CLOSE THE COUNSELING TRAINING GAP

IPI INTEGRATIVE COUNSELING CERTIFICATION

Designed For Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants
Master Counseling Skills and Put It to Use in Every Session

Self-Study, Self-Paced
50 hours CME. Optional Live Component

See If I Quality

FROM INTEGRATIVE PSYCHIATRY INSTITUTE

THE MOST TOP-RATED

CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION TRAINING INSTITUTE

4.8 out of 5 from over 10,000 practitioners

DEEPEN YOUR SCOPE.
SERVE MORE EFFECTIVELY.

A certification designed specifically to practice at the highest level of your scope, with the counseling skills your role demands.

Many advanced practice providers who specialize in psychiatry enter practice with only minimal to basic training in counseling. At the same time, most in primary care receive virtually none at all—yet both regularly encounter patients who need counseling support as part of their care.

Despite graduate education, advanced practice providers across specialties often feel underprepared for the counseling demands of everyday clinical care.

The IPI Integrative Counseling Certification is a highly accessible, mostly self-study program built specifically for Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants. It equips them with practical, trauma-informed, and multi-modal psychotherapy skills to better support their patients.

This is the only program of its kind designed for advanced practice providers, offering real-time mentorship, evidence-based techniques, and a comprehensive integrative curriculum—delivering the foundations of a counseling degree in a flexible, work-compatible format.

TUITION DETAILS

Regular Tuition:

$8,000

Early Registration Discount:

$2,850
See If I Qualify

Live Mentorship Available at Additional Cost

Limited spots available

HOW CAN I USE

THE IPI INTEGRATIVE COUNSELING FELLOWSHIP?

Whether you’re in psychiatry, women’s health, primary care, or another clinical setting, the IPI Integrative Counseling Certification gives you the tools to practice more effectively — and more ethically — in every session. You’ll leave with practical, evidence-based counseling skills that you can apply immediately in visits focused on medication management, anxiety, trauma, or emotional support.

Providers trained through the Integrative Psychiatry Institute report feeling more confident, more attuned, and better equipped to create lasting change. Whether you’re building a private practice, stepping into a leadership role, or simply seeking to serve patients more fully, this fellowship supports your growth.

From brief interventions in high-volume settings to deep, structured therapy in integrative care models, the IPI Integrative Counseling Certification meets you where you are — and helps you go further.

FOR PRACTITIONERS COMMITTED TO

GETTTING MENTAL HEALTHCARE

BACK ON TRACK

This program is designed for psychiatric and primary care Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, and other advanced licensed medical providers who engage in behavioral health care as part of their clinical practice.

If you’re providing counseling in any form — from medication management visits that turn emotional, to sessions addressing anxiety, trauma, or stress — this certification was built with you in mind.

Whether you’re looking to deepen your impact, expand your scope, or finally gain the training your role demands, this program gives you the structure, optional live mentorship, and confidence to get there.

Now accepting:

Nurse Practitioners (NP)
Physician Assistants (PA)
Physicians (MD/DO)

This certification is ideal for providers who routinely encounter mental health concerns and are seeking beginner to advanced evidence-based approaches to counseling and behavioral health integration.

Being with like-minded people and presenters who value compassionate care gave me exactly what I was looking for. This is the kind of training that fills the gaps in what we were taught.

Patricia Delate, NP
IPI Program Alumni

The Problem Is Clear — Even Specialists Feel Seriously Undertrained

In a national survey of 200 licensed NPs and PAs, the vast majority of whom had psychiatric licensure and specialization, we uncovered a striking reality...

...counseling is a daily part of clinical practice, yet most providers feel they were never properly trained to deliver it.

What Your Colleagues Reported:

80%

80% are actively providing mental health counseling in clinical sessions

10%

Yet, only 10% received meaningful and comprehensive counseling training in graduate school

70%

Over 70% don’t feel confident beyond basic counseling techniques

80%

And 80% said they want and need comprehensive counseling training to serve their patients better and fulfill the highest level of clinical care

As Actual Providers Put It:

“I need more support to feel like I’m doing this ethically and effectively.”— FNP

“I feel like I’m doing therapy every day, but I was never trained to.” —PMHNP

“I feel confident in med management, but not when patients start opening up.” —PA-C

“I know therapy is part of what I do — but I’m often just winging it.”— PMHNP

WHY THE COUNSELING TRAINING GAP MATTERS

If you’ve ever been in a moment where a patient opens up emotionally, but don’t feel prepared to go beyond empathy and a few “therapy-light” interventions, you’re not alone. Or, maybe you hear about behaviors that a patient needs to shift to get better, but you’re unsure how to respond in a way that leads to real change.

