Land Acknowledgement: As a traveling nomad, I wish to acknowledge that we are always on Indigenous lands. Remember to walk softly and take the time to learn about whose lands you reside on, where are the tribes now, how are they faring and how can I as a local settler give back? Walk responsibly and plan for the next 7 generations. Leave no trace when you’re camping, and always treat water well.

Catherine Braxton, LMT, CFSD (Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Full Spectrum Doula)

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Hi there! I came to the calling of movement, body awareness, wellness & reproductive justice at a very young age. A birth center baby delivered by a midwife in the 90’s, my adventure into the world was initially one of an organic and curious nature. My lineage is rooted within African peoples from Virginia, South Carolina & Georgia, Tsalagi peoples from Georgia, and Irish & German indentured servants. The first birth experience I remember being present for was at the age of 7 years old. I engaged in dance and body movement from the age of 5  to 18 in New York City at both the Harlem School of the Arts and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. In undergraduate studies at Wheaton College and Brown University, I chose Africana Studies and Theater, with a concentration in Ritual & Birth in the Antebellum South.

In moving through life, I found myself teaching theater, yoga and meditation to young people, children, adults and elders in my community, holding space for birthing people in the variety of Reproductive Choice and gathering large amounts of knowledge across ages and learning styles. In 2019, after obtaining a Massage Therapy license from East West College of the Healing Arts, and multiple certificates in Birth, Postpartum, Abortion care, and Herbalism, I founded In Search of A Garden: Birth & Bodywork LLC in 2017 and began the journey of combining Full Spectrum Doula care with Bodywork, Yoga, Dance & herbal knowledge.

The way in which I approach this work is with deep reverence and care for the human in a holistic manner. My priority in this work is to encourage resilience and community care within groups of the global majority to help heal the hurt of colonialism. 

Work with me

My Approach

 

In engaging with me, I offer a safer space that is informed with kindness and love. As a survivor of trauma with Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder who has engaged and continues to engage in much education on the subject, I am highly knowledgeable in regards to mental, physical, emotional and spiritual wellness. I build spaces that are centered on trauma conscious wellness and awareness. I am focused on cultivating a space that authentically centers YOUR needs and wants while also incorporating communicative boundaries and awareness.

  • What Knowledge Seeking Have I Done?

    Wheaton College & Brown University on Wampanoag Land (Providence, RI) Concentrations: Theater & Africana Studies - Ritual & Pre-Antebellum North America including Viewpoints & additional Dance Composition Techniques 

    Trinity Repertory Company - Education Internship

     And Yoga Studios/Anya Yoga - Yoga Internship 

    Jai Yoga Arts - 200HR RYT Yoga Certification 

    Planned Parenthood: Volunteer Abortion Assistant

    Indigenous Women Rising - Advocacy Trainer/Blogger

    Birth Advocacy Doula Training -  Full Spectrum Doula to assist in the Full Spectrum of Birth, Abortion, Bereavement & Postpartum.

    Be Abundant Bodywork - CranioSacral Apprentice

    The Temple of the Intersection for Mankind - Initiates Path 2021-22

    East West College of the Healing Arts - Massage Therapy 

    Grandma's Hands: Pregnancy & Postpartum Herbalism in the Southern Tradition: Certification of Completion

    Creative Cauldron: Apprentice Study w/ Andrea Thompson, LMT 2022-2025

    The Well School of Body Literacy - Fertility Awareness Education & Sexual Health Education

    Conferences: 

    Born Into This 2020

    Decolonized Unconference 2019

    Let’s Talk About Sex Sistersong 2022 Presenter

    Black Maternal Health Conference BMMA 2022

    Gullah Geechee Herbal Gathering

    Black Folk Festival

    Organization Affiliations:

    Northwest Reproductive Justice Collective

    Bridgetown Baby

    Community Doula Alliance

    Birthing Noire Houston Doula Collective

    In Addition to having read numerous books and having engaged in numerous conversations of self and collective study.