My Journey

Dharma and Macey, 2012

As a mother of three children, I love to spend time playing and learning with my family. My personal journey as a mother started with my daughter Dharma’s water birth in a hospital in Atlanta (2005), followed by the births of my son, Macey, (2012) and my daughter, Harper, (2014) at Charleston Birth Place. My calling to serve started in 2002 when I started massage school, growing and transitioning deeper into fertility and birth work since 2007. I have worked within the parameters of the childbearing year as a Certified Nurturing the Mother massage therapist since 2007 focusing my massage career in fertility, prenatal, birth prep, labor, and postpartum massage. Continuing my transformation, I added yoga, pilates, and doula education to my resume between 2007 and 2013. My largest investment and training to date is incorporating the Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy® into every aspect of my services, as I transform from practitioner to assistant teacher trainer in 2018.

Finding the right provider for your family is hard, being told you need to search out another provider to cover the gaps in eduction is frustrating. When you decide to work with me towards your wellness goals you are not only hiring me for your time, you are hiring over 22 years of experience and $30,000 in education to ensure you receive the most comprehensive services possible, and collaboration with top professionals in their fields.

Dharma and Harper, 2014

Doula Trainings and Certifications

Spinning Babies

Spinning Babies One Day (7 CEU*) 2017/2018/2020
Touch of Integral Birth/Aware Practitioner Training/2018 (34 CEU*)

Carolina Birth Junkies Conference/2017

Dr. David Hayes “Group B Strep” (1.5 CEU*)
VBAC Panel Discussion with Dr. Hayes, Marcia Ensminger, MSN, CNM, Jennifer Lucas O’Briant, CPM, LM and parents Stephanie and Joshua Flowers
Jennifer Moss Corbin “Breastfeeding Facts and Fiction” (1 CEU*)
Case Studies facilitated by Christine Strothers, CPM (1.5 CEU*)
Shelby Lewis and DeNae Means of Safe Passage “Domestic Violence and the Childbearing Family” lecture and walk through simulation- what a victim of domestic violence might experience with Safe Passage (2 CEU*)
Lori Barklage “Trauma Healing for Clients and Birth Workers” (1.5 CEU*)
Amy and John Medwin “Making Love Last” (couples welcome) (1.5 CEU*)

Spinning Babies/2017

Female Pelvic Floor Training for Birth and Wellness Practioners/2017

Microbirth: microbiome and epigenetics in pregnancy, birth, and infancy/ 2017

Breastfeeding Structure and Function: What, Why and the Long Term, IBCLC CERP/2016

Breastfeeding Structure and Function: The Balancing Act, Evaluating Infants for an Interruption of Balance IBCLC CERP/2016

Counseling LGTBQ Couples with Jaye Simpson /2016

Waterbirth Workshop with Waterbirth International/2014

Rebozo, the Gina Kirby Method/2014

Mother Friendly Childbirth Workshop with Ina May Gaskin and Henci Goer/2014

HypnoBirthing Prep Class/2013

Heartfelt Childbirth Prep Class/2013

Birthing From Within/2005 & 2012

Homeopathy for the Childbearing Continuum/2013

Nurturing The Mother/2007

The Matrona/2013

Massage Trainings and Certifications

Core Awareness

Stalking Wild Psoas/2022

Psoas During Pregnancy/2020

Applications Course/2020

Basic Psoas Workshop/ 2019

Spirit of Learning/ 2019

Spinning Babies Aware Practitioner Training/2018

Spinning Babies (7 CEU*)
Touch of Integral Birth (34 CEU*)

THE ARVIGO TECHNIQUES OF MAYA ABDOMINAL THERAPY®; Advanced Clinical Certification/2017

Female Pelvic Floor Training for Birth and Wellness Practitioners/2017

THE ARVIGO TECHNIQUES OF MAYA ABDOMINAL THERAPY®; Advanced Pregnancy/2016

THE ARVIGO TECHNIQUES OF MAYA ABDOMINAL THERAPY® Level Two/2016

THE ARVIGO TECHNIQUES OF MAYA ABDOMINAL THERAPY® Level One/2016

Baby’s First Massage/2014

Nurturing The Mother Fertility Specialist/2012

The Institute for Temporomanibular Studies/2011

Nurturing The Mother (Prenatal, Labor & Postnatal with a basic training in Fertility)/2007

