Rumble Session
This is a supportive option for those who want periodic, stand-alone guidance at any stage of a terminal diagnosis, transplant or living organ donation journey, or caregiving experience.
What’s included?
A rumble session is an intimate meeting that provides you with a trusted and courageous space to explore organ failure, transplant, and/or matters of death and dying.
During this one-hour call, we will dig into one area of focus.
I am here to help you explore your needs, wants, boundaries, and expectations across various areas of focus concerning organ failure, organ transplant, living organ donation, caregiving, and/or matters of death and dying. Together, we’ll determine manageable and actionable next steps for your experience through comprehensive practical, emotional, physical, spiritual, educational, and advocational support.
Following the call, you’ll receive a Rumble Guide: this is curated call notes, prompts, references, and referrals when appropriate. I also check in with you one week later via email to see how the session has landed.
Caregivers can join at no additional cost.
Cost: $65
Areas of Focus
Why rumble?
The incredible Brené Brown, Ph.D., MSW, leads the discussion on a profoundly human truth that is rarely acknowledged: courage and fear are not mutually exclusive. She writes, “Most of us feel brave and afraid at the same time. We feel vulnerable. Sometimes all day long. During those moments, when our fear and our call to courage both pull us, we need shared language, skills, tools, and daily practices that can support us through the rumble.”
In her work, she says that the word rumble is a behavioral cue to show up with an open heart and mind to have a conversation. She says this conversation is “defined by a commitment to lean into vulnerability…
…to stay curious and generous, to stick with the messy middle of problem-solving, to take a break and circle back when necessary, to be fearless in owning our parts, and to listen to others the way we want others to listen to us.”
My experience as a doula has shown me (and continues to show me) how much we feel the depths of both courage and fear when our mortality knocks on the door and asks to be witnessed. Because of this, the weight Brené Brown assigns the word “rumble” fits perfectly.
So I use the word as part of my ethos in approaching and working those I support.
Please note: This nod to Brené Brown is out of sheer love only. She does not endorse or is otherwise involved with my body of work.
Questions and Answers for Rumble Sessions
What do you mean when you say that a Rumble Session is an as-needed support?
There are no contracts, it can be booked at any time based on an availability calendar, and support is limited to our call together + one follow-up email thread. It’s an excellent option for anyone who isn’t sure they are ready for monthly doula support as it offers flexibility around time and budget, and can feel very supportive if you simply want to check in and receive guidance here and there. It’s a great option for those looking for clarity about what to expect, what needs to be done, or who have specific questions about their non-medical, holistic experience.
What do people normally talk about during a rumble session?
We can discuss anything you feel comfortable talking about. Often, people who come to me for a rumble session have a specific situation they’re looking to explore in a trusting, non-biased space, like:
- I’m currently waiting to be put on the transplant list and I’m having a hard time.
- My relationship is strained because I am (or someone I love is) in organ failure or has been given a terminal diagnosis.
- I’m worried about my family financially/emotionally/practically regarding my illness.
- How can I speak with my friend/employer/family about what’s going on?
- How do I identify what’s important to me?
- How do I make sure my family understands and honors my wishes?
- I want to talk about the fact that I might die, but I don’t know how to approach it.
- I want help understanding my medical wishes and how to make sure they are honored should something happen.
- I want to organize my life’s affairs but I’m unsure where to start or what to do.
This is by no means a complete list—but I hope this gives you an idea.
What is the difference between a rumble session and therapy/counseling session?
Therapists are licensed professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, or mental health counselors, and are trained in a wide array of modalities. The common goal of all therapists is to relieve suffering (mental health symptoms) and achieve a healthy state of being and functioning.
I am not a trained professional in counseling or therapy; I cannot provide you with prescriptions, or advice on medical treatments. My services are not intended to replace the support a professional can provide you.
What I do is offer you a trusting, non-judgmental place to bring very specific issues around organ failure, transplantation, living organ donation, and death work to the table and receive actionable, problem-focused coping strategies/guidance for you. You can think of what I do as an extension of the support services available to you. I invest my time and energy into knowing how to navigate your experience with any of these issues—and I do so in a straightforward, pragmatic way.
Do we need to talk about death and dying?
I don’t force any topic on my clients. This lies entirely within your control and level of comfort.
I have an entire healthcare team and care circle; why would I benefit from a rumble session?
Most people navigating terminal diagnosis, organ failure, organ transplantation, becoming a living organ donor, or being a caregiver—will bump up against the healthcare system at some point, and it will most likely have a significant impact on how you experience your current situation. Our system has profound weaknesses because it’s been built around treating disease, not people. It has astonishing strengths for the same reason. Moving through this can feel overwhelming, and often, the responsibility falls on you to protect your needs, wants, expectations, and boundaries.
That’s where I come in. I can support you in identifying, understanding, and communicating your feelings and interests. I do not replace anyone on your care team. But I am another branch of it.
Can you support someone who isn't at home, but in the hospital, hospice center, or transplant house?
Yes. As long as they have access to a computer or phone, I can support them.
What is a Rumble Guide?
The Rumble Guide is a completely custom guide created for you after our call. It includes call notes, prompts, resources, checklists, and other helpful information based on our discussion. This guide is an interactive PDF, which means you can make notes digitally—or it can be printed.
How does the follow up aspect of a rumble session work?
One week after our call, I’ll follow up with you via email or text (your choice) to see how everything landed, if you have questions on the Rumble Guide, etc. I’ll reply to your response with additional feedback and support. Then our time together is concluded until you choose to schedule another call.