Wildwood was on a list of recommended doulas from my OB and it was really important to me in…read moreselecting someone to work with that they had worked with our practice and in our delivery hospital before. We interviewed two doulas and I was honestly very torn because I really liked them both for different reasons. Heidi had such a calming presence even through zoom and I knew deep down that would be exactly what I needed. Little did I know at the time my seemingly low risk pregnancy would take some interesting turns. I don't know what I would have done without her constant reassurance. I ended up in the midst of a multiple day induction that picked up incredibly quickly when they broke my water. We had been in communication with Heidi throughout the weeks leading up to my induction and she got to the hospital very quickly when we let her know they had broken my water. Just as i suspected she was the calm in the storm, not just for myself but my husband as well. She took some photos for us of those initial moments together and made sure I got my lusted for post delivery meal before leaving us to get some rest. She stayed in close contact over the next few days while we dealt with a 72 hour hospital stay, a readmittance scare, and struggles with feedings. We had a lovely postpartum visit at our home when things calmed down and it warmed my heart so much to see her hold our son. She advocated for me during labor when I wasn't in the mindset to do so myself and made me feel so supported and safe. I've recommended Heidi and wildwood to everyone I know who has gotten pregnant since my delivery. They are truly such an amazing and supportive group.

We had the privilege to have three different Wildwood Birth doulas: Kim, Zoe, and Kelsey and took…read moreWildwood's birth education course. Kim was our birth doula she supported me in pregnancy, labor, and birth. The birth experience is a very personal thing and we felt incredibly comfortable with her throughout the entire process. I only ever felt supported by Kim and that she had my best interest at heart. My husband had concerns that having a doula would be distracting for him, however looking back he said that that couldn't have been less true he was thankful for Kim and the support he provided for him too. Zoe was our day time postpartum and we were so thankful to have her there in those essential first weeks. Zoe not only took excellent care of our baby, but she checked in on our physical and mental health. She really was making sure everyone was doing well. I felt comfortable asking her all sorts of questions and she showed us how to give our baby their first bath! Kelsey was our night time postpartum doula, it's a strange feeling leaving your baby with someone overnight and you going to sleep, but from the moment I met Kelsey I knew she would look out for my baby and do what's best for him. As a mom who had a journey with breastfeeding, pumping, formula Kelsey was always coming up with a plan for how I could do what I needed to and get the most sleep. My husband and I would always say "Kelsey night!" the day she was coming because we got to sleep and we knew our baby would be taken care of - which is a rare combo in the days of a newborn. As a whole Wildwood Birth Collective was a dream to work with. The birthing course was thorough and informative and communication for all the staff was excellent. I feel that when we joined Wildwood we got not only really great doula support but gained an awesome community. Thank you Wildwood, Kim, Zoe, and Kelsey!

We had such a wonderful experience working with Katrina and Bridgetown baby. Their insurance…read morechecking benefits and automatic, matching with lactation consultant were extremely helpful. We were lucky enough to work with Katrina who from the very first meeting, was incredibly kind, patient, and supportive. She created a comfortable, judgment-free space where I felt heard and understood. What I appreciated most was her collaborative approach. She really took the time to listen to our concerns, answer questions thoroughly, and work together to find solutions that felt right for our family. Her guidance was practical, encouraging, and tailored to our specific situation. I'm truly grateful for her expertise and compassion, and I would highly recommend her to any family looking for knowledgeable and caring lactation support.

I recently had my second baby and unlike my first I wanted to have a lactation consultant home…read morevisit as soon as baby arrived. I have PCOS and had a low supply and tongue tie with my first and wanted to get baby checked out right away so we could do what we needed to help milk production. Rosemary was amazing and came right away and helped me navigate all the things related to breastfeeding and feeding my baby. I felt heard and very well cared for in those beginning days when you are so vulnerable. We had a follow up today and she reassured me that I'm doing everything and heading in the right direction. She was really there to listen to what I had to say and my concerns and gave the advice that I needed to feel confident and keep moving forward. So thankful for Rosemary and Bridgetown baby for the much needed support.

So I tried twice to do a CPR course as a medical provider with this site. The first time I was…read moresick so I naturally didn't go and ate the 55$. The second time they had the name of the building as " The Montessori House" when in fact it was a church. There were no signs in front of it indicating otherwise. When you register the information that you get is " The Montessori House" and the address. They should list it at the church since that is the building at the address. Additionally, you should get all the relevant information for the site WHEN YOU REGISTER AND PAY. Not weeks later before the class. I just wonder how much money they are making from people who are sick and have to cancel (a stupid policy from people providing a healthcare related course since everyone realizes illness is unpredictable) and because of poorly labelled class sites. Just wondering...

