Final up to date: 2026 | This submit incorporates affiliate hyperlinks. Should you enroll via my hyperlink and use the code FITNESSISTA, you’ll rise up to $250 off and I’ll earn a fee at no additional value to you.
Hiiii pals! I hope you had an exquisite weekend and that you simply’re having fun with the morning. At this time I wished to speak about one among my favourite matters: IHP.
Should you’ve been following alongside right here for some time, that I’ve spent years constructing out my diet and health teaching apply and that I’m somebody who genuinely loves studying. I’ve collected a whole lot of certifications through the years (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 shoppers.
However there was all the time a spot.
Working with diet shoppers on-line, I stored working into conditions the place I knew one thing deeper was occurring – a hormonal imbalance, a intestine subject, a mineral deficiency – and all I might do was refer out. Suggesting particular labs or deciphering take a look at outcomes is solely not throughout the scope of apply for a diet coach or private coach. I’d added different practitioners to my crew who might run these assessments, however as my on-line apply grew, I wished 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 Stage 1 and Stage 2 (over 100 hours of coursework, persevering with training, and a few very difficult assessments later), I may give you an intensive, trustworthy image of what to anticipate.
Enthusiastic about Enrolling? Begin Right here.
Use code FITNESSISTA for $100 off Stage 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. (Should you 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 1,000,000 non-public 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. Once we wrapped up the podcast, I knew I wished 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 drugs – the science of life and body-typing
Bioregulatory drugs – the science of self-healing and rebalancing
Chinese language drugs and herbalism – unlocking nature’s therapeutic knowledge
Jap philosophy – utilizing the thoughts to heal the physique
Conventional naturopathy – “proper dwelling” to reverse sickness
Orthomolecular drugs – nutritional vitamins and minerals as drugs
Useful drugs – 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 best way he presents complicated data, making it accessible and straightforward to implement. His real-world scientific expertise is invaluable, and it comes via in each lesson.
The Two Ranges: What’s the Distinction?
IHP Stage 1: The DESTRESS Protocol
Stage 1 focuses on Dr. Cabral’s DESTRESS technique: a root-cause way of life framework constructed round Weight loss program, Train, Stress administration, Toxin elimination, 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 Stage 1 course can take round 6 months relying in your tempo. It’s tremendous complete.
I beloved Stage 1. I discovered myself studying one thing invaluable from each single lesson. However it’s the big-picture basis and it builds your framework and vocabulary. The appliance actually is available in Stage 2.
Need the total breakdown? Learn my full IHP Stage 1 evaluation right here.
IHP Stage 2: Useful Labs
That is the place issues received actually thrilling for me. Throughout every module I stored pondering: that is precisely what I wish to study. That is how I wish to assist my shoppers.
Stage 2 is sort of solely targeted on purposeful drugs labs. You learn to suggest particular house lab assessments, analyze outcomes, and recommend motion plans based mostly 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 allergic reactions) 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, habits points, immune dysfunction, and extra. Many individuals with power sickness and neurological points present up right here. I run this take a look at with shoppers 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 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 offers perception into how your physique is responding to emphasize and whether or not you’re a sluggish or quick oxidizer.
Observe: these labs should not meant 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 on the lookout for underlying imbalances however nothing scary.
About two-thirds of the best way via Stage 2, I noticed 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 one among these assessments. One of the simplest ways to essentially study this materials is to do it: learn actual outcomes, re-watch the related module as you undergo every marker, and maintain layering in podcasts, books, and persevering with training. That’s nonetheless how I strategy it.
For the total Stage 2 breakdown, learn my IHP Stage 2 evaluation right here
How A lot Does the IHP Value?
Pricing can change, so I all the time suggest checking present enrollment particulars immediately.
That mentioned:
Stage 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 Stage 2 is ABSOLUTELY value it. (Price saying right here that I’m at present working my means via Stage 3 and loving each second)
Use code FITNESSISTA for $100 off Stage 1, or $250 off each ranges
IHP additionally periodically runs enrollment specials, so it’s value preserving an eye fixed 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 value considerably extra if pursued via particular person programs or scientific coaching packages.
