Is It Price It? (2026)

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

Hiiii buddies! I hope you had a beautiful weekend and that you simply’re having fun with the morning. Right this moment I needed to talk about considered one of my favourite matters: IHP.

For those who’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 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 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 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 might do was refer out. Suggesting particular labs or decoding check outcomes is just not throughout the scope of apply 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 apply 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 exams later), I may give you an intensive, sincere image of what to anticipate.

Concerned 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 Price 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. (For those who 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 1,000,000 personal consumer classes…. 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. After we wrapped up the podcast, I knew I needed to be taught 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

Practical drugs – state-of-the-art lab testing to uncover underlying root causes

Every part is taught by Dr. Cabral himself, and I genuinely loved the best way he presents advanced data, 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

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

I liked Stage 1. I discovered myself studying one thing invaluable 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: Practical Labs

That is the place issues acquired 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 solely targeted on purposeful drugs labs. You discover ways to suggest particular residence lab exams, 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 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 related 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 persistent 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, 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 chance 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 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 gradual or quick oxidizer.

Be aware: these labs are usually 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 really 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 saved attempting to grasp each module earlier than shifting on, I’d by no means end, since you might truthfully spend a lifetime going deep on any considered one of these exams. One of the best ways to essentially 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 Price?

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

That mentioned:

Stage 1 is the lower-cost entry level, with fee 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 value it. (Price saying right here that I’m at the moment working my method by way 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 retaining 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 supply at this depth – would value considerably extra if pursued by way of 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 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 life-style steering.

Dr. Cabral is genuinely one of many good ones. For those who comply with him on Instagram or take heed to his podcast, you already know this. He’s extremely educated, however it’s also possible to simply inform that he’s a genuinely good one that really desires to assist individuals heal. That comes by way of in each lesson.

The help 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 straight. The handouts and sources are one other big plus; Dr. Cabral shares the precise protocols he makes use of in his personal apply, which makes it straightforward to begin implementing with shoppers instantly.

Self-paced with lifetime entry. No cohort deadlines to emphasize over. You’ll be able to transfer rapidly when life permits and decelerate when it doesn’t. (That is why it’s taken me 18 years to finish Stage 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 utterly 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 stunning. The thought is that you simply heal your self after which go on to heal others. That’s one thing I imagine in utterly, 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 plenty 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 by way of it as rapidly 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 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 drugs.

You’ll have to buy your personal insurance coverage after Stage 2. Most grads undergo an organization like Different Stability. It’s pretty straightforward to arrange, nevertheless it’s an ongoing value to issue into your planning. (I believe I pay about $160/12 months)

It takes actual time. Stage 1 sometimes 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 coated.

Is the IHP Price 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 particular hole I wanted to fill and a real ardour for this sort of work. IHP crammed 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 buddies 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 informed “nothing is fallacious” or “you’ll simply need to 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 surrender on you when commonplace labs look “regular.” That’s the sort of practitioner I wish to be, and IHP gave me actual instruments to get there.

For those who’re a well being skilled in search of one other strategy to serve your shoppers, or when you’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 purposeful labs are your purpose. That’s the place the actual 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 by way of my hyperlink helps this weblog at no further value 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 individuals 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 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 possibly can go at no matter tempo works to your life.

What can I really do with this certification?

You’ll be able to add purposeful well being teaching to your present 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 consumer 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 energetic and genuinely useful. And Dr. Cabral’s podcast (The Cabral Idea) is an ongoing useful resource that I nonetheless use usually.

Check out the details here and my code is FITNESSISTA to 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 publish yearly to replicate any adjustments in pricing, curriculum, or program particulars.