Sarah Merchant, M.Ed.
Sarah began working with families as a nanny in the early 2000s. She developed a love for supporting a diverse array of young children when she was barely more than a child herself. Her fascination with early development grew as she pursued an undergraduate degree from Naropa University in Contemplative Psychology and Early Childhood Education. This is where she received her foundation of mindfulness training. In her work as a teacher, Sarah worked in nature based and Waldorf inspired preschools. Using her contemplative educational training from Naropa and further learning from Antioch University, Sarah developed a unique early learning curriculum rooted in both a nature based approach and mindfulness. In practice, this looks like a lot of free play in nature, seasonal songs and stories, learning to identify big feelings, and expressing ourselves through art.
Sarah’s work in the birth world began immediately following the pandemic. Like so many who changed their career during this time, Sarah was excited to follow a lifelong passion and pursue a career as a doula. As both a birth and postpartum doula, she has supported families through the perinatal period, including through conception challenges, childbirth education and beyond the immediate postpartum, into early childhood and the beginning stages of parenthood. This is such a tender period of life for families and Sarah believes strongly in the power of community support during this stage.
These days you can find Sarah romping through the woods with toddlers, teaching mindfulness based childbirth education classes, and leading mindfulness classes for adults.