Los Angeles + Costa Mesa 
Lactation Consultant and Postpartum Doula

Currently, I am working as a Lactation Consultant both in office and in home, and as a Postpartum Doula overnight 3-4x a week, specializing in lactation and feeding. I have additional training in Lactation Counseling, Infant Massage, Adult and Infant CPR, First Aid, and Infant Microbiome and Epigenetics. In 2019 I discovered my passion for the postpartum period, decided to train as a Postpartum Doula with DONA International instead of becoming a nurse, started my own business The Distinguished Doula, and became Certified as Postpartum Doula in 2022 (& re-certified in 2025). Before 2023 came to an end, I completed the UCSD Extended Studies Program for Lactation Education Counseling and became a Certified Lactation Counselor through ALPP in 2025. After using this credential to provide lactation support to many clients, to educate birth workers and expectant families by teaching lactation classes, and to counsel the public in their feeding journeys, I decided to further my education and training by following the IBCLC Pathway 1 route. I became an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) once I passed the boards in Sept. 2025. In Jan. 2026, I created Clarissa's Nursing Nest, a DBA under my original business The Distinguished Doula. My goal is to continue to empower families through the perinatal period using both of my hats as a postpartum doula and lactation professional, staying within the scope of practice during whichever role I am hired for.