Counselling and the Microbiome

In this course, we look into how the gut microbiome is implicated in not only many physical health maladies, but also numerous mental health conditions. A burgeoning collection of recent research studies has demonstrated robust correlation between microbiome unwellness and various conditions, including anorexia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive disorder, obesity, alcohol misuse, Alzheimer’s, anxiety and depression, and more; these are reviewed. Inasmuch as the principal intervention in many of the studies has been the addition of either a probiotic or a pre-biotic, the course shows how these work to accelerate the growth of gut-friendly bacteria, and also goes over other “secrets” to good gut health, including type of dietary regimen, the use of antioxidants, re-engineering one’s taste buds to include more dirt and less processed food, fasting, and attaining a gut-friendly lifestyle. Most mental health helpers are not additionally certified as nutrition consultants, so the course also suggests how the former can ethically work with clients whom they suspect of having gut issues which are jeopardising their mental health.