Harness the power of the gut-brain connection
Learn about the research-informed body-mind approaches that address both the physical symptoms and emotional challenges of living with chronic gut disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Irritable Bowel Disease, and how you can work with your body and mind to improve your wellbeing.
You’re not alone in this journey
If you're living with IBS or IBD, you know it's far more than just digestive symptoms. The unpredictable flare-ups, the anxiety around eating and social situations, the frustration of feeling misunderstood - these experiences have a significant impact on your daily life in ways others might not fully grasp. The symptoms can begin to shape your life into something that feels unrecognisable to you, with your days feeling consumed by symptom monitoring and fear as opposed to the things you used to enjoy.
Perhaps you've been told "it's all in your head" or to simply "manage your stress better" when speaking with medical professionals, or maybe you've tried countless diets, medications, and treatments, yet still feel like something crucial is missing from your care.
The truth is, there's nothing just psychological or just physical about digestive conditions. Your gut and brain are in constant communication through what scientists call the gut-brain axis, and understanding this connection is a key component to a holistic approach to healing.
At Body Mind Connect, we bridge this gap with evidence-based approaches that honour both your physical symptoms and emotional wellbeing.
The gut-brain connection
The enteric nervous system (ENS), which is a complex network of neurons lining the gastrointestinal tract, regulates our gut. But it’s also often referred to as the body’s “second brain.”This "second brain" communicates directly with your brain back and forth, influencing mood, stress response, and physical symptoms.
Stress & symptoms
There are many forms of stress - sometimes we stress about getting stressed. Chronic stress doesn't just worsen digestive symptoms - it can actually change gut function, increase inflammation and alter the gut microbiome, creating a cycle that maintains symptoms.
The vicious cycle
Living with unpredictable symptoms creates anxiety about eating, going out or being far from a toilet. Not only does it impact your daily life, but it also can be isolating and make connecting with others harder. The stress of managing this can then trigger more symptoms, creating a cycle that can feel impossible to break.
created by an expert
Leading Researcher in Digestive Health Psychology
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Our founder, Dr. Sula Windgassen, who contributed to pioneering research on gut-directed psychotherapy for IBS made national headlines when it demonstrated remarkable improvements in bowel symptoms - the findings were featured by the BBC, The Guardian and The Telegraph.
With over 30 published academic papers and two doctoral degrees in Psychological Medicine and Health Psychology, Dr. Sula has dedicated her career to understanding how psychology and biology interact with a particular interest and focus on the interaction with digestive and bowel conditions.
In creating the Body Mind Connect platform, she wanted to combine cutting-edge research from psychoneuroimmunology, neuroscience and health psychology to create practical, evidence-based approaches that address both the mind and body aspects of digestive health, gut-brain connection and bowel conditions.
The missing piece of the puzzle
Psychological Contributors
Nervous system dysregulation: Chronic fight-or-flight responses that affect digestion
Catastrophic thinking: When symptoms trigger fears about the worst-case scenarios
Perfectionism: High standards and self-criticism that increase stress and symptoms
Hypervigilance: Constantly monitoring your body for signs of symptoms
Avoidance patterns: Restricting food, activities, or social situations
Trauma responses: How past experiences can sensitise your nervous system
Emotional Impact
Medical trauma: Processing dismissive or invalidating healthcare experiences
Social isolation: Feeling different, misunderstood, or unable to participate fully
Identity struggles: Feeling defined by your condition rather than who you truly are
Anticipatory anxiety: Worry about when symptoms might strike
Grief and loss: Mourning the life you thought you'd have
Self-blame: Questioning if you've somehow caused your symptoms
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How we can support your journey
Nervous system regulation: Learn practical techniques to calm your fight-or-flight response and support healthier digestive function
Personalised approach: Follow the guided 'My Journey' programme or explore topics that resonate with your specific needs and experiences.
Weekly live workshops: Join Dr Sula every Wednesday evening for guided sessions combining mind-body science, skill practice, and problem-solving.
Supportive community: Connect with others who truly understand your experience through our 24/7 Slack community and buddy groups.
Supportive community: Connect with others who truly understand your experience through our 24/7 Slack community and buddy groups.
Practical tools: Access downloadable resources, guided audios, worksheets, and trackers for offline practice and reflection.
What you will discover
Changing your relationship with symptoms
Understanding your body
- How stress hormones directly affect gut function
- The role of inflammation in digestive symptoms
- Why certain foods might trigger symptoms (beyond allergies)
- How sleep, hormones, and digestion are interconnected
- The science behind gut-directed hypnotherapy and CBT
What our members say
There is a fantastic amount of information available, the fact that it is all evidence based for me is so important. The depth of knowledge that Sula has personally and professionally makes this a unique platform."
It is a wonderful community and a safe space. The weekly workshops are really lovely, and so are the people. It will restore your faith in humanity."
The sessions help me to better understand how concepts apply to me and my illness/experience, and how I can use this knowledge to inform my recovery. It is also extremely validating to be with a group of people that understand and feel similar. The sense of community helps me to feel less alone with a condition that is very isolating."
The membership in a nutshell.
Live learning & support
You will have access to weekly workshops with Dr Sula as well as fortnightly community sessions with Sian, Assistant Health Psychologist and Community Facilitator. Additionally you will have an initial one-to-one guidance session to personalise your journey, 24/7 access to supportive Slack community, small buddy groups, Q&A support function to ask any questions about the content, experiences and more
Self-paced programme
The programme contains comprehensive Body, Mind and Connect modules, in which you can be guided 'My Journey' pathway for structured progress, or navigate on your own by choosing independent modules. The programme has been created to include various different learning formats, including written content, videos, reflection exercises, interactive quizzes, live sessions, audios and more to support various lifestyles and learning styles.
Hundreds of resources
You will gain access to our extensive resource library with videos and audios, downloadable worksheets and workbooks, symptom trackers and journal prompts, and various other guides to supplement your learning and implementation. You can access our resources in a number of different ways - created with the intention to be used online and offline.
Ready to change your relationship with IBS/IBD?
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