Helen Stickney, PhD


I am a meditation instructor and death doula specializing in contemplative approaches to mortality and grief. In 2014, I left a career in academia to pursue a calling to help those at the end of life. I currently work in administration for a local hospice and for the local green cemetery. I offer Reiki as a hospice volunteer. As a member of Pittsburgh Community Deathcare, I offer one-on-one grief support virtually and in person, and I facilitate meditation groups and group ceremonies for processing grief of all kinds (outdoors preferred).

As a doula, my role is to support people through the various phases of the end of life process. Death affects our loved ones as well as those who are dying. I am available to support everyone involved in the dying process. Meditation and deep listening are integrated into all aspects of my work.

I am a trained meditation instructor, who has been meditating for over four decades, focusing most recently on somatic approaches to mindfulness. In my work, I guide people through body-based practices to help them work directly with emotions and well-being, embracing our human experience as a way to heal and grow.

In addition to my work with Pittsburgh Community Deathcare, I am the former director of the Three Rivers Free Clinic for the People and have held leadership roles at a number of meditation centers. I received Death Doula Certification in 2017 and a certificate in Integrative Thanatology from the Open Center in 2021. I am currently studying with the Portland Institute for Loss and Transition. A full list of trainings and certifications is available upon request.

Iā€™m located in Allegheny county and am happy to drive within 20 miles of the 15209 zip code. I have office space for in person meetings in Millvale, PA. Virtual consults/session available via Zoom. I charge $75 for one-on-one virtual meetings (roughly 60-90 minutes) with a sliding scale that starts at $50. Packages are also available. For more information, please send me an email.

Email: helen.stickney@gmail.com