HeartMath Clinical Certification
A science-based solution for managing stress, anxiety and related health challenges.
Get CertifiedGet Certified in HeartMath
Learn to integrate HeartMath’s HRV coherence technology and techniques into your clinical practice as a physician, therapist, health coach, or health practitioner.
The accumulation of stress and anxiety dysregulates the nervous system, compromising overall health and well-being. HeartMath combines real time HRV coherence feedback with evidence-based techniques to restore balance to the nervous system, regulate emotions, and build lasting resilience.
With HeartMath, clients can visually track their heart rhythms in real time as they shift from incoherence to coherence—an optimal state where the heart, brain, and nervous system harmonize for better health.
Over Seven Online Sessions, You’ll Learn:
- Brief interventions for emotional regulation to help patients take charge of their health and well-being
- The science of self-regulation to motivate your patients to engage in effective self-care
- Methods to show your clients changes in their physiology and emotional states
- Supplemental training on using HeartMath’s HRV coherence technology to reduce stress, balance the nervous system, and cultivate resilience with real time feedback
Course Overview
- Six one-hour recorded classes
- Supplemental video training on how to use the Inner Balance Coherence Plus in clinical settings with clients
- A course manual that includes scripts, case study examples, clinical forms, and patient handouts
After completing this course, you will receive:
- Certification as a HeartMath® Certified Practitioner upon completion of an exam. Certification is limited to health professionals who are licensed or certified and working with clients and patients primarily on physical or mental health-related issues. Students in a formal health professional training program and those who work under supervision are also eligible for certification.
Upon certification, you may apply to be listed in the HeartMath Provider Directory. Listing is at the sole discretion of HeartMath LLC. See License Agreement for guidelines.
Course Topics
- Six HeartMath techniques for self-regulation and emotional management
- Importance of coherence and its role in mental, emotional, and physical health
- Individual and group protocols with practical ways to increase patient engagement
- Heart rate variability: clinical applications such as anxiety, pain, PTSD, sleep disorders, ADHD, and more
- Integrate HRV coherence technology and science-backed techniques into your clinical practice.
Register for the HeartMath
Clinical Certification
Includes the Inner Balance Coherence Plus HRV Coherence Sensor, App,
and Supplemental Training for Clinical Use
Price: $399, includes the Inner Balance Coherence Plus at a 40% discount
This certification is available without the Inner Balance Coherence Plus. Purchase now for Price: $249.
Agenda and Course Components
The course is divided into seven one-hour online units and includes:
- Intro and Overview
- Stress and intelligent energy management
- Autonomic nervous system and emotional regulation
- Resilience building
- Coherence Model and Heart-Brain Communication
- Coherence and its impact on the human system
- Heart’s own complex nervous system: the “heart brain”
- Technique: Quick Coherence®
- Relational Energetics and Self-Care
- Our emotions and attitudes affect the heart’s magnetic field
- Provider/practitioner self-care impacts quality of care
- Technique: Heart Lock-In®
- Heart Rate Variability
- Deepening the understanding of heart-rate variability
- Clinical applications
- Technology options for heart rate variability and coherence measurements
- Technique: Attitude Breathing™
- Brief Intervention Protocol
- Clinical case studies
- Sample brief protocol
- Technique: Freeze Frame®
- Multi-Session Protocol and Special Populations
- Complexity and the mind-body connection
- Clinical applications, complex patients (i.e., PTSD, depression, anxiety, children)
- Multi-session protocol
- Supplemental Class on the HeartMath Technology
- Learn to use HRV coherence feedback technology in a clinical setting (Inner Balance Coherence Plus sensor and app for mobile and tablet use).
- Train clients in the office, or clients can train at home with the app and sensor.
- Clients learn stress reduction, self-regulation, and emotional management skills with real time feedback.
