Final up to date: 2026 | This submit accommodates affiliate hyperlinks. For those who enroll by way of my hyperlink and use the code FITNESSISTA, you’ll rise up to $250 off and I could earn a fee at no additional price to you.
Hiiii pals! I hope you had an exquisite weekend and that you just’re having fun with the morning. At this time I needed to speak about one among my favourite matters: IHP.
For those who’ve been following alongside right here for some time, you understand that I’ve spent years constructing out my diet and health teaching observe and that I’m somebody who genuinely loves studying. I’ve collected numerous certifications over time (Precision Diet, NASM Private Coach, Weight Loss Specialist, Girls’s Health Specialist, Corrective Train Specialist, 200-hour yoga RYT, and extra), and every one has added one thing significant to the best way I work with purchasers.
However there was at all times a niche.
Working with diet purchasers on-line, I saved operating into conditions the place I knew one thing deeper was occurring – a hormonal imbalance, a intestine challenge, a mineral deficiency – and all I may do was refer out. Suggesting particular labs or deciphering check outcomes is just not inside the scope of observe for a diet coach or private coach. I’d added different practitioners to my crew who may run these assessments, however as my on-line observe grew, I needed to have the ability to do that work myself.
That’s what led me to the Integrative Well being Practitioner (IHP) certification, and after finishing each Degree 1 and Degree 2 (over 100 hours of coursework, persevering with schooling, and a few very difficult assessments later), I can provide you an intensive, sincere image of what to anticipate.
Fascinated by Enrolling? Begin Right here.
Use code FITNESSISTA for $100 off Degree 1, or $250 off each ranges.
IHP Certification Assessment: What I Realized, What It Prices, and Is It Price It (2026)
What Is the IHP Certification?
The Integrative Well being Practitioner certification was created by Dr. Stephen Cabral, a Board Licensed Physician of Naturopathy, founding father of EquiLife and the Integrative Well being Practitioner Institute, and writer of the worldwide bestseller The Rain Barrel Impact. (For those who haven’t learn it but, get it. It’s free!) After practically 20 years, over 600,000 pages of analysis, dozens of certifications within the pure well being discipline, and over 1 / 4 of one million personal shopper periods…. Dr. Cabral is the actual deal.
I’d been following him on Instagram for a few years and had him as a visitor on the podcast earlier than I enrolled. After we wrapped up the podcast, I knew I needed to study as a lot as I may from him, and when the partnership got here collectively, I took it as an indication that the timing was lastly proper.
This system is constructed on 7 integrative disciplines:
Ayurvedic medication – the science of life and body-typing
Bioregulatory medication – the science of self-healing and rebalancing
Chinese language medication and herbalism – unlocking nature’s therapeutic knowledge
Jap philosophy – utilizing the thoughts to heal the physique
Conventional naturopathy – “proper residing” to reverse sickness
Orthomolecular medication – nutritional vitamins and minerals as medication
Purposeful medication – state-of-the-art lab testing to uncover underlying root causes
All the pieces is taught by Dr. Cabral himself, and I genuinely loved the best way he presents complicated info, making it accessible and straightforward to implement. His real-world scientific expertise is invaluable, and it comes by way of in each lesson.
The Two Ranges: What’s the Distinction?
IHP Degree 1: The DESTRESS Protocol
Degree 1 focuses on Dr. Cabral’s DESTRESS technique: a root-cause way of life framework constructed round Eating regimen, Train, Stress administration, Toxin elimination, Relaxation, Emotional stability, Supplementation, and Success mindset.
Every lesson runs about half-hour, and Dr. Cabral contains instructed studying, complementary podcast episodes, and tons of client-ready handouts and sources all through. The complete Degree 1 course can take round 6 months relying in your tempo. It’s tremendous complete.
I cherished Degree 1. I discovered myself studying one thing beneficial from each single lesson. Nevertheless it’s the big-picture basis and it builds your framework and vocabulary. The appliance actually is available in Degree 2.
Need the complete breakdown? Learn my full IHP Degree 1 overview right here.
IHP Degree 2: Purposeful Labs
That is the place issues received actually thrilling for me. Throughout every module I saved considering: that is precisely what I wish to study. That is how I wish to assist my purchasers.
