IBS, Anxiety & the Gut–Brain Connection: FAQs 

Yes. Anxiety can significantly worsen IBS symptoms.

The gut and brain communicate constantly through the gut–brain axis. When anxiety or stress signals are activated, the digestive system responds - sometimes with urgency, pain, bloating, or flare-ups.

Gut-directed hypnotherapy helps regulate this stress response, calm the gut–brain loop, and reduce IBS symptoms as the nervous system settles.

Yes. Clinical research shows that gut-directed hypnotherapy can be effective for IBS, particularly when symptoms are linked to gut–brain sensitivity and stress.

Unlike diets or medication that mainly manage triggers, gut-directed hypnotherapy works by retraining the gut–brain response itself. This means we focus on reducing digestive reactivity at its source, rather than only controlling symptoms.

When the gut–brain loop settles, many people notice they:

• Digest more comfortably

• React less strongly to stress

• Experience fewer IBS flare-ups

• Feel more confident and in control of their body

It is a structured, evidence-informed approach designed to create more stable and predictable digestion over time.

Most clients begin to notice positive shifts within the first few sessions of the 6-week program, with progress building as the gut–brain response settles.

The program is structured across six sessions to create meaningful change in IBS symptoms and anxiety-related digestive reactivity. For many people, this is sufficient to significantly reduce flare-ups and improve stability.

If symptoms have been present for a long time or anxiety is more deeply embedded, some clients choose to continue for additional sessions to consolidate progress. This is discussed individually - there is no obligation to extend beyond the initial program.

No. Therapy focuses on your current IBS and anxiety patterns - not reliving past events.

We work on retraining how your mind and gut respond to stress in the present: your thoughts, reactions, anticipation, and nervous system regulation.

There is no requirement to revisit or relive trauma. The focus is practical, structured, and centred on helping your gut and anxiety response settle moving forward.

Yes. Online therapy can be highly effective for IBS and anxiety-related gut symptoms when it follows a structured, evidence-based approach.

CBT and gut-directed hypnotherapy work well online, as the techniques focus on retraining the gut–brain response rather than physical treatment.

Many clients find online sessions offer greater consistency, comfort, and privacy - while still achieving meaningful reductions in IBS flare-ups, urgency, and stress-driven digestive symptoms.

Normal medical tests are very common in IBS and other functional gut conditions.

This does not mean your symptoms are imagined. In IBS, pain, urgency, bloating, and digestive disruption can occur even when scans and blood tests are clear.

Often, this reflects a sensitised gut–brain response - where stress, anxiety, and anticipation amplify digestive reactions. Structured CBT and gut-directed hypnotherapy work to calm this response and reduce symptom intensity over time.

Medical investigation is always important to rule out other conditions, but normal results are frequently part of the IBS picture.

Yes. Gut–Mind therapy can be safely adapted for children and teenagers aged 8+.

Sessions are tailored to the child’s developmental stage and focus on anxiety, school-related stress, morning nausea, IBS-style symptoms, and digestive sensitivity in a calm, age-appropriate way.

The work is practical and supportive, helping young people understand the gut–brain connection, reduce stress-driven symptoms, and build confidence both at school and at home.

Not necessarily. Many people begin therapy after medical tests have ruled out other conditions but without a formal IBS diagnosis.

If you are experiencing ongoing bloating, urgency, abdominal pain, or anxiety-related digestive symptoms, therapy can still be helpful.

Medical investigation is important to exclude underlying conditions, but gut–brain therapy focuses on reducing stress-sensitive digestive reactivity — whether symptoms are formally labelled IBS or not.

If you are unsure, this can be discussed before beginning the program.