Your IBS has been flaring up. You want your life back and you're open to learning new ways to manage it and finally feel more like yourself!

Maybe your doctor suggested that you make an appointment with a GI psychologist to receive additional support your IBS symptoms. They may have recommended hypnosis  or CBT for IBS, or someone you know mentioned its benefits to you.

You don't know much about it yet, but hypnosis for IBS has you intrigued. You may have gone as far as googling it and reading about the possible psychological and physical relief it provides. Now you want to know more!

Clinical hypnosis has become an increasingly common treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and many GI doctors now recommend hypnosis for IBS (also called gut-directed hypnotherapy) as part of treatment. Clinical hypnosis is not new. It has been used to treat a range of psychological and medical issues for many years and was formally adopted as form of treatment by the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association decades ago. In recent years, it has become a resource to help alleviate gastrointestinal distress. 

What is hypnosis for IBS?

In the words of Olafur Palsson who pioneered the use of this treatment to address gastrointestinal issues, “hypnosis is a special mental state in which a person's focus of attention becomes narrow and intense like the beam of a bright flashlight in a dark room.” Gut-directed hypnotherapy (also referred to as hypnosis for IBS or gut hypnotherapy) involves a state of deep relaxation and focused awareness, as well as the use of imagery and suggestions focusing on soothing the digestive tract and reducing the focus on physical discomfort. The use of imagery is thought to help promote positive mental and physical outcomes. 

The goal of hypnosis for IBS is to address the faulty communication between the gut and the brain, which is thought to contribute to gastrointestinal discomfort and symptoms in some patients struggling with GI disorders. 

Medical hypnosis is an established form of treatment used by trained providers, unlike what you may have seen in movies with stage hypnosis. In other words, your psychologist will not make you quack like a duck during session! No one can be hypnotized against their will, and patients remain in complete control during sessions. Clinical hypnosis is simply a practice of deepened relaxation coupled with suggestions targeting GI discomfort. 

What does hypnosis look like?

Interestingly, the way you feel when practicing hypnosis is a state you’ve most likely experienced before. It’s a normal state of consciousness that we go in and out during the course of our day. For instance, when you are so absorbed in your work that you lose track of time or what is going on around you. Or when missed your exit when driving. Or have you ever found yourself daydreaming and not immediately hearing someone calling your name? These moments of hyper focused attention are similar in many ways to the hypnotic state. 

How long does hypnosis for IBS last? 

Patients go through a 7-session protocol that has been well-researched. You will meet with your therapist for sessions and practice with recordings in between appointments. Some patients may benefit from additional treatment to address other stressors or learn complementary tools to manage their IBS. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for IBS (also referred to as CBT for ibs) is another well-researched form of treatment for IBS, which has showed benefits for patients' psychological and physical wellbeing. 

Hypnosis for IBS in Miami and Florida

As a health psychologist, I am uniquely trained to understand the challenges of living with gastrointestinal disorders, and I can tailor treatment to address issues related specifically to your GI condition using gut-directed hypnosis for IBS or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for IBS. And sometimes both treatments are used to  provide you with a wider range of tools to address your specific therapeutic needs.  If coming into my Miami office for therapy isn't an option, online counseling for IBS is a great option to access the care that you need, and it’s been shown to be just as effective as in-person treatment! Online therapy is also a great option to connect with a health psychologist when there isn’t you near where you live.