What I Really 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 possibly can go together with shoppers. The IHP certification – particularly Stage 2 – gave me instruments to really get to root causes, not simply supply common way of life steering.
Dr. Cabral is genuinely one of many good ones. Should you comply with him on Instagram or hearken to his podcast, you already know this. He’s extremely educated, however you too can simply inform that he’s a genuinely good one who really needs to assist folks heal. That comes via in each lesson.
The assist construction is superb. There’s a non-public Fb group for IHP candidates and licensed practitioners, reside Zoom Q&A calls, and – for Stage 2 graduates who full a further mentorship program – they’ll even refer shoppers to you immediately. The handouts and assets are one other enormous plus; Dr. Cabral shares the precise protocols he makes use of in his personal apply, which makes it simple to begin implementing with shoppers instantly.
Self-paced with lifetime entry. No cohort deadlines to emphasize over. You may transfer shortly when life permits and decelerate when it doesn’t. (For this reason it’s taken me 18 years to finish Stage 3 lol.) They’re additionally consistently including new modules, handouts, and content material to the platform.
You don’t want a well being background to begin. We’ve got IHPs who fully modified careers due to this program, and in addition bodily therapists, nurses, docs, private trainers, and dental professionals. It really spans backgrounds.
The mission behind it’s lovely. The concept is that you simply 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 by myself 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 a whole lot of data (much more so in Stage 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 take in the fabric, however you possibly can’t blast via 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 figuring out. You’re working throughout the scope of a well being practitioner, which remains to be significant and impactful; it’s only a completely different lane than drugs.
You’ll have to buy your personal insurance coverage after Stage 2. Most grads undergo an organization like Different Steadiness. It’s pretty simple to arrange, however it’s an ongoing value to issue into your planning. (I feel I pay about $160/12 months)
It takes actual time. Stage 1 usually takes round 6 months; Stage 2 can take 6 months to a 12 months. 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 wish to be trustworthy about why, although. I got here to this already working within the well being area, with a selected hole I wanted to fill and a real ardour for the sort 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 data I didn’t have earlier than. (The timing was additional significant for me personally. Coping with some sudden well being problems with my very own made the purposeful lab materials really feel extremely related.)
I’ve additionally been the one that 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 hand over on you when customary labs look “regular.” That’s the type of practitioner I wish to be, and IHP gave me actual instruments to get there.
Should you’re a well being skilled on the lookout for one other approach to serve your shoppers, or in case you’re somebody who needs to heal your self after which assist the folks round you, I genuinely can’t suggest this program sufficient. I’d do each ranges, particularly if purposeful labs are your purpose. That’s the place the actual magic occurs.
Take a look at the IHP program and use code FITNESSISTA for as much as $250 off
I solely suggest packages I’ve personally accomplished and imagine in. Enrolling via my hyperlink helps this weblog at no additional value 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 Stage 1?
Sure. Stage 1 is its personal certification. But when purposeful lab work is your purpose, you’ll need each ranges. I’d begin with Stage 1 to ensure the fabric resonates, then proceed to Stage 2. (If you buy each on the similar time, the pricing is best, although.)
How lengthy does it take to complete?
Stage 1 is often round 6 months at a snug tempo; Stage 2 is analogous or a bit longer. There’s no time restrict, so you possibly can go at no matter tempo works to your life.
What can I truly do with this certification?
You may add purposeful well being teaching to your current apply, create new 1:1 or group choices, use it to deepen your personal private well being data, and contribute to content material you create. Stage 2 graduates even have the choice to obtain shopper referrals via the IHP community.
Is there group assist when you’re going via it?
Sure! The non-public Fb group is lively and genuinely useful. And Dr. Cabral’s podcast (The Cabral Idea) is an ongoing useful resource that I nonetheless use usually.
Take a look at the small print right here and my code is FITNESSISTA to 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 glad to assist!
xo,
Gina
I’ll be updating this submit yearly to replicate any adjustments in pricing, curriculum, or program particulars.
