“By integrating IHP certifications, mental health counselors can address the root causes of mental health challenges, empowering clients to achieve balanced and lasting well-being.”
Mental health counselors and therapists are increasingly seeking innovative ways to enhance their practice. By integrating certifications from the Integrative Health Practitioner (IHP) Institute, professionals can complement traditional therapeutic approaches with holistic techniques that address the root causes of mental health challenges. This fusion of integrative health and mental health therapy can lead to improved client outcomes and a more fulfilling practice for counselors.
As Kristin Wylie, a licensed professional counselor and Level 2 IHP graduate, shares:
“I have worked in private practice as a licensed professional counselor since 2010. Throughout the last decade, I have noticed a downward trend in the overall health and wellbeing of my clients. I believe you cannot heal the mind without healing the body, and you cannot heal the body without healing the mind. By combining my IHP education with my psychology degree, I feel like I can truly make a difference.”
This dual approach resonates with the foundational principles of integrative health, where mental and physical well-being are seen as interconnected and inseparable.
What Are IHP Health Coaching Certifications?
Integrative Health Practitioner (IHP) certifications, offered by the Integrative Health Practitioner Institute, provide comprehensive training in holistic health disciplines. These health coaching certifications combine integrative and functional health methodologies, equipping practitioners to address the root causes of health concerns and develop personalized wellness plans.
Key components of IHP certifications include:
- Functional Lab Testing: Learn to understand data from at-home lab tests to uncover underlying health imbalances.
- The DESTRESS™ Protocol: Gain expertise in implementing this renowned framework, which encompasses Diet, Exercise, Stress Reduction, Toxin Removal, Rest, Emotional Balance, Supplements, and Success Mindset.
- Holistic Health Strategies: Explore naturopathy, orthomolecular medicine, and other integrative approaches to support optimal health.
IHP Health Coaching Certifications empower mental health professionals to enhance their practice by bridging the gap between mental and physical health.
Why Mental Health Professionals Should Consider IHP Health Coaching Certifications
1. Broadened Treatment Perspectives
Traditional mental health therapy often focuses on managing symptoms through counseling or medication. IHP Health Coaching Certifications teach therapists to explore the root causes of mental health issues, such as nutritional deficiencies, chronic inflammation, or environmental toxins.
2. Personalized Client Care
An IHP-certified counselor can develop customized strategies, including personalized diet plans, supplementation, and stress reduction techniques, that complement traditional therapeutic models.
3. Enhanced Professional Growth
Adding an IHP Health Coaching Certification to your credentials positions you as a well-rounded professional, capable of meeting the growing demand for holistic mental health care.
Choosing the Right IHP Health Coaching Certification
The Integrative Health Practitioner Institute offers a structured certification pathway designed to cater to different professional goals:
IHP Level 1: Foundational Protocols
- Focuses on the DESTRESS™ Protocol, covering over 40 hours of video education
- Teaches how to assess client health and recommend foundational healing strategies
- Ideal for practitioners who want to understand the basics of integrative health
IHP Level 2: Mastery of Functional Lab Testing
- Builds on Level 1 with a focus on at-home functional lab testing
- Provides over 68 hours of training for 7 labs, client wellness protocols, and case studies
- Equips practitioners to uncover root causes of health issues and create tailored plans
IHP Level 3: Advanced Testing Methods
- Advanced program designed for experienced practitioners
- Focuses on cutting-edge testing techniques and complex health cases
- Enables providers to offer comprehensive, specialized care
High Performance Health: Education and Action
- Actionable strategies for energy, hormones, and peak performance
- Improve sleep, brain health, and physical vitality
- Techniques to extend lifespan and reverse signs of aging
IHP Mastery: The Psychology of Fostering Change
- Master motivational interviewing and habit change psychology
- 10 modules, 100+ handouts, and live sessions
- Elevate your practice with behavior change expertise
Each certification level builds on the previous one, ensuring a robust understanding of integrative health. Learn more about our certifications HERE.
How to Implement IHP Techniques in Therapy
Therapists can incorporate IHP principles into their practice through:
- Nutritional Guidance: Address the role of diet in mental health and offer personalized nutritional recommendations.
- Stress Management Tools: Introduce techniques like mindfulness, meditation, and breathing exercises to mitigate chronic stress.
- Lab Testing Insights: Use functional lab tests to identify and address imbalances in gut health, hormone levels, or nutrient deficiencies.
- Holistic Lifestyle Changes: Educate clients on toxin removal, sleep optimization, and other lifestyle modifications that support mental well-being.
Real-World Impact: IHP in Action
Consider a counselor working with a client struggling with anxiety. By incorporating IHP techniques, the counselor might discover underlying factors such as gut health imbalances or chronic inflammation. A holistic care plan, including dietary adjustments, stress reduction techniques, and at-home functional lab testing, can address these root causes.
This approach not only reduces symptoms but also empowers clients to take control of their overall health, leading to sustainable mental wellness.
Final Thoughts: Elevating Mental Health Practice with IHP
Mental health counselors and therapists have an incredible opportunity to transform their practice by integrating IHP Health Coaching Certifications. By addressing the root causes of mental health challenges, professionals can create more comprehensive, sustainable, and impactful solutions for their clients.
As Kristin Wylie demonstrates, combining traditional therapeutic practices with IHP education equips counselors to heal both the mind and body, truly making a difference in the lives of their clients.
Check out our blog and learn more about why integrative healthcare is currently on the rise.
