What is GI psychotherapy (gut-directed psychotherapy)?

GI psychotherapy is specialized psychological care that targets the brain-gut axis — the constant communication between your gut and your nervous system. Using evidence-based methods like gut-directed hypnotherapy, CBT and ACT, it helps reduce visceral hypersensitivity and the gut symptoms driven by that brain-gut connection.

What conditions does the Brain-Gut Health Centre treat?

We treat disorders of brain-gut interaction (DGBI), including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia, GERD and functional heartburn, chronic bloating, functional constipation, and centrally mediated abdominal pain (CAPS).

Do I need a doctor's referral?

No referral is required. We accept both physician referrals and self-referrals. Our care coordinator will be in touch within two business days.

Are appointments virtual?

Yes. All care is delivered by secure telehealth (video or phone) to patients across Manitoba, so you can be seen from home.

Does gut-directed hypnotherapy actually work for IBS?

Gut-directed hypnotherapy is a guideline-recommended therapy for IBS, with more than 70% of patients responding in clinical trials. It is one of several evidence-based gut-directed therapies we use.

Is treatment covered by insurance?

Psychotherapy may be reimbursable under many extended health benefit plans. Care is also covered at no cost for eligible First Nations and Inuit clients through NIHB and for Veterans through VAC. Contact us and we'll help you confirm your coverage.

How do I book an appointment?

Submit a request through our website or call (431) 877-5492. Our care coordinator will reach out within two business days to schedule your assessment.

Home / Functional Heartburn & Reflux Hypersensitivity

Functional Heartburn & Reflux Hypersensitivity

You take your PPI every day. Your scope was clean. The burning is still there. For a large share of "refractory reflux" patients, the diagnosis isn't more acid — it's an oversensitive esophagus.

When heartburn isn't GERD

Up to half of patients with PPI-resistant heartburn don't have ongoing acid disease. They have reflux hypersensitivity (normal amounts of reflux triggering pain) or functional heartburn (burning with no abnormal reflux at all). Both are disorders of esophageal nerve sensitivity and brain-gut signalling — which is why doubling the PPI dose so often fails.

Why this diagnosis matters

Mislabelling these conditions as GERD leads to years of escalating acid suppression, repeat scopes, and sometimes anti-reflux surgery that cannot work — because acid was never the driver. Correctly identifying esophageal hypersensitivity redirects treatment to the actual mechanism.

How we treat it

Gut-directed hypnotherapy has specific evidence in esophageal disorders, reducing symptom burden by calming hypersensitive esophageal signalling. Combined with CBT to unwind the vigilance and meal-related anxiety these symptoms create, treatment targets the nerve sensitivity itself rather than chasing acid.

Your pathway

We review your investigations and symptom pattern against Rome IV criteria, coordinate with your physician or gastroenterologist where testing gaps exist, and deliver a structured virtual course of esophageal-directed psychotherapy with measured outcomes.

Start your assessment

Virtual care across Manitoba · Self-referrals welcome · Response within 2 business days

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Frequently asked questions

Should I stop my PPI?

Not on your own. Medication decisions are made with your physician — our role is treating the hypersensitivity component, which acid suppression doesn't address.

Is the pain real if there's no acid damage?

Completely real. Hypersensitive esophageal nerves transmit genuine pain signals — the problem is amplified signalling, not imagination.

How do I know which condition I have?

Symptom pattern, response history and prior testing usually clarify it. Our assessment sorts this out and we coordinate any missing investigations with your physician.