Health Coach Certification Programs Vs Life Coach Certification Programs
Its not uncommon to hear people refer to health coaches and life coaches as the same profession. And while they do overlap, health coaches focus more on supporting clients with health-related goals like nutrition, wellness, and fitness. A health coach helps clients set goals to improve their health and then provides support while they make lifestyle changes. A life coach focuses on all aspects of wellbeing, including physical, cognitive, and emotional. They may work with a client on career issues, finances, life transitions, setting goals, confidence, and purposeful-driven choices.
Should You Earn A Functional Nutrition Degree
Earning a functional nutrition degree is not the right move for everyone, but if you are considering a career in the field, it is definitely the way to go. Assuming you want to help heal people via their nutrition and diet, are excited about a stable job outlook and good pay, and feel as if this would be a fulfilling job for you, we think this degree would be a great match.
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What’s Next?
Graduate Certificate In Integrative Nutrition & Lifestyle Management
Apply foundational nutrition knowledge to innovative lifestyle medicine to provide effective patient care with the George Washington Universitys Graduate Certificate in Integrative Nutrition & Lifestyle Management.
The program is compiled of coursework built on the same key INTM concepts defined in the MSHS in Integrative Medicine program. With instruction from industry experts, youll advance your professional capabilities with expertise in biochemistry, nutritional immunology, nutrition diagnosis and intervention, and more.
Youll learn to evaluate and advise patients on behavioral changes and appropriate lifestyle and personalized medicines to make positive impacts in their lives while diminishing non-communicable, chronic diseases such as type II diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.
Emerge ready to incorporate INTM into your current or future role in nutrition, lifestyle management, and more.
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Where To Get Functional Medicine Training
If you’re a doctor in today’s world, you know helping your patients heal is just getting more difficult. It is troubling that, in conventional medicine, doctors are pressured to spend less and less time with their patients, many of whom have increasingly complicated chronic illnesses. When you can, at best, spend 10 to 15 minutes with a patient, it’s hard to get to the root cause of their conditions. This is part of why there is an increasingly large movement of conventional doctors deciding to receive functional medicine training.
Functional medicine allows doctors to prioritize finding the root causes of their patient’s chronic and acute conditions and help them along their road to recovery in a high-impact way. This article will explore the world of functional medicine training, what to expect, and how to get started.
General Information Regarding Certification

The overall goal of Functional Medicine University’s Certification Program is to increase and expand the clinical expertise and knowledge base of healthcare practitioners in the principles and practice of functional medicine. FMU takes pride in helping clinicians become recognized as functional medicine practitioners through the most cost effective program available.
Qualifying clinicians earning the certification in the practice of functional medicine may use the acronym of CFMP® after their name. The main objectives of the program for qualified participants are:
FMU does not grant any additional legal or specialty status. Eligible healthcare professionals can only apply their Functional Medicine education within the scope of their current healthcare licensure.
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An Integrative And Functional Approach To Hashimotos Thyroiditis
Bastyr University offers a 1-hour continuing education webinar available on-demand. This course is approved for 1 hour of CPE and is hosted by Mary Purdy, Registered Dietitian and adjunct faculty at Bastyr University.
This webinar guides students through strategies that support both thyroid function and the immune system, including dietary changes and supplementation. The cost is $50, with discounts available for students.
Best To Go Along With A Personal Training Certification: American Council On Exercise
American Council on Exercise
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Requires NCCA-accredited certification, associates degree in related field, or two years of specified experience
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Recertification is required every two years
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Might be too specific to fitness for non-exercise professionals
The American Council on Exercise offers one of the best personal training certifications available and is known for its vast selection of specialization programs. One such program is the ACE Health Coach certification, which is a great accessory for those who are already personal trainers . You dont necessarily have to be a certified personal trainer to get this credential, but you do need some sort of health credential or experience as a prerequisite.
To enroll in the health coaching program, you must have one of the following: a current NCCA-accredited certification in fitness, nutrition, healthcare, wellness, human resources or a related field an associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university in fitness, exercise science, nutrition, healthcare, wellness or a related field a completed health coach training and education program approved by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaches or a minimum of two years of documented work experience in coaching, leading, designing, implementing, or facilitating one or more of the following: behavior or lifestyle change, exercise, wellness, nutrition, or physical activity.
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The Power Of Ifm Certification
About IFMs Functional Medicine Certification Program
IFMs Functional Medicine Certification Program has been developed by the foremost thought leaders in the field, and IFMs educators have a depth of experience and knowledge honed by years of practice and their commitment to the ongoing development of core concepts, tools, and applications.
The following is a breakdown of some of the benefits IFM Certified Practitioners and Candidates receive:
Candidate Benefits
In all, we prepare both Candidates and IFM Certified Practitioners to successfully complete, maintain, and re-certify in the IFM Functional Medicine Certification Program in a timely manner and with their sanity intact.
