
Nikki Easterling, M.Ed., CDP, CC is a therapist,
addiction counselor, maternal addiction specialist and DONA trained doula
offering services in individual and family therapy, maternal addiction
services for pregnant women with opiate use disorders, pregnancy, birthing,
& postpartum doula services and parenting support and education.
She also offers traditional doula services through her doula practice. Her
specialty is addiction and recovery treatment counseling for both
individuals and families,
specifically supporting opiate treatment through medication assisted
treatment. She maintains a private practice in Spokane, Washington.
With over 17 year’s experience as a counselor/therapist and as a graduate of Whitwortth University specializing in addiction & recovery counseling, she is currently serving as private practitioner working with a broad spectrum of clients. Her expansive counseling experience includes serving as the Pregnant & Parenting Women Counselor/Case Manager in a county methadone maintenance program; 12 years working as a counselor and parent educator in a large public education system at middle school, high school and elementary levels as well as agency level addiction counseling work. Among her area of expertise is using evidence based neuro-pharmacological treatments to more effectively treat opiate addiction. More specifically using medication assisted treatment such as Suboxone or Subutex (buprenorphine) or Vivitrol (natrexone) paired with therapeutic treatment counseling.
In addition to being an established addiction therapist, Nikki Easterling
has presented at National conferences and to general audiences speaking on
the topics of Gender Responsive Interventions; Relational Bullying;
Understanding & Parenting Your Adolescent Girl; Parenting with Love and
Logic; Attachment & Separation Disorders; Caring for Newborns with
Neonatal Withdrawal Syndrome; Buprenorphine 101; and Prescription Drug
Abuse.
Nikki has used her diverse experience and passion to develop a unique and
specialized program called Courageous Beginnings. This program redefines
inclusive and comprehensive services for pregnant women with opiate use
disorders. As both a doula and addiction counselor, she is able to address
gaps in prenatal and pregnancy support related services while supporting and
addressing substance abuse treatment related goals. Clients can begin as
soon as pregnancy is identified, then they are connected to an obstetrician
for prenatal care. The role of Nikki and Courageous Beginnings is to support
and prepare women for the pregnancy and birth, through the lens of recovery.
This program has been a dream and driving passion for Nikki since having
doula support at her own daughter's birth in 2008.
Education
License, Certifications & Awards
Additional Training
Professional Activities and Memberships
American Psychological Association
American Counseling Association
International Association of Marriage & Family Counselors
NAADAC - Association for Addiction Professionals