Introduction: What Is a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner (CHHP)?

A Certified Holistic Health Practitioner (CHHP) is a trained wellness professional who uses natural, whole-person approaches to support physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. As demand grows for natural and alternative health solutions, many people are turning to holistic health practitioners and other natural health professionals for personalized wellness plans, preventative measures for lifestyle diseases, and non-invasive care.
 

In this guide, we’ll explore what a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner is, what they do, how to become one, and why holistic health is gaining momentum in today’s wellness landscape.
 

What Does "Holistic Health" Mean?

The term holistic health comes from the Greek word holos, meaning “whole.” Holistic wellness is based on the concept that optimal health is achieved by addressing the entire person. This approach goes beyond simply addressing physical symptoms. It means that the individual, including their emotional, mental, and spiritual health, is also nurtured in holistic health. Furthermore, the person’s lifestyle and personality are important components when determining their recommendations and wellness plans.
 

Unlike conventional medicine, which often focuses on treating illnesses and their corresponding symptoms with drugs or surgery, holistic health care emphasizes natural healing methods, lifestyle adjustments, and preventative wellness.
 

What Does a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner Do?

A Certified Holistic Health Practitioner offers clients a wide range of natural and lifestyle-based strategies to improve their health and well-being. Holistic health practitioners are valuable partners in wellness care and seek to help their clients thrive and support their bodies to heal from within.
 

Unless they are also a qualified and licensed medical professional, they do not diagnose diseases or prescribe pharmaceuticals. Holistic health practitioners and other natural health professionals offer complementary care, which works in tandem with their clients’ medical team’s treatment plan. It can support the healing process, assist with symptomatic relief of medication side effects, or generally help improve health to mitigate the consequences of lifestyle diseases, such as type 2 diabetes.  
 

Common Services Offered by Holistic Health Practitioners

• Holistic health assessments: Evaluating diet, stress levels, sleep habits, energy levels, muscle response testing, iridology, and more
• Personalized wellness plans: Custom support plans based on individual health goals and lifestyle
• Nutritional guidance: Help with whole-food eating, supplements, and detox support as needed
• Natural therapies: May include herbal remedies, aromatherapy, energy healing (e.g., acupressure), or mindfulness practices
• Lifestyle coaching: Encouraging behavior changes to reduce stress, improve sleep, and increase vitality

Holistic Health Areas of Specialization

Many holistic practitioners choose to specialize in certain techniques, depending on their interests and the needs of their clients. Specialties may include:

• Holistic Nutrition
• Herbal Medicine
• Homeopathy
• Ayurveda or Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Energy Healing (e.g., sound therapy and chakra balancing)
• Mind-Body Techniques (e.g., meditation and breathwork)
• Wellness Coaching and Lifestyle Changes

This flexibility allows Certified Holistic Health Practitioners to follow their passion and create a customized wellness experience for every client.
 

How to Become a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner

An in-depth CHHP program provides the knowledge you need to understand the human body, how to support clients with lifestyle choices, and a foundation for applying natural health techniques like herbology and iridology. To become a CHHP, individuals must complete a holistic health certification program through a reputable school or organization. These programs may be in-person, online, or hybrid and can range from a few months to multiple years, depending on the depth of training.
 

Topics Covered in Holistic Health Certification Programs

• Anatomy and physiology from a holistic perspective
• Foundations of holistic wellness
• Functional nutrition and whole food selection
• Herbalism and natural remedies (e.g., homeopathy and aromatherapy)
• Assessment tools (e.g., muscle response testing and iridology)
• Mind-body practices (e.g., meditation and visualization)
• Detoxification and immune system support
• Ethical and legal considerations for practitioners

After certification, graduates can use titles such as Certified Holistic Health Practitioner or Natural Health Consultant, depending on the specific training and applicable laws in their state.
 

CHHP Legal and Ethical Considerations

It’s important to emphasize that holistic health practitioners are generally not licensed medical professionals unless they hold separate qualifications (like a medical doctor or nurse). Therefore, they cannot diagnose, treat, or prescribe in the conventional medical sense.
 