A wonderful experience. The most thorough training I've received. Convenient location and flexible…read morehours. I will definitely be returning for my renewal!

MusicWerks has made a huge impact on my life. Their friendly, talented teachers are knowledgable…read moreand really great with children. Watching these kids grow from beginners to amazing musicians is a real treat! The flexibility and understanding that MusicWerks has about family life is the key difference between this music school and any other. I highly recommend them.

We love MusicWerks! My daughter has been studying piano and voice at this studio for 4 years. She…read morehas had two different teachers during this time - both excellent. Through MusicWerks she has also had the opportunity to participate in a juried music festival, rock camp, and a variety of group classes. The studio is well organized, professional, and family-friendly, There are a variety of teachers, and Robyn. the owner, will talk with you to determine who might best suit your child's needs. I feel like Robyn has provided me with a lot of parental support, and has always been there to address my questions and concerns. The recitals are really lovely as well. It's wonderful to see the full range of students - from preschool through high school - showcasing their talent in a fun, relaxed environment. I highly recommend MusicWerks. It's a great studio for kids of all ages.

My husband and I received a referral to Rachael from a friend. We met with her while I was in my…read moresecond trimester and quickly knew that we wanted her to be part of our birth story! Rachael was incredibly helpful and supportive during my pregnancy, available to answer questions when we were faced with baby challenges and decisions surrounding the birth. We met with her multiple times to get to know each other and talk through our plans. Also, she provided great support via phone/text/email in between our visits. Despite our best efforts to encourage our baby to turn around with natural and medical interventions, she remained in the breach position and we ended up scheduling a c-section. We were unsure what a doula's involvement would like in this scenario. Rachael was super flexible and walked us through her experiences as a doula at a c-section and provided so much moral support during this exciting but challenging time. When the time came, Rachael was right by our side at the hospital, joining us in the operating room as our baby was brought into the world. Her positive energy and support were so appreciated, especially when I didn't feel well. After some skin-to-skin time, my husband took our baby as I was feeling quite ill. When his focus turned to her, Rachael was there to comfort me - rubbing my head and helping me breath through it all. It really helped me push through the nausea so I was able to hold my baby again. Following the birth, she helped us get settled and encapsulated my placenta. The pills were ready and waiting for us when we arrived home. We are incredibly grateful to have had Rachael as our doula. We found the experience of working with her to be highly valuable and we appreciated having this lovely, genuine, kind soul with us as we welcomed our daughter into the world.

Working with Rachael was an absolute dream! She is warm, compassionate, smart, and invested. Our…read moreprenatal appointments were long and thorough. She really took the time to get to know me, my partner, and our 2 year old son. In the weeks leading up to my birth, she was wonderful about checking in to see how I was doing and even came over with some essential oils when I hurt my back! I had a very fast birth and Rachael helped me to stay as calm as possible and reassured me when my confidence started to waver. She's extremely knowledgable about counter pressure techniques and positions to better support labor. I don't know how I could have done it without her! I also highly recommend Rachael's postpartum services. They are invaluable! Those first weeks with a newborn can be crazy and it was so nice to have another set of hands as well as a listening ear. She's the best!

Without a doubt, committing to a 20 session Neurofeedback program at The Path Center was one of…read morethe best decisions I have ever made. I chose Neurofeedback to help myself move beyond a background of abuse, and to address two serious brain injuries from my youth. Early into the program I began to notice an overall more positive attitude emerging, as well a notable increase in my resilience to stress. Every session felt like it was building on the last, and throughout the 10 weeks, even though negative patterns sporadically surfaced, I continued to realize steady improvement in daily life. Gail Hardman-Woung, the clinic founder and director, and her amazing staff are professional, heart-centered, skilled, and conscientious. They maintain a clinic environment that is attractive and welcoming for their clientele. The Neurofeedback "LENS" sessions with Gail were especially enjoyable. Her knowledge and expertise was ever-reassuring. I appreciated that she took the time to show and explain the "brain-mapping" graph on the computer during our sessions so I could observe the healing progress in brain patterns each time. Upon completion of the program, I left feeling significantly more confident, clear, and grounded in myself, ready for a new direction and journey ahead. I am deeply grateful for the healing I received, and am pleased to highly recommend The Path Clinic and all they have to offer.

