Traditional Midwifery met with
authenticity & passion while providing therapeutic & ancestral care.

 
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 Barbara Vernéus

Traditional Midwife

 

At The Counseling Midwife, serving Philadelphia and surrounding communities, we believe that birth sovereignty is your birthright—to birth right. This means you are the vital heartbeat of your pregnancy journey, central to every decision about your body, your birth, and your family. We honor your autonomy through a co-care approach, ensuring you are informed, supported, and respected.

As a Black-led Philadelphia midwifery practice, we provide compassionate care across the life cycle—from menarche and birth to menopause and beyond. What makes The Counseling Midwife unique is our blend of holistic midwifery care, emotional and spiritual counseling, and family-centered health education for the entire community, not just the pregnant person. We proudly serve those often overlooked in “mainstream” pregnancy and birth care, centering marginalized families and culturally competent care.

We encourage you to take an active role in your care—do your own research, ask as many questions as you need, and feel confident in your birth choices. You deserve intentional, comprehensive therapeutic care that supports and honors your homebirth journey.

 Our Services

 

Midwifery

Midwifery is recognized as a responsible and accountable professional who works in partnership with families to give the necessary support, care, and advice during pregnancy, labor and the postpartum period and provide care for the newborn/infant.

 
 

Counseling

We offer non-traditional counseling that seeks to provide a humanistic and holistic model by creating and maintaining a safe space while walking alongside individuals in discovering their own discovery, solutions, healing, restoration, and self-mastery in life.

 
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What Our Clients Say!

“Working with you made my birthing experience more comfortable and easy. To have you guiding me and reassuring me of my power and rights throughout was the best support I couldn’t of ask for in that time. The recovery support and overall ease of working with you was a 10/10 experience. Thank you for being apart of my village bringing my twins earth side.”

-Jameese

“Barbara was a pleasure to work with! During this journey you want people around you that matches your energy and offers more than just experience on birth, but experience in life! Barbara came into my life with such a peaceful but dominant spirit, never hesitating to offer guidance and understanding during my journey. When having to explore options out of my control to birth in the hospital, she gave me such courage and faith, reassuring me that I still was powerful and taking on the role of ‘mother’ by choosing what’s best for my child even if it wasn’t my desire! I am so honored and thankful to have had her as an intricate part of my journey! I pray that all moms new mothers especially, would have the opportunity to experience such a warm soul as their advocate in their birthing experience!”

-Nabilah

“We met Barbara as a student midwife at Dyekora Sumda Midwifery in Brooklyn, NY. Barbara was always gentle and communicative when preforming our vital checks and was always checking in to make sure we were comfortable. She's a kind and thoughtful individual with a huge heart and a dedication like no other. Throughout my pregnancy and after the birth of my son we became friends and continue to stay in touch- through all of life's ups and downs. Barbara is the epitome hustling mother; always on the grind yet maintaining a graceful elegance that only a few can accomplish. Thank you for being you and for sharing your spririt with the world.”

-Gianara

“We just want to say thank you for all that you have done to bring our little girl into this world. Your presence and sweet spirit has been such a blessing. You are an amazing midwife!”

-Liz

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