Janelle Durham is the lead instructor and planner for all of Great Starts instructor trainings.

Janelle has a wealth of experience as a social worker, childbirth educator, doula, and mom. She has taught more than 600 hours of classes, to over 3000 students. She has taught classes in childbirth preparation, birth refresher classes, newborn care, breastfeeding, baby safety, sibling preparation, introducing solid foods, and strengthening the couple's relationship. She has also led several postpartum support groups. In all her work, she brings together hands-on experience from her work supporting laboring moms, with extensive knowledge of current research data, and an understanding of the psychosocial aspects of the transition to parenthood.

One of the unique strengths of our childbirth educator trainings is that Janelle has had the opportunity to attend seminars and lectures by most of the leaders in the field, and brings the best aspects of all of these other trainings into her work for Great Starts.

Janelle is certified as a labor support doula with Pacific Association for Labor Support, and certified as a childbirth educator with Great Starts, with ICEA, and with Lamaze.

In addition to these certifications, she has taken the following trainings: DONA Doula Trainer Workshop;  ICEA Postpartum Educator;  CAPPA Childbirth Educator and Lactation Educator; Seattle Midwifery School's Postpartum Doula, Labor Support Doula, and Childbirth Educator; Birthing from Within Mentor Training; Lactation Specialist and Lactation Educator with Evergreen Perinatal Education, and Lamaze Childbirth Educator Seminar with Passion for Birth. She regularly attends continuing education workshops, and has attended presentations by: Penny Simkin, Michel Odent, Henci Goer, Pam England, Robbie Davis-Floyd, Suzanne Arms, Jean Sutton, and many more.

Janelle also has a master's degree in social work, and a professional certificate in Spirituality, Health, and Medicine.