Degree 2 is sort of completely centered on purposeful medication labs. You discover ways to advocate particular residence lab assessments, analyze outcomes, and counsel motion plans primarily based on what you discover.
Right here’s what’s coated:
Meals Sensitivity Testing: IgG reactions to 190 meals on a scale from not important to excessive. These are sensitivities (not allergy symptoms) and may present up as complications, joint ache, pores and skin rashes, poor temper, and extra.
Parasite and Micro organism Stool Testing: key intestine micro organism and parasite markers related to mind fog, low power, physique ache, and complications.
Natural Acids (OAT): an analysis of intestinal yeast and micro organism that may contribute to fatigue, conduct points, immune dysfunction, and extra. Many individuals with persistent sickness and neurological points present up right here. I run this check with purchasers nearly each single day.
Omega-3 Testing – your Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio, which has actual implications for coronary heart well being, irritation, temper, power, pores and skin, and muscle and joint ache. (Enjoyable truth: analysis reveals that when Omega-3 ranges within the blood attain 9% or extra, the danger of sudden cardiac loss of life drops dramatically. That alone was eye-opening.)
Adrenal Hormone Testing – estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol patterns all through the day.
Thyroid Adrenal Hormone Testing – provides testosterone, DHEA, thyroid markers (T4, T3, TSH, TPO antibodies), insulin, A1C, and vitamin D. Weight reduction has way more to do with hormone stability and metabolism than most individuals notice.
HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Evaluation) – a foundational lab utilizing only a hair pattern that appears at mineral ranges, electrolytes, and poisonous heavy metals, and provides perception into how your physique is responding to emphasize and whether or not you’re a sluggish or quick oxidizer.
Be aware: these labs will not be supposed to diagnose, forestall, deal with, or remedy any illness, however they supply extremely particular and actionable details about your particular person physique. I truly love this facet of the labs; we’re searching for underlying imbalances however nothing scary.
About two-thirds of the best way by way of Degree 2, I spotted that if I saved making an attempt to grasp each module earlier than shifting on, I’d by no means end, since you may truthfully spend a lifetime going deep on any one among these assessments. The easiest way to actually study this materials is to do it: learn actual outcomes, re-watch the related module as you undergo every marker, and preserve layering in podcasts, books, and persevering with schooling. That’s nonetheless how I method it.
For the complete Degree 2 breakdown, learn my IHP Degree 2 overview right here
How A lot Does the IHP Value?
Pricing can change, so I at all times advocate checking present enrollment particulars immediately.
That stated:
Degree 1 is the lower-cost entry level, with cost plan choices obtainable
Each ranges collectively is the place the larger funding (and greater low cost) is available in. I feel that Degree 2 is ABSOLUTELY price it. (Price saying right here that I’m at the moment working my means by way of Degree 3 and loving each second)
Use code FITNESSISTA for $100 off Degree 1, or $250 off each ranges
IHP additionally periodically runs enrollment specials, so it’s price protecting a watch out if timing is an element for you.
For context on worth: the purposeful lab coaching alone – one thing only a few coach-level certifications supply at this depth – would price considerably extra if pursued by way of particular person programs or scientific coaching applications.
What I Truly Love Concerning the IHP Program
It fills an actual hole in conventional well being teaching. As a diet coach and private coach, there’s a tough ceiling on how deep you’ll be able to go together with purchasers. The IHP certification – particularly Degree 2 – gave me instruments to truly get to root causes, not simply supply basic way of life steering.
Dr. Cabral is genuinely one of many good ones. For those who observe him on Instagram or hearken to his podcast, you already know this. He’s extremely educated, however it’s also possible to simply inform that he’s a genuinely good one who actually needs to assist folks heal. That comes by way of in each lesson.
The assist construction is superb. There’s a non-public Fb group for IHP candidates and authorized practitioners, reside Zoom Q&A calls, and – for Degree 2 graduates who full a further mentorship program – they’ll even refer purchasers to you immediately. The handouts and sources are one other big plus; Dr. Cabral shares the precise protocols he makes use of in his personal observe, which makes it simple to begin implementing with purchasers immediately.
Self-paced with lifetime entry. No cohort deadlines to emphasize over. You may transfer shortly when life permits and decelerate when it doesn’t. (That is why it’s taken me 18 years to finish Degree 3 lol.) They’re additionally continuously including new modules, handouts, and content material to the platform.
