Hannah Jayne Harris, PsyD,
ERYT-200, RPYT
Yoga and Meditation Teacher, Full Spectrum Doula, Childbirth Educator, Psychology Instructor
Founding Executive Director - Water Signs Community Perinatal Services
Full Spectrum Doula (DONA Trained), Childbirth Educator (Lamaze Trained), Prenatal Yoga Teacher (RPYT). Oversee all aspects of this small nonprofit startup, including service provision, volunteer coordination and fundraising.
January 2021 - Present
Instructor - School of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences at Missouri State University
July 2017Â - Present
Teach a variety of courses in the Psychology Programs, both undergraduate and graduate, including, but not limited to: Introduction to Clinical Psychology, Psychology of Childhood, Psychology of Diversity, and provide academic advisement and mentoring.
Serve as a member of the College of Health and Human Services Interprofessional Education Collaborative and the university Pre-Medical Committee.
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Most Recent Publication:
Venegoni, J., Adler, M., Belisle, J. et al. (2023). Exploratory Analysis of the Contextual Influence of Motherhood on Probability Discounting in Women. Behavior and Social Issues. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42822-023-00137-2
Yoga and Meditation Teacher - Salt Water Well
Teach yoga and meditation classes to a broad population of people, mostly as an independent contractor. Provide continuing education opportunities for yoga teachers.
July 2016 - Present
Education
BA
Rider University
May, 2009
Major - Sociology
Minor - Elementary Education
MA
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
October 2010
Applied Research Project: The Impact of a Military Parent's Experiences with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder on Children
PsyD
The Wright Institute
June, 2016
Dissertation Title: Exploring the Role of Behavioral Health Consultants in Diagnosing and Treating Female Sexual Dysfunction
Bio
I'm a solo mom, registered yoga teacher (ERTY200, PRYT), full spectrum doula, childbirth educator, nonprofit founding executive director, college psychology teacher and experienced gestational surrogate. I hold a doctorate in clinical psychology with a focus on integrated healthcare. I love spending time in my garden, tending my chickens and doing small woodworking projects. If I'm not in the classroom, the delivery room or the yoga studio (as a teacher or a student), you can find me on my Ergatta enjoying the sweet, sweet sounds of swishing water while I workout and work in.
Each day, I get to work with people to help them better understand and celebrate their bodies and unearth their confidence and authentic voice. I founded Water Signs Community Perinatal Services in 2021 in an effort to diversify the perinatal support network in her predominantly white area. I didn't feel ready, but I knew the time was now and I already had everything I needed inside me to begin this journey. I wanted to do better for people like me. There's a lot more work to do, but we are certainly on our way!
Some Things You Might Not Know About Hannah
1. Hannah was born in Iowa and is adopted. She was raised in a home with three other adopted siblings.
2. Hannah has been a gestational surrogate, delivering her first journey in July, 2023. She is currently gearing up to do another journey.
3. Hannah was a member of the Division I Womens' Soccer Team at Rider University. She played goalkeeper.
4. Hannah LOVES to garden! She is obsessed with finding new ways to grow more in her little backyard.
5. Hannah is a football fan of the Philadelphia Eagles. Go Birds!!!
6. Hannah's biological great-great-great-grandmother was a Grannie Midwife. Hannah hopes to one day pick up that legacy and run with it.
Mission
My life mission is...
To boldly find my voice in larger spaces and on larger stages, developing and sustaining myself through equal parts levity and grounding. And through my own balance, helping others find their own sense of balance while relentlessly pursuing their dreams.
Vision
My vision for life is...
To draw closer to the far-flung corners of the world, taking my light, my spirit, my open mind and open heart and my faith in humanity to places unseen. I wish to both literally and figuratively stand atop mountains, better understanding my place in and my connection to this world and all living things in it.
Purpose
As part of my life's purpose...
I am a loyal, passionate free spirit who seeks to listen to and support others along their way, whether we journey together for a few moments or for a lifetime.
Langston Hughes
"When a man starts out to build a world, He starts first with himself and the faith that is in his heart - The strength there, The will to build."
Maya Angelou
"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style."
Harriet Tubman
"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world."
Trainings and Professional Development
Birth and Breastfeeding Leadership Institute
Presented by Black Mothers' Breastfeeding Association
April, 2023 - January, 2024
Black Maternal Health Conference and Training Institute
Presented by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance
September 17-18, 2022
Holding Space for Abortion
Presented by The Institute for Birth, Breath and Death
June - September, 2022
Lamaze Childbirth Education Seminar
Presented by Jennifer C. Rogers, LCCE, FACCE of The Institute of Childbirth Educators (a Lamaze-Accredited Childbirth Educator Program)
April 29 - May 1, 2022
TENS Unit Training for Labor Support
Presented by Stefanie Antunes of Doula School
March 3, 2022
85 Hour Sacred Birth Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training
Presented by Julia Forest, ERYT-500, RPYT of Awakened Spirit Yoga
October 5-21, 2021
DONA International Approved Birth Doula Workshop
Including Intro to Childbirth for Doulas and Supporting Breast/Chestfeeding for Doulas
Presented by Stefanie Antunes of Doula School
October 5-21, 2021
