What is CBTI, or cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, and can it help me?
Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is a brief, evidence-based, sleep-focused treatment grounded in the science of sleep. We all know what it’s like to experience a poor night’s sleep and how awful it feels. For those looking into cognitive behavioral therapy who have insomnia, a bad night’s rest happens almost every night—difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep—and the stress of that chronic sleep loss can take a serious toll on daytime life.
CBT-I is a brief and effective sleep-focused treatment based on the science of sleep and utilizes cognitive-behavioral therapy to treat the nighttime and daytime symptoms of insomnia tailored to each individual (Manber & Carney, 2015).
Why CBT-I?
Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is recommended as the first-line treatment for insomnia, proving as effective as medication in the short term but delivering longer-lasting relief with minimal side effects. And because CBT-I typically requires fewer than ten sessions, it’s more cost-effective over the long haul than ongoing prescriptions, extra doctor visits, or lost workdays due to poor sleep (Manber & Carney, 2015).
“I have already tried all the sleep recommendations!”
I hear you! Even if you’ve mastered every tip on “how to get a better night’s sleep,” this therapy goes beyond basic sleep hygiene—bedtime routines, room temperature tweaks, and caffeine limits. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia pairs that science of sleep with cognitive-behavioral strategies to reframe unhelpful beliefs about sleep, optimize time in bed, and calm the pre-sleep anxiety that keeps you tossing and turning.
Where do I find CBT-I treatment?
Unfortunately, there is still a great need for practitioners to be trained in CBT-I, making it difficult to find a counselor or therapist who is trained. We are out here and would love to help you find that resource! I was recently trained in CBT-I by the Stanford Sleep Health and Insomnia Program. If you live in the state of Mississippi and are searching for help with your insomnia, I would love to see you for cognitive behavioral therapy sessions.
Click here to request an appointment.
I am currently accepting clients telehealth (online) only.
Can’t wait to hear from you!
Amanda Sladky, M.A., LPC
Source Cited:
Manber, R., & Carney, C. E. (2015). Treatment plans and Interventions for Insomnia: A
Case Formulation Approach. The Guilford Press.