Final up to date: 2026 | This submit comprises affiliate hyperlinks. Should you 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 further price to you.
Hiiii associates! I hope you had an exquisite weekend and that you simply’re having fun with the morning. Right now I wished to talk about considered one of my favourite matters: IHP.
Should 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 plenty of 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 each has added one thing significant to the best way I work with shoppers.
However there was all the time a niche.
Working with diet shoppers on-line, I saved operating into conditions the place I knew one thing deeper was occurring – a hormonal imbalance, a intestine difficulty, a mineral deficiency – and all I might do was refer out. Suggesting particular labs or decoding check outcomes is just not throughout the scope of observe for a diet coach or private coach. I’d added different practitioners to my workforce who might run these exams, however as my on-line observe 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 Degree 1 and Degree 2 (over 100 hours of coursework, persevering with training, and a few very difficult exams later), I can provide you a radical, sincere image of what to anticipate.
Thinking about Enrolling? Begin Right here.
Use code FITNESSISTA for $100 off Degree 1, or $250 off each ranges.
IHP Certification Evaluate: What I Realized, 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. (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 area, and over 1 / 4 of one million non-public 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. After 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
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
Every 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 medical 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 Weight loss program, Train, Stress administration, Toxin removing, Relaxation, Emotional steadiness, Supplementation, and Success mindset.
Every lesson runs about half-hour, and Dr. Cabral contains urged 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 liked Degree 1. I discovered myself studying one thing beneficial from each single lesson. However 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 evaluate right here.
IHP Degree 2: Useful Labs
That is the place issues bought 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 shoppers.
Degree 2 is nearly completely targeted on useful drugs labs. You learn to suggest particular residence lab exams, 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 vital to excessive. These are sensitivities (not allergic reactions) 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 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 continual sickness and neurological points present up right here. I run this check with shoppers virtually 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 sluggish or quick oxidizer.
Observe: these labs usually are not supposed to diagnose, forestall, deal with, or treatment any illness, however they supply extremely particular and actionable details about your particular person physique. I really love this side of the labs; we’re in search of 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 transferring on, I’d by no means end, since you might actually spend a lifetime going deep on any considered 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 strategy it.
For the complete Degree 2 breakdown, learn my IHP Degree 2 evaluate right here
How A lot Does the IHP Value?
Pricing can change, so I all the time suggest checking present enrollment particulars instantly.
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 believe that Degree 2 is ABSOLUTELY price it. (Value saying right here that I’m presently working my approach 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 conserving 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 provide at this depth – would price considerably extra if pursued by way of particular person programs or medical coaching packages.
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 possibly can go along with shoppers. The IHP certification – particularly Degree 2 – gave me instruments to really get to root causes, not simply provide normal way of life steerage.
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 may also simply inform that he’s a genuinely good one that actually desires to assist individuals 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 Degree 2 graduates who full a further mentorship program – they’ll even refer shoppers to you instantly. The handouts and sources are one other large 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 shortly 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 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 utterly modified careers due to this program, and likewise bodily therapists, nurses, medical doctors, private trainers, and dental professionals. It actually spans backgrounds.
The mission behind it’s stunning. The thought 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 plenty 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 take up the fabric, however you possibly can’t blast by way of it as shortly 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 understanding. You’re working throughout the scope of a well being practitioner, which continues to be significant and impactful; it’s only a completely different lane than drugs.
You’ll must buy your individual insurance coverage after Degree 2. Most grads undergo an organization like Different Stability. It’s pretty straightforward to arrange, but it surely’s an ongoing price to issue into your planning. (I believe I pay about $160/12 months)
It takes actual time. Degree 1 sometimes takes round 6 months; Degree 2 can take 6 months to a 12 months. There’s no shortcut, and actually, that’s applicable for the quantity of fabric lined.
Is the IHP Value 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 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 associates 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 useful lab materials really feel extremely related.)
I’ve additionally been the one that was advised “nothing is fallacious” or “you’ll simply must 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.
Should you’re a well being skilled in search of one other technique to serve your shoppers, or for those who’re somebody who desires to heal your self after which assist the individuals round you, I genuinely can’t suggest this program sufficient. I’d do each ranges, particularly if useful labs are your objective. That’s the place the true magic occurs.
Try the IHP program and use code FITNESSISTA for as much as $250 off
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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 individuals alike.
Can I simply do Degree 1?
Sure. Degree 1 is its personal certification. But when useful lab work is your objective, you’ll need each ranges. I’d begin with Degree 1 to verify the fabric resonates, then proceed to Degree 2. (If you are going to buy each on the identical time, the pricing is healthier, although.)
How lengthy does it take to complete?
Degree 1 is often round 6 months at a snug tempo; Degree 2 is comparable 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 really do with this certification?
You possibly can add useful well being teaching to your current observe, 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 shopper referrals by way of the IHP community.
Is there group help when you’re going by way of 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 frequently.
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 pleased to assist!
xo,
Gina
I’ll be updating this submit yearly to mirror any adjustments in pricing, curriculum, or program particulars.