Treatment is very effective and can often resolve insomnia relatively quickly—especially considering that some individuals with chronic insomnia have struggled with sleep concerns for years, if not decades.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) guides patients through a series of changes in sleep-related behaviors. The focus is on addressing three main factors that contribute to the persistence of insomnia:
- Conditioned arousal through stimulus control
- Identifying and eliminating habits developed in an effort to improve sleep but that have become ineffective
- Reducing sleep-related worry and other sources of heightened arousal
I work to identify the most relevant targets for behavior change and help individuals overcome obstacles to making the necessary—and often difficult—adjustments in sleep-related behaviors. This allows individuals to concentrate their energy on the changes most likely to produce meaningful improvements in their sleep.
The majority of individuals respond to this treatment fairly quickly. Some experience significant changes after only two therapy sessions. Most improve after four to six sessions, though some may need more. These interventions can be completed in collaboration with other providers and have been shown to be helpful for individuals currently being treated for other mental health conditions (such as depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, trauma-related concerns, and eating disorders) or physical conditions (including cancer, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, obstructive sleep apnea, and others). People may become more responsive to these other medical and mental health treatments once their sleep improves. I will work in collaboration with your provider to address sleep concerns while you continue your other treatments.
My areas of expertise:
Insomnia
Nightmares
Circadian Rhythm Sleep/Wake Misalignment
Parasomnias
Hypersomnia
Narcolepsy
CPAP compliance
Depression
Grief/Loss
Anxiety
Trauma
Substance Use
Gambling
As a professional therapist, my role is to guide you as you take steps towards making positive life changes and help you in meeting your personal goals.