Guidelines for Listings on the Directory of Bradley® Professionals (Teachers & Doulas)

These guidelines are designed to help you present your classes and doula services professionally, clearly, and in alignment with the values and high standards of The Bradley Method® and the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth® (the Academy)—the organization responsible for training, setting professional standards, and overseeing the annual renewal requirements for all Bradley® Professionals.

Your Listing is not just a page—it is often the first impression a prospective student or client will have of both you and the program. This guide ensures your Listing meets expectations, represents The Bradley® accurately, and gives families confidence in choosing you as their instructor or doula.

DEFINITIONS

• Bradley® Professional: A Bradley® Professional is a current Affiliate or Provisional Affiliate in good standing with the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. Bradley® Professionals are independent practitioners who may offer childbirth education classes and/or doula services, either individually or as a teaching/coaching couple.
• Affiliates: Affiliates may refer to themselves as Bradley® Professionals, and more specifically as Affiliated or Certified Bradley® Teachers, Educators, or Instructors. They are also permitted to use the designation “AAHCC” after their name to indicate affiliation with the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®.
• Provisional Affiliates: Provisional Affiliates may refer to themselves as Provisionally Affiliated Bradley® Instructors, Teachers, or Educators. They must also clearly disclose that they are currently in training and have not yet completed full certification.
• Doulas: Doulas may refer to themselves as Bradley® Professionals, and more specifically as Bradley® Doulas or Professional Bradley® Doulas. However, due to emerging state-level certification programs for doulas, Bradley® Doulas should avoid the use of the term “certified” to describe themselves in this role. To avoid confusion and maintain compliance, we suggest you refer to yourself simply as a Bradley® Doula. Be sure to review your state’s guidelines to ensure your terminology aligns with local regulations.
• Students and Student Couples: Students include all couples who receive either childbirth instruction or doula support from a Bradley® Professional. The term couple refers to an expectant mother and her coach.
• The Academy: The Academy refers to the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®, the organization responsible for training, affiliating, setting professional standards, and overseeing the annual renewal of all Bradley® Professionals. Because The Bradley Method® is a registered trademark, only individuals who are currently affiliated with the Academy and in good standing are authorized to teach The Bradley Method®.

 

SECTION 1: Directory Listing Eligibility
Only Bradley® Professionals who meet all of the following criteria may have an active Directory Listing:

• You are currently Affiliated or Provisionally Affiliated with the Academy and in good standing.
• You are in full compliance with all Academy policies.

Why This Matters:
The Directory is designed to help families connect with active, Academy-approved professionals. If someone clicks on a Listing and finds no available classes, or contacts multiple teachers and finds no one offering classes—or worse, receives no response—it erodes trust in all Bradley® Professionals.

 

SECTION 2: YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
Your Listing is yours alone. You are fully responsible for ensuring that:

• All information is accurate, current, and aligned with Academy policies.
• Content reflects your correct status (Affiliate or Provisional Affiliate).
• Class information is kept up to date, especially when schedules or formats change.
• Any issues are corrected immediately when needed.

Tip:
Even if a friend, family member, or professional designer helps you create or manage your page, you remain responsible for the accuracy and compliance of all content.

Why This Matters:
Prospective students make decisions based on your Listing. Incorrect or outdated information can lead to confusion, missed opportunities, and misrepresentation of the brand.

 

SECTION 3: HOW YOU MAY REPRESENT YOURSELF
You are an independent, local instructor certified to teach or offer doula support using The Bradley Method® of Natural Childbirth. You are not The Bradley Method®, nor are you the Academy.

Permitted Example:
Hi! I’m Sarah James, AAHCC—an Affiliated Bradley® Instructor based in Denver, CO. I teach small-group classes that focus on practical tools, the natural process, and offer great training for you and your coach (partner).

Prohibited Example:
Welcome to The Bradley Method®. I’m your official Bradley Method instructor for Colorado. We are the leading source of natural birth training.

Why This Matters:
The American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth® is the only entity authorized to represent itself as “The Bradley Method®.” Independent teachers are licensed to teach the method and may identify themselves as Bradley® Professionals or Bradley® Doulas. However, they may not present themselves as the brand, nor as representatives of the Academy or its governing body.

 

SECTION 4: WHAT YOUR LISTING MUST INCLUDE
Each Listing on the Directory must contain:

• Instructor name (with “AAHCC” if Affiliated)
• Affiliation status (If Provisionally Affiliated, state this clearly and explain that it means you are completing supervised training)
• General teaching location (City and State only—no home addresses)
• Contact information (phone number with area code and a reliable email)

 Tip:
If you teach using the Open-Enrollment format, say so. Let prospective students know you have a class whenever they need it.

 

SECTION 5: WHAT YOU MAY (BUT ARE NOT REQUIRED TO) INCLUDE
You may make your Listing personal and inviting—within limits. Permitted content includes:

• A brief personal story: Why did you choose The Bradley Method®? What was your birth like? Why are you committed to teaching the Bradley Method® or supporting families as a Bradley® Doula?
• A warm, encouraging tone that reflects your teaching style
• The number of years you’ve been affiliated or the number of students you’ve taught (numbers must align with Academy records)
• Class format: In-person or live-online classes. Online classes must be interactive, real-time sessions; self-study or self-paced formats are not permitted.
• Class details: Day of week, time, start and end dates (with the year), what to expect in class
• Photographs: You are solely responsible for any photographs you post. Do not share images without obtaining proper permission from all identifiable individuals in the photo. By posting a photograph, you confirm that you have the legal right to do so. We are not liable for any consequences or legal action resulting from unauthorized use of images.
• Optional video introduction (brief, welcoming, and in compliance with Academy guidelines)

Example:
I became passionate about The Bradley Method® after the birth of my first son, which was an empowering and natural experience. Now I teach to help other families discover the same joy.

