FAQ

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive disorder that causes symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel movements. It can significantly impact your quality of life, causing stress, anxiety, and disruptions to daily activities.

Clinical hypnotherapy is a highly effective therapeutic approach for managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Hypnotherapy has been used for decades to help individuals manage stress, pain, and emotional distress, and its application in treating IBS has shown remarkable results.

In a hypnotic state, you enter a deeply relaxed state where your focus is shifted from the “why” of your condition to the “what”—the physical sensations and emotional triggers that impact your IBS symptoms. This focused state is achieved through a process of sensory relaxation, which allows you to become more in tune with your body’s responses and to better manage your gut-brain interactions.

During the session, you are guided to interrupt the negative, automatic patterns that contribute to IBS symptoms. These patterns, often associated with stress, anxiety, and even past trauma, can trigger the gut-brain communication pathway, contributing to the discomfort experienced in IBS. By calming the nervous system and soothing the sensory cortices that are triggered during stress, hypnotherapy allows you to focus more consciously on your gut’s physical sensations rather than the distressing emotional patterns that often accompany them.

The real power of gut-directed hypnotherapy comes from its ability to activate neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form new neural pathways. By creating new, more productive, and useful pathways, you can shift from maladaptive responses (like pain catastrophizing and anxiety about symptoms) to more balanced, relaxed reactions to the physical sensations of IBS. This process helps reduce symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, and irregular bowel movements, and improves overall gut motility and sensitivity.

Research has shown that gut directed hypnotherapy for IBS leads to real, measurable changes in the gut-brain connection, enhancing the communication between the brain and gastrointestinal system via the vagus nerve and central nervous system. This improved communication is critical to calming the body’s physical response to stress and reducing IBS symptoms over time.

At Newcastle Clinical Hypnotherapy, we take a holistic approach, combining clinical hypnosis, strategic psychotherapy, and neurological techniques to address the mental and physical aspects of IBS. Our treatment focuses on not just alleviating symptoms but breaking the cycle of distress that often perpetuates IBS.

Through this integrated approach, clients experience relief not just in their digestive health but also in their emotional well-being, leading to improved quality of life.

Yes, clinical hypnotherapy is a well-researched and proven treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Numerous clinical studies have consistently demonstrated the effectiveness of gut directed hypnotherapy for IBS in reducing the symptoms and impact of IBS. Research indicates that over 70% of IBS sufferers experience significant improvement after undergoing clinical hypnotherapy, with many reporting not only relief from symptoms like bloating, pain, and irregular bowel movements but also a marked improvement in their overall quality of life.

The effectiveness in using clinical hypnotherapy  for IBS treatment lies in its ability to address both the physical and psychological aspects of the condition. Clinical hypnotherapy doesn’t just help with symptom management—it addresses the root cause of IBS by improving the communication between the gut and the brain. By promoting relaxation and reducing the stress response, clinical hypnotherapy helps to regulate gut motility, reduce sensitivity, and alleviate the discomfort associated with IBS.

Moreover, clinical hypnotherapy works by helping individuals manage the psychological triggers that exacerbate IBS symptoms. For many, anxiety, stress, and emotional distress are powerful triggers that can worsen symptoms. Clinical hypnotherapy targets the mind-body connection and helps retrain the brain to respond differently to stress and discomfort. This approach has been shown to reduce pain-related anxiety, stress levels, and psychological distress, all of which are key contributors to IBS.

It’s important to note that gut directed clinical hypnotherapy for IBS is often considered a complementary treatment, used alongside other therapies like dietary changes or medications. However, studies suggest that in many cases, it can be a primary treatment option, especially for those who are looking for non-pharmacological solutions or have not had success with other forms of treatment.

By addressing the mental and emotional factors that contribute to IBS, clinical hypnotherapy offers a holistic solution to managing the condition. This makes it a particularly valuable option for those seeking long-term, sustainable relief from IBS symptoms, without relying solely on medications or dietary restrictions.

