Our clinicians support adolescents dealing with gastrointestinal symptoms and related physical or emotional challenges that can disrupt school, friendships, family life, activities, and everyday routines.
We help teens learn about the brain–body connection in ways that are age-appropriate, easy to understand, and centered on building insight and self-efficacy. Treatment emphasizes skill-building for nervous system regulation, coping with stress, and strengthening confidence over time. Care is individualized to the developmental needs of adolescence, with a balanced approach that reduces symptom-related worry and avoidance while thoughtfully involving parents to encourage growing independence.
How a GI Psychologist Can Help Your Teen
A GI psychologist can play a vital role in helping teens navigate the physical, emotional, and social challenges that often accompany gastrointestinal disorders, chronic pain, and other medically complex conditions.
Teens with GI conditions such as IBS, IBD, functional abdominal pain, or feeding disorders frequently experience stress, anxiety, and frustration – especially as they balance school, friendships, activities, and growing independence. These emotional pressures can intensify physical symptoms and impact daily life.
A GI psychologist uses evidence-based, developmentally appropriate approaches to help teens better manage pain, reduce symptom flare-ups, and strengthen emotional resilience. By collaborating closely with medical providers and supporting family involvement when appropriate, GI psychologists help teens build confidence, improve academic and social functioning, and develop lifelong skills to manage their health with greater independence and self-assurance.
Conditions We Treat
GI Psychology services support teens facing a wide range of gastrointestinal, chronic pain, and medically complex conditions that affect both their physical health and emotional well-being – especially as they navigate school, relationships, and increasing independence.
| Abdominal Migraines | Functional Dyspepsia |
| Anxiety | Functional Nausea |
| Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) | Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) |
| Celiac Disease | Insomnia |
| Centrally Mediated Abdominal Pain Syndrome | Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) |
| Chronic Pain | Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) |
| Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) | Medical Trauma |
| Crohn’s Disease (IBD) | Menstruation |
| Depression | Migraines |
| Disorders of the Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI) | Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) |
| Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome | Panic Attacks/Panic Disorder |
| Encopresis | Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) |
| Endometriosis | Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) |
| Enuresis | Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) |
| Functional Abdominal Bloating/Distension | Ulcerative Colitis (IBD) |
| Functional Constipation, Diarrhea, and Fecal Incontinence |
A Compassionate, Integrated Path Forward
At GI Psychology, we understand how challenging it can be for parents to support a teen living with gastrointestinal symptoms, chronic pain, or other medically complex conditions. These challenges are often multifaceted and deeply personal – affecting your teen’s comfort, confidence, independence, and daily life. Our goal is to help adolescents better manage symptoms, reduce distress, and engage in school, friendships, activities, and family life through evidence-based treatments that address the powerful connection between the mind and the gut.
If your teen is struggling with ongoing GI symptoms or medically related stress, specialized psychological care can be a meaningful next step toward relief and resilience. Contact us or request a free 15-minute initial phone consultation to learn how GI-focused therapy can support your teen and your family as they move forward with greater confidence and self-management skills.