About me
Hi, I’m Mikayla (they/them)!
I am a Black biracial, queer, massage therapist and birth doula who practices in Lenapehoking (Philadelphia). I spent my early career days in the public health realm, but after a few years I decided on a career change. During my time as a maternal and child health epidemiologist and program manager, I consistently felt that the work I was doing as a professional in the nonprofit world did not truly address the health needs and desires of the families we were meant to work with. After reaching my limit with the rampant paternalism, demands of funders, and commitment to the status quo that so often pervades nonprofits, I quit my job in pursuit of more collaborative, genuine, 1:1 work.
Years of being in the maternal and child health sphere, however, solidified that I wanted to be a birth doula some day. In 2024, I began my birth doula journey by participating in a training by DONA International. In early 2025, a shoulder injury left me with chronic pain and limited mobility. After x-rays, prescriptions for muscle relaxers and NSAIDs, the only treatment that helped me achieve long-term relief was massage therapy. Thus began my path toward massage therapy. There are so many functional and structural changes that happen to peoples’ bodies during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the postpartum period; it feels right to me to merge massage therapy with my interest in birth work.
Outside of the birth or massage room you can find me taking walks in my neighborhood, pretending to help my partner in the kitchen (I am not a skilled cook), getting 45-minutes deep into bits with my friends, knitting, developing relationships with and studying plants, watching birds, looking for my next sweet treat, and slowly working towards a world where everyone is cared for in the ways they want and need.
My Philosophies
I have a special interest in supporting Philly-based Black, brown, Indigenous, queer/trans, and disabled people, although I serve everyone in the greater Philadelphia area.
I approach my practice through prioritizing reproductive justice, client-centered care, evidence-based practices, informed consent, and a mind open to the awe and wonder of birth.
Reproductive justice - The foundation of my work is rooted in reproductive justice, which is the right for everyone to control their reproduction. This includes the right for everyone to have autonomy over their sexuality, gender identity and expression, and if/when/how/how many children they have. My vision for the future includes a world where everyone is free to care for their reproductive and birthing experiences in the ways that they want, on their own terms.
Client-centered care - No two bodies or birthing experiences are the same. I meet my clients where they are at and adjust my approaches according to the needs and desires of each person.
Evidence-based practices - My doula and massage practices are grounded in evidence of all types. I believe that evidence comes in many forms, including the wisdom of mentors and the Black and Indigenous birth workers who have shaped the birthing world, the teachings of plants and the natural world, academic and research-based insights, and community-sourced reflections and best practices.
Informed consent - I believe that people know what’s best for their bodies and deserve to have autonomy when making decisions about their health. I approach all my clients with the openness and transparency needed for them to make grounded, enthusiastic, and consensual decisions about what type of birth support or body work they want to receive.
Ethical integration of modalities - Birth and body work have long traditional practices across all cultures of the world. Where I can, I seek out tutelage from experienced practitioners who have a cultural tie to that modality, knowledge base, or practice. There are also certain modalities that I will not practice because I do not have enough of a cultural tie to that tradition (for example, Lomi Lomi).