Why This Matters:
Personal connection is powerful—but the focus must remain squarely on your Bradley® classes and Bradley® doula services.

Tip:
Encourage couples to contact you even if the current class schedule doesn’t work for them. This allows you to share more information, possibly refer them to another teacher, or even open a new class if enough families are interested.

 

SECTION 6: WHAT YOU MAY NOT INCLUDE
To preserve clarity, consistency, and safety, you may not include:

• Medical advice or recommendations
  Never suggest treatments, give medical opinions, or infer that students should or shouldn’t do something medically. Always refer them to their healthcare provider. Bradley® Professionals do not practice medicine.
• Exact locations or home addresses
  For safety and privacy reasons, you may not publish your exact home address or any specific class location on your Listing. Only list city and state. Share the address privately with enrolled students.
  Why: Publishing your home address may expose you and your family to unnecessary risk and may make students uncomfortable. It also ensures consistency across all Listings.
• Pricing
  This may be shared only after a student contacts you. Do not list tuition or pricing on your Directory Listing, website, print materials, or social media.
• Other causes, certifications, or businesses
  Do not advertise outside organizations, unrelated credentials, or personal businesses. This includes La Leche League®, non-Bradley doula certifications, massage therapy, yoga teaching, or anything else. Your Listing is for Bradley® classes and services only.
• Group or multi-teacher websites
  Each Bradley® Professional must have their own Listing. No shared pages.
• External links (other than a welcome video)
  Do not include links to blogs, social media, or other websites.

Example of What NOT to Include:
I’m also a certified lactation consultant, XYZ-certified doula, and yoga instructor. Visit my blog for articles on natural parenting.

 

SECTION 7: PRICING AND FINANCIAL POLICIES
Bradley® Professionals are independent teachers and doulas. The Academy does not regulate class fees, You are not allowed to compete with one another based on price.

You may not list class prices publicly on:

• The Directory of Bradley® Professionals
• Social media posts, pages, or ads
• Flyers, brochures, postcards, or mailers
• Newspaper ads, magazine articles, or other print media
• Any other publicly distributed or searchable material

The cost of your classes or doula services should be shared privately and directly with prospective students or clients after they contact you.

Why This Matters:
Encourages connection before cost: Families reach out to you first, giving you the chance to build rapport and explain your teaching style.

• Prevents unhealthy competition: Protects the community of teachers by discouraging price-shopping.
• Maintains professionalism: Allows you to present clear, written expectations and policies directly to each family.

What To Do Instead:

• List your city/state, contact info, and class details on your Directory page.
• Provide financial information only after a couple has contacted you and expressed interest.
• Once contacted, send a welcome email with:
• Class schedule (day, time, start/end dates)
• Tuition amount
• Deposit and refund policy
• Class expectations (what to bring, how to prepare, etc.)

 

SECTION 8: TRADEMARK POLICY
The Bradley Method® and the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth® are registered trademarks. Any public use of these names must follow these rules:

• Written permission from the Academy is required for any use of the trademarks.
• You may not use the name “The Bradley Method®” to describe yourself. You are an independent Bradley® Professional—an Affiliated or Certified Bradley® Teacher, Instructor, Educator, or Doula. You are not “The Bradley Method®.”
• You may only use the term “Bradley®” in direct connection to your classes or doula services in approved formats.
• Unauthorized use is a violation of federal law and may result in legal action or loss of affiliation. Contact the Academy if you are unsure about correct usage.

 Trademark Formatting Tip:
Always use the trademark – “The Bradley Method®” or “Bradley®” with the ® symbol.

• PC: ALT + 0174
• Mac: Ctrl + R

 

SECTION 9: ONGOING COMPLIANCE

• The Academy reserves the right to review, edit, or remove Listings at any time.
• Any Listing found to be in violation must be corrected immediately.
• Continued or serious violations may result in suspension.
• Listings will be removed if a teacher is inactive, does not renew affiliation, or is otherwise out of compliance with Academy policies.

 

SECTION 10: WEBSITE AVAILABLITY
The Academy does not guarantee uninterrupted access to the Directory of Bradley® Professionals. While every effort will be made to keep the site available and functional, downtime or technical issues may occasionally occur.

• The Academy is not responsible for outages, downtime, or the temporary unavailability of Listings.
• There is no refund or compensation for downtime, removal, or technical interruptions.
• Listings may be removed without notice if they are out of compliance with current policies.

 

SECTION 11: AGREEMENT AND CERTIFICATION
By submitting a Listing to BradleyMethod.com, you confirm that:

• You have read and understand these policies.
• You agree to keep your Listing in full compliance.
• You are personally responsible for what is posted under your name.
• You understand that violations may result in suspension or legal consequences.

 

You reaffirm this agreement each time you update your Listing or click “Submit.”