Behavioral Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
If you are ready to change your thinking and improve your symptoms with IBS, there is a solution.
There are two evidence-based approaches that have been shown to improve both the distress associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and the symptoms themselves: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and gut-directed hypnotherapy.
This work is part of my broader approach to anxiety, stress, and nervous system patterns—applied to the gut–brain connection. The IBS therapeutic protocal is an integrative, active therapeutic process where you learn how to work with the patterns that maintain symptoms.
IBS is increasingly understood as a disorder of gut–brain interaction. This means there is ongoing communication between the digestive system and the nervous system, and in IBS this communication can become dysregulated or overly sensitive. Many people notice this connection in everyday ways—for example, feeling “butterflies” in the stomach when anxious. In IBS, this same system can become amplified, contributing to pain, bloating, and changes in bowel function.
Stress, anxiety, and patterns of heightened reactivity can increase this sensitivity and make symptoms more frequent or intense. The body can begin to respond more strongly not only to stress, but also to normal digestive processes and certain foods. With treatment, clients often notice not just a decrease in symptoms, but a shift in how they respond to stress, triggers, and internal sensations. This leads to greater stability, improved problem-solving, and more confidence in managing day-to-day life.
Treatment focuses on helping you change how your brain and nervous system respond to these signals. This includes learning how to work with thinking patterns, reduce reactivity, regulate physiological responses, and shift behavioural patterns that contribute to symptom cycles.
Hypnosis may be used as part of this process to support more direct work with these responses, but it is always integrated with cognitive and behavioural strategies so changes are understood, applied, and sustained.
The goal is not simply symptom management, but changing the patterns that drive the gut–brain response—so your system becomes less reactive and more stable over time.
How The Sessions Work:
Sessions for couples are scheduled based on the needs of the present situation and desire.
A relationship may be an intimate partnership, adult family relationship, friendship, or work relationship. The name of one or both attendees will be listed on the file to ensure both parties can use their extended health care benefits to help cover the costs of relationship counselling.
Learn more about relationship counselling and if it’s a fit for you below.
If you are interested in learning more about Imago Therapy, Harville Hendricks book, Getting the Love you Want, is a wonderful start.
Or call (604) 780-8839