Amy L. Gilliland, Ph.D., AdvCD/BDT, CSES researches and teaches about doula labor support, women’s sexual experiences, infant mental health, and the psychological needs of people during the birth experience. She is an AASECT certified sexuality educator supervisor, past faculty at Madison College, and one of the first DONA International birth doula trainers.

 

In their thirty plus year career, their work has spanned the perinatal spectrum. As a University of Wisconsin-Madison research associate, their current projects include a critical analysis of the birth doula profession and completing their model of human childbirth as an attachment based neurological activity.

 

Dr. Gilliland is also a content expert in the research on perinatal sexuality; and fathers and the perinatal period. Dr. Gilliland’s research has been published in JOGNN, Midwifery, Journal of Perinatal Education, Sexuality and Culture, and the Wisconsin Medical Journal. 

 

She is considered to be a thought leader and visionary on birth doula issues through her influential blog, Doulaing The Doula, and her new book, The Heart of the Doula: Essentials for Practice and Life.