Christie has been a practicing medical Speech Language Pathologist for the past 30 years. She earned her graduate degree from Western Washington University (WWU) and practiced in Virginia and Seattle before moving back to Bellingham. She has taught graduate dysphagia courses at WWU and has worked as a manual therapy teaching assistant in the UK. Christie played volleyball at WWU, has traveled internationally as a masters athlete, continues to coach, and loves working with young athletes.
Speech Language Pathologists specialize in the head, neck and chest area. “SPEECH” could mean: voice, airway including breathing difficulties and cough, and swallowing difficulties. Pacific Northwest Rehab & Diagnostics provide empowering, passionate services to help you live a better life.
Voice consult and treatment & including video stroboscopy…
Swallowing consult and treatment including fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation…
Consult and treatment to assist with airway issues…
We bring extensive experience and compassion to the clinic, ongoing, updated education and conference training, provide mentorship to young therapists, and are mindful of the patient experience (co-pays, number of visits, deductibles, etc.) We understand that patients have a choice where to complete their rehabilitation.
Population served: Pre-teen, teenagers, adults, and geriatric
Hoarseness, lesions, paralysis,vocal nodules, vocal fatigue, strain.
Aggressive treatment and support prior to and during treatment to assist with safety and quality of life with eating by mouth.
Vocal cord dysfunction, athletes with breathing difficulty, cough suppression, chronic cough.
Treatment to assist with aspiration, cough, reflux, globus “lump in the throat.
Comprehensive state of the art evaluation with endoscopy and Stroboscopy. Treatments may include manual therapy, exercises, exercise challenge for airway issues, diet texture modification, and compensatory strategies for safe swallowing.
Expansion of rehab services
Mobile FEES: We bring our endoscopy swallow team to YOU!
Nutrition certification
Nerve conduction and electromyography testing Yes! Here’s some of the insurances we work with:
Yes, we can provide you with out of pocket costs for your care.
It is a bit uncomfortable at times, but not typically painful. We are very gentle and experienced with our scoping skills. If you use a nasal decongestant before you come in, that can be helpful.
I recently underwent surgery and subsequent 6 weeks of radiation therapy to my neck. As part of my recovery, it was recommended that I have rehabilitation for swallowing difficulties that I was experiencing. I was treated by Christie Erskine, MA CCC-SLP of Pacific Northwest Rehab & Diagnostics. Ms. Erskine tested me clinically and with FEES to determine the degree of my difficulties and plan the program best suited to my needs. Throughout this portion of my treatment, any questions I had were answered thoroughly. I received a series of exercises to assist in alleviating my swallowing difficulties, all of which helped! Ms. Erskine also completed manual therapy to my neck to ease any restrictions caused by the formation of scar tissue. Not once did I ever leave her office feeling less than positive regarding my condition nor any unanswered questions!
Everything/everyone was very helpful. Christie was competent, compassionate, and informative. So nice to have a positive experience when help is needed! – D.H. April 2024
The service I received was better than wonderful! J.S. April 2024
An Excellent experience! D.B. April 2024
Christie is very competent, easy to talk to, and she listens well. She was able to answer questions in a way that made the answer easy to understand. E.H. March 2024
All was exceptional including and specifically Christie Erskine. Thank you. T.R. March 2024
Christie was delightful, very personable. R.B January 2024
No improvement needed with her. Christie is an amazing therapist and is very sympathetic and a very smart woman. She’s awesome! I have always looked so forward to my appointment! C.W. January 2024
Christie Erskine was an exceptional therapist—expert in her special field, effective in her treatment, and a pleasure to know. I would strongly recommend her for all patients undergoing radiation treatment focused on the throat and neck. R.W. September 2023
I was surprised and pleased to find that Christie Erskine was experienced and trained in exactly the specific areas I needed therapy following cancer surgery and treatment. She plays a key role in my recovery. R.W. June 2023
Nothing at all to improve, everything from scheduling to the doctor was perfect. Could not ask for anything better! J.C February 2023
