Is It Value It? (2026)

Final up to date: 2026 | This put up incorporates affiliate hyperlinks. If you enroll through my link and use the code FITNESSISTA, you’ll stand 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 present I wished to speak about certainly 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 vitamin and health teaching observe and that I’m somebody who genuinely loves studying. I’ve collected a number 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 vitamin shoppers on-line, I saved working into conditions the place I knew one thing deeper was happening – a hormonal imbalance, a intestine situation, a mineral deficiency – and all I may do was refer out. Suggesting particular labs or deciphering take a look at outcomes is solely not throughout the scope of observe for a vitamin coach or private coach. I’d added different practitioners to my crew who may 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 schooling, and a few very difficult exams later), I may give you an intensive, trustworthy image of what to anticipate.

Fascinated 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 Value 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 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 one million 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. After we wrapped up the podcast, I knew I wished 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

The whole lot is taught by Dr. Cabral himself, and I genuinely loved the best way he presents advanced info, making it accessible and simple to implement. His real-world medical expertise is invaluable, and it comes via in each lesson.

The Two Ranges: What’s the Distinction?

IHP Degree 1: The DESTRESS Protocol

Level 1 focuses on Dr. Cabral’s DESTRESS technique: a root-cause way of life framework constructed round Food regimen, Train, Stress administration, Toxin removing, Relaxation, Emotional stability, 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 assets all through. The total Degree 1 course can take round 6 months relying in your tempo. It’s tremendous complete.

I beloved Degree 1. I discovered myself studying one thing helpful from each single lesson. However it’s the big-picture basis and it builds your framework and vocabulary. The applying actually is available in Degree 2.

Need the complete breakdown? Learn my full IHP Level 1 review here.

IHP Degree 2: Purposeful Labs

That is the place issues obtained actually thrilling for me. Throughout every module I saved pondering: that is precisely what I need to study. That is how I need to assist my shoppers.

Level 2 is sort of completely centered on practical medication labs. You learn to suggest particular dwelling lab exams, analyze outcomes, and counsel motion plans based mostly on what you discover.

Right here’s what’s coated:

Meals Sensitivity Testing: IgG reactions to 190 meals on a scale from not vital 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 vitality, 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 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, vitality, pores and skin, and muscle and joint ache. (Enjoyable truth: analysis exhibits that when Omega-3 ranges within the blood attain 9% or extra, the danger of sudden cardiac demise 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 understand.

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 are usually not meant to diagnose, forestall, 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 in search of underlying imbalances however nothing scary.

About two-thirds of the best way via Degree 2, I spotted that if I saved attempting to grasp each module earlier than transferring on, I’d by no means end, since you may actually spend a lifetime going deep on any certainly one of these exams. One of the simplest ways to actually 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 schooling. That’s nonetheless how I method it.

For the complete Degree 2 breakdown, learn my IHP Level 2 review here

How A lot Does the IHP Value?

Pricing can change, so I all the time suggest checking present enrollment particulars instantly.

That mentioned:

Degree 1 is the lower-cost entry level, with fee plan choices out there

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. (Value saying right here that I’m at present working my manner via 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 retaining a watch out if timing is an element for you.

For context on worth: the practical lab coaching alone – one thing only a few coach-level certifications provide at this depth – would price considerably extra if pursued via particular person programs or medical coaching applications.

What I Really Love In regards to the IHP Program

It fills an actual hole in conventional well being teaching. As a vitamin coach and private coach, there’s a tough ceiling on how deep you’ll be able to go along with shoppers. The IHP certification – particularly Degree 2 – gave me instruments to truly get to root causes, not simply provide normal way of life steerage.

Dr. Cabral is genuinely one of many good ones. Should you observe 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 that really desires 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, 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 assets 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 straight away.

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 Degree 3 lol.) They’re additionally continually 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 likewise bodily therapists, nurses, docs, private trainers, and dental professionals. It really 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 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 number of 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 take in the fabric, however you’ll be able to’t blast via it as rapidly as you would possibly need 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 realizing. 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 medication.

You’ll must buy your personal insurance coverage after Degree 2. Most grads undergo an organization like Various Steadiness. It’s pretty straightforward 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 actually, that’s acceptable for the quantity of fabric coated.

Is the IHP Value It in 2026?

For me, 10000% sure.

I need 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 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 members of the family 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 practical 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 quit on you when customary labs look “regular.” That’s the sort of practitioner I need to be, and IHP gave me actual instruments to get there.

Should you’re a well being skilled in search of one other method to serve your shoppers, or when you’re somebody who desires 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 practical 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

I solely suggest applications I’ve personally accomplished and imagine in. Enrolling via 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 practical 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 usually round 6 months at a snug tempo; Degree 2 is analogous or a bit longer. There’s no time restrict, so you’ll be able to go at no matter tempo works on your life.

What can I truly do with this certification?

You possibly can add practical well being teaching to your current observe, create new 1:1 or group choices, use it to deepen your personal private well being data, and contribute to content material you create. Degree 2 graduates even have the choice to obtain consumer referrals via the IHP community.

Is there group assist when you’re going via 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 often.

Check out the details 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 replicate any adjustments in pricing, curriculum, or program particulars.

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