Alexis Cohen, CHT

I have been participating in depth hypnosis sessions with Alexis since April 2015 and couldn’t be happier with the results! I wasn’t very familiar with this type of healing but knew that I wanted to try something different than traditional psychotherapy and attempt to unblock the past and present issues I was experiencing. Alexis’ calming and creative office space coupled with her wisdom and soothing voice really helped me relax during uncomfortable moments. She is attentive, supportive, and gentle throughout the entire process. She understood my issues and guided me get to the root of the problem. I also really liked how she combined elements of shamanism and buddhism in the practice and helped me to establish a deeper connection with my self. After the first session, I immediately felt like a weight had been lifted and couldn’t wait to go back to uncover deeper, hidden meanings. The techniques Alexis uses have transferred into my everyday living and I am a happier, calmer person who has learned to trust myself and the challenges that life presents. I recommend making an appointment with Alexis for all your healing needs!

My husband and I are so happy that we hired Alexis as our doula for the birth of our first baby. Her wisdom, extensive experience supporting childbirth, and her calming gentle presence helped me have the natural birth that I had hoped for. Alexis helped us prepare for the big day ahead of time, but most importantly, was an immense support during labor– offering just the right encouragement & guidance I needed to overcome challenging moments and to allow myself to be fully present and connected in a joyful way to the birth of my son. Alexis and her doula partner Britt Fohrman make an excellent team and will help you create a positive, loving, and stress-​free birth for your baby!

Getting a doula was probably the best decision I made during my pregnancy, and Alexis was an amazing source of support and strength during one of the most challenging (but rewarding) experiences of my life.
I wasn’t too familiar with what a doula was prior to getting pregnant, but during the course of researching birth and labor, etc. I decided that it was important to me to have a natural birth with as few medical interventions as possible. Since it was my first pregnancy, I did feel a lot of apprehension about how I would handle things and it seemed like it could only help to have someone with experience supporting natural births be there for my husband and me. We decided on Alexis and Amber to be our doula «team» because they both were incredibly warm, well-​informed, and easy to talk to during our initial meeting. I also liked their two-​person system, reducing the chance of ending up with someone we didn’t know in case one wasn’t available when I went into labor.
I spent the latter months of my pregnancy taking a hypnobirthing class and practicing the deep relaxation and confidence boosting exercises. I also met with Alexis one on one for a depth hypnosis session to address some fears I had about the birth. She has such a gentle, warm, and calming personality that still somehow manages to be incredibly strong and re-​assuring — as I discovered when I went into labor. All of the prep work we had done prior to the birth, including the very detailed and extensive conversations at our home with Alexis and Amber, definitely helped us to feel ready and confident in the process once labor began. I had a very different experience than I expected (I don’t know if birth ever happens the way you think it will!) — after contractions began, they progressed very quickly and within a few hours, I felt like I was barely holding it together. We had just told Alexis we were ready for her to come to our house, so we called her back and said to meet us at the hospital (UCSF) instead. She was already there when we arrived, even though it was Thanksgiving day, and quickly ushered me through the check-​in process.
So many little things she did during the relatively quick but intense labor I had were so helpful and key to me successfully sticking to my plan for a natural birth. She made sure no one told me exactly how much I was dilated — for me, this worked well, because while it was mostly good news, it probably would have freaked me out a little and I also tend to fixate on numbers. She completely maintained her calm, reassuring, and positive energy during the labor, when my husband and mom were both a little shell-​shocked (having never witnessed labor before lol). From helping keep me and the room clean and comfortable, to encouraging me through nearly every contraction, she never missed a beat. This helped me to just turn inward and focus completely on the labor. A few times I thought I couldn’t go any further without some pain relief, she had the right words that let me know I was almost there and that I could do it. My mom and husband, who were both initially skeptical of our need for a doula, completely agreed afterwards that there was no way we could’ve done it without Alexis. Even in the moments right after the birth, that was the main thing we were all talking about — «What would we have done without her?!»
Had it not been for some disappointing service by UCSF in the delivery room, I would’ve had the best birth experience I could have hoped for. Overall though, I am so thankful for how things went and attribute my ability to stick with my plan for a natural, intervention-​free birth to Alexis. I can’t thank her enough for giving me such strength and confidence!