You don’t want a well being background to begin. We have now IHPs who fully modified careers due to this program, and likewise bodily therapists, nurses, docs, private trainers, and dental professionals. It actually spans backgrounds.
The mission behind it’s lovely. The thought is that you just heal your self after which go on to heal others. That’s one thing I imagine in fully, and it’s been additional significant to me as I’ve been alone therapeutic journey.
What I’d Inform You to Know Going In
The teachings require your full consideration. This was my solely actual frustration: Dr. Cabral goes into numerous info (much more so in Degree 2), and I felt like I wanted to be at my desk taking notes, not listening on a stroll or throughout a commute. The upside is it forces you to truly soak up the fabric, however you’ll be able to’t blast by way of it as shortly as you would possibly wish to.
It’s not a scientific credential. The IHP doesn’t provide the authority to diagnose, deal with, or prescribe. That is true of all well being teaching certifications, and it’s one thing to go in understanding. You’re working inside the scope of a well being practitioner, which remains to be significant and impactful; it’s only a totally different lane than medication.
You’ll must buy your personal insurance coverage after Degree 2. Most grads undergo an organization like Various Stability. It’s pretty simple to arrange, nevertheless it’s an ongoing price to issue into your planning. (I feel I pay about $160/yr)
It takes actual time. Degree 1 usually takes round 6 months; Degree 2 can take 6 months to a yr. There’s no shortcut, and truthfully, that’s applicable for the quantity of fabric coated.
Is the IHP Price It in 2026?
For me, 10000% sure.
I wish to be sincere about why, although. I got here to this already working within the well being house, with a selected hole I wanted to fill and a real ardour for this kind of work. IHP stuffed that hole. I’ve been in a position so as to add a brand new layer to my 1:1 teaching, work with relations and pals utilizing these instruments, and deepen my very own therapeutic course of with information I didn’t have earlier than. (The timing was additional significant for me personally. Coping with some surprising well being problems with my very own made the purposeful lab materials really feel extremely related.)
I’ve additionally been the one who was advised “nothing is unsuitable” or “you’ll simply must reside with it” by a number of physicians. I do know firsthand how a lot it issues to have somebody in your nook who thinks in root causes, who doesn’t surrender on you when commonplace labs look “regular.” That’s the type of practitioner I wish to be, and IHP gave me actual instruments to get there.
For those who’re a well being skilled searching for one other method to serve your purchasers, or in case you’re somebody who needs to heal your self after which assist the folks round you, I genuinely can’t advocate this program sufficient. I’d do each ranges, particularly if purposeful labs are your purpose. That’s the place the actual magic occurs.
Try the IHP program and use code FITNESSISTA for as much as $250 off
I solely advocate applications I’ve personally accomplished and imagine in. Enrolling by way of my hyperlink helps this weblog at no additional price to you.
Fast FAQs
Do I want a well being background to enroll?
Nope! This system is open to everybody: profession changers, well being professionals, and genuinely curious folks alike.
Can I simply do Degree 1?
Sure. Degree 1 is its personal certification. But when purposeful lab work is your purpose, you’ll need each ranges. I’d begin with Degree 1 to verify the fabric resonates, then proceed to Degree 2. (If you buy each on the similar time, the pricing is healthier, although.)
How lengthy does it take to complete?
Degree 1 is usually round 6 months at a snug tempo; Degree 2 is comparable or a bit longer. There’s no time restrict, so you’ll be able to go at no matter tempo works in your life.
What can I truly do with this certification?
You may add purposeful well being teaching to your present observe, create new 1:1 or group choices, use it to deepen your personal private well being information, and contribute to content material you create. Degree 2 graduates even have the choice to obtain shopper referrals by way of the IHP community.
Is there group assist whilst you’re going by way of it?
Sure! The personal Fb group is energetic and genuinely useful. And Dr. Cabral’s podcast (The Cabral Idea) is an ongoing useful resource that I nonetheless use commonly.
Try the small print right here and my code is FITNESSISTA in your low cost
Have questions in regards to the IHP that I didn’t cowl right here? Drop them within the feedback. I learn each single one and am completely satisfied to assist!
xo,
Gina
I’ll be updating this submit yearly to replicate any adjustments in pricing, curriculum, or program particulars.
