I am also a Certified GAP’s Practitioner.
As a qualified Gut and Psychology Syndrome practitioner, I trained with Dr Natasha in the UK in March 2015. Now, I consult with families or individuals in person, or on Skype. This can be if you are looking for help, support or guidance on using the GAPS protocol at home:
GAPS consultation fee is a fixed hourly rate. (The initial consultation can take anywhere between 2 and 4 hours – depending on the complexity of the person. All follow up consultations or check in calls are charged at the same flat rate, but will take less time).
I have experience with working with adults with digestive and mental health problems, through to families with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The GAPS protocol is a tried and tested method to work on healing the digestive system and as we now know from recently discoveries this has a huge connection with brain function.
There is a testimonial below from a family I have worked with explaining a little about their personal experience.
If you are thinking of having a consultation and would like to discuss this further, we can arrange a free 15 minute chat to discuss your needs and how can could work together.
Gut and Psychology Syndrome, Gut and Physiology Syndrome™
Any use of the letters GAPS on this website are used solely as an acronym for Gut and Psychology Syndrome
As researched by Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride
We are living in an age of epidemics and we hear all about cancer, obesity, diabetes, dementia and how more and more people are being diagnosed with these modern diseases. But why are more and more children being born with or developing ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), Autism, Asperger’s, glue ear, eczema and asthma, dyslexia and dyspraxia, eating disorders including anorexia and bulimia, obsessive compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, constant infections, chronic diseases and digestive issues including ongoing constipation or diarrhoea?
There is a large percentage of children with allergies and asthma who are also dyspraxic and hyperactive. There is also an approximate 30-50% overlap between ADHD and dyslexia. Now we are seeing more children who suffer from severe eczema in infancy can go on to develop autistic features later in life. Natasha Campbell-McBride, the founder of GAPS uncovered this information and more during her years of research. You can learn more about Dr Natasha by clicking here
The Connection?
So is there a connection somewhere – or is it just chance happenings? What can we do now in this modern life of technology to help children or adults when they suffer from any of these conditions?
The GAPS approach addresses the link between the gut (digestive system) and behavioural and physical symptoms. Not only will a child or adult with one of the above-mentioned issues have gut problems, but it is likely that at least one parent will too.
In the GAPS protocol, we look at the whole picture – food and intolerance to toxicity from heavy metals, a disruption of bacteria and Candida/Fungus. This method is built around in depth research to improve the beneficial gut flora and heal the digestive system which so essential to immunity, mental health and absorption of nutrients.
These are just a few of the pictures taken of Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride talking at the launch of the Gut and Psychology Syndrome book in Spain. In May 2017, I had the privilege of listening and talking with Dr. Natasha at this event. I invited one of the families I have been working with using the GAPS protocol for over a year. They have had some amazing results for their son who has autism, which they shared with the group.
We started GAPS diet three months ago. My daughter Emma, had received a diagnosis of severe autism.
I read a lot about GAPS before taking the plunge: read the book twice, talked to families … but was still scared. Doctors said my daughters’ crises were normal in autism. It was out of desperation and frustration that we decided to move on.
The help, the closeness (I don’t mean geographic) and the professionalism of Rebecca made it all much easier. Three months ago, Emma would scream all day long and it was not your regular toddler tantrum; it was pain. At times she’d become so desperate she’d bang her head against the floor or walls. For a mother, that’s a spectacle that can be pretty devastating, believe me. She could suffer crying fits lasting well over an hour during which she wouldn’t even spare a glance at her own mother. Then they’d go, until the next.
Imagine the impotence.
The beginning wasn’t easy. The change was nothing short of brutal, both for her and for us. When we started we already thought we had no free time. Oh, the irony. Welcome to a GAPS routine and 26-hour-long days! But it was also a blessing because she was going through hell and change was what she needed.
Three months into it, I can now say there were moments I wanted to throw the towel: the ‘die off’s’ can be that nasty. But after the die-offs comes improvement: noticeable, palpable, beautiful improvement.
We still have a long way ahead, including many die-offs and many God-knows-what, but in the end, we can envision change and improvement and that gives us strength.
Today she’s a whole different girl; she is calm, relaxed, smiles all the time. She fills my heart and soul every day. No more crises. If our glances meet at home or in class (I am her teacher at school too) we both smile. She looks at me all the time, no more absences, a whole new little person.
At home, she helps with the cooking, and she is learning some patience.
At school, she is now much better focused and can concentrate for up to 40 minutes on any activity. She can work all morning and she has a seemingly endless curiosity. Yesterday she managed to place correctly 36 geometric
shapes in one sitting, when only months ago she’d give up at triangle-square-circle forlack of attention-span. Also, she used to have atrocious hair sensibility (would cry when it was combed, rubbed-dry or arranged with pins); none of that today.