At Newcastle Clinical Hypnotherapy, we combine gut directed hypnotherapy for IBS with strategic psychotherapy and neurological techniques to ensure a comprehensive and effective approach to IBS treatment. Our clients not only see a reduction in their digestive symptoms but also experience better emotional well-being and improved daily functioning.

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Most clients begin to notice improvements after just a few sessions of clinical hypnotherapy. While the number of sessions required can vary depending on the individual, research consistently demonstrates that a 6 week treatment plan yields long term results.  We have a 6 session treatment framework for IBS.  We want you to experience long term results for better living in a holistic way.  Depending on your circumstances, it may be recommended we work together for longer than 6 sessions to address extraneous contributors to stress in your life.

The reason the number of sessions can vary is that everyone’s experience with IBS and life is unique.  Factors like the severity of your symptoms, the presence of any underlying stress or anxiety, and your personal response to hypnotherapy all influence how quickly results can be achieved.  At Newcastle Clinical Hypnotherapy, we tailor the treatment plan specifically to your individual needs, ensuring that the approach is effective for you.

In addition to reducing digestive symptoms, many clients report improvements in their overall sense of well-being, including reduced stress, anxiety, and an improved quality of life.  These benefits often continue to improve as the therapy progresses, with some clients seeing ongoing results after the treatment sessions end.

It’s also important to note that clinical hypnotherapy works on more than just symptom management; it targets the root causes of IBS, helping to break the cycle of stress and discomfort that contributes to the condition. By reprogramming how the brain responds to gut sensations, clinical hypnotherapy helps to provide long-term relief, making it a sustainable solution for managing IBS symptoms.

We encourage you to get in touch for a discovery call to discuss your specific situation and receive a more accurate estimate of how many sessions may be needed to achieve optimal results.

Hypnosis is often described as a state of “trance”, which is a natural, relaxed state where your focus and attention are heightened. In simple terms, it’s like being in a deep state of relaxation, similar to daydreaming or light meditation.

The technical explanation: Hypnosis guides you from waking consciousness (known as Beta waves) to a state of mental and physical relaxation, shifting through Alpha waves (the relaxed state we experience in a meditative or daydream-like state) to Theta waves (a deeper, more relaxed state often associated with deep meditation or sleep). This deep relaxation allows your mind to become more receptive to positive suggestions and insights.

During a clinical hypnotherapy session, you are likely to experience a deep sense of calmness and comfort. This relaxed state is conducive to self-reflection and clarity, making it easier to confront the thoughts, behaviors, and emotions that may be affecting your IBS symptoms. As your mind becomes more focused, you may have “aha” moments or clear realizations about patterns and triggers in your life, particularly regarding stress or anxiety, which often contribute to IBS.

Most people describe the experience as peaceful and grounding, leaving them feeling more confident, relaxed, and in control of their thoughts and bodily sensations. It’s important to note that you are always in control during hypnosis—there’s no “losing consciousness.” The therapeutic process helps you reframe your response to IBS symptoms, creating a healthier relationship with your body and mind.

This deep state of relaxation is key to the effectiveness of gut directed hypnotherapy for IBS, as it allows the brain and body to communicate more clearly and harmoniously, promoting better digestive health and emotional balance.

Clinical hypnotherapy can be an effective complementary treatment for IBS, and in some cases, it may help reduce the need for medication and/or dietary restrictions. However, it’s important to understand that Gut-directed hypnotherapy for IBS is not intended to replace medication or necessary dietary adjustments but can work in conjunction with it to provide more holistic and long-term relief from IBS symptoms.

For many IBS sufferers, medication helps manage certain symptoms like pain, bloating, or irregular bowel movements. While medication can be helpful in controlling symptoms in the short term, it often does not address the underlying psychological and emotional factors that contribute to IBS. Dietary measures, similarly, are not recommended for the longer term (excluding dietary restrictions related to allergies, intolerances or any other clinical requirement).  This is where clinical hypnotherapy shines. Hypnotherapy targets the gut-brain connection—a critical pathway involved in the development and persistence of IBS symptoms. By working to improve communication between the brain and the gut, hypnotherapy helps to reduce the stress response, improve gut motility, and alleviate discomfort, all of which can contribute to lasting symptom relief.