The Upledger Institute, INC/2003

National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage/2002

Atlanta School of Massage 4.0/2002

Exercise Trainings and Certifications

MELT Method

Hand and Foot/ 2021

Level 1/2021

Core Awareness

Psoas During Pregnancy (online)/2020

Applications Course/2020

Basic Psoas Workshop/ 2019

Yoga Certifications

Yoga of India 200RYT/ 2009

Expert Rating/ 2007

Pilates Training

Equivalent of two certifications via apprenticeship 550 hours/ 2010

Professional Accountability

Supporting West Ashley - Member since 2019

Maya Arvigo International Association (MAIA) - SouthEastern Coordinator 2016, Member Since 2016

Professional Doulas of Charleston - Vice President 2014-2016; Social Media Marketing 2014-2018 Member 2013 - 2019

Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals - Member since 2004

American Massage Therapy Association - Member 2002-2004

Community Outreach

Arvigo® Institute South Eastern Coordinator and International Peer Review Facilitator 2017 - 2019

Our Whole Lives (OWL) - Certified Comprehensive Sex-Ed Facilitator for 7th-12th grade at the Unitarian Church in Charleston, 2014 to current

Florence Crittenton Programs - Volunteer, 2016 to 2018

Postpartum Support Charleston - Volunteer, 2017 to present

Showing Up For Racial Justice (SURJ) - Administrator and Facilitator, 2015 to 2017

Red Tent Temple of Charleston - Creator and Lead Facilitator, 2013 - 2016

Certified

Licensed

Insured

Testimonials

The decision to hire a doula was based on my desire to have a natural birth in a hospital setting. I decided on Danica after interviewing a number of doulas. I felt like Danica was the perfect choice for me because she exhibited all of the qualities I felt like a doula should have but most importantly above all I could tell she would not be judgmental of what I wanted or sway me into her beliefs. I appreciated this way about her and feel like this is a true Doula. I felt like she was worth every penny before I even went into birth. She educated me about so much and changed my lifestyle for the long run. Every question and concern I had she was able to get me an educated answer to. She is extremely educated about the birthing process, massage, holistic nutrition and holistic healing. I loved that she could talk intelligently about every subject. During the birthing process she allowed me to make decisions but she also was there to help me make a decision when I looked to her for guidance. Knowing she was there encouraged me to succeed in having a natural birth. She is passionate about being a doula and that shines through.

Ashley Wylie

Danica gave me a prenatal massage with some induction pressure points, and I went into labor within 48 hours. The massage was relaxing and Danica was sweet and professional. Highly recommend!

Jennifer Hirchert

I’ve worked with Danica as both a massage therapist and a doula. When I was in a car accident at 11 weeks pregnant, I saw her for massage and healed up extremely well. She is very honest and knowledgable as a doula, and her services were invaluable during birth. I felt like I had a close friend with me! She helped labor move along and provided emotional support during the toughest parts of labor. And she worked really well with my husband too! I couldn’t recommend her more, it was so worth it to hire her!

Moriah Kramer

As a first time father, I had read all the books, listened to the podcasts, and been to a host of birthing classes. However, the moment my wife’s water broke, I became clueless and I immediately forgot everything I had learned.

I was so thankful for Danica’s help. I really wanted to be a help for my wife during the labor process. While Danica’s focus was on my wife, she enabled me to engage in the labor process in more meaningful ways than I otherwise could have.

Lastly, my number one hesitation about hiring a doula was the idea of having an extra helper in the suite that was somehow taking my role. Myth busted! Danica did an excellent job at being available for whatever we needed while at the same time maintaining a low profile within the birthing suite. She also aided us in communicating our birth plan to hospital staff when the labor experience made speaking words a challenging task. The intimate childbirth experience my wife and I wanted was only enabled by her presence.

James L.

With Love ~ circa 2023

Reach Out

Address

18 Leinbach Drive, Suite C, Charleston SC 29407

Phone

843.826.0660

By Appointment Only

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday:

9am, 11am, or 1pm

Alternating Saturday, Sunday: 10:00 - 4:00

Visit www.FreyjaCharleston.com for collaborative providers working with Danica.