Is It Value It? (2026)

Final up to date: 2026 | This submit incorporates affiliate hyperlinks. If you enroll through my link and use the code FITNESSISTA, you’ll rise up to $250 off and I could earn a fee at no further value to you.

Hiiii associates! I hope you had an exquisite weekend and that you just’re having fun with the morning. As we speak I wished to speak about one in every of my favourite matters: IHP.

In case you’ve been following alongside right here for some time, you realize 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 whole lot of certifications through the years (Precision Diet, NASM Private Coach, Weight Loss Specialist, Ladies’s Health Specialist, Corrective Train Specialist, 200-hour yoga RYT, and extra), and each has added one thing significant to the way in which I work with shoppers.

However there was at all times a spot.

Working with vitamin shoppers on-line, I saved operating into conditions the place I knew one thing deeper was occurring – a hormonal imbalance, a intestine challenge, a mineral deficiency – and all I may do was refer out. Suggesting particular labs or decoding take a look at outcomes is just not inside the scope of observe for a vitamin coach or private coach. I’d added different practitioners to my workforce 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 Stage 1 and Stage 2 (over 100 hours of coursework, persevering with training, and a few very difficult exams later), I may give you a radical, trustworthy image of what to anticipate.

Inquisitive about Enrolling? Start Here.

Use code FITNESSISTA for $100 off Stage 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 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. (In case 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 subject, and over 1 / 4 of 1,000,000 personal 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 wished to be taught 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 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

Purposeful 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 way in which he presents complicated info, making it accessible and straightforward to implement. His real-world medical expertise is invaluable, and it comes by means of in each lesson.

The Two Ranges: What’s the Distinction?

IHP Stage 1: The DESTRESS Protocol

Level 1 focuses on Dr. Cabral’s DESTRESS methodology: a root-cause life-style framework constructed round Food plan, Train, Stress administration, Toxin removing, Relaxation, Emotional steadiness, Supplementation, and Success mindset.

Every lesson runs about half-hour, and Dr. Cabral consists of steered studying, complementary podcast episodes, and tons of client-ready handouts and assets all through. The complete 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. Nevertheless 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 Level 1 review here.

IHP Stage 2: Purposeful Labs

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

Level 2 is sort of totally centered on purposeful drugs labs. You learn to advocate particular dwelling lab exams, analyze outcomes, and recommend 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 important to excessive. These are sensitivities (not allergy symptoms) 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 vitality, 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 persistent 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 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 much 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.

Observe: these labs will not be supposed to diagnose, stop, deal with, or remedy 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 way in which by means of Stage 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 one in every of these exams. One of the simplest ways to actually be taught 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 method it.

For the total Stage 2 breakdown, learn my IHP Level 2 review here

How A lot Does the IHP Value?

Pricing can change, so I at all times advocate checking present enrollment particulars immediately.

That stated:

Stage 1 is the lower-cost entry level, with fee plan choices accessible

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. (Value saying right here that I’m at the moment working my method by means of Stage 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 holding 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 provide at this depth – would value considerably extra if pursued by means 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 vitamin coach and private coach, there’s a tough ceiling on how deep you’ll be able to go together with shoppers. The IHP certification – particularly Stage 2 – gave me instruments to really get to root causes, not simply provide basic life-style steering.

Dr. Cabral is genuinely one of many good ones. In case you comply with him on Instagram or take heed to his podcast, you already know this. He’s extremely educated, however you can too simply inform that he’s a genuinely good one who really desires to assist folks heal. That comes by means of in each lesson.

The assist construction is superb. There’s a personal 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 assets are one other enormous plus; Dr. Cabral shares the precise protocols he makes use of in his personal observe, which makes it simple to start out 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. (This is the reason 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 start out. We’ve IHPs who fully modified careers due to this program, and in addition bodily therapists, nurses, medical doctors, 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 further 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 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 really take in the fabric, however you’ll be able to’t blast by means of it as shortly as you would possibly 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 inside 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 individual insurance coverage after Stage 2. Most grads undergo an organization like Various Stability. It’s pretty simple to arrange, but it surely’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 actually, 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 area, with a particular 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 associates utilizing these instruments, and deepen my very own therapeutic course of with data 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 instructed “nothing is improper” 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 normal labs look “regular.” That’s the sort of practitioner I wish to be, and IHP gave me actual instruments to get there.

In case you’re a well being skilled in search of one other strategy to serve your shoppers, or in case 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 purposeful labs are your objective. 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 imagine in. Enrolling by means of my hyperlink helps this weblog at no further 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 objective, you’ll need each ranges. I’d begin with Stage 1 to verify the fabric resonates, then proceed to Stage 2. (If you are going to buy each on the identical time, the pricing is healthier, although.)

How lengthy does it take to complete?

Stage 1 is often round 6 months at a cushty tempo; Stage 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 really do with this certification?

You may add purposeful well being teaching to your current observe, create new 1:1 or group choices, use it to deepen your individual private well being data, and contribute to content material you create. Stage 2 graduates even have the choice to obtain consumer referrals by means of the IHP community.

Is there neighborhood assist when you’re going by means of it?

Sure! The personal Fb group is energetic and genuinely useful. And Dr. Cabral’s podcast (The Cabral Idea) is an ongoing useful resource that I nonetheless use recurrently.

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 comfortable to assist!

xo,

Gina

I’ll be updating this submit yearly to replicate any modifications in pricing, curriculum, or program particulars.