Become a Doula!

Applications are Currently Open for Cohort 4 in 2025! We will be taking letters of interest until September 1st

Apply today

Becoming a Doula

Why Become a Doula?

Doulas provide compassionate, non-medical support during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

Your Career Path as a Doula

1. Explore & Learn

Attend an information session or open house

Take our "Am I Ready to Be a Doula?" self-assessment quiz

Discover the life-changing impact doulas have on maternal health

2. Get Trained

Enroll in our Doula Training Program — designed with cultural competency and community advocacy at its core

Master skills in comfort measures, coping techniques, birth & postpartum care, advocacy, communication, and culturally respectful traditions

3. Certification & Licensing

Complete training and mentorship

Earn your Certificate of Completion

Apply for state licensing (if required) to serve Medicaid and insured clients

4. Build Your Practice

Choose your path: independent practice, agency/collective, or hospital/clinic-based work

Access business development workshops and our Doula HUB for ongoing resources

5. Continue Growing

Specialize in postpartum care, lactation support, bereavement care, childbirth education, or high-risk birth support

Become a mentor doula to guide the next generation of birth workers

Partner Perks with The Shades of Motherhood Network

When you join us as a partnered doula, you’re not just getting training — you’re gaining a lifelong community.

Our exclusive Doula Newsletter keeps you connected and informed with:

Upcoming events for you and your clients

Business support tools and mentorship opportunities

Training dates and certification resources

Inspiring stories from fellow doulas in our network

Policy updates and advocacy news that affect your work

Resources for Aspiring & Active Doulas

- Upcoming Trainings & Events
- Licensing & Certification Guide
- Funding & Scholarship Opportunities
- Mentorship Program
- Doula Resource Library
- Business Development Tools

Join the Shades of Motherhood Network
We’re more than a training program — we’re a community of birth workers dedicated to healing, advocacy, and cultural connection.

Email: somnspokane@gmail.com
Subject Line: Letter of Interest for Doula Program

Send your Letter of Interest

Still Not sure if being a Doula is for you? Take the "Should you become a Doula" quiz below

Shades of Motherhood Network – Mentor Program

Eligibility Requirements
To apply as a mentor, a doula must:

Be an active SOMN doula for at least 1 year.
Have attended a minimum of 3 births (with documentation).
Be in good standing with the organization (no unresolved complaints and up-to-date with ongoing education requirements).

Mentor Training
All approved applicants complete SOMN Mentor Training, which focuses on coaching skills, documentation, communication, and adherence to SOMN standards. Training also includes:

Mentorship ethics and boundaries
Feedback and evaluation methods
Supporting mentees through Level One requirements

Upon completion, mentors are officially certified as SOMN Mentors.

Mentor Role & Expectations

Monthly Mentor Meetings: Attendance is required.
Mentorship Log: Document mentee hours, sessions, and activities (submitted monthly).
Time Commitment: 5–10 hours per month (shadowing, feedback sessions, check-ins).
Supervision: Operates under the HUB Lead or Doula Coach.
Compensation: $1,200 for the Level One mentorship period (3 months).

Mentorship Duties

Partner with Level One doulas during their 3-month training phase.
Provide feedback after each prenatal, birth, and postpartum observation/participation.
Support mentees in portfolio completion and readiness for Level Two.
Model SOMN’s values, professionalism, and cultural competency.

Pathway from Mentor to HUB Lead

What is a HUB Lead?
A HUB Lead is a specialized leader who manages a content hub in SOMN’s Open Learning platform. Each hub focuses on a specific initiative or area of expertise, such as postpartum care, birth interventions, lactation support, or mental health.

HUB Lead Responsibilities

Create & Manage Hub Content: Develop educational resources, guides, case studies, and recorded sessions.
Host Listening Sessions: Gather feedback and insights from the community and doulas in their specialty area.
Engage Community: Encourage participation in hub activities.
Resource Development: Curate and share evidence-based materials, culturally relevant practices, and SOMN guidance.