Graduate programs can only cover so much, especially when your training is rightly focused on delivering safe and effective medical care:

 

  • 85% of primary care patients report aspects of a trauma history, but few receive trauma-informed care.
  • 60% of psychiatric outpatients are prescribed two or more medications, often due to a lack of therapy, increasing polypharmacy risks, and patient dissatisfaction.
  • Over half of patients with emotional or trauma-related symptoms report feeling “dismissed,” “disconnected,” or “unheard” during medical visits lacking attunement or therapeutic structure.
  • Providers with counseling training retain patients longer, reduce liability, and increase billing opportunities, especially in integrative care models.

This counseling gap affects more than confidence. As you probably have seen, it impacts outcomes, fuels burnout, and leaves essential healing work unfinished. In a clinical environment where ethical standards, documentation demands, and liability risks are growing, you can significantly enhance treatment risk and reduce risk with more robust evidence-based counseling methods.

Sources include the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, SAMHSA, AJMC, NIMH, PTSD.va.gov, and industry reports on integrated care and billing trends.

This filled in a massive gap in my training. The teaching was grounded, useful, and so well-structured.

Susan Kellett, NP
IPI Program Alumni

WHY THIS TRAINING OPENS DOORS - AND ELEVATES YOUR PRACTICE

Whether you’re working in a healthcare system, already in private practice, or planning to launch your own, the needs and expectations around mental health care are rising.
Employers are looking for providers who are trauma-informed, clinically versatile, and ready to lead. They want to see depth of skill, not just licensure.
Many providers with advanced counseling skills qualify to mentor others, expanding their leadership role and autonomy. Many employers also expect providers to contribute to integrated behavioral teams, supervise others, and bill confidently for therapy sessions.
Private practice clinicians with structured counseling skills are charging 30–50% more per session, building stronger therapeutic relationships, and retaining patients longer. Those trained in modalities like ACT, DBT, or somatic work are standing out in saturated markets, not just for what they offer, but for the outcomes they deliver.
Across settings, advanced counseling skills don’t just open doors — they define your value.

IMAGINE IF YOU COULD...

Confidently help patients with trauma, depression, anxiety, or emotional overwhelm — without defaulting to meds alone

Increase your salary by delivering the counseling that patients rely on and supervisees need you to model

Create transformational sessions that build trust, retention, and healing

Be invited into integrative care teams and leadership roles because of your (unfortunately) rare and essential skill set

Stay connected to why you became a healer in the first place, as patients get better faster

Earn certification, CME/CE credit, and credentials that set you apart

That’s exactly what the IPI Integrative Counseling Fellowship is designed to deliver.

I feel a renewed energy to continue my work in mental health. The training was clinically relevant and deeply inspiring.

Andrea Conway, NP
IPI Program Alumni

CURRICULUM DETAILS

Designed to meet the realities of modern clinical care, this fellowship builds practical counseling skills across six essential modules — equipping you to engage more deeply with patients and support lasting change.

MODULE 1: FOUNDATIONS OF COUNSELING PRACTICE
  • Counseling & Communication Skills
  • Trauma-Informed Care Principles
  • Diagnostic Frameworks
  • Clinical Ethics & Professional Boundaries
  • Multicultural Issues in Counseling
MODULE 2: TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE THERAPIES
  • Polyvagal-Informed Counseling
  • Somatic Mindfulness for Trauma
  • Sensorimotor Bilateral Engagement
  • Rhythmic and Embodied Regulation Practices
MODULE 3: COGNITIVE AND BEHAVIORAL THERAPIES
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills Training
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Essentials
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
MODULE 4: RELATIONAL, PSYCHODYNAMIC, AND PARTS-BASED THERAPIES
  • Psychodynamic & Relational Therapy Essentials
  • Parts-Oriented Therapy (IFS-Informed)
  • Attachment Theory In Clinical Practice
  • Transference and Countertransference
MODULE 5: PSYCHEDELIC-ASSISTED THERAPY
  • Foundations of Ketamine Therapy
  • Pharmacology & Clinical Applications
  • Session Preparation, Dosing & Integration
  • Psychedelic Therapy Ethics & Boundaries
MODULE 6: SPECIALIZED POPULATION & COMPLEX CASEWORK
  • Advanced Case Formulation Across Modalities
  • Integrative Treatment Planning
  • Co-Occurring Conditions
  • Population-Specific Applications
  • Group and Couples Work

WHAT YOU’LL GET

The IPI Integrative Counseling Certification was created to meet the needs of busy, advanced practice providers — blending clinical rigor with the flexibility of online education.

With over 50 hours of training, plus optional live mentorship, the program gives you the psychotherapy foundation you may not have received in graduate school, helping you build confidence, sharpen your counseling skills, and earn certification as an integrative counselor. 

