What is insomnia?
Insomnia is defined as trouble with falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. It can last for a few months to several decades. Often a major life stressor can trigger insomnia, but sometimes it can happen without a trigger.
What is CBT-I and how does it work?
CBT-I stands for Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia. It provides straightforward strategies to alleviate insomnia. When I use CBT-I with insomnia clients, I’m typically finished in three appointments, and it can result in a lifetime of better sleep. Applying the strategies learned through CBT-I can result in dramatic improvements in sleep within one to two weeks.
What about sleep medication?
When compared to medication, CBT-I has been proven to be equally or more effective than medication. Most sleep medications offer, on average, 18 extra minutes of sleep per night. What’s more important is that the strategies that CBT-I teaches will work for the rest of your life, while medication only works for as long as it is taken—and sometimes less. CBT-I can also be helpful for people who are wanting to stop taking sleep medication after months (and sometimes years) of use.
Is CBT-I “therapy”?
While I am a psychologist, I consider myself as a sleep coach when working with insomnia. Because the appointments are structured around sleep, there is no focus on other life issues—beyond their impact on sleep. Doing CBT-I will not feel like counseling, but rather perhaps more like working with a personal trainer; I will help you make changes in sleep-related behavior that is problematic for you.
Can you see me for sleep and still work with your current therapist?
Yes, I often work with insomnia clients who are already in counseling for depression, anxiety, etc. Because I typically use a sleep diagnosis (and the therapist will likely use a mental health diagnosis), the focus will be on different aspects of your health and there should not be overlap.
How can you schedule an appointment?
If you only need help with your insomnia, you will need to meet with me at the Sleep Center. Please call (320) 251-0726 to schedule an appointment.