Which Gut-Brain Therapy is Right for You?
Choosing between gut-brain psychology and gut-directed hypnotherapy
If you have been told that your gut symptoms are functional, or that you have IBS or a disorder of the gut-brain interaction (DGBI), you may have heard that psychological interventions can help.
We offer two main psychological therapies for these conditions. This page explains what each involves, to help you decide.
If you'd like more information, please email us at info@thegutbrainclinic.com.au or call us on 0474 648 500.
Online booking takes 2 minutes - create a free account.
Two Approaches to the Same Problem
Both treatments work on the same problem from different angles.
The nerves connecting your gut and brain become over-sensitive, so that ordinary gut activity is registered as pain, urgency or bloating. Once that happens, the way you respond to symptoms - watching for them, planning around them, worrying about them - can feed back into the system and keep it sensitised.
Gut-directed hypnotherapy works directly on the sensitivity itself, using focused relaxation and guided imagery to settle the gut-brain signalling.
Gut-brain psychology (also known as GI-CBT) works on the cycle around the symptoms - the worry, the vigilance, the avoidance - so that the system has a chance to settle.
Both are recommended in current international gastroenterology guidelines. Neither has been shown to be better than the other overall - the question is not which is stronger, but which is a better fit for you.
What to Consider When Deciding
There is no test that can sort people into the right treatment. The information below summarises what experienced clinicians think about.
Gut-directed hypnotherapy may be a better starting point if:
-
Your gut symptoms come with a range of other physical symptoms, such as tiredness, nausea or sleep problems
-
Your symptoms began after a gut infection (e.g. gastroenteritis) and never fully resolved
-
You have become very tuned to what your gut is doing, and small sensations now feel big
-
You feel physically wound up or on edge
-
You would rather not spend sessions talking about your thoughts and history
Gut-brain psychology may be a better starting point if:
-
Your mind goes to the worst-case scenario when symptoms start
-
You have started avoiding foods, outings, travel or work situations because of worry about your gut
-
Not knowing what will happen is one of the hardest parts for you
-
You hold yourself to high standards and find it hard to let things be imperfect
-
You are feeling low or flat
-
You want practical strategies you can apply beyond your gut
You don't need to decide once and for all - some people do both, either together or in sequence, and choosing one now doesn't close off the other.
What are Sessions Like?
What happens in a session?
Gut-directed hypnotherapy: You sit or lie comfortably while your therapist guides you through relaxation and imagery focused on your gut. You are aware and stay in control throughout.
Gut-brain psychology: An active conversation looking at how symptoms, thoughts and behaviours interact for you, and planning small changes to test between sessions.
Between sessions
Gut-directed hypnotherapy: Daily listening to a recording, usually 15-20 minutes. Consistency matters more than effort.
Gut-brain psychology: Written exercises, tracking and gradually trying things you have been avoiding.
Typical Course
Gut-directed hypnotherapy: 5-6 sessions (sometimes fewer)
Gut-brain psychology: 5-6 sessions, though can continue if expanding outside of gut issues
Skills you keep afterward
Gut-directed hypnotherapy: A set of self-hypnosis recordings you can return to if symptoms flare.
Gut-brain psychology: A way of responding to symptoms that transfers to other aspects of life.
How much talking?
Gut-directed hypnotherapy: Relatively little.
Gut-brain psychology: More talking - you will discuss what is happening around your symptoms, and often other aspects of your life.
Format
Both are available in-person or via telehealth.
What it tends to help most
Gut-directed hypnotherapy: Significant symptoms related to gut sensitivity.
Gut-brain psychology: Symptom-related anxiety, food / situation avoidance, low mood.
Fees & Medicare Rebates
We believe in being upfront about costs. Here's what to expect.
Registered / Health Psychologist
(Tahlia, Manuela, Laura)
Fee: $249
Medicare rebate: $98.95
Out-of-pocket: $150.05
Gut Hypnotherapist
(Madeleine)
Standard appointment: $249
(no Medicare rebates available)
Medicare rebates are available for psychology appointments with a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP. While fees may be slightly higher for clinical psychologists, the higher rebate means your out-of-pocket cost is similar regardless of which psychologist you see.
Have questions about fees or rebates? Email us at info@thegutbrainclinic.com.au or call us on 0474 648 500 - we're happy to talk through your options before you book.
Before Either Treatment
These therapies are for gut symptoms that have been properly investigated. If you have not yet seen your GP or a gastroenterologist, or you have symptoms like bleeding, unintended weight loss or changes that came on suddenly, please start there. We are happy to work alongside your treating doctors.
Please note that we require a referral from your doctor in order to proceed with gut-directed hypnotherapy.
What Happens Next?
At your first appointment we will go through your symptoms, what you have already tried, and what you want to get back to doing. By the end of it we will develop a plan together.
If you're still unsure of which service to book, please email us at info@thegutbrainclinic.com.au or call us on 0475 648 500 and we will work it out with you.