About our Doula Program

What is a Doula

A doula is a trained professional who provides emotional, physical, and informational support before, during, and after childbirth.
Focus Areas: Comfort • Advocacy • Education
(Doulas are not medical providers but work alongside healthcare teams.)

Application:

Step-by-Step Application Process

Submit Your Letter of Interest
Email a letter of interest to somnspokane@gmail.com with the subject line: “Letter of Interest for Doula Program.”
Receive Your Welcome Letter
Once accepted, you will receive a welcome letter with detailed next steps.
Become a Member
If you are not already, you must become a member on our site before moving forward.
Complete Your Application & Background Check
You will be instructed on how to apply. As part of this step, you will need to submit a background check (a $50 fee applies) prior to the group interview.
Attend the Group Interview
After completing your application and background check, you will be scheduled for our group interview on September 13th.

Note: Applicants accepted into the program will receive additional instructions and next steps following the interview.

Training & Education:

Our program includes:

Birth anatomy & physiology
Comfort measures & coping skills
Postpartum recovery & newborn care
Communication & advocacy
Cultural competency & ethics

Format: 6–12 weeks intensive or several months part-time
Cost: $500–$2,000 (scholarships may be available)

Certification & Licensing

Certification builds credibility (not always legally required)
In states like Washington, doulas can be licensed to bill insurance/Medicaid
Requirements: complete training, attend births, submit evaluations

Gaining Experience

Shadow mentor doulas
Participate in community programs
Build skills through real births & postpartum visits
Join doula networks for referrals and peer support

Career Paths

Independent Practice – Set your own rates & clients
Agency/Collective – Work with a supportive team
Hospital/Clinic Programs – Collaborate with medical staff
Community Health & Advocacy – Support underserved populations

Growth & Specialization

Opportunities include postpartum care, lactation consulting, childbirth education, bereavement support, high-risk birth support, doula training, and maternal health advocacy.

Income Potential

$500–$2,000+ per birth
$25–$50/hour postpartum care
Additional income from teaching, wellness services, or organizational partnerships

Our List of Doula Tools

The Restorative Justice Toolkit

Restorative Justice (RJ) offers a transformative approach to addressing harm in maternal healthcare by centering healing, accountability, and systemic change. Unlike punitive systems, RJ creates structured spaces for open dialogue, relationship-building, and collaborative problem-solving, ensuring the voices of those most affected are at the heart of the process.

Mistreatment during childbirth, such as verbal abuse, medical coercion, or non-consensual procedures, has profound and lasting effects. Black, Indigenous, and other marginalized birthing people face disproportionate rates of mistreatment, maternal mortality, and medical neglect. RJ provides an alternative to traditional complaint processes by fostering trust, repairing relationships, and promoting cultural competency in care.

Full Restorative Justice Toolkit

Doula Business Development Support
Partnering with The Shades of Motherhood Network (SOMN) gives you exclusive access to train under our amazing business coach, Jacquelyn Clemmons. With Jacquelyn’s guidance, you’ll receive one-on-one support, expert advice, and hands-on training to grow your Doula business with confidence. Plus, you’ll gain access to events and opportunities designed to uplift your skills—not only as a Doula but as a thriving business owner—helping you serve families with excellence while building a sustainable, successful career.

Doula Newsletters

As a Partnered Doula with The Shades of Motherhood Network, you’ll have the opportunity to stay connected and engaged through our exclusive Doula Newsletter.

This monthly update keeps you informed and inspired, featuring:

Upcoming Events – Share with your clients or attend yourself
Business Support Resources – Tools, tips, and connections to help your practice thrive
Training Opportunities – Stay current with skills, certifications, and specialty workshops
Community Stories – Celebrate wins, share your experiences, and learn from fellow doulas
Important Updates – News that matters for your work and the families you serve

Our newsletter is designed to keep you in the loop, foster community, and ensure you always have the knowledge and resources you need to support families with confidence.