About Us

We are a team of three End of Life Doulas who work in partnership to serve clients throughout Vermont, offering a calm, steady presence to individuals and their loved ones. We help people navigate the logistical, emotional, and relational aspects of accessing Medical Aid in Dying in Vermont with clarity, compassion, and respect so that care aligns with each person’s wishes. Our goal is to make the journey less difficult by helping guide clients and their families through the logistical barriers as well as providing emotional support throughout the entire process.​​​

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Rachel Loreto, LMSW 

Rachel is a licensed social worker and practicing psychotherapist. She holds certifications as an End of Life Doula from UVM and Inelda. She brings extensive experience supporting vulnerable populations through a background in non-profit program management and child welfare. She currently serves on the board of the MAID educational and advocacy organization End of Life Options DC. Rachel also volunteers for hospice and answers inquiries about accessing MAID in Vermont on the Helpline at Patient Choices Vermont. Her personal experience accompanying her aunt through the MAID process in Vermont inspired her commitment to assisting others in creating a peaceful and empowered end of life journey for themselves. www.racheldoula.com

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Licia Berry-Berard, MSW, LICSW

Licia is a licensed social worker and psychotherapist with more than three decades of experience supporting individuals and families through medically and emotionally complex life stages. As a certified End-of-Life Doula, she brings a grounded, compassionate presence to those navigating the final chapter of life, helping clients and their loved ones feel informed, supported, and less alone. Licia’s professional background includes extensive work with vulnerable populations—older adults, individuals with chronic and terminal illnesses, and families facing significant loss or transition. She has guided countless patients and caregivers through medical systems, end-of-life decision-making, and anticipatory grief, always with an emphasis on dignity, clarity, and emotional safety.

Brigid Guttmacher, M.A., L.P.C. (Retired)

Brigid holds an End of Life doula certification from UVM and has 40 years of experience with hospices in Vermont and Washington, DC as both a clinician and a volunteer.  While working as Bereavement Care Coordinator and Community Outreach and Palliative Care Counselor for hospice, she provided support to family members and friends of hospice patients and members of the community before as well as after the death of a loved one.  Brigid had a private practice in DC specializing in helping individuals and families cope with illness, life transitions, and grief and loss issues.

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Together, we work to create a peaceful and personalized end-of-life experience. We help clients articulate their values and wishes, plan for care that aligns with those priorities, and build the support networks they need. Grounded, steady, and deeply experienced, we support individuals and families approaching death with guidance, honesty, and compassion.