Dr. Ruth Dyson BM, MRCGP, Dip. IBLM/BSLM, MDCH, Prac. Dip. PCMH

Dr. Ruth Dyson qualified from the University of Southampton Medical School in 2002 and completed her GP training in 2007. Through her training she developed an interest in complementary and alternative therapies and the psychological aspects of medicine. She has an ongoing interest in the complex interaction between the mind and the body and a belief in the power of the mind to help support and heal the body. Working as an NHS GP for over 15 years has given her direct experience of the complexities of chronic disease and she has sought out other tools to support her patients where conventional medicine may not always have all the answers.

Her particular interest is in supporting patients affected by:

Gut health issues e.g. disorders of the gut-brain axis, IBS, dysbiosis 

Concerns around their weight

Women’s hormonal issues e.g. infertility, PCOS, endometriosis, menopause 

Mental health issues e.g. stress/anxiety/depression/PTSD/burnout 

Insomnia 

Where lifestyle factors may be contributing to ill health or increased risk chronic disease e.g. Diabetes/pre-diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension 

Fibromyalgia/CFS/adrenal fatigue 

Addictions/unhealthy habits e.g. alcohol, smoking, binge eating, self-sabotaging behaviours 

Persistent pain e.g. arthritis, back pain 

Her approach to care:

She takes a holistic approach to integrated body and mind health, utilising her experience as an NHS GP combined with training in integrative medicine, mental health, lifestyle medicine, health-coaching, hypnotherapy, nutrition and the gut microbiome to provide truly personalised and holistic care. She takes a trauma informed approach (recognising the important impact this can have on both physical and mental health) and supports patients to think really well about their health, working together with them to find their unique path towards improving their physical and mental health.

Options for support:

Through using an Integrated Medicine approach Dr Dyson can undertake a comprehensive, holistic assessment and support you to improve your health.  This includes creation of a detailed health and well-being plan, support to address factors which may be negatively impacting on your health and advice on any supplements/remedies or tests that would be recommended.  Follow up appointments are recommended to review progress, offer support, and adjust your goals as your health and well-being improves. If an issue arises which may be best served through hypnotherapy this will be discussed and separate session(s) can be booked to utilise this approach.

If you are specifically seeking Hypnotherapy e.g. to support you to quit smoking, deal with a phobia or specific psychological issue, support you through pregnancy/childbirth or if you have been advised to book e.g. by your GP or Gastroenterologist then this can be booked in.

Her training journey:

After qualifying as a GP, in 2007, she undertook the Medical Diploma in Clinical Hypnosis (MDCH) and is a member of the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis (www.bsch.org.uk). She is also qualified to use hypnotherapy to support couples through pregnancy and childbirth and those who are having difficulty with fertility, having completed training using the easibirthing® technique.

Her training taught her how to use hypnotherapy to support patients with a wide range of problems, both psychological and physical. Her experience as a hypnotherapist gives her a fascinating insight into the mind-body connection and a great toolbox of skills to support people with reducing their stress, improving their sleep, reducing harmful substances and making positive health behaviour changes stick.

Through hypnotherapy she developed an interest in IBS and other gut related disorders as there is good evidence that using hypnotherapy in these conditions can be helpful. She became interested in the gut microbiome and the gut-brain axis and has gone on to undertake more training in caring for patients using an integrated medicine approach. This approach can be applied to many chronic conditions and involves focusing on nutrition, stress management, physical activity and other approaches to improve overall health and well-being.

Through her work both as a GP and as a Hypnotherapist she has come to understand that the root cause of many chronic medical conditions can be traced back to lifestyle factors and psychological stress, perhaps from past trauma or other life experiences. She also understands the inter-connectedness of physical and mental health and has a Diploma in Primary Care Mental Health.

More recently she has qualified as a Lifestyle Medicine Physician with the BSLM and as a PCI-accredited Health and Well-being Coach. Please see here for more information on Lifestyle Medicine. She combines up-to-date knowledge with coaching skills and her clinical experience as a GP, supporting you to improve your health naturally. She is currently training in an approach called “Time to Think” which empowers people to think really well for themselves about issues which are important to them (e.g. health, career, difficult decisions). She can support you by providing the right information and environment for you to think well for yourself about these issues.

Articles and links:

Listen to Dr Dyson's Podcast "Lifestyle Medicine Explained" by clicking here.

Listen to Dr Dyson's Podcast "Hypnotherapy Explained" by clicking here.

Listen to Dr Dyson's Podcast "Hypnotherapy to support good sleep" by clicking here.

Click here to read “What is the Evidence” – a summary of the evidence base for the use of Hypnotherapy in a range of conditions

Click here to read Summary of NICE Guidance recommending hypnotherapy as a psychological intervention in the treatment of IBS. 

For articles by Dr Dyson relating to hypnotherapy, see list of downloads to the right of this page.

Click here for her entry on the BSCH website