Personalised support for your pregnancy, birth or matrescence

Compassionate care for survivors of sexual assault or complex trauma, walking alongside you with understanding and insight.

Looking for support that respects your unique experience?

Navigating pregnancy, birth, and the transition into motherhood or parenthood (matrescence) can be challenging for anyone, but for survivors of sexual assault or complex trauma, these experiences may bring up unique and deeply personal challenges.

Standard care often doesn’t address the complexities of your experience, leaving you feeling unseen or unsupported at a time when you need understanding the most. Adding in support that honours your story and responds to your specific needs can foster a greater sense of agency during this transition.

Trauma-sensitive support where you are the centre

I’m Dusk Liney, a survivor of childhood sexual assault and an experienced resilience-oriented trauma-sensitive care doula and educator. I’m here to provide you with tailored care and support as you navigate pregnancy, birth or matrescence. My approach is built on the principles of trauma-informed care, prioritising your internal safety, choice and agency. Together, we’ll work to:

  • Acknowledge your inner strengths: Recognise the tools and resources you’ve developed throughout your life and how they can support you during this transition.

  • Identify potential challenges: Anticipate possible triggers and explore how to navigate these experiences with gentleness and self-compassion.

  • Understand your unique needs: Recognise what you need during this season of life and create capacity within yourself to respond to those needs.

  • Advocate for your care: Learn ways to communicate your unique needs to health practitioners, your family or community, ensuring you receive the support that honours your resilience.

I offer resilience-centred accompaniment for a season of your life during pregnancy, birth or matrescence. I meet you where you are at and explore what feels most important to you a the time. Guided by the principles of resilience oriented, trauma sensitive care, we may explore some of the following areas:

Resilient support

    • Reflect on what a resilience-oriented trauma-sensitive perinatal experience looks like for you and your unique story

    • Identify what you need to feel safer / safe enough in the medical space and how to communicate this to your support team and care providers

    • Create a postpartum plan that explores physical, emotional, relational and psychological safety

    • Recognise your tools for self and co-regulation and contextualising how you can use them in the pregnancy, birth and postpartum space

    • Write your family values and manifesto - recognising how you view mother/father/parenthood and how you want to show up on your own terms

    • Debrief previous pregnancy or birth experiences and how this informs your values, needs and choices moving forward

    • Identify your pregnancy, birth or postpartum care preferences and your ‘if this, then that’ thought process

    • Explore your resources for labor and birth support - within yourself, your birth support and care providers

    • Reframe pregnancy and birth as something that is happening with you, rather than to you

    • Explore your circle of support and who you would invite to care for you in various ways

    • Map out the resources you want to meet the various challenges that may arise and create a support plan

    • Understand ways to advocate for yourself and communication with your care providers

    • Recognise your inner tool-kit for birth and parenting by exploring your strengths, passions and experiences

    • Explore matrescence / patrescence and your unique transition into and through motherhood / parenthood

    • Debrief your birth, reflecting on how you feel and begin to process your experience

    • Celebrate all that you have navigated and honouring the end of this season

I work on Bunurong land (Melbourne, Australia),
online and am open to travel.

Choose the support that’s right for you

I offer a range of support options tailored to meet your specific needs:

Pregnancy & Birth

2-Hour Birth Preparation Session

  • 2-Hour Birth Preparation Session:

    • Single 2 hour birth preparation session

    • In person or via Zoom

    • Voxer support for 2 weeks afterwards

    Cost: $250

Pregnancy Support Package

  • Doula support: Available for 3 months to up to one year

    Doula sessions:

    • 3 x Prenatal sessions (2 hours each)

    • 4 x Reflective sessions (1 hour each)

    • 2 x Postnatal visits (2 hours each)

    • Voice message support

    Cost: $2500 AUD

    Please note: This package does not include physical birth attendance. Depending on location and availability, this can be added for $1100 AUD.