For us, the academic progress is really secondary: at the end of the day what matters is that she seems happy, calm, and has no pain. During these months the expertise and the human closeness of Rebecca have proved absolutely essential. Every time Emma experiences even the slightest improvement I’m rushing to my laptop eager to share it
with her, because I know she understands my circumstances, makes me feel supported.
We know every person is a little universe of their own; we don’t know how far we’ll get with Emma but today I can say with confidence I’m very glad we made this decision. Infinite thanks, Rebecca, for being with us.
September 2018
Hace tres meses que comenzamos con la dieta GAPS. Mi hija tiene un diagnóstico de autismo severo. Leí mucha información sobre GAPS antes de comenzar, leí varias veces el libro, consulté con otras familias… Pero seguía teniendo miedo. Los médicos decían que lo que estábamos viviendo, las crisis que mi hija estaba teniendo, eran normales, eran propias del autismo. Fueron la desesperación y la frustración lo que me hicieron comenzar esta dieta, realmente. La ayuda, cercanía (no física), y profesionalidad de Rebecca me hicieron el salto más agradable. Mi hija no paraba de gritar, en todo el día. Y no eran rabietas; era dolor. De su propia desesperación, ella misma se golpeaba la cabeza contra la pared y contra el suelo. Como madre, ese escenario, es devastador. Podía tener crisis de gritos y llantos durante una hora y media seguida, sin conectar conmigo, sin mirarme. Y luego pasaban, y hasta la siguiente.
Comenzar no fue fácil. El cambio es brutal. Si hasta entonces creía que no tenía tiempo, un cambio así descoloca todo. Pero eso era lo que yo buscaba, agitar lo que hiciera falta, porque así ella vivía un infierno. Ahora escribo tres meses después de empezar. Ha habido momentos durante estos meses que de lo mal que estaba Emma he pensado hasta en dejarlo. Los die off pueden ser muy fuertes. Pero después, después venía una gran mejoría. Nos queda un laaaargo camino por delante, muchos die off, y muchos lo-que-no-sabemos, pero también mucha recuperación. Ahora os describo cómo está ella hoy día, para que podáis ver el camino: Está tan tranquila, tan feliz, tan sonriente… que me llena el alma cada día. No ha vuelto a tener esas devastadoras crisis. Si nos encontramos con la mirada en clase (soy también su profe) o en casa nos sonreímos!!! Me mira, me mira todo el tiempo. No la he vuelto a ver ausente. En casa cocina conmigo, tiene paciencia, espera… parece realmente otra persona. En clase trabaja toda la mañana! Es muy curiosa, estamos en una actividad hasta cuarenta minutos. Ayer ensartó 36 figuras geométricas todas de un tirón, cuando hace unos meses, para que hiciera el puzle del cuadrado, círculo, y triángulo, la mayoría de las veces no tenía el tiempo de atención y se iba, tras intentarlo una vez de manera fallida. Tampoco le duele el pelo cuando le peinamos o le secamos con la toalla.
Pero progresos aparte, que son importantísimos, lo que más me importa es que está feliz, está tranquila, y no tiene dolor. Para mí el acompañamiento y los conocimientos de Rebecca han sido y son fundamentales. Cada progreso que Emma tiene estoy deseando contárselo porque sé que ella comprende perfectamente lo que le digo, me hace sentirme arropada. Es cierto que cada persona es un mundo. Yo no sé a dónde llegaremos ni cuánto podremos hacer. Pero, a día de hoy, me alegro mucho de ese salto que dimos y de ver a Emma como está ahora. Gracias infinitas, Rebecca, por estar a nuestro lado.
Septiembre 2018
GAPS Testimonial ~
I am the father of a 6-year-old little boy diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder, ASD. When he was a baby his development was normal until he was about to turn 2 years old. We noticed that he stopped talking and started to go backwards in his development, getting some of the typical characteristics of ASD. However, he had not all the symptoms. We decided to put our little Ángel on a dairy-free diet at the age of 3 and his development increased dramatically and then he went onto a plateau. At the age of 5 we decided to begin with a gluten-free diet and again he improved a lot and then reached a plateau.
Then thanks to one of those wonderful “coincidences” of life, the GAPS Book written by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride came to us, and the book seemed to describe the whole digestive life of our son. We looked for GAPS therapist and we came across Rebecca.
We are grateful for Rebecca’s dedication as she has been a key player in integrating the GAPS diet into my son’s life. Rebecca has helped, advised, and clarified many doubts among other things.
Honestly, this protocol is very difficult and sometimes you want to throw in the towel, but nevertheless since we started the diet the development of our son has been increasing, we notice a great improvement and every day he gives us a reason to continue with the diet. Our little Ángel has been on this diet for almost half a year and it is the best decision we have made for his development. To all of you who have doubts – I invite you to get in touch with Rebecca to guide you and advise you, she will be able to tell you if you are an ideal candidate for this diet.
Rebecca, our success with our little Ángel is also yours, without you we would not have been able to get where we are.
Gut and Psychology Syndrome™ is the trademark and copyright of Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. The right of Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Patent and Designs Act 1988.