I had the best experience with Alexis during the birth of my first child.
I knew that hiring a doula would cost a fair amount of money, but I also knew that it was something I needed to do in order to feel prepared (as much as possible). My husband initially doubted my plan — he said he had thought a doula was just going to be sort of an extra cheerleader when I needed encouragement. But he supported me in hiring one because it was something I really felt I needed. After the birth of my son, he said that he had been couldn’t have been more wrong — Alexis was invaluable in early labor, during active labor, and during delivery.
Since this was my first pregnancy, I wasn’t sure what to expect during labor, and like most first-​time mothers-​to-​be, I was pretty scared and nervous about it. So I did a lot of research. I did Hypnobabies during my pregnancy and wanted a doula who was experienced with self-​hypnosis. Alexis fit the bill. Even though she hadn’t done Hypnobabies, she reviewed my materials and I felt confident she would apply those methods.
When I went into early labor, we contacted Alexis and she gave us tips about how to know when things were progressing, and she was available to answer all of our questions throughout that stage. Once my contractions reached a certain point, she came to our house and helped me for about 8 – 9 hours. I could absolutely tell that she was experienced helping women during labor and she did such an amazing job helping me through my contractions and applying my self-​hypnosis techniques.
Alexis followed everything in my birth plan, and helped my husband feel like part of the team (gave him tips about what he could do). I arrived at the hospital 7 cm dilated. That was exactly what I’d hoped for in my birth plan. I wanted a natural birth, but at that point, I was so exhausted that I thought it would all just be easier to get an epidural. Alexis helped me stay focused on a natural birth during the final 7 hours of my labor at St. Luke’s (no epidural!) and was absolutely incredible in terms of knowledge, support, and encouragement. She stayed until shortly after my son was born, and is such an important part of our memory of that experience. I don’t think I would have enjoyed such a wonderful labor and delivery if it weren’t for Alexis. I highly recommend her!

We hired Alexis and her partner Amber to be our doulas, and it was one of the best decisions we made! Alexis was present during our birth, and was instrumental in helping us follow our birth plan and have the unmedicated birth we wanted.
My husband is an ER doctor, and at first was skeptical about needing a doula’s assistance at our birth. But after our first meeting, he felt as comfortable with them as I did, and realized how their expertise, knowledge and support would be helpful. This was our first pregnancy, and we wanted to have the best experience possible. We read books, did our homework and took birthing classes. Ultimately hiring Amber and Alexis was one of the most vital parts of our preparation to attempt our ideal birth scenario. In the end, we were both extremely happy and grateful to have had them be part of our birth story, and especially having Alexis by our side through our active labor and birth. We would not have been able to have had an uneducated birth with out her!
Alexis was supportive, tender, calm and knowledgable through out our pregnancy, labor and delivery; everything you would want in a doula.
I highly recommend Alexis to any pregnant mama!

I was very disappointed in Alexis’s doula services. She was not present during most of early labor when I really needed some support, since this was my first pregnancy. Knowing that I had paid so much for her services, this alone made me stressed out during labor. She was not helpful in determining whether or not I was in active labor and when to go to the hospital. During what I thought was still early labor at home, I felt unsupported and in unmanageable pain, so I made up my mind to get the epidural. The only helpful tips I got on managing labor pain and pushing were from the excellent nurses at St Luke’s Hospital. Alexis was present during much of my pushing phase. Her suggestions did not help at all. By the time I got to the pushing phase, I was already so upset with her lack of helpfulness anyways. I pushed for 6 – 7 hours both with and without the epidural. In what I had hoped would be an unmedicated birth, I ended up needing pitocin and fentanyl as well, to help with the pushing and I ended up having an episiotomy. I should have just not hired a doula at all. I felt a lack of Alexis’s presence throughout the birth in spite of the hefty price tag. I thought of all the good things people had said about her and about having a doula in general, and I just felt like I had been totally fleeced by the entire natural birthing community.

