Jacqueline Neis — Hospice Nurse and Birth & End-of-Life Doula; Judy Haynes — Lifespan Doula; Karen Gorski — Retired Hospice Nurse and End-of-Life Doula; and Robin Krug — Birth Doula.
Interested in becoming a death doula? We’re offering our Sacred Death Doula Training on April 17–19, 2026, just ten minutes north of Port Huron, with options for both commuters and overnight guests. This immersive weekend centers on deep self-care, compassionate presence, and the core skills needed to support others in this sacred role. Optional ongoing mentoring and continued education will follow to guide and nourish you on your journey.
To register, visit https://www.bluewaterdoula.com and sign up under Events.
Space is limited — reserve your spot soon.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Yes and no. In many ways, this path has felt deeply aligned. Leading with heart-centered care, prioritizing quality, and staying true to our mission has always come naturally. But translating this work into sustainable, community-wide support has come with its own set of challenges.
One of the most significant hurdles has been educating organizations about the true scope of doula care. We’re often mistaken for hospice volunteers, yet our role extends far beyond that. Doulas are trained, dependable professionals who offer nonmedical support during some of life’s most tender and vulnerable moments. Helping others understand the depth and breadth of our work—emotional support, care coordination, legacy projects, birth and end-of-life preparation, and guiding families through difficult conversations—has required patience, advocacy, and ongoing education.
Financial access has also been a barrier for many families seeking doula support—whether during birth, major life transitions, or at the end of life. To make this care more accessible, we’ve been actively expanding our pathways for financial support. Birth doula services are now more frequently covered by medical insurance plans, including Medicaid, which lifts a tremendous burden for expectant parents and provides equitable access to continuous, compassionate support.
For families navigating serious illness, loss, or the end of life, we have partnered with the Evergreen End of Life Foundation of Michigan, a nonprofit committed to ensuring no one goes unsupported during life’s most sacred thresholds. Their financial assistance program helps cover doula services for individuals who otherwise could not access them. Additionally, we are collaborating with homecare providers and hospice agencies through grant writing and program development to weave doulas directly into patient care models, expanding the reach of this essential and heart-centered work.
Despite the challenges, the impact of this work is undeniable. Families feel the difference when they have someone walking beside them—whether welcoming new life or saying goodbye. And within our collective, we lift one another up, ensuring that every client receives reliable, compassionate support exactly when they need it most.
We’ve been impressed with Blue Water Doula Collective, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
About the Blue Water Doula Collective
The Blue Water Doula Collective (BWDC) is a unique, heart-centered organization that serves families and supports the doulas who serve them. We provide compassionate birth and end-of-life support to the community while also operating as a membership-based collective designed to uplift, train, and sustain doulas at every stage of their journey.
What We Do for Families
We specialize in both birth doula and end-of-life doula services, offering:
Birth planning, labor support, postpartum guidance, and partner education
End-of-life planning, vigil support, legacy projects, and emotional/energetic care
Comfort techniques, Reiki, grounding practices, and relaxation strategies
Support navigating medical systems and initiating difficult conversations
Workshops, community education, and care coordination
Families receive reliable, compassionate, team-based care—backed by a network of doulas who collaborate rather than compete.
Each doula in the Blue Water Doula Collective brings their own unique strengths, specialties, and lived experiences to the families they serve. As an Occupational Therapist, Doula, and Founder of the BWDC, the services shown in this chart represent my specialized offerings—rooted in clinical expertise, functional support, and holistic end-of-life care.
These include preplanning, home safety and preparation, bedside support during the end-of-life process, after-death guidance, grief support, and wellness-based services such as mind–body–spirit coaching and Reiki.
To learn more about the individual specialties and offerings of each doula in our collective, simply visit our website. There you’ll find a diverse range of services and approaches, allowing families to choose the support that best fits their needs.
What We Do for Doulas
This is where the Blue Water Doula Collective truly stands apart.
We are not just a service provider—we are a sustainable membership community for birth and end-of-life doulas who want support, mentorship, and a strong professional foundation. Through our Tier 1 and Tier 2 memberships, we help doulas grow, stabilize, and thrive.
Membership Benefits Include:
Startup Support for New Doulas: Training, guidance on business setup, documentation, pricing, marketing, partnerships, and local networking.
Support for Established Doulas:
A community to collaborate with, professional backup systems, shared strategies and resources, and opportunities to expand your offerings.
Mentorship & Continuing Education:
Initial Death Doula Training & Certificate, ongoing training, specialty workshops, case review, and real-time support—both virtually and in person.
Event & Office Space:
Use of shared office space and studio/event space at The Collective for client meetings, classes, or workshops.
Online + Virtual Community:
Access to templates, resources, group chat support, marketing tools, and team collaboration.
Professional Visibility:
Website listings, referrals, and exposure through our marketing, events, and partnerships.
Collaborative Care Model:
Backup doulas, shared on-call systems, peer support, and a team you can rely on.
Why Doulas Join BWDC
Doulas join us because we offer what many in this field lack:
a sustainable, connected, supportive model where no one has to build their practice alone.
We are proud to create a culture of collaboration, transparency, and collective growth—removing the isolation that often happens in private practice. Our members gain confidence, structure, and a community that helps them stay aligned with their calling without burning out.
What Sets Us Apart
We serve families and doulas with equal intention.
Our strength is in bridging:
Clinical understanding and holistic care
Community needs and doula expertise
Individual practice and collective support
Our partnerships—with hospice, homecare agencies, Evergreen End of Life Foundation of Michigan, and community organizations—expand access to doula care for those who need it most.
What We Want Readers (and Doulas) to Know
The Blue Water Doula Collective is a mission-driven community built on values:
compassion, empowerment, collaboration, and accessibility.
Whether you’re:
A family seeking meaningful support,
A new doula looking to start your path, or
An experienced doula wanting community and consistency—
BWDC is a place where you are supported, seen, and welcomed.
We are more than a brand.
We are a movement.
And together, we are changing the way our community experiences birth, death, and the sacred spaces in between.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
One of our greatest strengths is staying connected with doulas across the country—sharing best practices, learning from one another, and navigating the challenges of this work together. Our members hold national credentials through NEDA as well as certificates in Birth and Death Doula trainings, ensuring a strong foundation of competency and excellence.
We also draw on trusted educational resources, such as Barbara Karnes’ widely respected books on the dying process, which provide compassionate, accessible guidance for both families and practitioners. Additionally, our partnerships with hospice organizations, homecare agencies, and nonprofit groups help keep our practice informed, supported, and continually evolving.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bluewaterdoula.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluewaterdoulacollective/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bwdoulas/