Why Should I Take The Functional Medicine For Nurses Course
- This course is the only course that teaches functional medicine exclusively for registered nurses and advanced practice nurses.
- This course is comprehensive enough for graduates to incorporate intervention into current practice, without the time commitment and cost of a 2+ year program.
- This course uniquely complements nurse coaching modalities knowledge gained and interventions learned will expand your nursing and nurse coaching skillset.
- This course will include extensive real-life case studies to exemplify real-life scenarios where the assessment tools and clinical interventions impacted patient outcomes.
- This course is lead by an experienced functional medicine nurse practitioner who actually uses what she is teaching in her own practice.
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Nahhp Also Provides Accreditation Of Medical Aesthetics Courses Holistic Health Courses Spa Practitioner Courses Foot Care Nurse Courses Botox And Dermal Filler Courses Holistic Nutrition Courses And Provides Third Party Assessment For Career Colleges Requiring Third Party Assessment For The Ministry Of Training Colleges And Universities Or Ministry Of Advanced Education And Training
For qualified holistic health practitioners, spa practitioners, aesthetician or medical aesthetician. Please take the time to read NAHHP membership eligibility form, fill out the application form, and submit documentation with the appropriate fees to NAHHP certification board.
For registered nurses seeking board certification as a Certified foot care nurse CFCN or seeking certification please click on the highlighted link.
Upon acceptance and approval by the certification board, a numbered licensed certificate will be issued in your name with all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities as a member of the association.
The American Nutrition Association
The American Nutrition Association is the professional organization for the Certified Nutrition Specialist credential, one that is similar in scope and difficulty to becoming a registered dietitian.
The CNS certification has a greater focus on functional nutrition training than the typical program for becoming a registered dietitian. If youre not already a registered dietitian, this training is an alternative route towards becoming a credentialed expert.
In addition, you can find information about various specialized personal nutrition training programs such as Ketogenic Nutrition, Nutritional Genomics, and Fasting Lifestyle Certificate Program.
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George Washington University Ms In Health Sciences In Integrative Medicine
I also love the sound of this program, and again, if I was considering a functional medicine degree at the graduate level, I would be thinking hard about going here. I believe this is a fully online program, which makes it doable for a lot more people, especially those who are currently working and want to go to school part time to earn their degree.
However, this program is for those who hold a medical degree already or a graduate degree in one of the core discipline areas. Im not entirely sure what this means, but its possible that those of you with advanced degrees in something like biology may be able to apply. Id definitely recommend giving them a call if it sounds like something youre interested in!
Heres what GWU has to say about the program:
Diploma In Integrative Medicine

Based in Bristol, the National Centre for Integrative Medicine enables clinicians to deepen their understanding of functional medicine and obtain a professional qualification in this field.
The only accredited Integrative Medicine Diploma in the UK, the two-year course is certified by Crossfields Institute and supported by the College of Medicine.
Graduates, meanwhile, will automatically become Fellows of the National Centre for Integrative Medicine and Fellows of the College of Medicine.
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Adapt Functional Medicine Practitioner Training And Certification Program Is The Only Practical End
Other Training Course Option 1 | Other Training Course Option 2 | Other Training Course Option 3 |
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Comprehensive Functional Medicine theory | ||
Graduate membership for continued access to updated course material, networking opportunities, and community resources |
If you combined some of the other training options, youd spend at least two to three times more than youll spend on the ADAPT courseand still not get everything it includes.
You cannot put a price on 200+ experts at your fingertips.
“The more experienced, or those with some Functional Medicine experience like myself, definitely benefit from the foundational pieces. Until now, my Functional Medicine education had to be pieced together through many different avenues. It was lonely and a venture devoid in support. I finally have an accessible community to run cases by and everyone is so helpful. This has been the best part! You cannot put a price on 200+ experts at your fingertips. The pace is perfect for both more experienced Functional Medicine providers and newbies.”Andrea Telfer-Karbo, FNPMartinez, CA theremedymartinez.com
About Functional Medicine For Nurses
This course provides a detailed overview of functional medicine that is comprehensive enough to fully incorporate interventions into current practice without the time commitment and cost of a two or more year program.
Additionally, other programs include health coaches, dietitians, chiropractors, pharmacists, physicians, nurses, etc. This course has customized content exclusively for the nursing professional.
It also pairs well with nurse coaching modalities, and many functional medicine practitioners have very successful practices incorporating fundamental functional medicine practices with their coaching skills.
Graduates of this course will have a broad understanding of available functional medicine practices and be equipped with practical knowledge and interventions to incorporate these into their current practice.
They will also gain an understanding of their own scope of practice and potential future in functional medicine.
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Kansas University Dietetics And Integrative Medicine Graduate Certificate
This functional nutrition certification training program is a bit shorter than some of the other college-level courses that weve explored so far. The program is four classes long, with one course taken each semester. The courses are Dietary and Herbal Supplements, Introduction to Dietetics and Integrative Medicine, A Nutrition Approach to Inflammation and Immune Regulation and Nutrigenomics and Nutrigenetics in Health and Disease.
