Master Integrative Somatic Practitioner Certification:
Specialists Trauma-Informed, and Body-Based Healing Skills

Become Certified As A Specialist Level Somatic Practitioner

Enroll Today

Are you ready to become an expert in somatic practice? Expand your education to a master level, learn specialist level advanced somatic practices.

Integrative Wellness Academy (IWA) offers professional certification and master level specialist Integrative Somatic Practitioner Certification programs for those who want to begin a somatic healing practice or somatic coaching business or expand their current practice within another healing field. Our Integrative Somatic Practitioner Certification program (ISP) is our professional level certification which provides the training, tools, techniques, skills and resources for you to become a successful holistically focused Integrative Somatic Practitioner and build a thriving practice with confidence. It is not necessary to continue on to our master level program (MISP), the Integrative Somatic Practitioner Certification Course offers excellence in professional practice. For those who know that they want to achieve a specialist level  training we do offer a reduced tuition dual enrollment option which can be found here: (link to misp dual enrollment).

The Master Integrative Somatic Practitioner Certification Course (MISP) is our advanced somatic training. The curriculum builds on the foundations and core competencies of our professional level Integrative Somatic Practitioner Certification Course (ISP) with an additional 100-hours of specialized training. It prepares practitioners to achieve a specialist level within the market and deepen their practice in integrative, trauma‑informed, body‑based healing, nervous‑system regulation and embodiment techniques. This advanced training offers a more extensive education and tool kit then our professional level training. These advanced practical tools support deeper healing and more effective client outcomes. Students expand as well as refine clinical skills, expand their therapeutic approach, and strengthen professional confidence. As interest in holistic mental and physical health grows, this certification offers a clear pathway to elevate your practice and client care.

What is Advanced Somatic Practitioner Certification and Who Should Enroll?

There are many elementary somatic certification programs available in the market, however specialist level practitioners who are deeply educated and extensively trained in advanced somatic practices are in huge demand and are set apart from other practitioners. Specialists garner higher fees as well as provide more profound transformations for their clients. The Master Integrative Somatic Practitioner Certification is a focused training program that builds advanced competency in somatic practices and coaching, emphasizing integrative and trauma‑aware approaches. It’s ideal for practitioners who want to bring specialized embodied, nervous‑system‑centered methods into their therapeutic work to deepen and accelerate client healing.

If you have not taken the foundational professional level certification, the Integrative Somatic Practitioner Certification (ISP) course you may take advantage of the dual enrollment option. You will complete the ISP first and then move on to the MISP.

Somatic practitioner taking consultation notes during a client session, highlighting the clinical skills and professional benefits of advanced somatic certification.

Master Integrative Somatic Practitioner Certification and Its Professional Benefits

The Master Integrative Somatic Practitioner Certification teaches advanced body‑centered approaches that integrate physical sensation, emotion, and cognition in service of healing. This includes specialist level techniques for nervous system regulation, stress management and somatic symptoms. It also includes extensive niched techniques to address grief, trauma, addiction, end-of-life transitions, chronic illness, somatic nutrition and eating issues, the use of somatic animals in therapeutic settings and more! Students who complete this training become specialists within the field of somatic healing and typically see clearer clinical results, stronger therapeutic alliances, and a more nuanced understanding of how the nervous system shapes trauma recovery.

A Course for All – Those Seeking Career Transitions from Unrelated Fields, Experienced Coaches, Therapists, and Wellness Professionals

This program is designed for those just starting out in their educational journey as a practitioner as well as practitioners with training within the health or wellness fields, and or clinical or coaching experience. Typical enrollees include those who have personally benefited from self-development and wish to make a career change into the helping fields, psychotherapists, coaches, bodyworkers, teachers, and holistic health professionals who want to add advanced somatic methods to their offering and better support clients with complex emotional and somatic presentations.

If you have not taken the foundational certification ISP course you may take advantage of the dual enrollment option. You will complete the ISP first and then move on to the MISP.

Somatic healing session showing a practitioner assisting a client with body-based trauma-informed therapy on a massage table.

How Do Trauma-Informed Somatic Practices Enhance Practitioner Mastery?

IWA’s certification courses are trauma-informed. Trauma‑informed somatic practices help practitioners create safer, more effective therapeutic spaces by recognizing how trauma is stored and expressed in the body. These approaches prioritize client safety, consent, and paced engagement which are core elements for reliable healing work.

Integrative somatic practitioner facilitating a trauma-informed movement exercise to support emotional release and healing.

