Final up to date: 2026 | This put up incorporates affiliate hyperlinks. If you enroll through my link and use the code FITNESSISTA, you’ll rise up to $250 off and I’ll earn a fee at no additional price to you.
Hiiii buddies! I hope you had a beautiful weekend and that you just’re having fun with the morning. Right this moment I needed to talk about certainly one of my favourite matters: IHP.
In the event you’ve been following alongside right here for some time, you understand that I’ve spent years constructing out my diet and health teaching follow and that I’m somebody who genuinely loves studying. I’ve collected quite a lot of certifications through the years (Precision Vitamin, 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 way in which I work with purchasers.
However there was all the time a niche.
Working with diet purchasers on-line, I stored working into conditions the place I knew one thing deeper was occurring – a hormonal imbalance, a intestine concern, a mineral deficiency – and all I might do was refer out. Suggesting particular labs or deciphering check outcomes is just not inside the scope of follow for a diet coach or private coach. I’d added different practitioners to my crew who might run these exams, however as my on-line follow 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 training, and a few very difficult exams later), I may give you an intensive, sincere image of what to anticipate.
Concerned with Enrolling? Start 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 Health 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 creator of the worldwide bestseller The Rain Barrel Impact. (In the event you haven’t learn it but, get it. It’s free!) After almost 20 years, over 600,000 pages of analysis, dozens of certifications within the pure well being area, and over 1 / 4 of 1,000,000 non-public consumer periods…. Dr. Cabral is the true 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. Once we wrapped up the podcast, I knew I needed to study as a lot as I might 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 dwelling” to reverse sickness
Orthomolecular medication – nutritional vitamins and minerals as medication
Practical medication – state-of-the-art lab testing to uncover underlying root causes
Every little thing is taught by Dr. Cabral himself, and I genuinely loved the way in which he presents complicated data, making it accessible and simple to implement. His real-world scientific expertise is invaluable, and it comes by in each lesson.
The Two Ranges: What’s the Distinction?
IHP Degree 1: The DESTRESS Protocol
Level 1 focuses on Dr. Cabral’s DESTRESS methodology: a root-cause life-style framework constructed round Weight-reduction plan, Train, Stress administration, Toxin removing, Relaxation, Emotional steadiness, Supplementation, and Success mindset.
Every lesson runs about half-hour, and Dr. Cabral contains recommended studying, complementary podcast episodes, and tons of client-ready handouts and assets all through. The total Degree 1 course can take round 6 months relying in your tempo. It’s tremendous complete.
I liked Degree 1. I discovered myself studying one thing precious from each single lesson. But it surely’s the big-picture basis and it builds your framework and vocabulary. The applying actually is available in Degree 2.
Need the total breakdown? Learn my full IHP Level 1 review here.
IHP Degree 2: Practical Labs
That is the place issues received actually thrilling for me. Throughout every module I stored pondering: that is precisely what I need to study. That is how I need to assist my purchasers.
Level 2 is nearly fully targeted on useful medication labs. You discover ways to advocate particular house lab exams, analyze outcomes, and counsel motion plans primarily based on what you discover.
Right here’s what’s lined:
Meals Sensitivity Testing: IgG reactions to 190 meals on a scale from not important to excessive. These are sensitivities (not allergy symptoms) and might 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 linked 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 power 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 chance of sudden cardiac dying 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 steadiness 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 gradual or quick oxidizer.
Word: these labs will not be supposed to diagnose, stop, deal with, or treatment any illness, however they supply extremely particular and actionable details about your particular person physique. I truly love this side of the labs; we’re searching for underlying imbalances however nothing scary.
About two-thirds of the way in which by Degree 2, I spotted that if I stored making an attempt to grasp each module earlier than transferring on, I’d by no means end, since you might truthfully spend a lifetime going deep on any certainly one of these exams. 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 training. That’s nonetheless how I method it.
For the total Degree 2 breakdown, learn my IHP Level 2 review here
How A lot Does the IHP Price?
Pricing can change, so I all the time advocate checking present enrollment particulars immediately.