Learning Objectives
Class 1: Scientific Foundation of Self-Care Interventions (280 minutes)
- Discuss domains of resilience and the importance of intelligent energy management for self-regulation of stress, emotions, and creating resilience.
- Describe how to use the self-regulation techniques personally and with patients to improve health and well-being.
Class 2: Coherence Model and Heart-Brain Communication (222 minutes)
- Discuss the impact of increased coherence on heart rate variability, brain function, and emotional well-being.
- Analyze the functions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system and its relationship to coherence.
- Apply emotional refocusing techniques to support a coherent state in moments where stress management and emotional regulation skills are needed.
Class 3: Relational Energetics, Communication, and Self-Care (210 minutes)
- Identify and interpret the concepts of relational and emotional energetics and their impact on patient care.
- Summarize the importance of effective communication in healthcare interactions.
- Describe how to apply an active practice of self-care and communication techniques to improve health outcomes.
Class 4: Heart Rate Variability (221 minutes)
- Review and discuss the importance of HRV analysis as related to clinical outcomes.
- Discuss and practice emotional restructuring techniques to replace incoherent HRV states with states that support healthy change.
Class 5: Brief Intervention Protocol (210 minutes)
- Discuss the defining factors that determine a client’s appropriateness for a brief intervention protocol.
- Identify specific treatment goals and objectives for a given patient profile.
Class 6: Multi-Session Protocols and Special Populations
- Compare and contrast the key differences between multi-session, brief intervention, group, and crisis/acute care approaches using heart rate variability tools and techniques.
- Summarize clinical symptoms/disorders related to “under-arousal” and “over-arousal” and the connection between the two conditions.
Supplemental Training: Inner Balance Coherence Plus for Clinical Settings
- Learn to use the Inner Balance Coherence Plus and HeartMath app with clients for clinical settings, whether you train clients in the office, virtually, or your clients practice at home.
- Clients can train self-regulation, emotional management skills, and stress release with real time HRV coherence feedback. Store single-user data and track client progress between appointments.
- Utilize the app to assign multi-day journeys and homework geared toward specific outcomes.
Course References:
- Culbert, Timothy. Perspectives on Technology-Assisted Relaxation Approaches to Support Mind-Body Skills Practice in Children and Teens: Clinical Experience and Commentary. Children: 2017. Vol 4(20).
- Dijkstra, M; Soer, R; Bieleman, A; McCraty, R; Oosterveld, F; Gross, D; Reneman, M. Exploring a 1-Minute Paced Deep Breathing Measurement of Heart Rate Variability as Part of a Workers’ Health Assessment. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (2019) 44:83-96.
- Elbers, Jorina MD et al. Clinical Profile Associated with Adverse Childhood Experiences: The Advent of Nervous System Dysregulation. Children 2017, 4, 98; doi:10.3390/children4110098.
- Lucy H. Field, L., Stephen D. Edwards, David J. Edwards, and Sarah E. Dean. Influence of HeartMath Training Programme on Physiological and Psychological Variables. Global Journal of Health Science; Vol. 10, No. 2; 2018. ISSN 1916-9736 E-ISSN 1916-9744.
- Mather and Thayer. How Heart Rate Variability Affects Emotional Regulation Networks. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences. 2018. Volume 19. pp 98-104.
- McCraty, R. Heart‐Brain Neurodynamics: The Making of Emotions. In Issues of the Heart: The Neuropsychotherapist special issue; Dahlitz, M. & Hall, G. Editor 2015, Dahlitz Media: Brisbane. p. 76-110.
- Williams, et al. Difficulties in Emotion Regulation. Front Psychol, 2015. 6: p. 261.
Register for the HeartMath
Clinical Certification
Includes the Inner Balance Coherence Plus HRV Coherence Sensor, App,
and Supplemental Training for Clinical Use
Price: $399, includes the Inner Balance Coherence Plus at a 40% discount
This certification is available without the Inner Balance Coherence Plus. Purchase now for Price: $249.
Who shares HeartMath with their patients?
- Physicians, nurses, and nurse practitioners
- Psychotherapists, psychologists, counselors, and social workers
- Chiropractors, naturopaths, physical therapists, and occupational therapists
- Addiction counselors
- Trauma specialists
- Acupuncturists, massage therapists
- Health coaches, performance coaches, and trainers
Faculty Bio
Timothy P. Culbert, MD, FAAP, IFMCP
Developmental Pediatrician / Pediatric Integrative Medicine Medical Director of Integrative Medicine, PrairieCare, A University of Minnesota Medical School Affiliate
EDUCATION
- Medical Degree: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
- Residency: University of Vermont
- Fellowship: Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota
- Board Certification: Pediatrics, Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Biofeedback and Medical Hypnosis
- Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner
EXPERIENCE
- Dr. Culbert’s medical special interests include holistic mental health, chronic pain, self-care skills for kids, complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine, nutritional intervention, and biofeedback.
- Expertise in clinical use of HeartMath and as a HeartMath faculty instructor
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota; Adjunct Professor at the Center for Spirituality and Healing at the University of Minnesota
- Dr. Culbert’s new book for kids, “Be Fit, Be Strong, Be You,” from Free Spirit Publishing, won first place in the Midwest Booksellers Association Awards in the children’s nonfiction category; the book reviews healthy lifestyle choices for kids in a fun and activity-oriented manner.
ACADEMIC AFFILIATION
- Clinical Instructor of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- American Academy of Pediatrics Executive Committee, Section on Complementary, Holistic and Integrative Medicine
SPECIAL CLINICAL INTERESTS
- Holistic mental health
- Chronic pain
- Self-care skills for kids
- Complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine
- Nutritional intervention
- Biofeedback
Eligibility for Certification
To become a HeartMath® Certified Practitioner:
- Professional Standards
State, provincial, or nationally licensed or certified professionals as listed below: - Licensed Mental Health Professionals
- Licensed Medical Professionals
- Certified Health Professionals (training must include consultation, mentoring, in-person training, or internship)
- Students in a licensure-track medical or mental health educational program
- PLEASE NOTE: All applicants must meet the specific criteria of the Eligible Professional List (NO EXCEPTIONS).
List of Eligible Professionals
Minimum training requirements: 200+ hours of instruction and live interaction with the instructor to assure clinical competence.
Note: Equivalent certifying bodies in countries outside the US may be acceptable.
HeartMath Certified Coach/Mentor/Trainer status is not a qualification for a Health Professional Certification.
Life, personal, and business coaches are not eligible for Health Professional Certification but may take our Building Personal Resilience training program.
Licensure track health professional students who’ve completed their first year are eligible and must submit a transcript during the certification process.
Trauma therapy and psychotherapy practitioners must have a mental health/medical master's/doctoral degree from an accredited university.
Qualified health professionals’ primary occupation must be in an eligible modality unless you were a licensed health professional.
If you have questions about your professional eligibility for certification, please complete this Certification Eligibility Request form.
Have a modality that's not listed? Fill out the eligibility form.
Licensed Mental Health Professionals
- Addictions, Alcohol and Drug, Chemical Dependency/Substance Abuse Counselor
- Behavioral Health Technicians and Specialists
- Behavioral Therapist - EIDBI Level 2 (Minnesota)
- Behavior Analyst or Specialist (board certified)
- EMDR Practitioner
- Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary
- Hakomi Practitioner
- Licensed Agency Affiliated Counselor (Washington State)
- Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor
- Licensed Professional Counselor
- Marriage and Family Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Occupational Therapist Assistant
- Psychoanalyst
- Psychologist
- Psychologist Assistant
- Psychotherapist
- Recreational Therapist certified by NCTRC
- Recreational Therapy Aide
- Registered Clinical Counsellor
- School Counselor
- Social Worker - LCsw, MSW, ASW, etc.
