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about ME
Abby Barclay (she/her) is a Full Spectrum Doula and Reiki Healer based in Toronto, Ontario. Being a full-spectrum doula means she supports clients through any event along the reproductive spectrum including: labour & birth, postpartum, abortion and loss.
After a 15 year career in the fashion industry, Abby left New York City and moved to Canada where she began to pursue heart-centred work as a doula and Reiki practitioner. Becoming a doula felt like a true calling for her, it fulfilled her desire to be of greater service to her community and support individuals along their reproductive health journey. She brings a passion to create and hold space for the varied experiences of her clients and aims to be a non-directive, client-centred source of support during these intimate and sacred times.
Abby works as a doula under a trauma-aware, anti-oppressive model of care with a focus on inclusivity and information as a source of power. She is passionate about reproductive justice and approaches each client with the belief that they are unique and that their choices deserve to be honoured. By showing up as a calm, trustworthy presence, and centring her clients in all interactions, Abby provides individualized care and service that matches her client’s needs and goals.
Previously, Abby held the position as Development Manager and Doula with Birth Mark Toronto, where she had the privilege of supporting many families and individuals with limited access or barriers to receiving doula support. Being a part of an organization whose mission is to make doulas accessible to everyone aligned perfectly with Abby’s values when offering doula support.
Abby trained as a birth and postpartum doula with DONA and as an abortion doula with The Doula Project NYC and with Melissa Fuller at Birth Mark. She is also a certified Prenatal and Vinyasa Yoga teacher and has taken many additional trainings for perinatal support.
Abby lives in Toronto, Ontario with her partner and she supports clients in the GTA and Simcoe regions.
When she’s not working as a doula, Abby enjoys cooking, moving her body, studying tarot, and being outside in nature with her Aussiedoodle, Wiley.
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Full-spectrum doula services
“Reproductive freedom is critical to a whole range of issues. If we can’t take charge of this most personal aspect of our lives, we can’t take care of anything. It should not be seen as a privilege or as a benefit, but a fundamental human right.”
I support all people, in all reproductive spaces, with all care providers.
Whichever type of doula support you are looking for, I begin all my doula services with a free in-person introductory meeting either in person or over video. This meeting is an opportunity for you and your support person(s) to get to know me and so I can have an understanding of what you’re looking for regarding doula support. It’s also a time to see if we’re a good fit to work together. I want you to be comfortable working with me at your most intimate, vulnerable and transitional spaces. If requests fall outside of my area of expertise or skill, I can happily make referrals to other doulas or resources.
Sliding scale options are available for all of the below services. If you are interested in sliding scale, please let me know!
Choose from the below doula packages, or build your own doula package here:
Birth Doula support
As your birth doula, my aim is to care for and be of service to you before, during and immediately after having a baby. My role as a doula is non-medical and I provide emotional, informational, and physical/hands-on support or comfort for you and your support person(s). I also assist with self-advocacy by facilitating communication between you and your care provider or care team.
Currently only offering birth+labour prep, postpartum prep and education to clients.
Birth + postpartum preparation package
$500
2 prenatal in-home or virtual visits (approx. 90 mins)
Email & phone support throughout pregnancy
Creation of personalized birth and postpartum preferences document
Access to birth & postpartum resources + materials
1 postpartum foll0w-up visit (approx. 90 mins)
2 prenatal in-home or virtual visits (approx. 90 mins)
Email & phone support throughout pregnancy
Creation of personalized birth preferences document
Access to birth & postpartum resources + materials
Birth preparation package
$250
abortion Doula Support
As an abortion doula I provide non-medical in-person or virtual support before during and/or following a medication or procedural (surgical) abortion. I can also support clients who are looking for abortion services by connecting them to abortion providers, other abortion doulas, and other client-led, relevant resources.
abortion support
Sliding Scale / Pwyc
In-clinic support (if possible) or virtual support for a procedural abortion
Escorting to and from a procedural abortion (via public transportation, Uber, or taxi)
At home in-person or virtual support for a medication abortion
After abortion processing and resource connection to follow-up supports
Resource connection when seeking an abortion provider, funds or travel and accommodations for an abortion
Referral to other abortion doulas as-needed
Loss Support
A $200 non-refundable deposit (included in package price) on all birth packages is due upon signing birth doula agreement
Payment for postpartum doula services are due in advance of starting on-going support
please see terms & conditions in your contract for all payment & refund information
As a doula I do not provide any medical advice or care and I do not "prescribe" treatments
I do not diagnose or treat in any modality - My role is to provide only non-medical support and companionship
If there are services that you and your partner are interested that are outside my scope of practice, I will refer you to your care provider or to the appropriate resources
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REIKI services
“The day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”
WHAT IS REIKI?
Reiki (pronounced ray-kee) is a modality of energy healing. As a Reiki practitioner, I have been attuned to the Reiki energy through initiation by a Reiki Master. Once attuned, I am a channel for the universal life-force energy, also known as Prana or Chi, to flow through my hands and into the person I am treating. My lineage follows the Usui tradition of Reiki and was passed down to me from my Sensei and Reiki Master, Rosemary Craig.
There are no contraindications for Reiki; it is always safe to receive Reiki energy healing. It has been found that Reiki does not conflict with other health-care or wellness practices, and in fact, it is said that Reiki may enhance or facilitate the benefits of other healing modalities. Some benefits of Reiki are believed to be: speeding up natural healing processes post-injury or surgery, restoring energy whether ill or for health maintenance, and restoring emotional balance & well-being.
