Insomnia

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder in which you have trouble falling or staying asleep. It is believed that 30-48% of the US population suffers from insomnia. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is proven to be the most effective treatment, producing better long lasting results then sleeping medications can. I'm certified in the CBT-I approach.

You may be suffering from insomnia if you meet any of the following criteria AND the second set criteria:

Challenges falling asleep (onset insomnia): inability to fall asleep beyond 20-30 minutes
Inability to maintain sleep (middle insomnia): frequent waking during the night after sleep onset beyond 20-30 minutes, and difficulty returning to sleep after mid-night waking
Early-morning wakefulness (late insomnia): waking at least 30 minutes before the desired time and before sleep reaches 6.5 hours (often accompanied by an inability to resume sleep at all)

PLUS:

sleep difficulty is present at least 3 nights per week and for a period of at least 3 months
you’re unable to sleep even with ample opportunity
no other sleep-wake disorder, substance, or coexisting mental health condition explains the insomnia experience

CBT-I is the most effective form of treatment for insomnia because it addresses the underlying causes of insomnia. These are our sleep thoughts (cognitions) and sleep behaviors (habits) which are learned and thus can be unlearned. I was trained by Gregg Jacobs, Ph.D. and recommend his book: "Say Goodnight to Insomnia." For more information on this approach, click here.

I treat insomnia either during our individual psychotherapy sessions, or via my Insomnia Skills Group, a 6 week evidence based group based on CBT-I