Gut-Directed Therapy

Gut-Directed psychotherapy can support IBS through learning and practicing mental health techniques that change the relationship between the gut and the brain. This helps to switch on the natural functions of the “rest and digest” nervous system and relax the negative influence our brain can have on controlling digestion.

Stress levels in our body, negative patterns of thinking and internal mental imagery have a strong impact on our digestive health. This is because our brain and digestion are a tightly connected system, working together through multiple networks and nerve pathways.

Stress reduction techniques

Learn practical tools and techniques to reduce the physical load stress exerts on the body, which can help to improve digestion and reduce symptoms of IBS.

Guided Imagery and Self-Hypnosis

Mental images and unconscious thought processes have a strong impact on bodily functions. We can support digestion through regular practice of mental imagery skills.

Mind-Gut Connection

Patterns of worrying or negative thoughts can disrupt the complex relationship between the gut and brain. Learn to respond differently to internal experiences. Reduce distress signals from the brain to the digestive system that contribute to symptoms of IBS.

Personal Practice

Develop and integrate into your lifestyle a variety of personalized skills and tools. Work with your therapist to find mental imagery and stress reduction approaches that suit you best.

Common Themes in Gut-Directed Therapy

Benefits Include:
– Reduce symptoms: Research suggests that active participants of gut-directed therapy programs can experience meaningful, lasting reductions in severity and frequency of IBS symptoms
– Improved psychological wellbeing: Regular practice of stress reduction techniques can help improve overall coping, reduce tension and improve resilience.

What to expect:
– Over the course of approximately 8-sessions, participants learn a combination of skills and practices that have been shown to help reduce stress and regulate the intestines
– Learn and practice, relaxation, guided imagery and self-hypnosis skills.
– Learn to adjust internal negative interpretations of gut functions and develop skills to cultivate a beneficial mind-gut connection
– Traditional therapy methods such as worksheets, self-exploration, mental health skill-building