Get started with Doula Training Center to become a
Traditional Health Worker Doula!

2025 Spring Cohort begins April 5, 2025

Medford, OR

Our Program…

Exceeding the 40-hour minimum contact hours required by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), our training is 120 hours over the course of several weeks. We offer a hybrid training format, so most sessions are virtual, with five in-person sessions, and some independent study.

Aside from the core birth doula curricula, our training blends trauma-informed and cultural awareness practices and includes intra-professional collaboration, HIPAA, and BLS/CPR training to meet all the training components of the Traditional Health Worker requirements.

At the completion of the program, you are certified as a Labor Doula through Doula Training Center and will only need to attend three births and postpartum visits to apply to the THW Doula program.

Your Commitments…

  • Attend a minimum of 90% of course sessions

  • Complete and present the final project

  • Complete Training Evaluation

  • Follow the Code of Ethics and Scope of Practice

  • Participate in doula functions with respect, compassion, and mutual effort to nourish growth

Your Investment…

The financial investment for this training is $2400.00

There are no hidden costs like purchasing certification packets, membership, or additional requirements to obtain your certification.

It includes one hour of mentorship a month post-training for as long as needed.

As part of our commitment to ensure that students match the priority communities identified by OHA, we offer up to three partial scholarships for each cohort.

In Oregon, birth support services provided by Traditional Health Worker Doulas are covered by the Oregon Health Plan.

  • Doula Training Center is approved by the Oregon Health Authority.

  • After your training, you will need to attend three births and three postpartum visits to complete the final requirements to apply for the Traditional Health Worker Registry.

  • Once you’ve completed the prior steps and complied all the necessary information, you can submit your application to become a Traditional Health Worker Doula.

    • Once you have received your THW approval, you will need to submit an application to become an Oregon Medicaid Provider.

    • If you are contracting with a Coordinated Care Organization, you may need to become Credentialed. Each CCO may have their own process. A THW Liaison will be able to provide guidance on thsi process.

Steps to become a Traditional Health Worker Doula:

Click through the sections below for an overview of what is included in our training!

    • Group Introductions

    • Scope of Practice

    • Best Practices and Ethics

    • Oregon’s History

    • Birth from a Cross-Cultural Lens

    • Anthropology of Childbirth

    • Historical Practices

    • Bias, Racism and Discrimination in Healthcare

    • Addressing Social Determinants of Health

    • Advocacy for Informed Policy Change

    • Intuition

    • Imposter Syndrome

    • Exploring Self-Maintanence and Community Support

    • Physical, Emotional & Environmental Safety

    • Multidisciplinary Team Approach

    • Conflict Identification & Problem Solving

    • Community Engagement & Outreach

    • Bereavement

    • Emotional and Psychological Support

    • Medical and Social High-Risk Situations

    • Parenting Dynamics & Client Boundaries

    • Anatomy & Physiology of Pregnancy, Birth, Postpartum & Neonatal Transition

    • Birthing Methods

    • Infant Feeding Methods

    • Comfort Measures

    • Birth Plans & Empowering Tools and Techniques

    • Cross-Cultural Communication & Motivational Interviewing

    • Client Visits

    • Care Coordination

    • Client Relationships and Boundaries

    • Community Resources & Referrals

    • Develop Business Plan

    • Legal Responsibilities

    • Client Systems

    • Medicaid & HIPAA Compliance

    • Documentation

    • Students will select a topic to research and present to the cohort.

    • Expand Learning on Cohort Forum

    • Traditional Health Worker Role

    • Oral Health

    • AHA BLS/CPR

What People Are Saying:

“The knowledge gained from this course and the amount of information taught was the most valuable. I don’t feel I would have received this much education on social determinants of health, culture, and basic maternal and fetal health in any other course.”

— 2024 Spring Cohort Student

“Oh my gosh, it's hard to choose, but probably the hands-on techniques/counter pressure, the bereavement and the business. There was so much information packed in to this class, it was so much more than I was expecting.”

— 2024 Spring Cohort Student

“All of the knowledge, being able to be in person and have those serious conversations but feeling safe to do so. Feeling secure through this course was so helpful, all the instructors really helped you feel like you belonged and that your questions were valid.”

— 2023 Spring Cohort Student

“In person classes were my favorite! Role playing and examples of potential situations were exceptionally helpful!”

— 2022 Fall Cohort Student