AMY AVERETT, MSW/MPA

Certified Care Doula

Providing planning and non-medical support to families and individuals at the end of life

What is Ring Theory?

According to Ring Theory (Silk and Goodman), the person facing end-of-life is always at the center of the circle. Their closest friends and family members are in the inner rings, with other caregivers, neighbors and friends in the outer rings.

Comfort and support should always flow inward, with people in the outer rings supporting those in the inner circle. Emotional venting and processing flow outward, away from the people carrying the heaviest load.

As a doula, I am directly supporting the person in the center of the circle and their immediate caregivers and loved ones.

Available Services

 

Advanced Planning

PREPARING FOR A STRONG FINISH

  • Starting the conversation about individual care wishes and priorities at the end of life

  • Preparing advance directives and other care planning documents

  • Education on end-of-life issues

For Caregivers

SUPPORT FOR THE INNER CIRCLE

  • One-on-one coaching and group support sessions for your family or care team

  • Referrals to other providers and agencies

  • Facilitating hard conversations and decisions

  • Home visits and respite care

End-of-Life Care

IN-DEPTH SUPPORT AT THE END

  • Home visits and respite care

  • Completing legacy projects, such as memory books or letters to family members

  • Sitting vigil with the dying person and their loved ones

  • Memorial event planning and support

  • Support with tasks before or after death

Contact us for a printable summary of services

Services are customized, depending on your needs.

In-person services are available in Austin, TX and Santa Fe, NM. I can also offer support remotely or travel to you in some cases. It is my mission to provide end-of-life support to any person who needs it, regardless of ability to pay—my fees are based on a sliding scale. I honor all faiths and perspectives in my practice and warmly welcome LGBTQIA+ and nontraditional families.

I am here to help.

About Me

After completing Masters degrees in Social Work and Public Administration, I have had a long career in the nonprofit and philanthropic fields, including founding and running a grassroots community organization and managing charitable giving for a national company in Austin, Texas. I am an experienced trainer, presenter, event planner and consultant in areas such as crisis management, community organizing, systems building, and fostering safe, respectful environments.

So why am I focused on end-of-life issues now?

I come from a close-knit family and was fortunate to have all four of my grandparents in my life into my 30’s. I had the honor of being present and involved in all of their final days, which was life-changing. Sadly, I also saw that loving family members often experienced guilt and worry and felt unprepared to help, despite their best efforts.

I always knew that I wanted to serve families facing a loved one’s end of life, to reduce suffering however possible. Seeing the widespread trauma that resulted from the COVID pandemic, I knew it was time to act. In 2021, I started the certification process to become an end-of-life CareDoula. With mentoring by Deanna Cochran and her community of doulas and after over 100 hours of coursework, I completed my certification in April 2022. I have also served as a hospice volunteer.

I’m often accompanied in my work by my dog Gracie, a 10-year old Wheaten Terrier who is always eager to meet her next best friend.

Photo in one of my happy places - my parents’ house in Santa Fe, NM.