D1
Mind–Body & Spiritual Practices
Meditation, mindfulness, prayer, counseling, stress management, and other approaches that integrate psychological, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of health.
Ready to take the next step with IBHIM?
Global Standards & Credentials for Holistic & Integrative Medicine
The International Board of Holistic and Integrative Medicine (IBHIM) sets shared standards and credential pathways so practitioners, institutions, and the public can trust holistic and integrative care worldwide.
IBHIM brings together practitioners, educators, and institutions to define interoperable competencies, ethical guidelines, and credentialing frameworks across the holistic and integrative medicine ecosystem.
The Seven Domains of Holistic & Integrative Medicine
To make holistic and integrative practices more understandable and governable, IBHIM organizes the ecosystem into Seven Domains (D1–D7). Each domain captures a family of methods that share similar foundations, tools, and outcomes.
D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7
D2
Biologically Based Practices
Herbal medicine, nutraceuticals, supplements, and other biological preparations used to support, restore, or modulate physiological functions.
D3
Manipulative & Body-Based Methods
Hands-on and movement-based approaches such as massage, manual therapies, physical rehabilitation, structural alignment, and bodywork.
D4
Energy-Based Therapies
Modalities that conceptualize health through energy flow and fields, including certain biofield, biophysical, and related energetic approaches.
D5
Food-Based & Culinary Medicine
Nutrition, therapeutic diets, culinary interventions, and food-centered strategies designed to prevent, manage, or reverse disease.
D6
Environmental & Design-Based Practices
Interventions that address the built, natural, and social environment— air, water, housing, ergonomics, design, and lifestyle context.
D7
Regenerative & Emerging Therapies
Innovative and evolving approaches, technologies, and systems that are still maturing but show promise within an ethical, evidence-informed framework.
The vast majority of countries formally acknowledge traditional, complementary and integrative healthcare.
170
Member States acknowledge the use of traditional, complementary and integrative healthcare
88%
Of all countries use traditional and complementary practices therapeutically.
90%
WHO Member States report using traditional medicine and are asking for stronger evidence and regulation.
International Board of Holistic & Integrative Medicine
Global Standards & Credentials for Holistic & Integrative Medicine
IBHIM sets shared standards, taxonomies, and credential pathways so practitioners, institutions, and the public can trust holistic & integrative care worldwide.
What We Standardize
- Seven Domains (D1–D7) organizing the worldwide HIM ecosystem.
- Systems-of-Medicine (SoM) taxonomy for whole medical systems and indigenous lineages.
- Credential ladder (Aff.HIM → IHIM) recognizing practitioners, educators, and leaders.
- Academy & programs aligned with IBHIM’s standards and ethics.
Standardization, Credentialing, Community Support
Holistic & Integrative Medicine Standardization & Recognition
Empower holistic and integrative medicine practitioners with standardized credentialing and community support for clear pathways and recognition
Our Core Pillars
IBHIM organizes its work around three core pillars: standards, credentials, and education.
Pillar 1
Standards & Frameworks
Organizing the global HIM ecosystem
IBHIM develops and maintains a unified standards architecture for Holistic & Integrative Medicine, built around:
- Seven Domains (D1–D7) — modalities, methods, and interventions.
- Systems-of-Medicine (SoM) Taxonomy — whole medical systems, traditional & indigenous medicine, emerging models.
- Ethical, Safety, & Competency Guidelines — expectations for training, practice, and governance.
Pillar 2
Credentials & Membership
Clear pathways from entry to expert
IBHIM’s credentials ladder recognizes progressive levels of training, experience, and contribution in Holistic & Integrative Medicine.
- Aff.HIM — Affiliate Individual
- AHIM — Associate Fellow
- DHIM — Diplomate Fellow
- SHIM — Senior Fellow
- IHIM — Integrator Fellow
Pillar 3
Academy & Programs
Education aligned with IBHIM standards
The IBHIM Academy curates and develops courses, nanodegrees, and continuing education that map directly to the Seven Domains and Systems-of-Medicine taxonomy.
- Standards-aligned courses & nanodegrees
- Continuing Naturopathic Education (CNE) pathways
- Faculty & institutional development support
Testimonial
What Our Members Are Saying
IBHIM changed the game for my holistic practice. Their standards and credentialing process gave me a competitive edge in the industry."
John Davis
IBHIM's commitment to upholding competencies and ethics in integrative medicine truly sets them apart. I am proud to be associated with such a reputable organization."
Michael Rodriguez
Joining IBHIM was a game-changer for me. The resources, support, and network I gained have been invaluable in advancing my career in holistic and integrative medicine
Lisa Evans
The Seven Domains of Holistic & Integrative Medicine
IBHIM organizes the ecosystem into Seven Domains (D1–D7). Each domain captures a family of methods that share similar foundations, tools, and outcomes.
D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7
D1
Mind–Body & Spiritual Practices
Meditation, mindfulness, prayer, counseling, stress management, and other approaches integrating psychological, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of health.
D2
Biologically Based Practices
Herbal medicine, nutraceuticals, supplements, and other biological preparations used to support, restore, or modulate physiological functions.
D3
Manipulative & Body-Based Methods
Hands-on and movement-based approaches such as massage, manual therapies, physical rehabilitation, structural alignment, and bodywork.
D4
Energy-Based Therapies
Modalities that conceptualize health through energy flow and fields, including certain biofield, biophysical, and related energetic approaches.
D5
Food-Based & Culinary Medicine
Nutrition, therapeutic diets, culinary interventions, and food-centered strategies designed to prevent, manage, or reverse disease.
D6
Environmental & Design-Based Practices
Interventions addressing the built, natural, and social environment—air, water, housing, ergonomics, design, and lifestyle context.
D7
Regenerative & Emerging Therapies
Innovative and evolving approaches, technologies, and systems that are still maturing but show promise within an ethical, evidence-informed framework.
Explore Standards
Discover IBHIM’s Seven Domains and Systems-of-Medicine taxonomy that organize the holistic and integrative medicine ecosystem.
View Credentials
Learn how individuals and institutions can earn IBHIM recognition across our credential ladder and membership tiers.
Verify Practitioner
Check the IBHIM registry to verify a practitioner’s credentials, membership status, and recognized specialties.
Join IBHIM
Become part of a global community shaping safe, ethical, and evidence-informed holistic and integrative practice.
Build the Future of Holistic & Integrative Medicine with Us
IBHIM is an ecosystem initiative. Its strength comes from practitioners, educators, institutions, and supporters who believe that holistic and integrative care should be safe, ethical, accountable, and accessible.