Allow me to share about myself…
My name is Miranda Richer (pronounced ree-shay). I am a queer woman of mixed-race (Filipinx, Latinx, Chinese, Polish and French) and I use the pronouns she/her, although I feel that our souls expand beyond any kind of binary. As a kind-hearted and gentle soul who is full of love and compassion, I want to spend my time here fostering comforting spaces to those around me; with hopes of creating positive ripple effects. I am truly honoured to companion people as a doula during their life transitions and transformations. It took time for me to find doula work, and I feel that doula work also found me.
I have come to revere the thresholds of the human experience and the profoundly sacred space that surrounds them. Starting with how each human began — being birthed. It was a natural progression for me enter the realm of pregnancy, labour, birth, postpartum and family transition support. The emotions and memories formed while walking through life’s transitional periods are directly impacted by how we were supported. And we all deserve to be held in the ways we need in order to fully integrate these intimate experiences.
When I bear witness to the processing of emotions, I am all there with the utmost intention. As a keen listener with an understanding nature, I endeavour to nurture calming, comforting and safe(r) spaces where authentic expression is warmly welcomed.
The knowledge and insight I have gained and continue to gain through my own self-awareness journey is beyond value and it’s what’s lead me to where I am now. I honour my own self-nurturing practices because I see it as tending to a garden where the bounty can be shared. Whether it’s meditation, journalling, reading, nourishment, conscious movement, mindful time with nature, or quality time with my loving life partner, friends and family; I listen to what my mind, my body, my soul needs and create space for just that.
One thing I know is that each and every human possesses their own inner-knowing and will choose what is meant for them. We each have unique knowledge and understanding gained through learning experiences and lived experiences. We each have our own rhythm and pace. And I bring this knowing into my doula work.
In the past I have nannied, volunteered within schools, briefly studied Human Ecology, then later Psychology, in University and held a handful of customer service related jobs; but there was a gnawing and persistent feeling that there was something I was meant to be doing. Before starting doula work, I worked for Service Canada in Employment Insurance (also known as EI) and that affirmed for me how listening to understand and offering relevant information and/or resources can create positive ripple effects. Shifting from a federal government office job to heart-centered and person-centered work was liberating for me. And I am endlessly grateful to be on the journey that I am, embracing wherever it may go.
