The Brain-gut connection refers to the continuous flow of information and feedback between the brain and the digestive system. Gastrointestinal symptoms can arise as a result of information originating in the brain (such as stress, anxiety, depression, trauma), and/or the gastrointestinal tract (such as abnormalities in sensitivity & motility).

Psychological therapies aim to enhance brain-gut communication and are now commonly recommended for gastrointestinal conditions including:

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

• Functional bloating

• Belching

Evidence-based techniques such as Gut-directed hypnotherapy and Cognitive behavioural therapy have been clinically shown to:

• Reduce the severity of symptoms

• Reduce the sensitivity of the gut & lessen pain

• Encourages healthy motility (decrease transit in diarrhea; increase motility in constipation)

• Improve long-term gastrointestinal symptoms

Gut-directed hypnotherapy is entirely safe and has been shown to be one of the most effective treatments for patients with IBS and other gastrointestinal complaints. Sessions are conducted while the client is in a light and relaxed state, whereby suggestions for the control and normalisation of gut function are made.

Cognitive behavioural therapy aims to manage and challenge unhelpful thoughts about gut symptoms such as catastrophising, all-or-nothing thinking, negative self talk about coping, and over-generalising, as well as behaviours such as body checking, safety strategies, and excessive attention paid to physical symptoms.These all contribute to increased stress and anxiety levels, which in turn impacts the sensitivity of the gut through the brain-gut connection. CBT helps to break this cycle by reducing stress and anxiety, promoting healthy self talk and challenging unhelpful beliefs, using mindfulness strategies and behavioural interventions.