FAQs - Gut Psychology

Do I have to be referred by my Doctor?

In most cases it is important to be referred by your General Practitioner or Treating Specialist, most often, your Gastroenterologist. This is important for several reasons. Firstly, your Doctor/Gastroenterologist may be in a position to decide if you are a suitable candidate for psychological interventions or whether there are other medical options to consider in the first instance.

Secondly, it is important that all symptoms be fully investigated, so that you have a clear diagnosis for your medical condition, prior to psychological interventions. Thirdly, in some cases a referral from your GP may attract a Medicare rebate and can assist in a multidisciplinary approach to your condition.

I’ve never seen a Psychologist before. Will they want to know about other parts of my life?

In the first session, it is usually important to go through your medical and psychological history, in order to fully understand potential triggers for your symptoms. Of course, you do not have to go into details or situations that you would prefer not to discuss.

If I have other issues in my life, can they be discussed or addressed in the sessions?

The sessions can be a combination of gut-focused hypnosis and / or other psychological strategies, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapies. This will most likely depend on your symptoms and current stressors. Sometimes other issues can be addressed after a course of gut-focused hypnosis.

In other circumstances, CBT interventions may be a more suitable treatment option for your situation and symptoms, instead of hypnosis. Your Psychologist can discuss all options and queries with you, so you have a clear treatment plan.

I’m not sure exactly what hypnotherapy involves?

Many people’s introduction to hypnotherapy is what they have seen as “stage hypnosis”. Therapeutic hypnosis is different and actually involves engaging the mind (rather than not remembering), so that you can see the situation from a different perspective. It helps to create new habits and new ways of thinking toward a situation, in this case your gut.

Can I be hypnotized and will I know what’s going on?

People tend to vary in the degree to which they become “hypnotized” or “absorbed”. Most people find they drift in and out in their concentration but are aware of what is being said. For gut-focused hypnosis, the success of the treatment is not dependent on the “depth of trance” the person achieves.