Alexis was my doula for the birth of my second son. She was amazing! I would highly recommend her to anyone wanting to have an empowered birth experience. She was there when I needed her in just the right way and gave me space when I needed it too. She was professional, warm, understanding, and extremely knowledgeable. She was able to work with my midwife and husband seamlessly, and brought humor and grace to the experience. Again I would highly recommend her as a doula. (P.S. She’s also an amazing artist!)

I know what you’re thinking…“having a baby is so expensive already… can we really afford the «luxury» of having a doula on top of everything?” We were thinking the same thing and let me tell you, of every dollar we spent on that birth, the most well spent dollars were on Alexis. It’s not a luxury, it’s a necessity! So, ditch the expensive sleepers, noise making toys, ridiculously overpriced strollers and get yourself the support you WILL need!
Alexis was our doula last year (Feb 2013) and helped us welcome our beautiful daughter into this world, exactly the way we wanted to (without medication and unnecessary intervention). She came highly recommended by many of the midwives at St. Luke’s hospital which spoke volumes to me because I was really looking for a «team» of support and knowing that my team at the hospital had already worked with (and loved working with) Alexis was very important to me.
She was so great in the months leading up to the birth and helped me deal with any anxiety I had about the birth. She has such a present and calm energy and knows exactly what to do at the different stages of labor. I was laboring at home and when things started getting a little too intense, she came over and helped me get back into a calmer mindset. Just her warm touch alone helped relieve some of the intensity of the contractions!
I cannot emphasize how crucial of a role Alexis played in the birth of our daughter. Don’t get me wrong, my husband did a great job of being supportive and loving — he was everything that I needed him to be on that day and more. But, having Alexis’ expertise in birth combined with her intuition helped guide me through a very intense labor and delivery. I highly recommend her — she is worth every single penny and more!

We recommend Alexis Cohen whole heartedly as an absolutely incredible doula! I believe very strongly that meeting Alexis when we did (less than 24hrs before my water broke) was an act of fate. We spoke with Amber and were going to wait to meet them both in person. It is a good thing my husband and I met Alexis sooner because I went into labor the next day at 38 weeks. Alexis was THE reason I was able to withstand 32 hours of labor and stay true to my wishes for a natural and unassisted birth.
Her knowing ways, her gentle guidance, her amazing skill set, her ability to foresee and discuss all of my options (in the moment) and keep me centered during the whole birthing process was such a gift. When I needed an anchor she was there to provide it with imagery, sounds, words and shared strength. She helped my husband to navigate the overwhelming nature of it all with kindness, encouragement and with the utmost respect.
My baby was at an awkward position in utero (head turned sideways) which complicated her ability to crown. I received oxygen to help bring the baby’s heartbeat up after each strong push. All of the staff at CPMC were respectful of our wishes and when we encountered a «challenge» with the final Doctor insisting a vacuum would be used it was Alexis who helped to remind me I could ask for a 2^nd opinion. The chief of staff consulted an agreed that I could do it w/​o assistance of a vacuum. Our baby was born naturally with the cord wrapped 2x around her little neck and was crying within minutes. Had the vacuum been used it could have resulted in a very different outcome.
The amount of gratitude that we have for Alexis is immeasurable. She will forever be a friend to our family and we couldn’t possibly imagine having another baby without her as our doula. She is truly gifted at what she does and has a true passion for helping families to bring beautiful babies into this world.

Alexis was part of my doula team for my home birth. She has a gentle, kind, happy, inviting spirit. You can trust that she is listening and open to what you say.
I became panicked about my birth around 41 weeks and 4 days. I texted Alexis and she made time in her schedule to do a last minute hypnotherapy session with me. The session helped me release the frustration and worry I was experiencing. Later that evening I was in labor!
I cannot say enough good things about our experience with Amber and Alexis. They are the type of people you can always count on and with whom you wish to be lifelong friends.

Alexis was my doula and I really don’t know how I would have gotten through childbirth without her. She’s warm, gentle, and has a wealth of knowledge. She has an endless supply of tricks to try during labor and was an incredible support for myself and my partner.

