Conditions Treated by The Gut-Brain Clinic
Here is a summary of the major conditions treated by The Gut-Brain Clinic, a practice in Brisbane, Australia. We provide gut hypnotherapy, psychology services and specialised dietetics to treat a variety of disorders related to the gut-brain axis and gut-hormone connections.
Functional gut disorders cause real symptoms despite normal test results, affecting around 40% of people globally. These conditions result from disrupted communication between your gut and brain.​
Common Types of Functional Gut Disorder
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
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IBS-C: Constipation with hard, lumpy stools
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IBS-D: Diarrhoea with urgency and loose stools
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IBS-M: Mixed pattern alternating between both
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Functional Constipation: Fewer than three bowel movements per week with straining and incomplete evacuation.
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Functional Diarrhoea: Loose stools, particularly related to stress.
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Functional Dyspepsia: Upper abdominal pain, early fullness, bloating after eating, and nausea.​
Functional Gut Disorders
Common experiences: Bloating, fatigue, unpredictable symptoms, anxiety about episodes, and planning daily activities around symptoms.
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Main triggers: Stress, certain foods, hormonal changes, past infections, and medications.
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Our Approach
We use gut-directed hypnotherapy to normalise gut function, psychology to address stress and anxiety, and specialist dietetics to identify triggers and support healing.
Hormone-Related Gut Symptoms
Hormonal fluctuations throughout life significantly impact digestive function - particularly during major life changes.
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Impact of the Menstrual Cycle on the Gut
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Menstruation: Prostaglandins cause cramping and loose stools
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Follicular phase: Digestion typically feels most normal
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Luteal phase: Progesterone causes bloating, constipation, and cravings
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Life Stage Changes​
Adolescence: Hormonal changes during puberty create digestive unpredictability, often worsened by academic stress and social pressures. Read More
Pregnancy: Constipation affects 1 in 3 pregnant women as progesterone slows gut motility by up to 50%. Read More
Menopause: Declining oestrogen increases gut barrier dysfunction by 20% and reduces microbiome diversity. Read More
Our Approach
We provide hormone-aware nutrition, psychology support for mood-gut connections, and hypnotherapy tailored to hormonal states.
Stress-Related Gut Symptoms
When you experience stress, your gut receives direct signals that can disrupt normal digestive function.
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Common Stress Responses
Acute stress: Sudden nausea, urgent bowel movements before events, stomach cramping
Chronic stress: Ongoing digestive unpredictability, increased food sensitivities, alternating bowel patterns​
Common triggers: Work deadlines, relationship challenges, major life changes, academic pressure
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Our Approach
We help to manage stress through psychology, gut-directed hypnotherapy to break stress-symptom cycles, and nutrition strategies for stress resilience.
Mental Health and Gut Symptoms
About 70% of your immune system lives in your gut, and when it becomes inflamed, it sends messages that directly affect mood and mental health. The gut-brain connection explains why digestive issues and emotional health are so closely linked.
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Common Conditions
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Anxiety and depression: Often co-occur with gut disorders, creating cycles where symptoms worsen each other
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Trauma-related symptoms: Past experiences can manifest as digestive issues and stress responses
Common patterns: Symptoms worsening during low mood, eating anxiety, digestive symptoms triggered by trauma reminders
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Our Approach
We use gastrointestinal cognitive behavioural therapy (GI-CBT) and trauma-informed therapy for gut-mental health connections, gut-directed hypnotherapy, and nutritional support for both digestive and mental wellbeing.
General Psychology
Our registered and clinical psychologists provide comprehensive mental health support beyond gut-specific issues. We understand that overall wellbeing affects gut health and vice versa.
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We offer evidence-based therapies including CBT, ACT, and trauma-focused approaches. All services are Medicare rebatable with a Mental Health Care Plan.
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Conditions we Treat
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Anxiety and depression: Treatment for anxiety disorders, depression, and mood-related concerns
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Life transitions and adjustment: Support through major life changes, relationship difficulties, work stress, and grief
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Trauma and PTSD: Specialised trauma-informed therapy including eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) for processing difficult experiences​
What We Don't Treat
We specialise in functional gut disorders, and don't provide primary treatment for medical conditions such as Crohn's disease, coeliac disease or ulcerative colitis.
However, if you're living with a chronic digestive condition and experiencing related anxiety, stress, or adjustment difficulties, our psychology services can help you manage these psychological aspects alongside your medical care.