Insomnia Management (CBTi)

Sleep is one of the key pillars of Lifestyle Medicine and forms the foundation for the prevention and management of multiple medical conditions. Insomnia includes difficulty going to sleep, maintaining sleep or early morning wakening, with an effect on your daytime function. Acute insomnia can affect as much as 50% of Australians at any one time and lasts up to three months. After three months, persistent insomnia is called chronic insomnia.
 
Chronic insomnia affects about 15% of Australians and can increase the risk of depression, obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Sleeping tablets may seem like a quick fix, especially when you are desperate for that good night’s sleep, but they reduce your duration of deep sleep and REM sleep. These are phases of restorative sleep which are vital for your physical and mental health respectively. This disruption to your normal sleep cycle can increase the risk of memory issues and weight gain.
 
Cognitive behavioural therapy for Insomnia (CBTi) is the gold standard, first line treatment for insomnia. While it is not a quick fix, it provides an effective, long-lasting solution that works for 50-70% of patients. As a Level 1 CBTi Practitioner, I can help you address the connection between how you think, act and sleep over five structured appointments. Each session focuses on a different aspect of sleep, and you will be provided with resources and practical steps to take between sessions. We work together to identify your individual barriers to healthy sleep and adjust your routine in a way to maximise quality of sleep. The changes we make should help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer and wake up less during the night. At the end of the program we hope to see a boost in your energy, mood and overall quality of life, and of course get that good night’s sleep!