This program is virtual and is 12 credit hours long. Fees per credit hour vary if youre in-state or out of state, from $421.15 to $989.60 per hour.
In order to be eligible to apply, students must have a bachelors degree in a related field that included a medical nutrition therapy course.
What if youre looking for a smaller opportunity to explore functional nutrition? Weve got you covered in the next section.
Is Hiring A Health Coach Worth It
Health coaching can be effective for people hoping to improve their well-being and get help with managing different health conditions. One study found that coaching helped patients improve multiple risk factors, blood pressure, cholesterol, body weight, body mass index, and cardiorespiratory fitness.
For people who need guidance, motivation, and accountability to take steps to a healthier lifestyle, hiring a health coach can be a worthwhile investment. You may find that the cost is covered, at least partially, by your health insurance, and/or this service may be offered by your employer as a benefit.
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How Long Is The Functional Medicine For Nurses Certificate Program How Much Time Will I Need To Complete The Coursework
This program is 62 contact hours divided over the course of 12 weeks. This course was designed with working nurses in mind, so you should expect to spend 6-8 hours per week on your coursework.Weekly due dates for assignments will be clearly explained in each module, but you will not be required to attend any class at a specific time.Beyond assignment due dates, your timed open book final exam will be open over a specific period of time , during which you may retake the test if you do not pass it the first time.
Your Guide To Treating The Top Five Chronic Conditions
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“The ADAPT program was really what was responsible for a complete change my career path. I went from burned-out Western medicine employee to a self-employed practitioner using a root cause approach to truly help all my clients.”Kasey Goins, PA-C, FDN-Pkaseygoins.com
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Kresser Institute Adapt Program
I may be a bit biased on this one because I helped with the creation and delivery of this program for a while, but its really quite a good option.
Chris Kresser is wonderful at what he does and this training program is an excellent start for someone with previous medical knowledge who wants to get into the world of functional medicine.
Check out Kresser Institute for more info.
College Of Naturopathic Medicine

Operating in the U.S. as the American School of Natural Health, but in the UK and Ireland as the College of Naturopathic Medicine, this professional training provider caters for a range of disciplines, offering courses in Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Homeopathy and Nutrition.
With a focus on clinical application and practice, and options for full-time and part-time learning, the college has a fine reputation in training practitioners and also supports students post-qualification.
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Pdo Thread Lift Certification Course
Learn top techniques for PDO Thread Lift of face and neck on real patients in this one day course. Learn indications, evaluation and technique. Get Certified and skilled in the procedures in a hands on course like no other!
COMPREHENSIVE REGENERATIVE MEDICINE STEM CELL TRAINING COURSEREGENERATIVE AESTHETICS TRAINING COURSEMSK ULTRASOUND INJECTION COURSESBasic and Advanced
Basic : September 29th, 2022, New York City, NY
Advanced : September 30th, 2022, New York City, NY
PDO THREAD LIFT CERTIFICATION COURSE
HEALTHCARE SALES & MARKETINGFUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CERTIFICATION IN PERSON AND ONLINEUse code R3SAVE500 and register
Best For Business Support: Health Coach Institute
Health Coach Institute
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Business-building program is 12 months long
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One of the higher-priced programs
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Coach mastery program does not include as much health coaching as entry level program
The Health Coach Institute offers two programs: Become a Health Coach and Coach Mastery. The health coach certification program focuses on many of the same objectives that other programs on this list cover: nutrition, behavior change, exercise, stress, lifestyle, etc.
To take it one step further, however, the graduate course focuses entirely on building your health coaching business. Its best for people who already have experience with health coaching and are looking to dig deeper, make a bigger difference, and discover new ways to scale their business.
This program is for you if: You either want a health coach certification and a business coaching program to refine your health coaching career or you already have a health coaching certification and want to better your business with the graduate-level program.
This program is not for you if: You dont have an interest in or need to learn business-building practices.
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New To Functional Medicine
Welcome to the Kresser Institute! Have you been searching for an answer to your questions about how you can best support the health of your patients, clients, friends, family, and self? Well, you are in the right place, and we are glad that you found us. We believe strongly that the advancement of and access to Functional Medicine will support the health and well-being of our practitioners, students, and community as a whole. To find out more about why Functional Medicine practitioners are needed now more than ever, download our Intro to Functional Medicine: Practitioner Success Series eBook today!
Navigating Menopause With Integrative Nutrition And Lifestyle Approaches
Dietitian Central offers many continuing education opportunities for dietitians, inclusive of Functional nutrition. Navigating Menopause is one such example!
This on-demand course is taught by Mary Purdy and teaches dietitians how to implement dietary and lifestyle strategies to manage menopausal symptoms and the associated health concerns. This course costs $18 and is eligible for 1 hour of CPE .
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