Core Principles of Trauma-Informed Care in Somatic Training

Trauma‑informed care in somatic training emphasizes safety, trustworthiness, instructor and peer support, empowerment, and cultural sensitivity. Embedding these principles in practice helps reduce retraumatization, strengthen rapport, and invite clients into active participation in their own

Integrating Trauma Sensitivity with Nervous System Regulation Techniques

Pairing trauma sensitivity with nervous‑system regulation tools is central to effective somatic work. Simple, scaffolded methods such as breathwork, grounding, and mindful movement support clients to stabilize and then gradually access deeper material. That integration addresses trauma at both physiological and experiential levels, building resilience and self‑regulation. Research supports shifting from trauma information toward neuroscience‑based, skills‑focused practices that build self‑regulation and resilience for both practitioners and clients.

Close-up of a student practicing mindful breathing and somatic embodiment techniques during MISP certification training.

What Nervous System Regulation and Embodiment Techniques Are Taught?

The program teaches a variety of nervous‑system regulation and embodiment methods that help clients re‑connect with bodily cues and manage stress responses more effectively. When clients are able to safely experience embodiment and listen to their internal feedback, they are more effective in self-regulation and ongoing management of life’s stressors.

Advanced Somatic Practitioner Course Curriculum

  • Welcome & Overview
  • Meet Your Instructors
  • Course Outline

  • Course guidelines
  • Certification Requirements
  • Downloadable Resources – handouts, assignments, business forms & exercises

  • Business 101: Building and Expanding Your Business 
  • How to start a business 
  • Determine your offering
  • Define your value proposition
  • Value proposition 
  • Definitions, examples, etc.
  • Business plan basics
  • 12 step process to creating your business plan
  • Overview of different types of businesses 
  • (LLC, S-Corps, DBA’s etc.)
  • Which one is right for me?
  • Step by step process on how to set up your business 
  • Registering your entity, to accounting, and insurance)
  • What is the bare minimum I need to get started?
  • Navigating technology and the different resources you can utilize in your business 
  • Zoom, accounting software, marketing, scheduling, etc.
  • Creating your elevator pitch (good examples, bad examples)
  • You have to tell people what you, why you do it, and how you do it
  • Building your brand 
  • Brand definition
  • Brand building processes
  • Myths and distractions
  • Social Proof, Education, and Sales
  • Defining each term
  • Examples of all 3
  • How to create social proof
  • How to create education
  • How to create sales
  • Examples of good sales and bad sales tactics
  • How to get clients
  • Sales strategies
  • PR and Marketing
  • Social media and online marketing
  • Educational Approach (Blogs, podcast, guest writing/contributor/podcast guest)
  • Utilizing your network
  • Utilizing your network’s network
  • How to’s, examples, do’s and don’ts
  • Creating bridges and burning bridges
  • Outreach
  • The client list (sometimes called the 100 names list)
  • How many people to talk to each week
  • “I’m talking to people but I’m not generating any sales”
  • Creating a referral network
  • Creating a cross-referral network
  • Maximizing Revenue & Protecting Time
  • Transform Program
  • Somatic Group coaching
  • Evergreen programs and classes
  • Client retention and growth
  • How to keep clients
  • Keeping a warm market
  • Navigating the slow season
  • Best practices for when things aren’t working
  • Key tips for success and what to remember
  • Business exercises and assignments
  • Continued Business Expansion
  • Public speaking & crafting your talk
    • Developing curriculum for workshops and retreats
    • Somatic Healing Group Programs
      • ‘Transform Through Somatic Healing’ 8-week curriculum guidelines
      • Transform – 12-week Life Transformation program

  • Integrative Health Coaching
  • Nutrition Coaching: Part 1
  • Nutrition Coaching: Part 2
  • Health Coaching: Part 1
  • Health Coaching: Part 2
  • Nutrition Coaching: Part 3
  • Fitness Coaching
  • Healthcare Management
  • Stress Management

  • Spiritual Life Coaching Introduction
  • Spiritual Life Coaching: Part 1
  • Spiritual Life Coaching: Part 2
  • Advanced Energy Work: Part 1
  • Advanced Energy Work: Part 2
  • Transition Coaching
  • Self-Development Coaching

Become Certified As A Specialist Level Somatic Practitioner

Enroll Today

Course Instructors

Dr. Rachel Eva Dew, owner, founder, and head director of IWA Coaching for Master Integrative Somatic Practitioner certification

Dr. Rachel Eva Dew

Rachel is a board certified Doctor of Natural Medicine, Integrative and Functional Medicine, with additional focus on Lifestyle Medicine. She is an international speaker, self-development author, and leader in integrative wellness. Dr. Rachel is the founder and head instructor for the Integrative Wellness Academy (IWA). Learn More

Dr. Lourdes Madrigal, IWA instructor for Master Integrative Somatic Practitioner certification and trauma-informed care

Dr. Lourdes (Lula) Madrigal

Lula takes a holistic approach in the understanding, healing and transformation process towards embodiment. Lula is a Doctor of Acupuncture, and holds a Masters Degree in Creative Arts Therapy and a Bachelor’s degree in Dance movement therapy and Psychology. Learn More

