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Find details here about the evidence behind gut-directed hypnotherapy, and how to refer your patient to the Functional Gut Centre.

Information for Referrers

Refer Your Patient

Please send a referral via email or medical objects providing your patient's diagnosis and contact details. We will contact your patient to arrange an appointment. 

info@functionalgutcentre.com.au

The Functional Gut Centre is also available on Medical Objects.

The Functional Gut Centre provides evidence-based care for patients with functional gut disorders. Using gut-directed hypnotherapy, cognitive behavioural interventions and nutrition support, patients can manage symptoms and improve their quality of life.

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What is Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy?

Gut-directed hypnosis is a form of clinical hypnosis combining gut-directed suggestions with suggestions tailored to the patient’s psychological needs.

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How does Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy work?

Gut-directed hypnotherapy takes place in a relaxed, dissociated state when the frontal cortex is less active. In this state, the client is taught to use the necessary hypnotic skills to control and normalise gut function as well as promote relaxation and reducing psychological stress.¹ While the exact mechanisms of gut-directed hypnotherapy are unknown, it is likely a direct action on gut motility. ¹

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Why Refer Your Patient for Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy?

The efficacy of gut-directed hypnotherapy for treatment of IBS and other functional gut disorders has been proven in clinical trials, with:

  • Sustained improvement in symptoms (including non-GI symptoms) in ~70% of patients with IBS¹ ³

  • Improvement in colonic symptoms and psychological symptoms, including reduced associated anxiety and depression and improved quality of life¹ ³

  • Long-term efficacy, with sustained improvements in symptoms at five year follow up²

  • Similar results to the low-FODMAP diet in improving IBS symptoms, with superior psychological outcomes and greater food freedom¹ ³

  • Fewer visits to GPs, and less time off work compared to controls⁴​​

  • A more flexible eating model, linked to a reduced likelihood of disordered eating ⁵

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Why Refer Your Patient for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?

The efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy for treatment of IBS and other functional gut disorders has been proven in clinical trials, with:

  • A significant improvement in IBS symptoms for patients undergoing CBT compared to controls ⁶

  • Efficacy in improving abdominal pain, quality of life and psychological symptoms ⁷ 

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Why Refer Your Patient for Nutrition Support?

Evidence for nutrition support 

  • Dysbiotic gut states seen in IBS and other functional gut disorders can be improved through implementation of a healthy, whole foods diet ⁸  ⁹ 

  • Dietary improvements can have a significant impact on mood and be an efficacious treatment strategy for depression ¹⁰

About Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy

Our Services​

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The Functional Gut Centre uses a client-centred approach to provide fast,  comprehensive care to manage symptoms of IBS and functional gut disorders long-term.
 

  • Gut Hypnotherapy - personalised treatment with recordings and exercises

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - focused on reframing unhelpful thoughts

  • Nutrition Education - supporting a healthy gut microbiome

 

Referral Criteria

The Functional Gut Centre accepts patients who fulfil the following criteria:

  • Aged 18+

  • Have a clinical diagnosis of IBS or a functional gut disorder from a GP or gastoenterologist, for which they are receiving ongoing care

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Exclusion Criteria

  • Certain mental health diagnoses, including schizophrenia, personality disorders, dissociative identity disorder, major depressive disorder, suicidal behaviour disorder or bipolar disorder

  • Certain neurological diagnoses, including narcolepsy or epilepsy

References

  1. Whorwell PJ, Prior A, Faragher EB. CONTROLLED TRIAL OF HYPNOTHERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF SEVERE REFRACTORY IRRITABLE-BOWEL SYNDROME. Lancet [Internet]. 1984 Dec 1;324(8414):1232–4. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6150275/

  2. Vlieger, AM, Rutten, JMTM, Govers, AM a P, Frankenhuis, C & Benninga, MA 2012, “Long-Term Follow-Up of Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy vs. Standard Care in Children With Functional Abdominal Pain or Irritable Bowel Syndrome,” ˜the œAmerican Journal of Gastroenterology, 107(4):627–631, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22310221/.

  3. Peters, SL, Yao, CK, Philpott, H, Yelland, GW, Muir, JG & Gibson, PR 2016, “Randomised clinical trial: the efficacy of gut‐directed hypnotherapy is similar to that of the low FODMAP diet for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome,” Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 44(5):447–459, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27397586/.

  4.  Hartman D. Symptomatology, Quality of Life and Economic Features of Irritable Bowel Syndrome--The Effect of Hypnotherapy. Journal of Heart Centered Therapies. 2010 Mar 22;13(1):95-6.

  5. Gwioździk, W, Krupa-Kotara, K, Całyniuk, B, Helisz, P, Grajek, M & Głogowska-Ligus, J 2022, “Traditional, Vegetarian, or Low FODMAP Diets and Their Relation to Symptoms of Eating Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study among Young Women in Poland,” Nutrients, 14(19):4125, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9570588/.

  6. Ford, AC, Quigley, EMM, Lacy, BE, Lembo, AJ, Saito, YA, Schiller, LR, Soffer, EE, Spiegel, BMR & Moayyedi, P 2014, “Effect of Antidepressants and psychological therapies, including hypnotherapy, in Irritable bowel Syndrome: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis,” ˜the œAmerican Journal of Gastroenterology, 109(9):1350–1365, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24935275/.

  7.  Sugaya, N, Shirotsuki, K & Nakao, M 2021, “Cognitive behavioral treatment for irritable bowel syndrome: a recent literature review,” Biopsychosocial Medicine, 15(1):, https://bpsmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13030-021-00226-x#availability-of-data-and-materials.

  8. Wang, L, Alammar, N, Singh, R, Nanavati, J, Song, Y, Chaudhary, R & Mullin, GE 2020, “Gut Microbial Dysbiosis in the irritable bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Case-Control Studies,” Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120(4):565–586, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31473156/.

  9. Bull, MJ & Plummer, NT 2014, Part 1: The human gut Microbiome in Health and Disease, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4566439/.

  10. Jacka, FN, O’Neil, A, Opie, R, Itsiopoulos, C, Cotton, S, Mohebbi, M, Castle, D, Dash, S, Mihalopoulos, C, Chatterton, ML, Brazionis, L, Dean, OM, Hodge, AM & Berk, M 2017, “A randomised controlled trial of dietary improvement for adults with major depression (the ‘SMILES’ trial),” BMC Medicine, 15(1):, https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-017-0791-y.

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