Shannon Collier
CPD, DONA
LMT, DC - MT1224

Cell: 202-573-1495
info@holistichelpinghand.com
www.holistichelpinghand.com

Serving the Washington,
DC-Metro Area
MIND
BODY
SPIRIT
Postpartum Support Philosophy:  READ CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

  • As a postpartum doula I strive to be a supportive, informative, yet objective participant in the
    care of the postpartum family by balancing my roles as both student and teacher.  
    As a student, I observe, ask questions, and otherwise gather information from a client-
    household, while respecting and honoring a family's needs, goals, concerns, beliefs,
    knowledge, and abilities.
    As a teacher, I provide relevant, evidenced-based information, resources, and related referrals
    that parents can draw from in order to best meet their parenting goals.  
    My time spent with a family enables me to: 1) Identify and/or anticipate issues that may arise
    postpartum; 2) Work with families to better manage household stress by alleviating some of
    their workload, sharing relevant information, and identifying coping strategies; 3) Identify and
    draw upon the family’s strengths; 4) Help parents gain confidence and strengthen their
    parenting partnership or caregiving support network so they can share in joys and overcome
    challenges together.

Wellness/Massage Philosophy:

  • Wellness: I believe each person is ultimately personally responsible for their own good health
    and well-being, and that living well takes clarity, thought, planning, and physical and mental
    effort.  However, I also believe that we as a society share a collective responsibility for our
    communal wellness that is affected by our attitudes, choices, interactions, priorities, and
    motivations.  Through informed choices; physical, mental and emotional effort; active self-
    awareness; and shared respect we can all support our collective effort to live healthy, happy,
    equitable lives.
  • Massage: My work as a massage therapist is a daily reminder of all I hope to be – present in
    the moment; fully accountable for my actions, inactions and reactions; and living my life with
    positive, purposeful intention. I hope to share these attributes with those I encounter through
    the practice of massage therapy, and use the art and science of massage to support my
    clients' efforts to achieve their personal wellness goals.

Experience/Training:

  • Bachelor of Science, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
  • Certified Postpartum Doula, DONA International
  • Graduate, Downeast School of Massage, Waldoboro, Maine
  • Licensed Massage Therapist, District of Columbia (#MT1224) and State of Maryland (#M04225)
  • Over 7500 hours of newborn and postpartum family care experience, including multiples and
    preemies
  • More than 200 hours of training in the areas of postpartum family care, infant mental health,
    bonding/attachment, breastfeeding education, and lactation management.
  • Currently training for 2013 International Board of Lactation Consultants Exam.
  • Healthy Families Home Visitor / Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Family Support Worker
  • Trained in T. Berry Brazelton's Touchpoints Approach™
  • Current infant, child, and adult CPR certification
  • Nationally Certified Massage Therapist (CMT)
  • Certified Infant Massage Instructor
  • Member AMTA
  • Member DONA International
Since 2005, Holistic Helping Hand (HHH) has offered practical, physical, and emotional support to
families and individuals looking for peace and wellness.  HHH is an individually-owned and operated
small business run by Shannon Collier, Certified Postpartum Doula (CPD, DONA) and Licensed
Massage Therapist (LMT).  Open, honest communication; active self-awareness; and a desire to work
to do one's best are shared goals of Shannon and HHH.