Is It Value It? (2026)

Final up to date: 2026 | This put up comprises 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 further price to you.

Hiiii mates! I hope you had an exquisite weekend and that you just’re having fun with the morning. At present I wished to talk about considered one of my favourite subjects: 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 follow and that I’m somebody who genuinely loves studying. I’ve collected a number of certifications over time (Precision Vitamin, 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 best way I work with shoppers.

However there was all the time a spot.

Working with vitamin shoppers on-line, I saved operating 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 check outcomes is just not inside the scope of follow for a vitamin coach or private coach. I’d added different practitioners to my workforce who may run these checks, however as my on-line follow 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 checks later), I may give you a radical, trustworthy image of what to anticipate.

Taken with Enrolling? Start Here.

Use code FITNESSISTA for $100 off Degree 1, or $250 off each ranges.

IHP Certification Overview: 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 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. 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

Japanese philosophy – utilizing the thoughts to heal the physique

Conventional naturopathy – “proper residing” to reverse sickness

Orthomolecular medication – nutritional vitamins and minerals as medication

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

All the things is taught by Dr. Cabral himself, and I genuinely loved the best way he presents advanced data, making it accessible and straightforward to implement. His real-world scientific expertise is invaluable, and it comes by means of in each lesson.

The Two Ranges: What’s the Distinction?

IHP Degree 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 elimination, Relaxation, Emotional stability, Supplementation, and Success mindset.

Every lesson runs about half-hour, and Dr. Cabral contains prompt studying, complementary podcast episodes, and tons of client-ready handouts and sources 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 useful from each single lesson. Nevertheless it’s the big-picture basis and it builds your framework and vocabulary. The applying actually is available in Degree 2.

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

IHP Degree 2: Practical Labs

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

Level 2 is sort of totally targeted on useful medication labs. You discover ways to suggest particular residence lab checks, 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 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, habits points, immune dysfunction, and extra. Many individuals with power 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, 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 loss of life 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 sluggish or quick oxidizer.

Word: these labs should 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 by means of Degree 2, I noticed that if I saved attempting to grasp each module earlier than shifting on, I’d by no means end, since you may actually spend a lifetime going deep on any considered one of these checks. The easiest way to essentially study this materials is to do it: learn actual outcomes, re-watch the related module as you undergo every marker, and hold layering in podcasts, books, and persevering with training. That’s nonetheless how I method it.

For the total Degree 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 immediately.

That stated:

Degree 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 Degree 2 is ABSOLUTELY value it. (Value saying right here that I’m at present working my approach by means of 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 preserving 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 means of particular person programs or scientific coaching packages.

What I Really 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 Degree 2 – gave me instruments to truly get to root causes, not simply provide common life-style steering.

Dr. Cabral is genuinely one of many good ones. In case you observe him on Instagram or hearken 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 who actually desires to assist folks heal. That comes by means of in each lesson.

The assist construction is great. 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 an extra 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 follow, 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 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 consistently including new modules, handouts, and content material to the platform.

You don’t want a well being background to start out. Now we have IHPs who fully 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 thought is that you just heal your self after which go on to heal others. That’s one thing I consider 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 number 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 truly take up the fabric, however you’ll be able to’t blast by means of it as rapidly as you may need to.

It’s not a scientific 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 inside the scope of a well being practitioner, which remains to be significant and impactful; it’s only a totally different lane than medication.

You’ll must buy your individual insurance coverage after Degree 2. Most grads undergo an organization like Different Stability. It’s pretty simple to arrange, nevertheless it’s an ongoing price to issue into your planning. (I believe 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 lined.

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 particular hole I wanted to fill and a real ardour for such a 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 mates 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 sudden well being problems with my very own made the useful lab materials really feel extremely related.)

I’ve additionally been the one who was advised “nothing is flawed” 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 surrender on you when normal labs look “regular.” That’s the form of practitioner I need to be, and IHP gave me actual instruments to get there.

In case you’re a well being skilled in search of one other method to serve your shoppers, or should 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 useful 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 suggest packages I’ve personally accomplished and consider in. Enrolling by means 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 Degree 1?

Sure. Degree 1 is its personal certification. But when useful lab work is your aim, you’ll need each ranges. I’d begin with Degree 1 to ensure the fabric resonates, then proceed to Degree 2. (If you buy each on the similar time, the pricing is healthier, although.)

How lengthy does it take to complete?

Degree 1 is often round 6 months at a cushty 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 may add useful well being teaching to your present follow, create new 1:1 or group choices, use it to deepen your individual private well being data, and contribute to content material you create. Degree 2 graduates even have the choice to obtain shopper referrals by means of the IHP community.

Is there group 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 frequently.

Check out the details here and my code is FITNESSISTA on 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 completely happy to assist!

xo,

Gina

I’ll be updating this put up yearly to mirror any modifications in pricing, curriculum, or program particulars.