Alexis was our doula for the birth of our son just a few weeks ago at St. Luke’s. We had an incredible experience with her. She has a very wise, sensitive and warm demeanor which immediately struck my partner and I when we first interviewed her. She came to our house for 2 prenatal visits and one postnatal visit and was very helpful and accessible in the weeks leading up to my birth.
At the birth Alexis was a goddess-​send. My plan was to practice Hypnobirthing and when my labor started very quickly and intensely, I was having difficulties connecting with my breathing and relaxation techniques. My partner was amazing in trying to assist me in getting into the ‘zone’, but it was Alexis who had the magical touch. When she arrived Alexis was able to gently coach me into my breathing and I was able to breath and stay present during the surges and rest during the time between them. My labor progressed quickly however our baby boy was in distress and she was essential in helping me remain calm and focused on my ability to naturally birth our baby in an intense birthing experience.
The actual delivery of our amazing baby boy was a bit traumatic and resulted in him and I being separated at first while he was being resuscitated by the pediatric team. Alexis was by my side the entire time (my partner went with our baby) helping again to find my center and stay grounded and focused during a really intense post-​birth time.
Alexis was also very respected by the staff at St. Luke’s and very comfortable in navigating the environment there. I would highly recommend her doula services — they are amazing!

We hired Alexis as a birth doula last year. With a natural childbirth in mind, we were strongly encouraged by friends to hire a doula. My husband and I hesitated for awhile in doing so, as financially at the time, we considered it a luxury. Looking back on our birth, my husband and I are in complete agreement that hiring Alexis was the best thing we could have done for ourselves. She was only the second doula we interviewed, but the moment she left our apartment we knew we wanted to hire her!
Alexis has a calming and patient presence. During 9 hours of labor and 2 hours of pushing she was by my side the entire time. Alexis had me so grounded and centered that the thought of pain meds never crossed my mind and the time seemed to pass very quickly. She not only supported me, but was very helpful in guiding and relaxing my husband through the birth. In the end we succeeded with a natural birth and a 10lb. 10oz beautiful baby boy!
Thank you Alexis… we hope you’ll be around for #2!

My wife used Alexis Cohen as a doula and hypnobirthing coach. As part of the doula services, my wife had hypnotherapy sessions with Alexis as well.
While this review is geared more toward Alexis’ doula services, my comments ring true for hypnotherapy as well.
Quite simply, Alexis is amazing. Her ability to keep you grounded and centered was fabulous and she was absolutely invaluable in getting my wife through labor.
We truly could not have gotten through labor without her assistance and if she is half as gifted at hypnotherapy (I cannot say personally as I did not consult her, but my wife thought she was amazing) as she is at labor support, you cannot go wrong with her services.
We owe Alexis a huge debt of gratitude and think she is the best!
We highly recommend her as a doula and as a hypnotherapist. She was a great addition to our birth team.
Thanks Alexis!

I highly recommend Alexis as a hypnotherapist, doula and teacher. In a session, she draws not only from her intellect, but also from her creativity and intution. She is a powerful guide and works to empower you to find truth and inner peace. It is a joy to have met her – she has changed my life!

Alexis is a truly gifted hypnotherapist. She approaches her work with such integrity, ease and gentle knowing that I always feel safe enough to access a place of deep healing. Her gentle guidance inspires trust, self-​confidence and a very welcome sense of peace. My sessions with Alexis have improved my sense of well-​being and I highly recommend her services.

I have been helped by Alexis witth a couple of different areas where in which I have felt «stuck.» I needed help healing some unhealthy patterns. I have experienced her work a couple of times, and have felt much improvement of the habits that were no longer serving me. Alexis is incredibly intuitive and I believe she used her insight carefully to help me. I found her to be very mindful during our sessions, meaning she was trying her best to help me in the most appropriate way. I would highly recommend Alexis to anyone looking to heal.

Each session I have had with Alexis has excelled my growth beyond my greatest expectations. Her ability to hold a safe and comfortable space allows me to go within myself to places I didn’t know existed.
Her calm demeanor and pure presence is relaxing and therapeutic.
After a session with Alexis I feel empowered and lighter with the new knowledge gained. Thank you!

I have experienced a lot of healing and growth from my work with Alexis. She is incredibly intuitive and able to support and guide me in helping myself and finding my own intuition. Alexis has a gentle and loving presence and I can feel the integrity and presence of her work. Her creativity and appreciation of artistic expression has presented a new fun way for me to build confidence and explore my own life’s passions!