Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: The Brain-Gut Connection - Hardcover

by Brenda B. Toner (Author), Zindel Segal (Author), Shelagh D. Emmott (Author)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder, causing pain, discomfort, and embarrassment to millions. While medically based treatments have demonstrated only limited effectiveness, recent research strongly supports the role of psychosocial factors in both symptom expression and symptom control. This book presents a brief cognitive-behavioral treatment approach that is suitable for use with individuals or groups. Delineating a clear medical rationale, the authors help clinicians both to reduce the stigma associated with IBS and to overcome client resistance to psychological treatment. Effective techniques are outlined for helping clients manage anxiety, anger, and shame; enhance their self-efficacy and stress management skills; and alleviate gastrointestinal distress. Session-by-session guidelines are illuminated by such useful features as sample therapist-client dialogues, lists of important points to cover, troubleshooting tips, and examples of recommended handouts and forms. Also covered in depth are treatment issues specific to women.

Author Biography

Brenda B. Toner, PhD, CPsych, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health-Clarke Division, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Zindel Segal, PhD, is Distinguished Professor of Psychology in Mood Disorders at the University of Toronto-Scarborough. Dr. Segal has conducted influential research into the psychological processes that make certain people more vulnerable than others to developing depression and experiencing recurrent episodes. He actively advocates for the relevance of mindfulness-based clinical care in psychiatry and mental health. He collaborated with John Teasdale and Mark Williams in developing mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) to prevent relapse and recurrence in major depression; together, they coauthored Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression, Second Edition (for mental health professionals), as well as the self-help guides The Mindful Way Workbook and (with Jon Kabat-Zinn) The Mindful Way through Depression, Second Edition.

Shelagh D. Emmott, PhD, CPsych, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health-Clarke Division, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada

David Myran, MD, FRCP(C), Centre for Addiction and Mental Health-Clarke Division, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada