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NUTRITIONAL PSYCHOLOGY EDUCATION
Understanding for Professionals in the Nutrition-Mental Health Connection
The Center for Nutritional Psychology (CNP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit
Educational Organization

A Nutritional component to mental healthcare by 2030

In 2008, we launched the first nutritional psychology course at JFK University, introducing mental health professionals to the role of nutrition in mental well-being. Approved for Continuing Education, it focused on theory and education rather than treatment or prescription. By 2012, we expanded it into a 7-course online certificate program. Recognizing the need for ongoing research consolidation, we founded The Center for Nutritional Psychology (CNP) in 2015 to track and apply emerging evidence interconnecting the field. In 2021, CNP became a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to building a research repository and shaping university-level continuing education to integrate nutrition into mental healthcare by 2030.

Today, we host the world’s first evidence-based university-level Continuing Education curriculum linking psychology and nutrition sciences. We are also contributing to the Encyclopedia of Nutritional Psychology, developing standardized language for the field, and fostering a global network of professionals.

Connecting the Psychological and Nutrition Sciences

The purview of nutritional psychology lies deep within the intersection between the psychological and nutritional sciences. Within this intersection comes an exploration of the cognitive, behavioral, psychosocial, and neurobiological factors influencing the diet-mental health relationship. From this interdisciplinary exploration comes the development of innovative languages, concepts, and methods that seamlessly integrate into the knowledge and skills necessary for today’s professionals tasked with supporting psychological, behavioral, and nutritional health and well-being.

CNP’s university-level continuing education curriculum serves learners worldwide. NP learners come from Belgium, Finland, Italy, Greece, Argentina, Spain, India, Turkey, Nepal, Bermuda, Jamaica, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the United States, and many others, extending NP education worldwide. Learners range from students to educators, researchers, therapists, and healthcare providers across different fields. Curriculum development for CNP courses involves consolidating research from across disciplines and presenting it so that people from varied educational backgrounds, expertise areas, and cultures can understand. CNP strives to promote respect, inclusion, and promotion of diversity in developing course content and related materials.

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NP 100 Series

Introductory Certificate in Nutritional Psychology

Total = 126.25 CE/114 for NBCC

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NP 120 Part I:
Microbes in our Gut: An Evolutionary Journey into the World of the Microbiota Gut-Brain Axis and the DMHR
24 CE/ 21.25 NBCC
Available now!
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NP 120 Part II:
Microbiome and Mental Health: Exploring the Role of Microbiota from Neurodevelopment to Neurodegeneration
33.25 CE /29.25 NBCC
Available now!
Applied Certificate in Nutritional Psychology (NP 200 Series)

Applied Certificate in Nutritional Psychology (NP 200 Series)

The NP 200 Series Certificate is applied and builds on the theoretical foundation established in the Introductory Certificate in Nutritional Psychology (NP 100 Series). The Advanced Certificate in Nutritional Psychology (NP 200 Series Certificate) facilitates the application of psychonutritional tools and education within clinical and applied settings. Scope of practice guidelines for nutrition and mental health professionals are provided to facilitate the appropriate inclusion of psychonutritional tools and education within the applied environments.

More information regarding this certificate will be available in 2025, with the first course projected to launch in September 2025. The Introductory Certificate in Nutritional Psychology is a prerequisite for courses within the NP 200 advanced certificate.

100 Series Certificate in Nutritional Psychology
Theoretical Foundation
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NP 110 Introduction to Nutritional Psychology Methods

10 CE for Mental Health Professionals & Dietitians/8 CE for National Certified Counselors

Course description: NP 110 prepares you with the knowledge necessary to enroll in NP 120 Part I, which provides the first evidence-based conceptual model directly connecting the MGBA with the DMHR. This course introduces the MGBA and its major systems, including the gastrointestinal system (GI), central nervous system (CNS), peripheral nervous system (PNS), autonomic nervous system (ANS), neuroendocrine system (NE), enteric nervous system (ENS), the immune system, the vagus nerve, and the microbiota. The historical discoveries illuminating the MGBA’s existence are explored and the primary methods used within MGBA research are reviewed and the in-depth discussion of microbiota is presented, — including its characterization, evolution, and the major factors shaping its unique composition, abundance, and diversity.

We explore the anatomy and physiology of the gut barrier and how it protects our gastrointestinal tract (GIT), internal organs, brain, and circulatory system from harmful bacteria and toxins. We learn how a weakened gut barrier increases intestinal permeability (or “leaky gut“), which sets the stage for influencing brain function, psychological processes, and mental health outcomes. The intricate structural and biochemical communication pathways linking the microbiota with the gut and the brain are presented to make way for the conceptual model presented in NP 120 Part II.

Course prerequisites: None.

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NP 120 Part I: Microbes in our Gut: An Evolutionary Journey into the World of the Microbiota Gut-Brain Axis and the DMHR

24 CE for Mental Health Professionals & Dietitians/21.25 for National Certified Counselors

Course description: NP 120 Part I prepare you with the knowledge necessary to enroll in NP 120 Part II, which provides the first evidence-based conceptual model directly connecting the MGBA with the DMHR. This course introduces the MGBA and its major systems, including the gastrointestinal system (GI), central nervous system (CNS), peripheral nervous system (PNS), autonomic nervous system (ANS), neuroendocrine system (NE), enteric nervous system (ENS), the immune system, the vagus nerve, and the microbiota. The historical discoveries illuminating the MGBA’s existence are explored and the primary methods used within MGBA research are reviewed and the in-depth discussion of microbiota is presented, — including its characterization, evolution, and the major factors shaping its unique composition, abundance, and diversity.

We explore the anatomy and physiology of the gut barrier of the gut barrier and how it protects our gastrointestinal tract (GIT), internal organs, brain, and circulatory system from harmful bacteria and toxins. We learn how a weakened gut barrier increases intestinal permeability (or “leaky gut“), which sets the stage for influencing brain function, psychological processes, and mental health outcomes. The intricate structural and biochemical communication pathways linking the microbiota with the gut and the brain are presented to make way for the conceptual model presented in NP 120 Part II.

Course prerequisites: NP 110 highly recommended.

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NP 120 Part II: Gut-Brain Diet-Mental Health Connection: Exploring the Role of Microbiota from Neurodevelopment to Neurodegeneration

33.25 CE /29.25 for NCCs

Course Description: This course deepens the study of the mechanisms interconnecting the microbiota-gut-brain axis with the diet-mental health relationship (MGBA-DMHR) from NP 120 Part I. We begin with the exploration of how certain foods contain keys to unlocking the mechanisms within the MGBA-DMHR, and in doing influence and shape our moods, emotions, psychological experience, social functioning, and dietary intake behavior. In this course, you’ll gain knowledge of the major MGBA-DMHR mechanisms including myelination, synaptogenesis, neural plasticity, neurogenesis, hormones, neuropeptides, gut peptides, short-chain fatty acids, BDNF, and the guardians of the brain—the mighty microglia. These mechanisms operate within an intricate symphony to orchestrate and influence our psychological states, moods and emotions, social behavior, stress experience, resilience, cognitive processes, dietary intake behaviors, and mental health outcomes. By the end of this course (and two part series), you’ll understand the intimate role these mechanisms play in the development of psychological, psychiatric, neurodevelopmental, and neurodegenerative diseases.

This course provides professional with a complete conceptual model through which to understand how the microbiota gut-brain axis interconnects with dietary intake patterns to influence all aspects of the diet-mental health relationship.

Course prerequisites: NP 120 Part I

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NP 150 Part I: Mechanisms in the Diet-Mental Health Relationship (DMHR)

39.25 CE for Mental Health Professionals & Dietitians/37.25 for NCCs

NP 150 Part I introduces innovative mechanisms influencing the diet-mental health relationship (DMHR) and is the final course in the Introductory Certificate in Nutritional Psychology (NP 100 Series). This course is a cornerstone in the emerging field of nutritional psychology and focuses on illuminating the mechanisms by which diet impacts DMHR.

In the context of DMHR, a mechanism refers to the detailed series of events or processes at the molecular, cellular, or physiological level enacted through dietary intake. These processes involve complex biochemical pathways, molecular interactions, and cellular processes that influence our mood, cognition, and behavior and collectively contribute to our overall functioning and mental health.

Mechanisms explored in this course include macronutrients, micronutrients, nutritional deficiencies, phytonutrients, and neuroactive compounds. Topics include dietary patterns, the microbiota-gut-brain axis, early life nutrition, hormonal regulation, and neuroendocrine pathways.  Key brain structures such as the amygdala, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus, and striatum are analyzed in relation to emotions, memory, decision-making, appetite, and food-seeking behaviors. The course covers the impact of dietary intake on neurotransmitters, neurogenesis, neural repair, neuroplasticity, neurotrophins, neuropeptides, and neuroinflammation.

Additionally, we investigate how dietary patterns and specific nutrients influence immune-brain communication, inflammation, oxidative stress, microglia, mitochondrial function, and the blood-brain barrier. These insights are examined in the context of their effects on psychological functioning and clinical mental health disorders. View the Course Flyer here.

This course, in conjunction with NP 110 and NP 120 Parts I & II and NP 150 Part II, constitutes a crucial element of the Introductory Certificate in Nutritional Psychology (NP 100 Series). Upon completing this course, students are equipped with essential knowledge and critical insights to bridge the gap between nutritional science and mental health. These skills can contribute positively to the well-being of individuals and communities worldwide.

Course prerequisites: None. It is preferred, particularly if you wish to obtain the Certificate in Nutritional Psychology, that you begin with NP 110, NP 120 Part I, NP 120 Part II as prerequisites for NP 150 Part I and II.

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NP 150 Part II: Mechanisms in the Diet-Mental Health Relationship (DMHR)

20.25 CE for Mental Health Professionals & Dietitians/18.25 for NCC

This course explores the physiological, psychological, behavioral, social, and environmental factors influencing DMHR. Through these advanced modules, learners will gain insight into how stress, immune function, emotional and cognitive patterns, social contexts, and environmental factors dynamically interact within the diet-mental health relationship to influence eating behaviors, psychological experience, and brain and mental health outcomes.

We begin by exploring psychoneuroimmunology, highlighting the interactions between stress, the nervous system, and immune responses, as well as the role of diet in modulating these processes to impact mental health. It investigates stress as both a physiological and psychological response, focusing on how early-life stress shapes dietary choices and mental well-being and the bidirectional relationship between stress and eating behaviors. We then gain insight into the psychological and behavioral mechanisms that shape our relationship with food, focusing on how emotions, cognition, and habits influence dietary choices and mental well-being. We focus on emotional eating, body image, cognitive distortions, mindfulness, and how habit formation, reward systems, and psychological dynamics like food noise and food addiction impact eating behaviors. 

The final module examines the social and environmental factors influencing the relationship between diet, mental health, and resilience (DMHR), moving beyond individual mechanisms to focus on broader contexts. It examines the impact of socioeconomic factors, cultural influences, social support, food environments, and urbanization on dietary choices and mental health outcomes.


NP 150 Part II, in conjunction with NP 110 and NP 120 Parts I & II, and NP 150 Part I, completes the Introductory-Level Certificate in Nutritional Psychology (NP 100 Series) for professionals. Upon completing this course, learners will have a strong foundation in the intersection between nutrition and the psychological sciences. These skills can contribute positively to the well-being of individuals and communities worldwide.

Course prerequisites: NP 150 Part I (it is recommended that the order of courses taken in the NP 100 certificate be NP 110, NP 120 Parts I & II, and NP 150 Parts I and II, respectively).

Who is NP Education for?
Who is NP Education for?

Who is NP Education for?

  • Mental Health Professionals: Psychologists, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Mental Health Counselors who seek to enhance their understanding of the role of nutrition in mental health and its implications for therapeutic interventions.
  • Nutrition and Wellness Specialists: Dietitians, Nutritionists, Health Coaches, and Culinary Chefs who aim to augment their expertise by exploring the intricate connections between dietary patterns and psychological well-being.
  • Academia: Undergraduate, Graduate, and Post-Doctoral Students in various related fields, including psychology, nutrition, and health sciences, seeking comprehensive insights into the field of Nutritional Psychology.
  • Healthcare and Social Service Professionals: Case Managers and Social Workers interested in integrating nutritional principles into their practice, fostering holistic approaches to mental health care.
  • Educational Practitioners: Educators and School Counselors who recognize the significance of nutrition in students’ cognitive development and emotional regulation.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Explore our Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about our courses, enrollment process, and how our evidence-based curriculum can enhance your understanding of the food-mood connection. Have a question?

  Ask Us

Is CNP approved to sponsor Continuing Education to licensed psychologists, dietitians and mental health professionals?
Yes, CNP is approved to sponsor CE through the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor Continuing Education (CE) for Psychologists; The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT Provider #1000102) for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs; The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) for licensed Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians Registered (RDs/DTRs) through Activity Type 742 Eligible Enduring; The National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) for National Certified Counselors (NCCs). CNP maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 
Yes, you receive a 10% discount if you enroll in the course bundle, which includes all courses in the NP 100 Series
No, but please consider this program is modeled off a university-style program and requires ample reading, viewing and conceptualizing.
The NP 100 Certificate in total requires 126.25 hours of Continuing Education (meaning it takes about 126.25 hours to complete). Note: If you are a National Certified Counselor (NCC) it takes the same amount of time to complete the course, however, NBCC provides slightly fewer credits.
Yes. Completing the NP 100 Certificate is necessary to enroll in the upcoming NP 200 Applications Certificate.
We are approved to sponsor Continuing Education (CE) by numerous professional organizations. While most follow the same criteria for calculating CE hours, some have slightly different methods for calculating CE. For example, the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) does not count time spent on quizzes, syllabi, or the final exam, which affects the total hours of CE provided for National Certified Counselors (NCCs).
You will learn a substantial amount of information from which you develop skills to provide education to your clients about how nutrition may be influencing their mental health and internal state. Specific protocols for clinical application (along with a more detailed scope of practice guidelines) will be provided in the NP 200 Series (available 2026).
No, however, it is highly recommended you do so!
No. However, if taking individual courses, it is recommended you begin with NP 110. If a course has two parts (i.e., NP 120 and NP 150), it is highly recommended you take them in sequence.

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