- Somatic Experiencing Practitioner
- Somatosensory Integration Practitioner
- Sports Psychologist
- Speech Language Pathologist and Therapist
- Vocational Rehabilitation Professional, Certified
Licensed Medical Professionals
- Acupuncturist
- Aesthetician
- Audiologist
- Chiropractor
- Dental Hygienist, Registered
- Dentist
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer certified by ARDMS
- Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist certified by ARRT
- Doctor of Naprapathic Medicine
- Doctor of Oriental Medicine
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Medical Assistant certified by the NHA, AAMA, NCCT, or AMT
- Medical Doctor (MD, DO, MBBS)
- Medical Technologist certified by ASCP
- Midwife
- Naturopath
- Nurse – LPN, LVN, RN, BSN, MSN, PhD, Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Practice Nurse
- Nurse Aid, Certified
- Nursing Associates registered with the NWC (UK)
- Optometrist
- Paramedic
- Pharmacist
- Pharmacy Assistant, PTCE certified
- Physical Therapist
- Physical Therapy Assistant
- Physiotherapist
- Physician Assistant
- Podiatrist
- Registered Dietician
- Registered Massage Therapist
- Registered Radiologic Technologist
- Respiratory Therapist
- Qualified Mental Health Professional
- Veterinarian
Certified Health Professionals
Minimum training requirements: 200+ hours of instruction and live interaction with the instructor to assure clinical competence.
- Alexander Technique – certified by an AmSAT-certified teacher
- Anat Baniel Method NeuroMovement Practitioner
- Amatsu Practitioner
- Art Therapist from a program accredited by the American Art Therapy Association
- Ayurvedic Practitioners certified by NAMA-approved programs
- Behavioral Activation Practitioner
- Biblical Counselor certified by ACBC
- Biodynamic Breathwork & Trauma Release Facilitator
- Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist
- Bioenergy Therapist (Zdenko Domančić Method)
- Biofeedback Technician - certified by BCIA
- Biofeedback Practitioner - certified by BCIA
- BodyTalk Practitioner, Advanced Certified
- Bowenwork Practitioner certified by American Bowen Academy or the Bowen Therapy Academy of Australia or the BATP
- Brainspotting Practitioner
- Breen Practitioner
- Brennan Healing Science Practitioner
- Case Managers, Medical
- Certified Natural Health Professional certified by TSNH
- Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist – certified by the NSTRC
- CHEK Practitioner level 2 certified by the CHEK Institute
- Child Life Specialist
- Core Energetics Practiioner
- Craniosacral Therapist certified by the Upledger Institute or the Pacific Association of Craniosacral Therapists
- Eden Energy Medicine Practitioner
- Emotional Freedom Technique Practitioner certified by ACEP or EFT International
- Ultimate EFT Certification Program certified by EFT Universe
- Evidence Based EFT (EBEFT) Premium by Evidence Based EFT
- Equine Assisted Therapist
- Exercise Physiologist Clinical
- Feldenkreis Practitioner
- Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® Practitioner
- Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach
- Functional Nutrition and Lifestyle Practitioner (FNLP)
- Functional Nutrition Counselor certified by FNA
- Functional Patterns Practitioner
- Hanna Somatic Education® Practitioner
- Healing Touch Practitioner
- Health & Wellness Coaches from programs approved by the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching, Health Coach Alliance, or Wellcoaches
- Health Coach certified by ACE
- Health Coach certified by IIN
- Health Coach certified by the Kharrazian Institute
- Health Coach certified by the Kressler Institute
- Health Coach Institute Pathway program graduates
- Note: Other coaches (life, personal, business, etc.) are not eligible. Refer to our Building Personal Resilience program.
