I believe…
• Creating a family brings us to the threshold of the ultimate expression of our human potential
• Parenthood changes us profoundly and forever, opening us to the highest manifestation of ourselves
• How we welcome children into their world significantly informs how they, in turn, will embrace it
Supporting the birth of vibrant, connected, self-actualized families is my life’s work. It is an honor to walk briefly alongside and celebrate this transformative journey with you!
CD(DONA), CIIM, RIE® Associate
about me
My path into family and birth work began at the tender age of 4, when I met “my first” infant. Our eyes met and time suddenly stood still. He couldn’t speak with words yet, but it was palpably clear to me that this fresh being still held all of the secrets of the Universe and was the wisest person in the room. I knew in that instant that he possessed everything he needed to be, and all that was required was the time, respect and loving conditions to express that potential.
Ignited by the revelation of this newborn as a whole, complete person and my simultaneous discovery of our capacity to create, bring forth and nurture new life, I determined right then and there to somehow always be a part of *this* level of life unfolding. Ever since, I’ve found myself on an increasingly diverse & marvelous path exploring this initial spark.
Becoming a birth doula brought me to the fullest realization of that lifelong impulse and opened a new level of understanding just how important and sacred this time of emergence is for a baby and for a parent. Today I remain in awe and reverence of these thresholds of being. I’m especially mindful of the power within us, which nature reveals to us at birth, and of the vital connection to our humanity that is forged in the first relationship between parent and infant. I am ceaselessly learning while supporting families in the perinatal year, which continuously affirms the humbling and transformative nature of this time in life.
To each of my practices today, I bring boundless passion and regard for the initiation of Family.
my background
My offerings are informed by formal education in developmental psychology, early childhood education and human development, including a Montessori Early Childhood (AMS) teaching credential, and ongoing practice and sharing of Magda Gerber’s Educaring® Approach as a RIE® Associate. I feel richly blessed to draw upon nearly three decades working with, and on behalf of, parents and their children, from the family couch to the classroom floor, to the executive director’s desk, and even to the non-profit board room. I also train and support the development of educators, advocates and professional caregivers, holistically serving families across the human needs spectrum, and have created successful, replicable early childhood programs and original curricula in multiple settings.
my credentials
After 14 foundational years in classroom and leadership settings, in 2011 I joyfully embraced supporting primary relationships from birth, making perinatal and early parenting support my primary focus and integrating the following coursework to bring my offerings to their most comprehensive level, yet:
• Birth Doula certification, 2013 – present (DONA International: Connie Sultana & Debbie Lavin, 2011)
• Home Birth for Doulas (Cornerstone: Nickie & Juli Tilsner, 2011)
• Hypnocentered Birth Techniques for Birth Professionals (Rachel Yellin, 2012)
• Full Spectrum Doula support (Bay Area Doula Project, 2013)
• Postpartum Doula support (DONA International: Ann Grauer, 2015)
• Bereavement Doula support, (Institute for the Study of Birth, Breath and Death: Amy Glenn, 2016)
• Dancing For Birth (Stephanie Larson, 2018)
• Comforting Touch for Doulas (Yiska Obadia, 2019)
• Instructor of Infant Massage certification, 2013 – present (The Foundation for Healthy Family Living: Kalena Babeshoff, 2011)
• RIE® Foundations™ (Patty Ryan & Gail Nadal, 2015)
• RIE® Practicum™ (Lee Fernandez, 2017)
• RIE® Internship (Ruth Anne Hammond, 2019; Jill Getto Lee, 2020; Melissa Coyne, 2022)
• RIE® Associate (2022)
My utmost joy lies in facilitating understanding of ~and celebrating!~ the miraculous biological workings of the human body and in deeply honoring the transformative journey that we undergo from the moment we engage that awesome decision to grow a family. I feel so very blessed to support families in their preparations for welcoming new little ones into their midst and guiding them forward, with Heartful intention.
I would love to learn how I can support you.