REIKI offerings
I offer in-home Reiki treatments with the option of bringing my massage table. If you would prefer an in-clinic experience, you can find me at Crescent Health Collective in Barrie.
IN-PERSON REIKi $100 (1 hour)
$125 (75 mins)
In-home treatment
Initial check-into assess physical and mental state, set reiki treatment focus and intentions (10-15 mins)
Full-body and/or specific body-part focused reiki healing treatment (60-65 mins)
Extra $10 fee to bring massage table
DISTANCE HEALING
$60 (60 mins, includes 30 mins of reiki, pre & post check-in call)
Healing sent to you in any location in the world
Initial phone or video chat check-in required to set reiki treatment focus (10-15 mins)
Full-body and/or specific body-part focused reiki healing treatment
Check-in call or video chat following the treatment. (10-15 mins)
REIKI BOX
$20/week (5 mins/day)
Initial phone check-in required to set an intention & create your affirmation
5 mins per day directed Reiki energy on your intention/affirmation
PET REIKi
$30 (20-30 mins)
In-home treatment
Length of treatment will vary depending on the animal
All in-person reiki services must be paid in full at time of treatment
add reiki healing treatments to any doula package & receive a 20% discount
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additional training & skills
DONA Birth and POSTPARTUM DOULA TRAINING
ABORTION DOULA TRAINING WITH THE DOULA PROJECT & Maap/paam
abortion doula training with melissa fuller at Birth mark
health canada approved infection control training (IPAC)
20 HOUR BFI (BABY-FRIENDLY INITIATIVE) CERTIFICATION
Grief literacy training with Being here, human
doula trainings international: slow doula method
ANTI-OPPRESSION FOR BIRTH WORKERS WITH Rania El Mugammar
Supporting clients with birth & Reproductive trauma with Olivia scobie
PERINATAL MOOD WITH OLIVIA SCOBIE
WHEN SURVIVORS GIVE BIRTH Trauma informed care training
Harm reduction training with mary charteris, RN
san’yas indigenous cultural safety training
FOSTERING INCLUSIVE birth SPACES for 2slgbtqia families WITH THE 519
NAVIGATING THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM WITH ONE VISION ONE VOICE
UNDERSTANDING MICRO-AGGRESSIONS WITH NADIA BELLO
ACUPRESSURE COMFORT MEASURES FOR BIRTH WORKERS WITH NICK OLOW
TENS FOR LABOUR
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Testimonials
“Abby is one of the warmest people I’ve met, the birth of my baby wouldn’t have been marvelous without her intuitive support. It was essential to have her, she helped me to ease the pain, feel strong during my hypnobirth and stick to the birth plan. She is gifted and has a special connection with female magic. ”
“My experience with Abby was that she was very helpful and generous and I greatly appreciate her being there for me through my pregnancy and labour. It was a great experience with her.”
“After months of suffering from chronic lower back pain and feeling completely discouraged, I sought my first reiki treatment with Abby.
She immediately put me at ease, and the entire experience was extremely positive and calming.
Shortly after, my lower back pain began to subside, and approximately 7 months later I can happily say the pain has stayed away!”
“I asked Abby to do a distance Reiki healing on an injury. Later that day, Abby contacted me to let me know she would be starting the session. Minutes later, I felt a soft relief in the injured area. Prior to this session, I was unsure if distance healing would work for me but this experience made me a believer. I have also received in-person reiki from Abby and found the experience to be incredibly relaxing and soothing. Abby is professional, kind, and warm. I highly recommend her!”
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CONNECT WITH me
Book a 15-minute introductory video call with me here!
Have a question or want to connect by email, fill out this form:
follow me on instagram!
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BIRTH DOULA faq's
WHEN SHOULD I HIRE A BIRTH DOULA?
The best time to hire a doula is really personal, however, sometime towards the end of the second trimester is often recommended. This allows you, your partner(s), and/or support persons to establish a strong connection. That being said, I’m comfortable working with clients at any stage in their pregnancy. It can also help if you’ve had the opportunity to take a childbirth education class before working with a doula. This can make prenatal visits more focused.
CAN A DOULA SUPPORT ME IF I HAVE A CESAREAN BIRTH?
Absolutely! Whether your Cesarean birth is scheduled, or unplanned, I will be there to support you. I will continue to advocate with you and facilitate communication between you and your care provider as new questions arise. Depending on how many support persons are allowed in the OR, I may or may not stay by your side during the actual procedure, but I will be there afterward to continue my support post-delivery. Once you are home, having a postpartum doula can be incredibly helpful and supportive after a Cesarean birth, as there can be reduced mobility and a longer physical recovery than with a genital birth.
** During Covid-19 most hospitals are only allowing 1 support person for Cesarean births, scheduled or unplanned.**
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU CAN'T ATTEND MY BIRTH?
I will make every effort possible to attend your birth! Of course, there is always the very small possibility that an emergency might arise. I typically work with a doula partner so that you are never left without doula support during your labour and birth.
Reasons my doula partner or back-up would step in to support you:
I have an overlapping birth occurring at the same time
Emergency or illness
I have supported you for more than 20 hours, and am no longer able to perform my role to my fullest capacity
WHEN DO YOU SCHEDULE YOUR PRENATAL VISITS?
After you have hired me as your doula, I will collaborate with you to set up our prenatal meetings. Typically, I like to see my clients around the week 30-32 and then again around 34-35 weeks. This way, we know more about how your pregnancy is progressing and any health-related developments that will play a part in your labour and birth.
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resources
I provide specific resources appropriate to my clients as a part of my services. if you have specific questions about local birth-related resources, please feel free to contact me!