In many cases, patients find that as they progress through clinical hypnotherapy for IBS, their reliance on medication may decrease. This is because the therapy not only targets stress and anxiety, which are common triggers for IBS flare-ups, but also works to improve neural pathways that govern pain and discomfort responses. As the mind and body learn to respond to IBS symptoms in healthier ways, medication may no longer be necessary—or may be needed in lower doses.

That said, any changes to your medication should always be made in consultation with your healthcare provider. If you’re currently taking medication for IBS, it’s important to work with your doctor to monitor your progress as you undergo clinical hypnotherapy. Some clients choose to use hypnotherapy as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that combines medication, dietary changes, and hypnotherapy for optimal relief.

At Newcastle Clinical Hypnotherapy, we understand that each person’s experience with IBS is unique, which is why we tailor our approach to fit your specific needs. Whether hypnotherapy is used alongside medication, dietary measures or as the primary treatment, we work with you to develop a plan that offers the most effective relief for your symptoms.

If you’re curious about how clinical hypnotherapy can work in conjunction with your existing treatment plan, we invite you to book a discovery call. We’ll discuss how hypnotherapy can complement your current treatments and help you achieve long-term relief.  We are also happy to liaise with those in your primary care team to help assess how clinical hypnotherapy fits into your treatment plan.

Getting started with clinical hypnotherapy for IBS is simple and straightforward. the first step is to call us on 0493 669 160 or complete the Contact Us form, and we will give you a Discovery Call to discuss your specific IBS symptoms, your medical history, and any other factors that may be contributing to your condition. This is a great opportunity for us to get to know each other, and for you to ask any questions about the gut directed hypnotherapy for IBS process, how it works, and what to expect.

Once we have a clear understanding of your needs and goals, we will design a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique experience with IBS. Our goal is to address not only the physical symptoms of IBS, such as pain, bloating, and irregular bowel movements, but also the psychological factors—like stress and anxiety—that often contribute to or exacerbate the condition.

Clinical hypnotherapy is a deeply relaxing and therapeutic process, and during your sessions, you will be guided into a relaxed, focused state known as trance. In this state, your mind will be more open to positive suggestions that help you reframe your thoughts and feelings about IBS, break the cycle of stress, and improve your gut-brain communication. Together, we’ll work on addressing the emotional triggers that worsen your symptoms and develop more balanced, effective ways to respond to discomfort.

After your initial session, we typically recommend a series of 4-6 sessions, although the exact number may vary depending on the severity of your IBS and how you respond to treatment. Throughout our work together, you’ll receive support not only in managing your IBS symptoms but also in improving your overall quality of life. Clients often report reductions in stress, anxiety, and digestive discomfort after just a few sessions.

At Newcastle Clinical Hypnotherapy, we take a holistic approach that combines clinical hypnotherapy with strategic psychotherapy and neurological techniques to provide lasting relief from IBS. This integrated approach ensures that we address the physical, emotional, and mental aspects of IBS, helping you regain control over your digestive health and improve your overall well-being.

If you’re ready to start your journey toward IBS relief, the first step is to call us on 0493 669 160 or complete the Contact Us form. We will be in touch to discuss your concerns, set expectations, and start developing a plan that works for you.

Don’t wait to start feeling better—take the first step towards a healthier, more comfortable life with gut directed hypnotherapy for IBS today.

Strategic Hypnosis is an advanced model of Clinical Hypnosis.  Clinical Hypnosis is the use of advanced hypnotic techniques for therapeutic purposes.  It is used to treat a great variety of conditions and there is a vast body of evidence as to its efficacy.

Anywhere your emotions and thoughts play a part in suffering, there is a place for Clinical Hypnosis to help, including mental, emotional and physical conditions.

It is a powerful therapeutic tool.  When coupled with Strategic Psychotherapy, it becomes Strategic Hypnosis and is an extremely effective model of treatment.

Visit College of Strategic Hypnotherapists to read more about why you should choose a Strategic Hypnotherapist.