Andrea Leda Wilborn, IWA instructor for Master Integrative Somatic Practitioner certification students

Andrea Leda Wilborn

Andrea Leda Wilborn is an integrative life coach, speaker, and IWA instructor. She brings a deep understanding and practical application of powerful coaching, journal therapy, and mental and emotional release work. Learn More

Debra Heslin, IWA instructor for Master Integrative Somatic Practitioner certification and somatic wellness training

Debra Heslin

Debra Heslin is an Integrative Life Coach and IWA instructor. She brings experience in teaching and coaching clients in her private practice to help them reach their full potential. Learn More

Garett Larson, IWA instructor for Master Integrative Somatic Practitioner certification students

Garett Larson

Garett is an IWA graduate, additionally trained in numerous holistic modalities. His background in business and marketing is extensive. Learn More

Brad Berger, IWA instructor for Master Integrative Somatic Practitioner certification and integrative wellness training

Brad Berger

Brad is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ specialist, Master Integrative Life Coach, and author who has over a quarter of a century of comprehensive financial planning  experience. Learn More

Our Graduates Are Positioned Uniquely Within The Field of Somatic Work

Those who successfully have completed our Master Integrative Somatic Practitioner training have expressed that they are uniquely positioned within a high demand field. With proprietary advanced tools, techniques and skill-sets these specialists thrive within the workplace.

  • I enrolled in the MISP dual enrollment program and WOW, what an amazing experience. Start to finish! The community of students were wonderful. The IWA staff and mentors were very supportive and easy to access. I highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to become certified at a specialist level
    – Cari
  • I am a therapist and benefited greatly from the master level program. My clients are seeing huge transformations
    – Wendy
  • I can’t believe I got this level of education for the tuition I paid! It equipped me to practice as a specialist and support clients deeply – WAY more than getting a masters degree would have
    – Jennifer
More Success Stories

Why IWA’s MISP? Advanced Nervous System Regulation Methods for Deep Healing

Student practicing somatic breathing exercise during Master Integrative Somatic Practitioner certification training

Advanced regulation methods include applied polyvagal theory, somatic dance and movement therapy, Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) somatic tools, emotional clearing and release work, muscle testing, somatic parts integration and internal family systems (IFS), somatic experiencing techniques, and mindfulness‑based practices. These approaches give practitioners reliable interventions to help clients recognize, co‑regulate, and modulate physiological responses to stress and trauma, supporting durable emotional and somatic resilience.

Somatic Coaching & Embodiment Coaching: Techniques for Master Integrative Somatic Practitioners

Somatic Coaching & Embodiment coaching is covered within the Master Integrative Somatic Practitioner program. Somatic Coaching & Embodiment coaching focuses on cultivating present‑moment awareness of bodily sensation and emotional tone, Identifying triggers and patterns and then developing effective somatic care plans for their clients daily somatic practice. Practitioners facilitate, educate and coach their clients to move towards somatic wellbeing through the use of movement, breath, somatic techniques, and attention to help clients access, process, and integrate experiences which facilitating clearer self‑awareness and improved emotional regulation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Applicants should have completed the ISP foundational training in somatic professional somatic practices and methods. If you have not taken the foundational professional level certification, the Integrative Somatic Practitioner Certification (ISP) course you may take advantage of the dual enrollment option. You will complete the ISP first and then move on to the MISP.

The MISP Program does not have a time limitation and can be completed within your own schedule. Only the ISP needs to be completed within a 6-month time frame. The MISP typically takes students 100-hours to complete, but commonly spans several months, up to a year. But again, there is no deadline for the MISP. Completion includes coursework, practice sessions, required reading and assessments.

No, it is a lifetime certification. While we highly value continued education, we do not require CEU’s – we do provide recommended reading lists for continued practitioner growth.

Many programs offer continuing education credits upon completion, which can support licensure renewal or professional development requirements. For those who request proof of hours for CEU’s we are happy to provide that. Be sure to check with the specific licensing board or governing body of your current credential to confirm credit availability for our programs and how credits apply to your credentials.

You will learn a range of nervous‑system regulation and embodiment techniques, including applied polyvagal interventions, somatic experiencing practices, breathwork protocols, somatic nutrition, dance and movement therapy, integrative psychology tools, and mindfulness exercises—paired with trauma‑informed clinical framing for safe, effective application.

Completing the certification expands your clinical repertoire and confidence as a specialist within the somatic healing field, enabling you to offer more nuanced, body‑centered care, especially for clients with trauma histories. This can improve client retention, therapeutic outcomes, and opportunities for specialized practice.

Yes. Each student is assigned an instructor as their mentor and may schedule 1-on-1 calls with them at any time. Additionally you will be given access to the online student cohort group which cultivates alumni communities and offers online forums for questions and answers, peer practice, and ongoing support even after course completion. These resources provide consultation, continued learning, and support as you integrate advanced somatic skills into practice.

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