Full Doula Support Package

  • Doula support: Available for 3 months to up to one year

    Doula sessions

    • 3 x Prenatal sessions (2 hours each)

    • 4 x Reflective sessions (1 hour each)

    • 2 x Postnatal visits (2 hours each)

    • Voice message support

    Birth attendance & support

    • On Call from 38-42 weeks

    • Back-up Birth Support

    • Birth attendance and support

    Cost: $3300 AUD

    Please note: This is available to people within 1 hour of Melbourne’s West; additional travel fees apply for longer distances.

Matrescence

Matrescence Coaching

  • Matrescence doula support: Available for 3 months to up to one year

    Matrescence sessions:

    • 6 x Coaching sessions (up to 2 hours each)

    • Resources and reflective exercises provided

    • Voice message support

    Cost: $1650 AUD via Zoom | $2000 AUD in person

2-Hour Matrescence Session

  • 2-Hour Matrescence Session:

    • Single 2 hour matrescence session

    • In person or via Zoom

    • Voxer support for 2 weeks afterwards

    Cost: $250

1-Hour Peer Support Session

  • 1-hour peer support session:

    • 1 hour session over zoom

    • For 1-2 people

    Cost: $125

How to get started

Start the conversation

Fill out the enquiry form and I’ll get back to you with next steps.

Book a call with Dusk

Share a little about yourself and let’s explore the best support option to meet your needs.

Choose your session or package

Select the option that feels right for you, and I’ll be there to support you through this transition. 

Receive personalised support

Experience compassionate, trauma-sensitive care that respects your unique experience and empowers you in your choices.

The difference personalised support can make

Implementing trauma-aware practices benefits both your clients and your team:

Choosing personalised, trauma-sensitive doula care can have a positive impact on your experience through pregnancy, birth, and matrescence. Whilst every journey is unique, some common themes include:

  • Uncover inner strength: Draw on your deep well of resilience, building self-trust that extends into all areas of your life.

  • Use your agency: Advocate for your choices, claim what you need and bring in the support that you desire.

  • Feel understood: Through peer support from a survivor who has navigated pregnancy, birth, and matrescence, and supported others through these transitions.

  • Receive care and nurture: Find a gentle space for the tender emotions that arise during pregnancy, birth, and matrescence.

With this support, you don’t have to navigate this journey alone—you’ll have a trauma-sensitive doula by your side, helping you navigate this transition with confidence and care.

What Dusk’s doula families are saying

"Inviting a doula into my pregnancy and birth drew out an inner strength and power in me that I didn't even fathom I had."

"My doula set me on the path of discovering a deep trust in myself which has seeped out into every aspect of my life."

"My doula helped support me to remember the power is within myself and not in anyone else’s hands!"

"Having a doula is like being held. While I’m holding and caring for my new baby, my doula is holding and caring for me. Nothing compares to that kind of support!"

"Having a doula was like being held by generations of Motherly spirit. A soft and gracious landing place for all of my fears and worries, and a reflection of all the joy and goodness."

 FAQs

  • It depends on where you are in your journey and what kind of support you’re looking for. If you’re primarily focused on birth preparation, the 2-hour session might be perfect. For ongoing support, the Pregnancy or Full Doula packages offer more comprehensive care.

    Matrescence coaching is ideal if you’re looking for guidance through the transition into and through motherhood/parenthood. Let’s discuss your needs during our call to find the best fit.

  • Absolutely. Each session or package is designed to be flexible and tailored to your unique needs and experiences. We’ll work together to ensure the support you receive is specific to you and what you need.

  • You can expect a compassionate, non-judgmental space where your feelings and experiences are honoured. We’ll focus on your hopes, work through challenges, and create a plan that supports your well-being.

  • Simply book a call with me to discuss your needs, and we’ll take it from there.

Ready to feel supported on your journey?

Take the first step towards personalised, trauma-sensitive support that honours your unique experience. Connect with Dusk today to explore the best package for you.