Hi, my name is Shakara McDonald and I am from Bladen County, NC, currently residing in Hoke County with my husband and two boys. I am a DONA trained birth doula. I have a Bachelors and Master’s of Social Work, both from East Carolina University, which is where I began my work with families and children. I journeyed into the clinical side of Social Work and obtained my Licensed Clinical Social Work Associates in 2021, after the births of my children and noticing the need for more BIPOC perinatal mental health providers. I am Perinatal Mental Health Certified and I also provide psychotherapy for families in my community. When noticing the addition of a birth doula making a huge impact on a family’s birth and postpartum period, I began my search for a training that would make a lasting impact on myself and the families I serve. In every role I encounter, I keep personal centered care at the forefront, to ensure that the care provided is what the person/family needs, and not a goal of my own.