The Naturopathic Institute is excited to present the Holistic Family Medicine Department as one of the nine departments offered in our Emphasis Certification Program. The Emphasis Certification Program is launching in January 2026 in collaboration with the Embassy of Life Mastery.
H2: Department Overview
This focus is on the dynamics of healthy reproduction and raising children, starting before conception, all the way through adolescence. Individual female concerns throughout the journey from maiden to motherhood will be addressed. In the same way, the many phases of boyhood through manhood will be highlighted. A unique opportunity is available to study the honored position of a doula (birth assistant).
Required Courses · Course Breakdown · 2026 Course Schedule
Courses Required
To earn an Emphasis Certification in Holistic Family Medicine, students are required to take 10 core classes and four emphasis classes. The Naturopathic Institute’s Emphasis Certification program is registered with the state of Michigan and meets the educational requirements.
Program Core Courses
- NHE: Body Systems/Anatomy/Physiology
- NHE: Beginning Essential Oils
- NHE: Homeopathy I
- NHE: Nutrition
- NHE: Herbology and Muscle Response Testing
- NHT: Homeopathy II
- NHT: Glandular Symphony
- NHT: Field Herbology
- NHT: Food as Medicine
- CN: Conception/Childbirth/ChildhoodÂ
Holistic Family Medicine Emphasis Courses
Not all courses are offered each year. Review the class schedule guide to learn what is available in any given year.
There are 10 Emphasis Courses offered in the Holistic Family Medicine Department. You only need to take 4 of the following 10 Emphasis Courses (in combination with the 10 core classes above) to earn an Emphasis Certification in the Holistic Family Medicine Department:
- Aging Gracefully
- Doula I
- Doula II
- Doula III
- Men’s Health Care
- Menopause
- Natural Solutions to Infertility
- Navigating Childhood Illness in Spite of or Without Vaccines
- Raising Healthy Children
- The Journey from Maiden to Mother
Course Breakdown
Diploma Students
If you are enrolled in the Natural Health Program, you have already completed some of the core classes required to earn the Holistic Family Medicine Emphasis Certification. Below are the additional classes you are required to take, based on the number of years in the program you completed, to earn an Emphasis Certification in the Holistic Family Medicine Department.
| Program Year Completed | Additional Core Classes Needed | Holistic Family Medicine Emphasis Classes |
| Natural Health Educator | 5 | 4 |
| Natural Health Therapist | 1 | 4 |
| Natural Health Practitioner / Certified Naturopath | — | 4 |
Emphasis Certification Only (Non-Diploma Students)
You must complete the 10 Core Program Classes and 4 of the 10 Holistic Family Medicine Emphasis Classes to earn an emphasis certificate.
Personal Development
If you are taking an Emphasis Course for personal development, you will not be responsible for the homework or taking the test.
If you choose to take classes in the Emphasis Program for personal growth, then you are not held to the same academic requirements as Certification Students. Please go to the Emphasis Personal Development Page to fill out and submit the Alumni/Guest Individual Class Registration Form.Â
Look for this icon when searching for a class from the Holistic Family Medicine Department.
2026 Holistic Family Medicine Emphasis Course Schedule
1-Day Emphasis Courses are held from 9 am – 5 pm at 503 E. Broadway St., Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858, unless otherwise noted.
Not every Emphasis 1-Day Course will be offered every year. Here are the courses in the Holistic Family Medicine Department that are being offered in 2026:
Instructor: Helen Kociba, CN, ND
Course Description: Healthy Mother, Healthy Birth: This is a transformative course designed to empower expectant parents with the knowledge, tools, and practices needed to support both maternal health and a positive birth experience. This holistic approach emphasizes the interconnectedness of a mother’s well-being and the health of her baby, focusing on physical, emotional, and mental wellness throughout pregnancy and for the birth yet to come.
Course Outcomes:
- Understand how a mother’s health affects her baby and the birth process.
- Learn ways to support physical, emotional, and mental wellness during pregnancy.
- Build foundational doula skills to support parents through labor and delivery.
- Explore communication techniques for working with families and birth teams.
Instructor: Helen Kociba, CN, ND
Course Description: Having a Beautiful Birth and the First 24 Hours with Your Baby: Discover the essential nutrients that support both maternal health and the baby’s development throughout each trimester. Learn how to make conscious food choices that enhance energy, alleviate discomfort, and promote a harmonious pregnancy journey and birth experience.
Prerequisite: Doula #1 is required before taking Doula #2 for students pursuing a certification.
Course Outcomes:
- Identify foods and nutrients that support a healthy pregnancy and baby.
- Learn ways to improve comfort and energy in each trimester.
- Understand how to support new parents and babies in the first 24 hours after birth.
- Strengthen your role as a doula in creating calm and supportive birth experiences.
Instructor: Dr. Nicole Paquin, CN, ND
Course Description: Nature abounds with tools to assist the body when dis-ease occurs. Exploring the importance and even function of childhood illnesses can help alleviate biases we’ve been conditioned to believe in and give an understanding of why children experience illnesses. Exploring historical remedies, including the use of homeopathic nosodes both prophylactically and in acute situations, along with other powerful nature-based tools, is taught to empower individuals navigating childhood health needs.
Course Outcomes:
- Understand the different treatment plans of naturopathic and integrative medicine.
- Learn how to achieve optimal health in children that may be different from traditional primary care or medical care.
- Develop and expand your knowledge of historical and homeopathic remedies.
- Strengthen your ability to make informed, evidence-aware decisions when supporting children’s wellness through holistic methods.
Instructor: Helen Kociba, CN, ND
Course Description: The Fourth Trimester – Honoring the Postpartum Period: This is a comprehensive course that focuses on the often overlooked, yet critical, period of recovery and adjustment following childbirth. This class provides essential tools, knowledge, and emotional support for any new parents as they navigate the physical, mental, and emotional changes that occur during the first three months after birth.
Prerequisite: Doula #1 and Doula #2 are required before taking Doula #3 for students pursuing a certification.
Course Outcomes:
- Learn about the physical, emotional, and mental changes after childbirth.
- Gain tools to support parents during the first three months after birth
- Discover ways to promote healing, rest, and bonding during recovery.
- Create practical postpartum care plans that support the whole family.
Instructor: Helen Kociba, CN, ND
Course Description: Rooted in naturopathic principles, this course explores the biological, psychological, and energetic shifts that occur as a woman moves from the maiden phase of life into motherhood. Key topics such as hormone regulation, fertility optimization, and health conditions affecting that era will be discussed. Students will gain practical tools for clinical application, including personalized lifestyle and nutrition strategies, supportive protocols, various hormone testing options, and mind-body approaches that honor the profound inner evolution this life stage brings.
Course Outcomes:
- Understand the emotional, physical, and hormonal changes during the transition to motherhood.
- Learn how to support fertility, hormone balance, and overall well-being.
- Explore testing and lifestyle strategies for this stage of life.
- Gain tools to guide and support others through this transformation.