Laws governing the practice of holistic health vary widely from country to country and even from state to state. CHHPs must be careful to avoid making medical claims or using language that implies a clinical diagnosis. Instead, they should focus on long-term wellness care that supports the individual and their quality of life.
 

Many practitioners also carry liability insurance and belong to professional associations to demonstrate ethical standards and credibility.
 

Benefits of Working With a Certified Holistic Heath Practitioner

Whether your goal is to improve your health naturally or you want to take steps to help prevent future illness, a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner can be a valuable guide. Here are some key benefits:

• Individualized attention: Holistic practitioners take time to understand your full health picture. Typically, each session lasts from 30 minutes to one hour. Sessions can be weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, depending on your needs and the practitioner’s offerings.
• Natural therapies: These techniques focus on healing with non-invasive tools. A practitioner should first review your health history, assess your current health and lifestyle choices, and then determine the most suitable natural steps for you. A variety of holistic approaches should be implemented to promote optimal healing and overall well-being.
• Prevention-first mindset: Simple steps to support healthy habits can reduce the risk of disease. However, you can be in good health and still benefit from seeing a CHHP. A practitioner can help you be more mindful while providing support and accountability.
• Mind-body connection: It’s important to address mental and emotional wellness alongside physical health. While a holistic health practitioner doesn’t practice talk therapy, which is reserved for mental health professionals, they can offer guidance and tips for improving your mental and emotional health, such as getting more sleep, teaching you how to meditate, and using tools like Emotion Code®.
• Empowerment: Learn how to make informed decisions and take control of your well-being. A practitioner should respect your right to choose and determine what’s best for you and your family’s health. They should always remain flexible in their approach to ensure that each recommendation is tailored to you, your needs, and lifestyle.

Career Outlook for Holistic Health Practitioners

The field of holistic health and wellness is growing rapidly. According to the Global Wellness Institute, the public health, prevention, and personalized medicine sector has the second most powerful annual growth rate from 2019 to 2025 at 15.2%. As people look for more natural, integrative care options, the demand for trained CHHPs and other holistic health professionals is increasing across a range of settings:

• Private practice
• Wellness centers and spas
• Corporate wellness programs
• Retreats and lifestyle clinics
• Online coaching and telehealth services

For those passionate about healing, education, and personal transformation, becoming a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner offers a rewarding, flexible career path.
 

Is a CHHP Program Right for You?

A Certified Holistic Health Practitioner is a skilled, compassionate professional who guides clients on their journey to better health using natural methods and whole-person care. By focusing on the physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions of health, CHHPs offer a comprehensive, empowering approach to health and wellness.
 

Whether you're exploring holistic health as a client or pursuing it as a career, this path is all about honoring the connection between mind, body, and spirit—and embracing wellness from the inside out. At Trinity School of Natural Health, we offer a 36-week Certified Holistic Health Practitioner program. This advanced training blends proven techniques, practical skills, and real-world case studies that help holistic health practitioners create lasting results for their clients.
 

Through the comprehensive coursework delivered in our CHHP program, students learn effective strategies to address the root causes of the concerns that commonly lead clients to seek natural healthcare and how to compose personalized recommendations that support the whole person– physically, mentally, and emotionally. Our CHHP program builds on the foundational knowledge from our entry-level Certified Natural Health Professional (CNHP) program, ensuring every CHHP has a strong educational base.
 

Enrollment in the CHHP program requires successful completion of the CNHP program. However, applicants with prior healthcare experience may qualify to bypass this prerequisite with a successful placement exam. For eligibility details, call 800-428-0408, option 2. To learn more about our CHHP program, visit trinityschool.org/program/chhp or call 800-428-0408, option 2 to speak with one of our education specialists.


This article was reviewed by Lauren Ameling, DC, BCND. Dr. Lauren Ameling is a 2006 graduate of Logan University, where she earned a Doctor of Chiropractic and a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology. She is a chiropractic physician certified in acupuncture and naturopathy, specializing in traditional Chinese medicine, pregnancy and pediatric care, and kinesiology. Dr. Ameling has worked in healthcare education since 2010 and serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Trinity School of Natural Health.