That stated:
Degree 1 is the lower-cost entry level, with fee plan choices obtainable
Each ranges collectively is the place the larger funding (and larger low cost) is available in. I feel that Degree 2 is ABSOLUTELY value it. (Price saying right here that I’m presently working my means by Degree 3 and loving each second)
Use code FITNESSISTA for $100 off Level 1, or $250 off both levels
IHP additionally periodically runs enrollment specials, so it’s value preserving a watch out if timing is an element for you.
For context on worth: the useful lab coaching alone – one thing only a few coach-level certifications supply at this depth – would price considerably extra if pursued by particular person programs or scientific coaching packages.
What I Truly Love In regards to 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 possibly can go along with purchasers. The IHP certification – particularly Degree 2 – gave me instruments to really get to root causes, not simply supply normal life-style steerage.
Dr. Cabral is genuinely one of many good ones. In the event you observe him on Instagram or hearken to his podcast, you already know this. He’s extremely educated, however you may as well simply inform that he’s a genuinely good one that actually desires to assist folks heal. That comes by in each lesson.
The help construction is great. There’s a personal Fb group for IHP candidates and licensed practitioners, dwell Zoom Q&A calls, and – for Degree 2 graduates who full an extra mentorship program – they’ll even refer purchasers to you immediately. The handouts and assets are one other big plus; Dr. Cabral shares the precise protocols he makes use of in his personal follow, which makes it simple to start out implementing with purchasers immediately.
Self-paced with lifetime entry. No cohort deadlines to emphasize over. You possibly can transfer rapidly when life permits and decelerate when it doesn’t. (For this reason it’s taken me 18 years to finish Degree 3 lol.) They’re additionally always including new modules, handouts, and content material to the platform.
You don’t want a well being background to start out. Now we have IHPs who utterly 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 stunning. The thought is that you just heal your self after which go on to heal others. That’s one thing I imagine in utterly, 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 quite a lot of data (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 really soak up the fabric, however you possibly can’t blast by it as rapidly as you would possibly need 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 realizing. You’re working inside the scope of a well being practitioner, which continues to be significant and impactful; it’s only a totally different lane than medication.
You’ll have to buy your individual insurance coverage after Degree 2. Most grads undergo an organization like Various Stability. It’s pretty simple to arrange, but it surely’s an ongoing price to issue into your planning. (I feel I pay about $160/yr)
It takes actual time. Degree 1 sometimes 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 lined.
Is the IHP Price It in 2026?
For me, 10000% sure.
I need to be sincere about why, although. I got here to this already working within the well being house, with a particular hole I wanted to fill and a real ardour for this kind of work. IHP crammed 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 buddies 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 useful lab materials really feel extremely related.)
I’ve additionally been the one that was advised “nothing is unsuitable” or “you’ll simply must dwell 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 normal labs look “regular.” That’s the sort of practitioner I need to be, and IHP gave me actual instruments to get there.
In the event you’re a well being skilled searching for one other solution to serve your purchasers, or when you’re somebody who desires 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 useful labs are your aim. That’s the place the true magic occurs.
Try the IHP program and use code FITNESSISTA for as much as $250 off
I solely advocate packages I’ve personally accomplished and imagine in. Enrolling by my hyperlink helps this weblog at no additional price to you.
Fast FAQs
Do I would like 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 useful lab work is your aim, 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 identical time, the pricing is best, although.)
How lengthy does it take to complete?
Degree 1 is usually round 6 months at a cushty tempo; Degree 2 is analogous or a bit longer. There’s no time restrict, so you possibly can go at no matter tempo works in your life.
What can I truly do with this certification?
You possibly can add useful well being teaching to your present follow, create new 1:1 or group choices, use it to deepen your individual private well being information, and contribute to content material you create. Degree 2 graduates even have the choice to obtain consumer referrals by the IHP community.
Is there group help whilst you’re going by it?
Sure! The non-public Fb group is energetic and genuinely useful. And Dr. Cabral’s podcast (The Cabral Idea) is an ongoing useful resource that I nonetheless use repeatedly.
Check out the details here and my code is FITNESSISTA in your low cost
Have questions concerning the IHP that I didn’t cowl right here? Drop them within the feedback. I learn each single one and am blissful to assist!
xo,
Gina
I’ll be updating this put up yearly to replicate any adjustments in pricing, curriculum, or program particulars.
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