GI Therapy

GI Therapy - Psychogastroenterology and Treatment of Gut–Brain Axis Disorders

Digestive system problems can dominate everyday life. Bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, constipation, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are not only physical symptoms – they also affect mood, relationships, the ability to work, and overall quality of life. If medical tests do not reveal an organic cause and symptoms keep returning, it may be helpful to look at the problem from the perspective of the connection between the mind and the digestive system.

My name is Sylwia Kieszkowska. I am a specialist in psychogastroenterology – a field that studies the bidirectional communication between the brain and the gut. I help people with intestinal problems regain calm, comfort in everyday life, and a sense of safety in their bodies through psychotherapy focused on the gut–brain axis.

What Psychogastroenterology Is

Psychogastroenterology is a subspecialty of health psychology that focuses on interactions between the mind and the digestive system. It involves the bidirectional communication between the brain and the gut – what happens in the mind affects the intestines, and the condition of the intestines influences psychological functioning.

This field operates under many different names. You may encounter terms such as GI therapy, gastropsychology, brain–gut therapy, or psychoneurogastroenterology. Regardless of the name, the focus remains the same – the use of psychological methods to treat digestive disorders that have a psychosomatic component or do not respond sufficiently to medical treatment alone.

My Therapeutic Approach

In GI therapy, I use two psychological approaches that have proven particularly effective in providing relief for patients with intestinal disorders. A significant body of scientific research demonstrates the effectiveness of these approaches.

The first is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which helps identify and change patterns of thinking and behaviour that influence intestinal symptoms. The second is mindfulness, which teaches conscious observation of bodily sensations without judgment or anxious reactions.

My work is based on the standards of the Rome Foundation, which sets international diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for disorders of gut–brain interaction. This ensures that the therapy I offer is consistent with current scientific knowledge and best practices in the field.

Who I Help

I am trained to support patients suffering from gastrointestinal disorders, chronic pain, and other medical conditions. I specialise in working with adolescents and adults with complex conditions.

Disorders of Gut–Brain Interaction (DGBI)

I work with individuals experiencing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which may manifest as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea, or constipation. I support patients with functional dyspepsia, bloating, functional constipation, diarrhoea, and faecal incontinence. I also work with individuals experiencing functional nausea, functional dysphagia, visceral hypersensitivity, and post-infectious intestinal symptoms.

Mental Health and Chronic Pain

Intestinal disorders often coexist with psychological difficulties. I work with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and panic attacks. I support patients with OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), insomnia, and sleep disorders. I also help individuals with centrally mediated abdominal pain syndrome (CAPS), where pain persists despite the absence of visible organic causes.

Specific Gastroenterological Conditions

GI therapy may also provide support for people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. I also work with patients with coeliac disease, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), and ARFID (avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder).

Women’s Health

Many intestinal problems in women are linked to hormonal cycles and life transitions. I work with women during perimenopause and menopause whose intestinal symptoms intensify alongside hormonal changes. I also support patients with endometriosis, PCOS, and infertility, where stress and digestive symptoms often create a reinforcing cycle.

Forms of GI Therapy

I treat gut–brain axis disorders through different therapeutic formats tailored to the individual needs of the patient.

Individual Therapy

A standard individual session lasts 50 minutes. This is a space where we work on your specific symptoms, identify factors that intensify them, and develop coping strategies. Individual therapy allows the work to be fully adapted to your situation.

Couples Therapy

Chronic intestinal problems affect not only the person experiencing them but also their partner and the relationship itself. Couples therapy helps both partners understand the nature of the disorder, improve communication around difficult topics, and work together toward solutions.

Family Therapy

When intestinal disorders affect adolescents or when the condition impacts the entire family system, family therapy can be a valuable complement to individual work. It helps the family understand the condition and support their loved one in the healing process.

Parental Consultations

For parents of children and adolescents with intestinal disorders, I offer consultations that help them understand how to support their child, how to respond to symptoms, and how to avoid unintentionally reinforcing problematic patterns.

The Goal of GI Therapy

The main goal of therapy is to provide relief and improve quality of life. By working with the brain–gut axis, we can effectively address symptoms that are often resistant to standard medical treatment alone.

GI therapy does not replace gastroenterological care but complements it. Many studies show that combining medical treatment with psychological intervention produces better results than either approach alone. If medication and diet do not bring the expected improvement, psychogastroenterological therapy may be the missing piece.

My Qualifications

I obtained my specialisation in psychogastroenterology at the Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy Centre in Warsaw. I completed my degree in Clinical Psychology at SWPS University in Warsaw and trained in process-oriented psychotherapy at IAPOP in Portland, USA.

I work within an integrative approach, combining elements of humanistic-experiential therapy, process-oriented psychotherapy, and cognitive behavioural therapy. This allows me to adapt my methods to the individual needs of each patient.

Online and In-Person Sessions

I conduct therapy sessions online via Skype, Google Meet, or Zoom. This allows me to work with patients regardless of where they live. In-person sessions take place in my office in Barcelona.

Sessions can be conducted in Polish, English, and Spanish.

Support Group for People with Intestinal Disorders

In February 2026, a support group for people with intestinal disorders will begin. It is a space where participants can share experiences with others facing similar challenges, learn from one another, and feel less alone in their situation.

Other Forms of Therapy

In addition to GI therapy, I also provide individual psychotherapy, couples therapy, and nature-based therapy (ecotherapy). These approaches can be combined depending on individual needs – some patients use GI therapy as part of a broader psychotherapeutic process.

Book a Session

If you are struggling with intestinal problems and are looking for support that goes beyond standard medical treatment, please contact me. You can write to sylwia@kieszkowska.eu. I will be happy to answer your questions and arrange an initial consultation.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About GI Therapy

Can GI therapy help with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

Yes, IBS is one of the most commonly treated conditions within GI therapy. Scientific research confirms the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness in reducing IBS symptoms. Therapy helps reduce pain, bloating, and bowel irregularities by working with the gut–brain axis.

Does psychogastroenterological therapy replace treatment by a gastroenterologist?

No, GI therapy complements medical care rather than replacing it. The best results are achieved by combining gastroenterological treatment with psychological intervention. If medication and dietary changes do not provide sufficient improvement, psychogastroenterological therapy may be the missing element.

How long does GI therapy last?

The duration of therapy depends on the type and severity of symptoms as well as individual needs. Some patients notice improvement after a few sessions, while others require a longer process. CBT protocols for intestinal disorders typically involve several to a dozen sessions.

Is GI therapy suitable for children and adolescents?

Yes, I specialise in working with both adolescents and adults with intestinal disorders. For younger patients, I also offer parental consultations that help parents support their child during the treatment process.

What is the bidirectional communication between the brain and the gut?

The brain and the gut are connected through the vagus nerve and the enteric nervous system, sometimes called the “second brain.” Stress and emotions influence intestinal functioning (for example, diarrhoea before an important event), while the condition of the intestines affects mood and psychological functioning. GI therapy works directly with this connection.

Can GI therapy sessions take place online?

Yes, I conduct online sessions via Skype, Google Meet, and Zoom. GI therapy is just as effective online as it is in person. All you need is a stable internet connection and a private space for the duration of the session.