ABOUT
Tessie arrived at her calling of Death Doula work through a series of personal revelations that include ~ but are not limited to ~ a scary autoimmune disease diagnosis and realization that her body had irreversibly changed, a massive heart-wrenching breakup that ended a 15 year pattern of abandoning herself, multiple visitations from her Ancestors and Guides telling her that she needed to confront her own death. (Cool guys, what the heck does that mean?!)
But in the words of her Death Doula mentor, Mary Telliano of Anam Cara Academy:
“We are all death doulas.”
In one way or another, Tessie has always had the ability to usher others and herself into the great unknown. Now she does it armed with a comprehensive array of services and a big ol’ box of tissues. From energy work to guided meditations, from grief counseling to vigil planning, she envelops her clients in a tapestry of support that includes the purest ingredients of love: care, affection, recognition, respect, commitment, trust, and communication. Thank you bell hooks.
So, if you're looking for someone to hold your hand as you move through a transition, death or otherwise, Tessie is your gal. Just be warned: once you've experienced her brand of Death Doula magic, you might just find yourself looking forward to the inevitable.
Tessie's philosophy is rooted in the belief that death, like birth, is a natural rite of passage—one to be embraced with curiosity rather than feared. She echoes the wisdom of Stephen Jenkinson, reminding us that even flowers surrender to death as an act of being themselves. Her mission is to foster a culture where death is not shrouded in taboo but celebrated as a unifying force that connects us all.
Sessions
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Death Doula Discovery
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Pondering Death & Divining Life Threads
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Exploring Loss & Embodying Love
Testimonials
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"So much of our session felt like a loving affirmation of my own connection to the Divine; I left with more trust in my intuition and inner experience, which is such a super-sparkly, magical gift to receive. Tessie has a truly healing presence. "
Grace K.
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"And suddenly I am reminded that yeah, I can say all the things I want to share with you and not be concerned with how I'm wording it or if I'm talking too much or if you think I'm annoying or something. You understand and hear me and know exactly what I'm talking about."
Elizabeth L.
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"Grief was all-consuming and clouding my mind, but after my session with Tessie, I was able to see a break in the clouds. I could feel her compassion and love even through a computer screen. It was like she was sitting next to me with a hand on my heart."
Ellen S.
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"Tessie gently pointed me towards a path out of the darkness with phrases and tools that I can focus on, but also assured me that there is no rush. My healing will take time and I’m so grateful that I was able to look to Tessie for guidance on my first steps down that path."
Ellen S.
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"My session with Tessie was so, so special. Tessie has the ability to hold really big emotions and has helped me move through some big feelings with ease and grace. This session was exactly what my soul needed for fuel. I know I will be integrating many of the themes that came up in the next few days and weeks. I highly recommend working with her. She is a true gem!"
Seta A.
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"Tessie's gentle, warm energy, combined with her skillful guidance, created a space that felt very safe & gave me permission to express with an honesty and clarity that surprised me."
Grace K.
Contact
tessieannbarresi@gmail.com
Los Angeles, CA 90026