Gut Psychology
Improve the communication between the brain and the gut to minimise your symptoms and improve your Quality of Life
Communication between the brain and the gut
The brain-gut axis is the communication system between your brain and gut. If functions to promote gastrointestinal and psychological balance. Dysregulation of the brain-gut axis has been implicated in a number of gastrointestinal conditions. An everyday example of our mind and gut communicating is when people experience butterflies in their tummy or an urgent need to go to the toilet before an important event.
Due to this interplay between the brain. and the gut, psychosocial factors can influence brain-gut axis regulation and in turn impact gut physiology and associated symptoms.
A key factor known to impact the brain-gut axis is stress, so it is important to discuss any concerns with your medical team to ensure tailored treatment
Tips for talking to your GP or gastroenterologist regarding your gut symptoms and associated concerns
Given the important connection between the brain and the gut it is important to discuss any concerns with your medical team, to ensure appropriate treatment if applicable.
- Do you constantly get worried about the pain getting worse?
- Do you avoid daily activities for fear of managing your symptoms?
- Do you feel greater levels of distress when you have an activity you need to attend for fear of managing your symptoms?
- Are you starting to withdraw from friends and family?
- Are you feeling isolated, or emotionally numb?
- Are you finding yourself getting easily agitated?
- Are you noticing frequent changes in mood?
- Are you finding it difficult to relax and sleep?
- How can I prepare for it?
- What is the recovery time?
- Is there another option?
- Risks associated with the procedure
- Previous negative experiences regarding similar procedures
- Fears you may have regarding the procedure
Research and clinical experience indicate that gut directed hypnotherapy can relieve the symptoms of IBS in the short term and also that 80% maintain their improvement for up to six years following hypnotherapy.
Treatments
Our treatment protocol incorporates:
Gut directed hypnotherapy
Gut focussed psychological interventions
Acceptance & Commitment therapy
Dialectical behavioural therapy
Emotional regulation therapies
Strengths based approach with value alignment
Treatment approach efficacy
Our strategies are all designed to improve mental health, management of symptoms, adherence to medical treatments and your Quality of Life.
What gut directed hypnotherapy is and what it is not?
Addresses the miscommunication between the brain and the gut and has been shown to reduce functional gut symptoms such as bloating, abdominal discomfort and improve bowel movements and gut motility.
- Guided relaxation where you are in complete control
- Regular practice enhances the effectiveness of hypnotherapy
- It is not a form of mind control
- You cannot become stuck in a state of hypnosis
- It is an evidence based treatment for functional gut conditions
- A technique using suggestion, imagery and relaxation aimed at calming the digestive tract
Recommended list of online resources that may be helpful
You are more than your condition and it does not need to define you.
We assist you to take back control.
We specialise in the treatment of the following conditions:
When to see a gastrointestinal psychologist?
› You feel that you are struggling with the management of gastrointestinal symptoms and it is impacting your quality of life
› You are unsure about effective ways of improving your quality of life
› You are finding it difficult to relax or starting to withdraw from people around you.
› Difficulty regulating your mood
› Loss of interest in daily activities
› Not taking your medication consistently
› Constantly thinking about your symptoms
DR HEIDI GLYNN (She/Her)
Psychologist – BBSc, BA(Hons), MPsych, PhD, MAPS, Membership with the Australian Institute of Clinical Hypnosis and Psychotherapy.
Heidi graduated from Swinburne University with a PhD in 2023 and provides services under Medicare and private insurance. She completed her PhD in 2023 exploring trauma and psychosocial processes and the impact on Quality of Life in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. She is a Board-approved supervisor and member of the Australian Psychological Society.
Heidi is experienced in providing services which optimise an individual’s personal fulfillment and has a specific passion in the brain-gut field.
Click the button below to read more about Psychologist Heidi Glynn and our services offered.