Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia

How Does CBT-I Work?

CBT-I focuses on exploring the connection between the way we think, the things we do, and how we sleep. During treatment, a trained CBT-I provider helps to identify thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are contributing to the symptoms of insomnia.

Thoughts and feelings about sleep are examined and tested to see if they’re accurate, while behaviors are examined to determine if they promote sleep. A provider will then clarify or reframe misconceptions and challenges in a way that is more conducive to restful sleep.

Treatment often takes from 6-8 sessions1, although the length may differ depending on a person’s needs.

Living with insomnia can be a challenge. Fortunately, effective treatments are available that 

can help people fall asleep faster, stay asleep, and feel more rested during the day.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for insomnia (CBT-I or CBTi) is a short, structured, and evidence-based approach to combating the frustrating symptoms of insomnia.

Sessions are 30-45 minutes in duration and treatment is typically between 4-8 session, and include cognitive, behavioral, and educational components, administered to meet each clients specific needs. Treatment focuses on combining three different interventions to improve outcomes.

Psychoeducational interventions: Providing information about the science of sleep and the connection between thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and sleep.

Behavioral interventions:  Restorative sleep has as much to do with our daytime habits as our evening and nighttime routines and environment. Structured relaxation training, stimulus control, and sleep restriction promote relaxation and help to establish healthy sleep habits. </P

Cognitive interventions: Cognitive restructuring attempts to change inaccurate or unhelpful thoughts about sleep.