Jen Willoughby Vogtmann, OTD OTRL

My journey into this work began through deeply personal experiences—witnessing death not only in my own life, but in the lives of others I supported in the hospital and home settings.

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I had the honor of creating both home-based and hospital end-of-life transitions for my own family members. In those moments, I often found myself wearing every hat—caregiver, advocate, detective, medical liaison—when all I wanted was to just be their daughter. No one in the healthcare system had prepared us. There were no conversations, no guidance, and no space held for the emotional and spiritual parts of the journey.

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What I saw—both personally and professionally—was a system that often fell short in honoring the human experience of dying. And I knew we could do better. We should do better. That realization lit a fire in me.​

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I felt called to deepen my work by becoming an End-of-Life Doula, Respecting Choices Facilitator, and Home Funeral Guide—so I could help others experience a more supported, intentional, and loving end-of-life journey. Today, I walk alongside families—especially those caring for aging parents for the first time—helping them shift from overwhelm to presence, and guiding them to focus on what truly matters: connection, meaning, and love.

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As part of this mission, I’ve had the honor of mentoring doctoral students in occupational therapy, supporting them as they develop capstone projects aimed at bringing more presence, compassion, and holistic care into end-of-life settings. It’s been deeply fulfilling to help shape the next generation of practitioners who will carry this sacred work forward.

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I also have been drawn to serve on the board of the Evergreen End of Life Care Foundation of Michigan, a nonprofit committed to funding doula and non-medical care for palliative and hospice patients. Through this work, I advocate for greater integration of end-of-life doulas within hospice organizations across Michigan, helping to bridge the gap between clinical care and the soulful, human presence that makes all the difference at the end of life.

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In addition to my work in deathcare, I felt called to support individuals through all of life’s transitions—helping them move through grief, let go of what no longer serves them, and reconnect with their inner wisdom. This calling grew from over 23 years of experience as an Occupational Therapist, where I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside people during some of their most vulnerable and transformative moments.

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Over time, I began to sense a persistent pull—one that led me beyond the boundaries of traditional healthcare. While my profession trained me to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual healing and independence, I saw a deeper need emerging: the need for space to slow down, reconnect, and be supported as a whole person—without limitations. I became increasingly aware of how reactive our system had become, and I knew I wanted to offer something more proactive, intuitive, and heart-centered.

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That same vision inspired my doctoral study, Building Stress Resilience and Wellbeing: Introducing Mindfulness Training to Reduce Stress in Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Students. In today’s fast-paced world, most of us are never truly taught how to manage stress—we simply push through until we’re overwhelmed. Many find themselves stuck in a constant state of fight-or-flight, disconnected from their bodies and inner wisdom.

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In response, I’ve integrated my clinical foundation with holistic, mind-body-spirit practices to gently guide people back to themselves. Through Reiki, EMDR-informed techniques, intuitive coaching, and spiritual care, I help clients develop the tools to regulate their nervous system, release stored tension, and return to a place of balance, clarity, and calm.