The BRA Network

Educators | Doulas | BRA Practitioners

Marie Burrows

Founding Principal and creator of Birthing Rites Australia
Childbirth Educator and Mother of two

The breadth and depth of Marie Burrow's experience and dedication to this work spans 40 years. Marie has an extraordinary amount of ‘hands on’ experience working with people across all walks of life in all kinds of life challenging situations.

Marie has devoted her lifetime teaching pre/post-natal classes, supporting mothers in labour (also adding valuable insight to the partner in their role in birthing). She has conducted thousands of therapy sessions for individuals, partners and families. In addition she has been a senior facilitator for the Hoffman Process since 1990.

Marie utilises a vast array of training and experience in psychotherapy, deep feeling therapy and other personal growth techniques to conduct BRA services. All these techniques and experience focus on feeling our feelings expressively so we understand how our bodies carry shame and pain and how we can ultimately heal and create more love and happiness in our lives.

Marie continues to work tirelessly in empowering people on their journey in dealing with past/present pain, shame, birthing experiences and parenting. She works very long hours including weekends for these causes. Her work and generosity has included pro-bono and discounted fees.

All of us at BRA and all those associated are grateful for Marie's dedication and the heart felt, genuine, loving approach she brings to all her work.

Pete Gailey

Childbirth Educator and Father of three
Secondary School Art Teacher, Photographer and Artist

Pete Gailey joined Birthing Rites Australia 20 years ago after the birth of his son Felix. Being present at the birth of each of his children was a very powerful and transforming experience for him. Those experiences left him wanted to learn more about the birth process and in particular how men are useful and pro-active participant in what was for many years a woman’s only space.

Pete trained under Marie Burrows as a prenatal educator and has delivered childbirth education with BRA for over two decades. He also works with the Prenatal Educators at Royal North Shore Hospital in presenting sessions on support during labour and birth.

Everything Pete teaches, he has learned from the women - the midwives, the educators and the women who bring their beautiful children into this world. He says, "I believe that birth is a powerful initiation into becoming a mother or a father and although it is intense birth should be honoured as one of the great human achievements."

back to top

Becky Whitcombe

Postnatal Consultant and Mother of three

Becky Whitcombe has been associated with BRA for almost 8 years. She did her prenatal course at BRA in 2004 for her first child. She had her third child in December 2010. Becky attended BRA's Mothers Group with each of her three children and found the Groups an excellent therapy and support to her. With her continued association with BRA with the prenatal course and subsequent attendance at Mothers Group, Becky soon became a passionate advocate for birthing and she now facilitates BRA's Mothers Groups.

For the last three and a half years, Becky has been our Pre and Postnatal support person. She forms a connection with Mums- and Dads-to-be after they finish their prenatal course and continues these relationships after the birth. Becky says, "I believe birth is an initiation of parenthood and to start with a positive birth experience is an incredible gift to the whole new family."

Becky also currently runs the Rainbow Baby Group, a Rudolf Steiner philosophy-based baby group on Thursdays in the Lavender Room at BRA.

back to top

Miriam Delacy

Educator/Doula Consultant

Your baby, your family and you all deserve a birth experience that is a joyful and positive beginning to your new life together and that is why I work as a doula - to provide the support that makes that possible.

To be a small part of your journey is a privilege that I would love to share with you. Read more...

Sally Walsh

Doula Consultant

As a Doula Consultant I support the significance of the journey as it unfolds for a mother and partner through the pregnancy and labouring process. The experience is plentiful with opportunities of self discovery, depth, connection and love. Read more...

Lillian Rytt

Advanced Consultant

Lilian has extensive experience in working in women's health. She is a qualified shiatsu and bowen practicioner, with over 21 years of experience.

She is also a practicing Chilbirth Educator who has assisted in many births as a Birthing Assistant (Doula) and a pre and post yoga teacher. Read more...

Belinda Flynn

Senior Doula Consultant

After thirteen eventful years of pregnancy, babies and parenting it feels like a natural progression to support other parents as a doula.

With four children between the ages of 12 years and 2 years, I have a deep understanding of the joy and the challenges that parents face during pregnancy, birth and the years of parenting that follow. Read more...

back to top

Karen Burn

Homeopath, Registered AROH & AHA member
CNS registered midwife. (Health fund rebates available)

Karen offers a homeopathic clinic with a focus on family health care. She specialises in pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.

Karen also provides homeopathic remedy kits. A birth kit aims to support a couples desire to approach birth in a ‘non-medical’ way. Kits are provided with consultation on how to best use. Read more...

David Keyssecker

Naturopath

David Keyssecker started private practice in 1990 as a Naturopathic Practitioner. David is qualified as a Naturopath holding a Bachelors degree in Complimentary Medicine from Charles Sturt University but also has diplomas in Homoeopathy, Nutrition and Herbal Medicine.

Over the years David has become increasingly interested in assisting clients with Cancer. He treats children and works intensively in fertility, as well as seeing clients with general health issues. Read more...

Kevin Sharpe

Osteopath, Muscle Energy Technique, Countertrain
Massage and other functional techniques

Kevin has been practicing as an osteopath since 1977. In recent years he has become increasingly drawn to the softer side of osteopathy.

Kevin uses a combination of hands on techniques which may include massage, Muscle Energy Technique (MET), Counterstrain and functional techniques to aid in the gentle mobilisation of joints and the relief of soft tissue tensions. Read more...

Natasha Randall

Reflexology Therapist, professional member of the Reflexology Association of Australia

Natasha became a fully qualified professional Reflexologist at the Australian School of Reflexology where she gained her Diploma and Advanced Certificate in Reflexology.

Natasha also has a Diploma in Facial Reflexology which she received from Lone Sorensen who is a Professor of Reflexology in Europe. Read more...

Josie Grech

Acupuncturist, Bachelor Health Sciences (Acupuncture)
UTS Sydney Diploma Remedial Massage, incl sports therapy

Josie Grech is an acupuncturist with over 20 years experience. Her main specialties are anything related to fertility, pregnancy and childbirth.

This includes IVF support, 1st trimester issues as well as energetic support throughout pregnancy, positional (breech, posterior), pre birth preparation, post baby “mother roasting” (helps contract uterus clearing milk letdown and energy flow), post natal depression and birth recovery. Read more...

Leila Chirgwin

Lactation Consultant

Leila is able to help mothers to establish breastfeeding and to manage and overcome breastfeeding difficulties.

Leila is a qualified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and holds a Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy, BA(Hons)/ Dip Ed, MA, Clinical Member of the Counsellors and Psychotherapists Association (CAPA). Read more...

back to top