- Health Educator certified by NCHEC
- Holistic Health Practitioner from Quantum University
- Homeopath – certified by the CHC, NCHEC, ABHt, HANP, or NASH
- Herbalist registered with AHG or NIMH (UK)
- Hypnotherapist certified by AAPH, ASCH, SCEH, IMDHA, Hypnotherapists Union, American Hypnosis Association, NGH, HMI (720-hour), IIH, HCI Institute, IACT, ACHE, GHSC, QHHT level 2, IBH, NATH-MHT, HMI, Wellness Institute Advanced Internship, (ABH not recognized)
- Hunyuan Qi Therapy
- Institute of BioEnergetic Medicine program graduates
- Internal Family Systems Practitioner certified by IFS
- Kalish Institute Mentorship Certification
- Kinesiologist
- Kinesiopractor certified by ICPKP
- Kinesiotherapist
- Massage Therapist – Licensed or Certified
- Medical Herbalist registered with AHG Certification requirements
- Medical Qigong Practitioner from programs approved by NCCAOM
- Mind Body Eating Coach by the Institute for the Psychology of Eating
- Music Practitioner certified by MHTP
- Music Therapist certified by CBMT or MTA
- Myofascial Release Therapist
- Myofunctional Therapist
- Natural Bioenergetics Practitioner
- Neurofeedback Practitioner – certified by BCIA
- Neurofeedback Technician – certified by BCIA
- Nutrition Therapist Master certified by NTI
- Nutritional Therapy Practitioner certified by NTA or CNM or ION or IINH
- Nutritionist - Advanced Diploma of Clinical Nutrition from NCC
- Nutritionist - Certified Clinical Nutritionist certified by the CNBC
- Nutritionist - Certified Nutritional Practitioner certified by CANNP or IHN
- Nutritionist - Certified Nutritional Professional certified by the NANP
- Nutritionist - Certified Nutrition Specialist certified by BCNS
- Nutritionist - certified by Institute of Holistic Nutrition
- Nutritionist - Functional Nutrition and Lifestyle Practitioner certified by FNA
- Nutritionist - Holistic Nutritionist certified by the NANP
- Nutritionist - Integrative Nutrition Health Coach certified by IIN
- Nutritionist - Registered Holistic Nutritionist certified by CSNN
- Ordained clergy and chaplains who are graduates of degree-granting institutions
- Ortho-Bionomy Practitioner certified by SOBI
- Osteopathic Manual Practitioner certified by a member of the OIA
- Pilates Teacher – in-person training only
- Polarity Therapists (RPP or RPE only – advanced training required)
- Polysomnographic Technologist
- PSYCH-K (Instructor only)
- Psychometrist
- Quantum Touch Practitioner
- Quantum University, PhD Graduate
- Quantum University, Certified Pro-Consciousness Meditation Health Coach
- Rapid Transformational Therapist
- Registered Professional Counsellor certified by CPCA
- Reflexologist – certified by the American Reflexology Certification Board, CRBC (Canada), or the AOR (UK)
- Reiki (Level III) - in-person training only
- Resonance Repatterning Practitioner certified by RPI
- Respiratory Therapist certified by NBRC
- Restorative Wellness Practitioner, Master by RWS
- Rolfer
- SHEN Therapist
- Shiatsu Practitioner certified by UFPST
- Somatic Education Practitioner, Certified Clinical
- Somatic Movement Educators and Therapists
- Somatic Yoga Practitioner
- Sophrologist - RNCP Certified
- Spiritual Psychology MA Graduates from USM
- Substance Abuse Counselor, Clinical
- Tension and Trauma Release Practitioner certified by TRE
- Terrain Advocate (Dr. Nasha Winters)
- Thought Field Therapy - Advanced Practitioner
- Touch For Health Consultant certified by IKC
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner from programs approved by NCCAOM
- Transformational Breath Facilitator, Level 4
- Trinity School of Natural Health - CNHP, CHHP, CTN
- Yoga Teacher RYT 200+ certified by the Yoga Alliance or World Yoga Federation or the Yoga Institute
- Yoga Therapist
If you have questions about your professional eligibility for certification, please complete this Certification Eligibility Request form.
