Gut-brain therapy is proven to help with digestive issues. At Oshi Health, we incorporate gut-brain interventions as part of a whole-person approach. Our GI psychologists are experienced mental health professionals who set you up for success using research-backed methods for symptom control and relief.
Did you know that the secret to calming your digestive system might lie within your mind?
Long-standing stressors, food-related anxiety, and emotional distress can all trigger a fight-or-flight response in your digestive system, causing a feedback loop of GI discomfort, more stress, and additional digestive upset.
At Oshi Health, we understand the proven power of the gut-brain connection for root-cause relief. That’s where Oshi GI psychologists (AKA gut-brain specialists) come in.
Our clinical health psychologists and gut-brain specialists are licensed mental health experts with advanced education and training in GI symptoms and conditions. They have a deep knowledge of GI physiology and clinically-backed gut-brain therapies for gut health symptoms and conditions.
The goal? Empower you to manage your symptoms on your own and get you to a place of lasting relief.
How Oshi GI psychologists set you up for success
Our gut-brain specialists use evidence-based tools tailored to your specific needs. Here’s what that entails:
- Education to help you gain a deeper understanding of the gut-brain connection and how your body reacts to stress
- Research-backed, gut-brain techniques like belly breathing you can use right away
- Foundational learning on gut-brain interventions, equipping you with practical skills to manage symptoms whenever you need
Why you should work with an Oshi GI psychologist
Your first appointment with Oshi Health will be with one of our expert GI providers who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the GI tract. Oshi GI providers include advanced practice providers (APPs), like nurse practitioners and physician assistants, who work under the guidance of a gastroenterologist.
Together, you’ll discuss the option of adding a GI psychologist to your care team. If you both feel like you could benefit from gut-brain therapy, they can refer you to an Oshi gut-brain specialist.
They might refer you if they suspect a GI symptom-stress connection—which is much more common than you might think! Poor digestive health and gut inflammation may even play a role in mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, according to research.
People with IBS are 3X more likely to live with anxiety and depression compared to the rest of the population.
Another reason an Oshi GI provider might refer you to a gut-brain specialist? Your GI condition is impacting your quality of life. That might look like:
- Having a rigid routine that keeps you from living life to the fullest
- Restrictive eating patterns that impact your ability to nourish yourself fully
- Avoiding situations, including social interactions, because of your GI symptoms
And if you’re just looking for some extra support, we’re here to help too.
Most of our patients see a gut-brain specialist as part of their collaborative care team—and because we’re big believers in the power of the gut-brain connection. And we’re not operating on a gut feeling. There’s real science to back up this approach.
Research shows that our integrated care is more effective than traditional GI care alone.
Source: Results of a clinical trial conducted in partnership with a national health plan
Setting up your first visit with a gut-brain specialist is easy—and you don’t have to wait months, or even weeks. We offer appointments every day of the week, including evenings and weekends, so you spend fewer hours, days, and weeks in discomfort—and it’s all from the comfort of your home.
The Oshi difference
Why work with an Oshi GI psychologist? Our gut-brain specialists are licensed mental health clinicians with advanced education and training in digestive health. Plus, our comprehensive team approach leads to better care overall—no more retelling everything to every healthcare professional you meet. Everyone on your Oshi care team is in the loop. And our gut-brain specialists do more than address your symptoms. They consider the whole you, so you can get back to feeling your best.
Learn more: What Is a GI Psychologist?
What to expect from your first virtual with an Oshi gut-brain specialist
This initial session is all about laying the groundwork for your gut-brain care plan, and it lasts about 45 minutes. Here’s what to expect.
Intros
Your first session will start with friendly introductions so you and your GI psychologist can get to know each other. Like talk therapy, trust is a major factor in a successful gut-brain therapy relationship.
Your gut-brain specialist will go over what you can expect from this and future sessions, answering any initial questions you may have.
You’ll also review your GI symptoms and background so your provider can get a real sense of who you are and identify any potential link between stressors in your life and GI distress—whether you’re living with unexplained, occasional, or chronic symptoms.
Whenever possible, they’ll review your chart before your visit so they can focus on listening to and considering the whole you.
Gut-brain therapy
As you discuss your symptoms, your GI psychologist will provide insights and education on the gut-brain connection and gut-brain therapies that might be part of your care plan—like why you might feel butterflies in your stomach when you’re nervous or how cognitive behavioral therapy might help with gut health symptoms.
Plus, they’ll share some strategies you can implement right away, like belly breathing.
Our gut-brain specialists understand there’s a real physical link between gut health and mental health. Gut-brain therapy is all about making connections and getting to the root of how your mental state could be playing a role in GI discomfort—and vice versa.
Wrap-up
Before wrapping up, your gut-brain specialist will answer any questions and discuss next steps, like scheduling your next appointment to check in on your progress. And don’t worry. You won’t be left in the dark between visits. You can stay connected to your care team with unlimited messaging via the Oshi Health app.
The Oshi difference
Gut-brain specialists can offer support with symptom management and proven behavioral interventions. And they collaborate closely with Oshi GI providers and registered dietitians to address every aspect of your gut health.
Preparing for your Oshi gut-brain therapy visits
You’ve just scheduled your first gut-brain therapy visit. How exciting! Preparing for your appointment is a great way to ensure you get the most out of each session.
Your gut-brain specialist might ask questions about:
- How your body feels when you’re stressed
- Whether you can pinpoint any daily stressors that might be contributing to symptom flares
- Your feelings about your GI symptoms or condition
- How your GI issues impact your life
It can help to think about your answers to these questions before your appointment and bring along some notes about your GI symptoms or common daily stressors. Not sure what’s relevant and what’s not? That’s okay! Your gut-brain provider can help you figure out the best way for you to keep track of your thoughts, feelings, and GI discomfort and even supply you with prompts to make journaling a bit easier.
