The state of Washington allows postpartum doulas to practice without having a certification or a college degree. However, many women choose to continue their training and become certified in order to advance their career objectives.
The following is a list of educational courses or resources in the Washington state area which may be used as your postpartum doula training. Certification programs have mandatory classes to attend. If they are available in the state, they will be noted in the details section. You are required to be at least 18 years of age in order to attend.
Postpartum Doula Training in Kenmore, WA
Organization Name: Simkin Center for Allied Birth Vocations
Website:http://bastyr.edu/simkin-center
Instructor: Angie Dobbins-Frisbie, Melinda Ferguson
Email: simkincenter@bastyr.edu
Phone: 425-602-3361
Course and Workshop Details and Requirements
This is a 4 day postpartum doula training workshop. This workshop satisfies the workshop portion of a DONA certification as a postpartum doula. The workshop is offered on the following dates:
- March 8-11, 2017
- August 4-7, 2017
- Oct. 14-15, Oct 21-22, 2017
There will also be an OPTIONAL Breastfeeding for Doulas course which will be offered online.
Costs and Fees
The cost for the postpartum doula workshop is $689.00.
Registration Details
To register, pay online, and read additional workshop policies, click here.
Postpartum Doula Training in Seattle, WA
Organization Name: Bastyr University
Website:http://www.bastyr.edu/
Email: simkincenter@bastyr.edu
Phone: 425-602-3361
Course and Workshop Details and Requirements
This is a 4 day workshop that is required for DONA postpartum doula certification.
Prerequisites
Before attending the workshop, you must show that you have completed the DONA breastfeeding requirement. You must have either completed lactation consultant training, or an online breastfeeding for doulas course, or attending a breastfeeding workshop.
As a second prerequisite, you must read one book from each of the following DONA-approved reading list categories: Becoming a Mother, The Newborn, and Breastfeeding.
Course and Workshop Topics
As part of your postpartum doula training, these classes will cover the following:
- Discuss the supportive role of a postpartum doula and outline exactly how she supports the new mother and baby
- Learn how to provide breastfeeding support
- Discuss the different aspects of newborn care such as bottle safety
- Understand how the whole family will transition emotionally with the newborn
- Learn communication and listening skills
- Identify different postpartum disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder
- Receive training on the business aspects of your practice such as how to contact the client
- Discuss the standards of practice and the certification process for DONA
Costs and Fees
The 4 day DONA International-approved workshop costs $689.
Registration Details
You can register online, check dates and times, and pay online by clicking here.

Kyndal May is a certified doula with over 20 years of experience helping train doulas across the United States. She has received her certification from DONA (Doulas of North America) and has dedicated her career to supporting families during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. With her extensive knowledge and experience, she is committed to providing compassionate and personalized care to every family she works with. In addition to her work as a doula, Kyndal is also a passionate advocate for women’s health and birth rights. She has spent many years educating and empowering families to make informed decisions about their birth experience. She also uses her experience to help train other doulas, passing on her knowledge and skills to the next generation of birth workers. With her dedication to her clients and her profession, Kyndal is a respected and valued member of the doula community.