- Educational Standards
Applicants must achieve >80% on the course final exam. You can retake the final exam as needed until you achieve >80%. - Required Documentation of Certification Eligibility
Applicants will be required to upload a copy of their professional designation document(s) indicating proof of current licensure, certification, or student status.
Upon receiving certification, licensed and certified health professionals in independent practice can apply to be listed in the HeartMath Directory of Certified Professionals. Listing is at the sole discretion of HeartMath LLC.
CE Information
Acknowledgment of Financial Commercial Support
No financial commercial support was received for this educational activity. Acknowledgment of In-Kind Commercial Support No In-Kind Commercial Support was received for this educational activity.
Satisfactory Completion
Learners must listen to each self-directed audio recording while following along with the visual slides, read the articles, pass the post-test with a score of 80% or higher, and complete an evaluation form to receive a certificate of completion. Your chosen sessions must be attended in their entirety. You must participate in the entire activity as partial credit is not available. If you are seeking continuing education credit for a specialty not listed below, it is your responsibility to contact your licensing/certification board to determine course eligibility for your licensing/certification requirement.
Note: HeartMath is also a device maker, so we’re not able to offer mental health CEs according to CME regulations.
You may apply to these organizations that offer some continuing education credit:
Please note: HeartMath does not participate in this process and is not responsible for the outcome.
NATIONAL BOARD OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACHES:
HeartMath Clinical Certification for Stress, Anxiety, and Emotional Regulation is approved by the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaches (NBHWC) for six hours of CE credit for recertification. Please contact [email protected] (only) for more information.
NEUROFEEDBACK AND BIOFEEDBACK PRACTITIONERS: HeartMath Clinical Certification is approved by the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA) for seven hours of CE credit toward biofeedback and neurofeedback recertification. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
The Health Coach Alliance: (For Health Coaches) HeartMath Clinical Certification for Stress, Anxiety, and Emotional Regulation has been approved by the Health Coach Alliance for 20 CECs upon successfully passing the final quiz with a mark of 80% or higher. Please contact [email protected] for details.
The Canadian Association for Integrative Nutrition: (For Holistic Nutritionists) The Canadian Association for Integrative Nutrition recognizes the HeartMath Clinical Certification for Stress, Anxiety, and Emotional Regulation. Please contact [email protected] for details.
Objectives – After Attending This Program, You Should Be Able To
- Analyze the functions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system and its relationship to coherence.
- Demonstrate the impact of increased coherence on heart rate variability, brain function, and emotional well-being as related to clinical outcomes.
- Discuss domains of resilience and the importance of intelligent energy management for self-regulation of stress, emotions, and creating resilience.
FAQS
$399 USD - Sale Price: $195
The manual and handouts will be available in an electronic format in the Learning Center upon registration.
The course will consist of six, 1-hour on-demand, online video modules in addition to weekly reading and assignments. Please see the technical requirements for details on what is required for a successful completion of the course.
Yes, this is a key component of the course objectives.
See technical specs listed below.
You will receive a certificate indicating that you have completed the 20 hours required for this course (video, reading, and practicing as well as completing the exam and evaluation). You may need this document to submit the course for continuing education credits or self-study through your certification or licensing board.
- 6 1-hour on-demand video modules
- 1 program manual: Information on the Scientific Underpinnings of the HeartMath System
- CE certificate
- Clinical compendium document
- Patient handout on resources for patient education
- HeartMath Certified Practitioner designation
Please contact Heather Hoefs at HeartMath with any grievances about the CE course or the process for receiving CE units. Heather Hoefs can be reached at [email protected] or 831-338-8756.
HeartMath fully complies with the legal requirements of the ADA and the rules and regulations thereof. If any participant in this educational activity is in need of accommodations, please contact Heather Hoefs at [email protected] or 831-338-8756
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