Final up to date: 2026 | This put up incorporates affiliate hyperlinks. In the event you enroll by way of my hyperlink and use the code FITNESSISTA, you’ll rise up to $250 off and I’ll earn a fee at no further price to you.
Hiiii pals! I hope you had an exquisite weekend and that you simply’re having fun with the morning. In the present day I needed to speak about one in all my favourite matters: IHP.
In the event you’ve been following alongside right here for some time, you already know 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 lots 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 at all times a niche.
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 concern, a mineral deficiency – and all I might do was refer out. Suggesting particular labs or deciphering check outcomes is solely not inside the scope of observe for a diet coach or private coach. I’d added different practitioners to my crew who might run these checks, 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 Stage 1 and Stage 2 (over 100 hours of coursework, persevering with training, and a few very difficult checks later), I can provide you an intensive, trustworthy image of what to anticipate.
All for Enrolling? Begin Right here.
Use code FITNESSISTA for $100 off Stage 1, or $250 off each ranges.
IHP Certification Evaluate: What I Discovered, What It Prices, and Is It Value 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 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 one million personal shopper classes…. 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 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
Japanese philosophy – utilizing the thoughts to heal the physique
Conventional naturopathy – “proper residing” to reverse sickness
Orthomolecular drugs – nutritional vitamins and minerals as drugs
Useful drugs – state-of-the-art lab testing to uncover underlying root causes
The whole lot is taught by Dr. Cabral himself, and I genuinely loved the best way he presents complicated info, making it accessible and simple to implement. His real-world medical expertise is invaluable, and it comes by way of in each lesson.
The Two Ranges: What’s the Distinction?
IHP Stage 1: The DESTRESS Protocol
Stage 1 focuses on Dr. Cabral’s DESTRESS methodology: a root-cause way of life framework constructed round Weight loss program, Train, Stress administration, Toxin removing, Relaxation, Emotional steadiness, Supplementation, and Success mindset.
Every lesson runs about half-hour, and Dr. Cabral consists of urged studying, complementary podcast episodes, and tons of client-ready handouts and sources all through. The total Stage 1 course can take round 6 months relying in your tempo. It’s tremendous complete.
I cherished Stage 1. I discovered myself studying one thing worthwhile from each single lesson. However it’s the big-picture basis and it builds your framework and vocabulary. The applying actually is available in Stage 2.
Need the complete breakdown? Learn my full IHP Stage 1 overview right here.
IHP Stage 2: Useful Labs
That is the place issues obtained 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 nearly totally centered on purposeful drugs labs. You learn to advocate particular dwelling lab checks, analyze outcomes, and recommend 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 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 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, habits points, immune dysfunction, and extra. Many individuals with power sickness and neurological points present up right here. I run this check 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 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 offers perception into how your physique is responding to emphasize and whether or not you’re a sluggish or quick oxidizer.
Be aware: these labs should not supposed to diagnose, stop, 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 in search of underlying imbalances however nothing scary.
About two-thirds of the best way by way of 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 in all these checks. One of the best 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 complete Stage 2 breakdown, learn my IHP Stage 2 overview right here
How A lot Does the IHP Price?
Pricing can change, so I at all times advocate 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 believe that Stage 2 is ABSOLUTELY price it. (Value saying right here that I’m presently working my method by way of 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 price holding 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 provide at this depth – would price considerably extra if pursued by way of particular person programs or medical coaching packages.
What I Really 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 together with shoppers. The IHP certification – particularly Stage 2 – gave me instruments to truly get to root causes, not simply provide basic way of life steering.
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 needs to assist folks heal. That comes by way of in each lesson.
The help construction is superb. There’s a non-public Fb group for IHP candidates and licensed practitioners, stay 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 sources are one other big plus; Dr. Cabral shares the precise protocols he makes use of in his personal observe, which makes it straightforward to begin implementing with shoppers instantly.
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. (Because of this it’s taken me 18 years to finish Stage 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 now have IHPs who utterly modified careers due to this program, and in addition bodily therapists, nurses, docs, private trainers, and dental professionals. It actually spans backgrounds.
The mission behind it’s stunning. The concept is that you simply heal your self after which go on to heal others. That’s one thing I consider in utterly, and it’s been further 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 lots of info (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 truly take in the fabric, however you possibly can’t blast by way of it as rapidly as you may wish to.
It’s not a medical 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 inside the scope of a well being practitioner, which remains to be significant and impactful; it’s only a totally 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 straightforward to arrange, but it surely’s an ongoing price to issue into your planning. (I believe I pay about $160/yr)
It takes actual time. Stage 1 sometimes takes round 6 months; Stage 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 Value 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 house, with a particular 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 members of the family and pals utilizing these instruments, and deepen my very own therapeutic course of with information I didn’t have earlier than. (The timing was further 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 informed “nothing is fallacious” or “you’ll simply should stay 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 sort of practitioner I wish to be, and IHP gave me actual instruments to get there.
In the event you’re a well being skilled in search of one other option to serve your shoppers, or in the event 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 aim. That’s the place the true magic occurs.
Take a look at the IHP program and use code FITNESSISTA for as much as $250 off
I solely advocate packages I’ve personally accomplished and consider in. Enrolling by way of my hyperlink helps this weblog at no further 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 Stage 1?
Sure. Stage 1 is its personal certification. But when purposeful lab work is your aim, 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 healthier, 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 on your life.
What can I truly do with this certification?
You possibly can 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. Stage 2 graduates even have the choice to obtain shopper referrals by way of the IHP community.
Is there neighborhood help when you’re going by way of it?
Sure! The personal Fb group is lively and genuinely useful. And Dr. Cabral’s podcast (The Cabral Idea) is an ongoing useful resource that I nonetheless use frequently.
Take a look at the main points right here and my code is FITNESSISTA on 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 put up yearly to mirror any modifications in pricing, curriculum, or program particulars.
