Joy Kobrick

CBD | CLEC | CCCE | APPAC

The seeds of becoming a doula were planted long before I had my own children. I listened to the stories of the birth givers around me, and I began to notice that it wasn’t just babies being born, but mothers, too. I started to see how this most basic human experience of giving birth, this "normal" life process, has the power to transform us at the deepest level.

I attended my first birth as a doula in 2012, and since that first initiation, have supported close to 400 birthing folks as they brought new life into the world. I have also worked with many, many more families providing childbirth education, prenatal support and placenta encapsulation.

No matter how many births I attend, I learn something new at each birth and find myself profoundly moved and humbled by the transformational power of birth.

My Doula Philosophy

I know that how we are heard, held and cared for in pregnancy, birth and postpartum can change our lives and allow us to emerge from our births with a spirit and soul that are whole.

I believe that holistic doula support integrates modern knowledge, ancient wisdom, and deep connection with each client.

“Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers - strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength.”

— BARBARA KATE ROTHMAN 

How I Support You

My model is about providing comprehensive, holistic and consistent support to every family that I serve. My work is centered in a sense of wonder and joy of birth. I value the importance of education, mentoring and individualized support, and provide information and resources to empower my clients to make autonomous decisions about their pregnancies, births and babies. My goal is to empower you to deepen your connection to your journey and for your experience to be joyful and authentic; true to YOU.

When invited to journey with someone through their pregnancy and birth, I become an ally, someone to walk beside them and to lean on when needed. I focus on YOU, listening with compassion and an open heart, and asking questions to help you with the important inner work of finding your wisdom and truth.

My investment is in helping you make the decisions that are right for you. I recognize that every parent-to-be has their own set of hopes and values around their birth, and every birth is unique and the experience of it is deeply personal.

What do those letters after my name mean?

CBD - Certified Birth Doula
CLEC - UCSD Certified Lactation Educator Counselor
CCCE - CAPPA Certified Childbirth Educator
APPAC - APPA Certified Placenta Arts Specialist

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It takes a village to raise a baby. It also takes a village to be a doula. I am so grateful for the incredible support of my family, who enable me to drop everything and show up for my clients.

Training + Certifications

  • Birth Doula - DONA training (2012)

  • Childbirth International Doula Trained and Certified

  • CAPPA Certified Childbirth Educator

  • Hypnobabies® Childbirth Hypno-Doula

  • Placenta Arts Specialist - APPA Certified and PBi trained

  • Rebozo Training with Gina Kirby (2013)

  • Postpartum Doula - training through Natural Resources (2014)

  • Postpartum Belly Binding - La Matriz Birth (2019)

  • Spinning Babies Training

  • Homebirth for Doulas - Cornerstone

  • Understanding the Infant Microbiome

  • CPR & First Aid Certified - American Red Cross (current)

  • Lactation Educator Counselor - UCSD (2020)

  • Transformation Birth Coach - Birth Coach Method

  • Birth Story Medicine® - Birth Story Listener

  • Birthing From Within - Childbirth Educator training

“It was such a blessing to know that we could absolutely count on Joy to be our rock during this whole process.”

— COURTNEY LA CAVA, MS, CAS, CMT