Modern Strategic Psychotherapy reflects the beneficial principles of a number of specific therapeutic models, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Interpersonal Therapy (ITP), Person-Centred and other Psychodynamic models.

It is future and goal oriented.  It is a form of brief therapeutic intervention which seeks to disrupt patterns that are holding you in suffering or stasis.  It is an empowering approach which teaches you to identify the patterns for yourself, and provides you with the skills to create positive patterns in order to achieve your goals.

Visit College of Strategic Psychotherapists to read more about why you should choose a Strategic Psychotherapist.

NLP stands for Neuro Linguistic Programming.  As the name suggests, it encompasses our neurology, language and programming.  That is, how we perceive the world (neurology), how communicate with others and ourselves (language) and our habitual patterns and behaviours and how we operate in the world (programming). 

The interplay of our mind and language influences our physical state and our behaviours.  NLP is based on the study of how the most effective people operate in the world.  It is the blueprint of success.

From an NLP perspective, each of us are far more resourceful than we give ourselves credit for.  And we are capable of more.  NLP taps you into those resources and helps you take control of your own success.

Visit College of Strategic NLP Psychotherapists to read more about why you should choose a Strategic NLP Psychotherapist.

The Gordian Pillars were developed by Gordon Young.  

Gordon is the founder, director and lead trainer of the Institute of Applied Psychology, president of the Hypnotherapy Council of Australia and Vice President of the International Strategic Psychotherapists Association.  

The Gordian Pillars is a Strategic Psychotherapy framework for treating everything from anxiety, depression, addiction, and trauma to perfectionism, lack of self-esteem, procrastination and weight loss.  

Accredited Gordian Pillars Strategic Psychotherapists are trained to identify, disrupt and provide skills training that address the underlying cognitive patterns, themes, perceptions, values and beliefs that maintain psychological conditions.

Visit College of Gordian Therapists to read more about why you should choose a Gordian Pillars Strategic Psychotherapist.

Clinical Hypnosis, commonly known as hypnotherapy, is a powerful therapeutic tool that can help address a wide range of conditions where emotions and thoughts are involved in causing distress. Whether you’re facing mental, emotional, or physical challenges, hypnotherapy can offer significant relief.

In addition to effectively treating various forms of anxiety—including social anxiety, performance anxiety, and general anxiety—hypnotherapy can be beneficial for managing conditions such as:

• Stress and burnout
• Low self-esteem and confidence issues
• Procrastination and motivation challenges
• Addictions and dependencies (such as smoking, vaping, or gambling)
• Pain management and chronic pain relief
• Fears and phobias, including common phobias like spiders, flying, and public speaking
• Insomnia and sleep-related issues
• Depression and emotional distress
• Eating disorders, including ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) and general disordered eating habits

If you’re struggling with any of these conditions, hypnotherapy can help you break free from the patterns that are holding you back. At Newcastle Clinical Hypnotherapy, we specialize in helping clients improve their quality of life through clinical hypnotherapy combined with strategic psychotherapy.

To learn more about how hypnotherapy can support you, feel free to explore the following pages:

• Anxiety Treatment
• Quit Smoking
• Quit Gambling
• ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)
• Social & Performance Anxiety

While clinical hypnotherapy can be effective after just one session, the approach is designed to create long-term changes rather than a quick fix. Many clients begin to experience significant improvements after just 3 sessions, with continued progress as we work together to create lasting transformations.

Evidence suggests that a minimum of 6 weeks working with clinical hypnotherapy yields significant results for IBS sufferers.

Initial Consultation (1.5 hours) – $250 + GST
Your first session includes a thorough assessment and detailed discussion of your goals, ensuring a personalized treatment plan.

Standard Sessions (1 hour) – $200 + GST
Subsequent sessions focus on progressing through your treatment plan, providing continued support and guidance tailored to your needs.

Many private health insurers offer coverage for hypnotherapy as part of their extras or ancillary benefits. Coverage may vary depending on your provider and policy. We recommend contacting your health fund directly to confirm whether clinical hypnotherapy is covered under your plan and if a referral or specific requirements are necessary.