We are psychologists committed to providing evidence-based treatment for mental health issues associated with gut, pelvic, continence and chronic pain conditions. Click on the links below to read more about each condition.
Although psychologists are not specialists in gastroenterological issues, being able to understand and communicate the connection between the brain and the bowel (known as the Brain-Gut Axis) is an important part of therapy. Stress can affect the Brain-Gut Axis through the release of hormones that impact gut motility and movement through the bowel and may result in bloating, diarrhoea or constipation, excess wind (belching or flatulence), fatigue, and pain.
Stress can also alter the intestinal barrier function (the barrier that keeps bad bugs out) and make the gut more sensitive. The focus of psychological treatment is on stress management, developing coping skills and managing unhelpful, illness-perpetuating thinking and thoughts and behaviours. Clinical Hypnosis and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy will be combined for best efficacy.
Like any chronic disease, IBD (Chrons and Ulcerative Colotis) and mental health issues often go hand in hand. IBD though has a very uncertain course, with relapses and remissions. The onset of IBD can be confronting for clients, often whom are young. Therapy is focused on acceptance and committed change, as well as stress and mood management, developing coping skills and shifting illness perceptions. Often relationships are affected too and this becomes a focus of therapeutic intervention.
Continence issues relate to urinary/faecal incontinence that may arise from physical (e.g., IBD, IBS) or mental health concerns (e.g., stress). The focus of therapy is on managing the specific psychological distress associated with illness processes, eating and digestions problems, social anxiety and isolation from family and friends, medication side effects – tiredness/lethargy, adjustment issues, urge and frequency incontinence, and stress incontinence.
Pain, dysfunction and bladder and bowel issues are all components of pelvic health. Psychological treatment is focussed on reducing exacerbators and “turning down” any symptoms, developing coping strategies as well as addressing co-morbid anxiety and depression associated with the condition. Again, relationships can be affected and become a focus of therapy.
We know that the pain response puts the body on high alert and as such the nervous system becomes hypersensitive to stress and anxiety, exacerbating pain. Working within a biopsychosocial model and with other health practitioners as appropriate, treatment is focussed on managing the pain responses, improving pain coping skills, soothing the nervous system and managing emotions arising from the chronic pain experience.