Whether you are a psychiatric specialist, primary care provider, or clinician in any role that addresses behavioral health, this program was built with you in mind. Your integrative counseling certification doesn’t just sharpen your skills — it strengthens your professional profile, supporting job transitions, academic advancement, or private practice growth.

Every session is stored in your private learning library. You’ll maintain full access to your course materials, recordings, and resources for two years from enrollment.

Recorded Lectures

Learn from expert faculty specializing in a variety of counseling modalities. All sessions include video, slide decks, and transcriptions.

Optional Group Mentorship

Meet bi-weekly with a dedicated group of peers and our counseling faculty. You’ll receive coaching and guided feedback on case examples in a supportive, real-time setting. 

Private Community Forum

Stay connected in a secure online space where colleagues share insights, resources, and clinical questions.

Quizzes, Final Exam & Certification Badge

Demonstrate mastery through lecture quizzes and a comprehensive final exam to earn your certification badge.

TUITION DETAILS

Regular Tuition:

$8,000

Early Registration Discount:

$2,850
See If I Qualify

Live Mentorship Available at Additional Cost

Limited spots available

I left the training with practical tools I could use immediately — and more confidence navigating patient emotions that used to throw me off.

Kari Green, NP
IPI Program Alumni

FEATURED LECTURERS

Throughout your certification experience, you’ll be taught by a multidisciplinary faculty of renowned clinicians, educators, and thought leaders in integrative mental health care. The Integrative Psychiatry Institute brings together highly experienced professionals across psychiatry, counseling, somatic therapy, behavioral medicine, and trauma-informed care — ensuring you’re learning from those who not only teach the work but actively practice it.

Leadership Team

Meet the leadership team behind the IPI Integrative Counseling Certification — a group of seasoned clinicians, educators, and innovators dedicated to transforming mental health training for advanced practice providers. Our course directors and co-founders bring decades of experience in integrative psychiatry, psychotherapy, and clinical education to guide your learning every step of the way.

This was a fantastic experience. The whole program was excellent — the content, the speakers, the energy. It’s made me a better provider.

Greg Tallent, PA-C
IPI Program Alumni

Frequently Asked Question

Who is this certification for?

The program is designed for licensed Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, and other advanced practice providers in psychiatric, primary care, and women’s health settings who routinely engage in behavioral health care. Whether you’re new to counseling or seeking to deepen your skills, this certification meets you where you are.

Do I need prior counseling experience to apply?

No. Many providers in our community report feeling undertrained in counseling despite using it every day, especially psychiatric nurse practitioners. This program begins with foundational skills but quickly builds into intermediate and advanced techniques, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced clinicians looking to formalize and deepen their skills.

What credential will I receive?

Graduates earn certification as an IPI Certified Integrative Counselor, along with CME/CE credits. This can strengthen your clinical portfolio, support licensure requirements, and open opportunities in integrated care or supervision roles.

Is this program eligible for CME?

AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare designates this enduring material for a maximum of 50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. This activity provides 50 ANCC contact hours. AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare has been authorized by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 50 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Accreditation Standards of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) through the joint providership of AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare and Integrative Psychiatry Institute .AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare is accredited by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners as an approved
provider of nurse practitioner continuing education. Provider number: 030803. This activity is approved for 50 contact hour(s) (which includes hour(s) of pharmacology).

How much time should I expect to commit each week?

Plan on approximately 2 hours per week to finish the course in 6 months.

What makes this different from other counseling training programs?

This is the only counseling certification designed specifically for advanced practice providers. It bridges practical skills with optional live mentorship, integrates multiple evidence-based modalities, and compresses the core elements of a counseling degree.

Is there a payment plan?

Yes. You can inquire about payment plans on your discovery call.

When does the program start and end?

The certification program begins immediately upon purchase. You have two years to access the material.

TUITION DETAILS

Regular Tuition:

$8,000

Early Registration Discount

$2,850
See If I Qualify

Live Mentorship Available at Additional Cost

Limited spots available

Our Guarantee

Our commitment to furthering your education

The knowledge, experience, and confidence you will gain from taking the IPI Integrative Counseling Certification is unparalleled.

No other program provides a learning experience like this, from the quality of training to the community.

The IPI Integrative Counseling Certification will equip you to deliver practical, ethical, and trauma-informed mental health counseling with clarity, confidence, and clinical precision.

Make an investment in yourself and your education. Take your practice to a new level of patient care.

And if you’re not happy with the program, you can get a full refund within the first 14 days after the date that you pay and register. Simply reach out to our team, let us know what we could have done better, and your refund will be on its way.

Have more questions?
[email protected]