All blessings to you,
Jennifer
kind words from families and caregivers
“Thank you so much for your absolutely sacred contribution to our journey.”
~R.B., Greenbrae
“Thank you so much for being the most incredible prenatal and labor support I could ask for. I look back at my labor and birth experience as truly miraculous and special – thanks to you. You are so efficient, organized, reliable, and most important for a doula — in tune.
I can’t thank you enough for everything!”
~A.L., Novato
“We feel so blessed to have started our parenting journey with Jennifer! She came to our home for four visits with me and my husband for ‘Free to Be from the Start,’ for families in the 4th trimester. I had some experience knowing about RIE before we started, however Jennifer brings hands on knowledge, various materials including videos, articles, books and toys that I would never have found on my own! Jennifer has the most wonderful and supportive demeanor and she practices such calm and attuned listening! She led us in beautiful guided meditations, talked us through gross motor development, attachment, play, care giving activities, and even read us insightful poetry. I had so many worries about ‘not doing enough’ and ‘not being enough’ for my new baby, but Jennifer calmed all those fears for me and showed me how doing less and trusting more is profoundly effective and beneficial for our son! In addition, our son loves the infant massage techniques Jennifer taught us. He seems calmed and soothed by the touch. We are already signed up for her group classes with other parents next!”
~A.C., Novato
“Jennifer was great in all respects. Calm and nurturing, organized and focused. My baby loves the massage. She smiles brightly when she sees me prepare. It’s also given me another way to communicate with her that will deepen with time.”
~B.G., Petaluma
“I would highly recommend Jennifer to any mother and child. Her kind and nurturing presence helped my baby feel safe and open the moment we met. I am very particular about whose guidance I trust when it comes to my daughter and I feel very blessed that I found that gift in Jennifer. Anyone would be lucky to have her as a teacher of infant massage or early childhood education…”
~R.C., San Anselmo
“I highly recommend taking Jennifer’s infant massage for caregiving professionals course. As an educator, her caring and compassionate energy is so refreshing and encouraging. She is thorough in her descriptions of each technique as well as the benefits and purposes of each stroke she teaches. She really takes the time to make you feel confident adding such a valuable skill to your toolbox as a caregiving professional. Being able to connect with infants through massage has really strengthened the bond I have with each little one I’ve worked with.”
~P.M., Fairfax
“We are so thankful to have found Jennifer’s Free to Be class and the RIE/respect-based caregiving approach. We enrolled our child in Free to Be at 5 months of age and continued through the toddler series. At each stage, the class was a continuous source of learning and enjoyment for our child and for us as parents. Jennifer does an amazing job of fostering an environment of free movement, exploration, and play for infants and toddlers, as well as a space for questions, learning, and community for caregivers. Free to Be, as well as Jennifer’s wisdom and the true joy she takes in what she does, have impacted our family in so many positive ways, and will continue to do so as we continue our journey as a family. Thank you!”
~S.A., Petaluma
“At first I wasn’t sure how the magic and richness of in-person Free to Be classes could possibly translate to online classes. For sure there is a loss in not having the toddlers all together in-person, but the online classes have been a huge help in lessening the hardship of parenting in isolation during the pandemic. Each week we talk about what’s going great or not-so-great, and about how to handle situations in a respectful way. It’s huge to get to hear the ups and downs other families are experiencing too. The topics folks bring to the table are so relatable. I love the community and learning from other parents just like me who are trying to navigate this parenting journey in a respectful way.“
~T.K., Albany
“Jennifer Curtis is a compassionate observer, listener and facilitator. I’d often get the lesson without realizing she was teaching me, that is her gift and expertise. Her non judgmental invisible guidance is so skillful and graceful, and it creates environments of openness, play and discovery.
She is a gem! A former Montessori [educator, and school] principal, a RIE informed parent infant guide and a doula, she is a brilliant communicator.
Any family that receives her care and guidance is extremely lucky!“
~K.A., San Francisco