By reviewing this information, your gut-brain therapist can identify behavioral and thought patterns that might play a role in symptom flare-ups.
The Oshi Health difference
Oshi Health gut-brain specialists, registered dietitians, and GI providers work together for you, communicating with each other about your progress—because managing your care shouldn’t feel like a full-time job.
What to expect from ongoing support visits
When you work with an Oshi GI psychologist, you’re getting supportive, ongoing gut-brain therapy tailored just for you.
You’ll meet with your GI psychologist over the course of a few weeks to months, depending on your individual wants and needs. And we’re always here down the road if you need us!
After your first visit, each session lasts about 30 minutes—easy to fit into your busy schedule but plenty of time to go over how you’re feeling and adjust your care plan if needed.
During these check-ins, you’ll talk through how you’ve been doing and continue to develop practical coping skills you can put to use in your daily life.
Before the session ends, you’ll have clear next steps (maybe even some homework!), and if you feel like you need additional support, you’ll schedule your next visit.
Oshi gave me skills and techniques to improve my physical and mental well-being–they gave me a whole new outlook on life.
— B.R., treated for ulcerative colitis
Targeted gut-brain therapies, backed by research
The interventions involved in your care will depend on your unique situation. Here’s what gut-brain therapy might entail:
If you avoid certain situations or foods because you’re worried about symptoms flaring → GI-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you identify and change stress-inducing thought and behavior patterns that can trigger GI discomfort, like avoiding certain foods or situations.
If you live with a chronic GI condition → Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for GI conditions teaches you how to cope with distressing thoughts, feelings, and symptoms and move to a place of acceptance.
If you’ve tried other interventions in the past without much luck → Gut-directed hypnotherapy involves combining deep relaxation with soothing images and verbal suggestions to calm the digestive system.
If you’re struggling with high stress levels → Mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques like diaphragmatic breathing exercises and meditation can help calm the mind and gut.
The Oshi difference: Oshi brain-gut behavioral therapy (BGBT) vs. Traditional talk therapy
Traditional gastrointestinal (GI) care often focuses on the physical aspects of digestive health with less attention on the gut-brain connection. Similarly, traditional mental health therapy tends to center on emotional and cognitive well-being without necessarily exploring the role of GI issues.
Our whole-person approach to GI care is clinically-proven to improve digestive health and limit anxiety and stress.
| Traditional therapy | Brain-gut behavioral therapy (BGBT) |
|---|---|
Focuses on mental and emotional health | Improves digestive health + mental well-being simultaneously |
Relies on structured sessions and evidence-based therapies that may not consider physical health issues | Uses research-backed gut-brain therapies that benefit mental and digestive health |
Doesn’t typically consider GI issues as a potential root cause for mental health symptoms—or vice versa | Targets the root cause of GI issues for lasting symptom relief |
Services delivered by qualified mental health professionals | Licensed gut-brain specialists with advanced training in GI care |
Addresses a broad set of mental health conditions | Ideal for patients with overlapping GI issues and mental health concerns or known stress-related triggers |
A single provider | Involves an integrated, whole-person approach to GI health, including gut-brain specialists, registered dietitians, and GI providers |
Ongoing treatment | Short-term, skills-based treatment designed to empower you with tools to take control of your symptoms |
Frequently asked questions
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Oshi Health is in-network with many major health plans—and our coverage is regularly expanding. Our goal is to make specialized digestive healthcare affordable and accessible to all.
Please note: Just like other doctors’ offices, if your Oshi Health provider recommends labs, imaging, or other diagnostic tests, additional costs may apply. Our care coordinators can help you find the most affordable and convenient options.
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To sign up for Oshi Health, visit https://my.oshihealth.com/name/. After you create your free account, you’ll schedule your first virtual visit at a time that works best for you. Your first visit will be with a GI provider who will refer you to a gut-brain specialist if they think you might benefit from dietary care.
But you won’t have to wait until that next appointment to get insight into how your mental health might influence your gut health! The GI provider will share appropriate research-backed strategies you can incorporate into your routine right away.
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Your first visit with a gut-brain specialist is all about building a relationship of trust and understanding. You and your GI psychologist will get to know each other, touch on life stressors and other factors that might be impacting your GI health, outline some future-facing goals, and work together to create a plan tailored to your unique needs.
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Oshi Health gut-brain specialists are licensed professionals from diverse backgrounds, including clinical health psychologists and master’s level clinicians. They hold advanced degrees in psychology or other behavioral health specialties. They also have deep knowledge of the science behind the gut-brain connection and are trained in evidence-based therapies designed to target digestive symptoms.
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The gut-brain specialists at Oshi Health have experience in all GI symptoms and conditions like bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcerative colitis, and more. Whether you have occasional issues or a chronic condition, they’re here to help you relieve GI symptoms and enhance your overall well-being.
Final thoughts
Working with an Oshi gut-brain specialist will look different for everyone. But here’s a recap of what you might expect:
- Your gut-brain specialist will work with you and the rest of your care team to help you find lasting relief. Oshi’s approach is all about addressing the whole you — and that includes gut-brain interventions that target the root cause of your GI concerns.
- You’ll learn all about the gut-brain connection. Understanding how your brain and GI system are interconnected can help you get a better grasp of what might be triggering your symptoms.
- You’ll get access to research-backed gut-brain interventions to help with symptoms and your mental health. From acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), depending on your unique situation.
- You’ll walk away with concrete, practical strategies to help with symptoms and your mental health. Oshi brain-gut behavioral therapy (BGBT) is designed to teach you to self-manage your symptoms in the long run.
*Names have been changed to maintain confidentiality
