Our program is entirely unique because it teaches about food, eating and health by NOT focusing on nutrition. You will learn extensively about Mind Body Nutrition – however this field is not centered around what to eat, how much to eat, or nutrient needs. We love nutrition, but we do not teach nutrition per se – we teach psychological, mind/body, coaching and counseling principles. That said, we do talk quite often about many different aspects of nutrition. For our Trainings, it is very useful to have basic nutrition knowledge. If you don’t, we can recommend books to read or online courses to take to help get you quickly caught up. An optional class on key concepts in nutrition is offered during the Training at no extra cost.

Our programs are not about eating disorders. Our programs only focus on the kinds of eating challenges and issues that most people tend to face – weight loss, body image challenges, binge eating, overeating, chronic dieting, stress induced eating, and others. We don’t talk about eating disorders such as anorexia or extreme obesity. These affect less than 2% of Americans. Our programs, which focus on Dynamic Eating Psychology, addresses the other 98% of people who don’t have a clinical disorder, but have everyday concerns that are meaningful and important to them. We do talk about bulimia and how to recognize it and understand it

Prior nutrition knowledge or training is very helpful for our programs, but not necessary. If you are totally new to nutrition, we will recommend books or online courses to easily help you acquire a foundation of nutrition knowledge before your Training begins.

No previous training in psychology is necessary for students in our programs. Our Trainings feature easy-to-learn and easy-to-practice psychological, counseling and coaching principles.

Great! Our program is especially designed to help take professionals to the next level in working the psychological and mind body dimensions of the most common food, eating, and nutrition-linked challenges.

Yes.  Many of our students intend to use their education personally – for self, family and friends.

Our Trainings are not a substitute for therapy. And, they are designed to be personally impactful and meaningful, so students often receive benefits that are life changing and life enhancing.

Our Professional Certification Training is an intensive, deep immersion into all that the Institute has to offer. It is our most robust and signature training. The training totals approximately 300 hours. Upon completion, students are granted a certificate and certified as an Eating Psychology Coach. Our Professional Tele-Training is a highly condensed version of the Professional Certification Training. It’s designed for students who want to study this unique work, however they have considerations around cost and travel that prohibit them from enrolling in the Professional Certification Training.  The Professional Tele-Training consists of 30 classroom hours.  Students are granted a certificate for completing this Training, but are NOT certified as a Certified Eating Psychology Coach.

Approximately 90% of classroom hours are taught by Marc David – the Founder of the IPE. Remaining classes are taught by a collection of highly skilled and compelling guest faculty who bring a wide range of expertise.

Students who complete the Professional Certification Training will be certified as an Eating Psychology Coach.

The true meaning of certifications are often a fuzzy area to navigate through. Many certification programs of all kinds are not always forthcoming or clear about what a certification actually qualifies you to do. The simple truth is that certification guidelines differ from state to state.  Ultimately, a certification is only as good as the practitioner who receives it, and the integrity of the institution granting it. At the very least, your certification as an Eating Psychology Coach lets the world know that you have put in the time and commitment and energy that qualifies you to educate, coach, and counsel in the Dynamic Eating Psychology and Mind Body Nutrition fields. It acknowledges that you have a unique skill-set and a cutting edge education. Contact us if you would like information on how a certification from our Institute can benefit you.

Our Distance Learning Program has a special component where we focus on practice building, business skills, how to use social media, marketing skills, and more. We consider this to be basic and fundamental introduction to practice building.  For those who wish to learn more intermediate and advanced skills, we have some great, highly recommended experts and programs that you can explore on your own…

Our students are a vibrant community of learners and professionals from all walks of life who are committed to making a difference by being counselors, healers, educators, coaches, and change agents. Our students are motivated, energetic, unique people who are comfortable learning and growing at the leading edge of psychology, nutrition, and health. In our Trainings, you might find yourself alongside a nutritionist, a dietitian, a psychologist, a mental health counselor, a nurse, a yoga teacher, a dance instructor, a health coach, a business-person, a mother, a college student, a secretary, a massage therapist, an administrator, a career-changer, and more…

Admission to The Institute for the Psychology of Eating is not determined by any academic prerequisites or previous scholastic achievement. Your enthusiasm for this kind of study is what counts the most. Please contact us  if you’d like some help in making the best choice for your needs and goals.

There are no age requirements for our programs. Most of our students range between 20 – 70 years of age.

Upon registering for the Training, we’ll send you a list of the books you will need to purchase for the course.

An education is often best when it’s fulfilling rather than stressful. We want you to succeed. Our program has components that are designed to be self-paced. You’ll have every opportunity to create your own desired level of learning. The Training is intensive for sure, but the amount of reading, homework and preparation that we suggest is highly doable. We have done our best to create a learning experience that fits your personal style and needs.

The Institute for The Psychology of Eating has no religious affiliation. Our approach does reflect a healthy appreciation for spirituality, and an encouragement for each student to find the kind of spiritual or religious connection that works for them.

The Institute does not espouse any specific nutritional approach. We believe in a huge spectrum of nutritional possibilities that are unique to each individual, region, culture, and community. We encourage our students to let go of nutritional dogmas and find what truly works best for them, and their clients. We teach about cultivating body wisdom and a healthy natural intuitive body-based sense of what’s best for each one of us. We do tend to support organic, quality, and humanely produced foods as a wise strategy for the planet.

Yes, the Institute offers short programs and presentations for the general public. Please sign up for our mailing list to be notified of our schedule updates, or simply visit our events page.

The Institute was in the planning stages for over 5 years, and was officially founded in 2008. It is the inspiration of Marc David, who has been teaching, authoring, and exploring in the fields of nutrition, psychology and health for over 3 decades.

Practical – the Training is rich in skills, techniques and protocols that build your confidence as a practitioner

Powerful – The work is deep, real, immediate, and goes to the core of what ails our relationships with food, body and health.

Soulful – Our whole approach is grounded in the richness of the soul, and the teachings of timeless wisdom traditions that view human affairs from a greater, more artful and compassionate reality

Scientific – The Training is rooted in nutrition knowledge that is clear, concise, and clinically useful

Intuitive – In addition to exercising your cognitive muscles, you’ll honor and strengthen your intuitive ones as well

Transformational – The Training is designed to assist you in your own alchemical growth and healing, which truly qualifies us more deeply as a healer and counselor of others