Margaret Rust at The Path Center is a wonderfully patient and effective therapist, I feel so lucky…read moreto have found her! Through our work together, Margaret has helped me understand my full life experience so that I could find and process past wounds at my own pace. Her guidance has allowed me to heal and find sustainable relief from my depression and anxiety, as well as other perks I didn't expect! Adding to a more positive mood and a greater sense of control, I've naturally started to exude more confidence, have cut back on bad habits without trying, and am finally feeling seen by others. I am so appreciative of Margaret and her positive impact on my life. Whether you are just starting out with therapy or already know your goals - Margaret at The Path Center can help.

I am very excited to learn French. I will make sure to chose another option. I had absolutely no…read moreresponse on my inquiry. This really bummed me out. It is a big step and to have no response seems irresponsible.

Having studied French at the University of Chicago and the Institut de Francais in…read moreVillefranche-sur-Mer, I want to say that the French Community of Portland has created some very distinctive and exceptional. Stephane and Emma have created a learning environment that is lively, energizing, intellectually challenging. You can't fail to learn a great deal, improve your French and simultaneously have a really good time. It's like getting University-level instruction with no stress from two devoted educators who really care about their students. I now do both classes and private lessons. It's that good! Greg V

Excellent classes that should be required for all new and experienced drivers! I learned so much…read moreand changed my driving habits!

Another true confession: I've never worn my seatbelt correctly. As soon as I sit down, I tuck it…read moreunder my arm and go about my drive. My first car had a detachable chest belt, and I always kept it off. To me, it's as thoughtless as hitting a snooze button when you're tired. So it might come as no surprise that I got busted for a seatbelt violation back on the Fourth of July. While riding in the backseat of a friend's car. Maybe a minute after pulling out of the Plaid parking lot en route to a party. Bone-cold sober. And it wasn't so much that I wore the belt incorrectly. I just wasn't wearing it. Yeah. Click it or ticket, you idiot, you probably think. Well, sure, it's catchy. In some nebulous capacity, you know it as a brainless action that could very well save your ass in times of trouble. But that part about brainlessness? Exactly. Well, as a marked gal of the Portland Traffic Court, I got to consider the buckling of the seatbelt in excruciating detail. In lieu of adding to the bloated coffers of the Portland court system, I got the option to attend Trauma Nurses Talk Tough, a seatbelt safety class, and pay the fee for the class instead. I may be reckless but I like money. So I seated myself with a pen and a notebook in an auditorium at Legacy Emanuel like any good student would. First part of the class consisted of a police officer running through the legal side of why you should wear a seatbelt. The guy appeared confident with no particular need to appeal to any single person there, but he didn't appear cocky at all. You could tell he had preached his part a bunch of times and answered dozens of related "Well, what if I did this?" questions. He joked about personally sending some of the invitations to a few people in his captive audience. He also stayed true to his word about taking away any cell phones that rang during the class and mailing them to the owners the following day. You can insert a doughnut joke here if you want, but I got the impression that the guy with the badge in that room just had a job to do. Then the trauma nurse who fielded the remainder of the lecture showed up, and I got a completely new appreciation for another kind of job. You can imagine what that section of the class involved. Yes, there were horror stories and grisly photos and Australian-produced (sidebar - do we not make these in the U.S.?) PSA's that portray the various kinds of ways to lose control of a vehicle and suffer a range of consequences. That much, I expected. What I did not anticipate was hearing the litany of easily preventable ways that objects in your car, from the straw in your soft drink to the person in the backseat, can collide and in no uncertain terms, screw up your life and your loved ones' futures. The description of a heart getting snapped off its aortic twig also caught me off guard. The nurse who taught the class has been in the trauma field for 30 years. I've sure she's seen everything and has a special shelf in her case of stories for Bad Decisions Made by Smart People. Despite all evidence on my bank account and in my journal, I consider myself to be a pretty smart person. I think most of the people I care about are intelligent and mindful individuals. But we all take risks, usually ones that barely register a ripple on our danger scales, and a lot of those risks don't have rewards. Once I got past the more-or-less mandatory deduction of two hours of free time, what struck me the most is that awful, life-changing things happen during car travel all the time. For real, despite the hokey factor. Why relinquish the intelligence I think I possess, that I think most people probably possess, by making stupid choices? One more thing - the fee for the class goes towards securing cheap helmets and seatbelt education in elementary schools. Once again, a no-brainer.