Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) – Dallas, TX
Improving Your Sleep by Restructuring Your Thoughts
Patients who suffer from insomnia may not fully understand the reason they’re unable to get a full night’s rest. While certain symptoms, such as anxiety, irritability, restlessness, and daytime fatigue are common, getting to the root of the problem requires specialized help. At Star Sleep & Wellness in Dallas, Dr. Karla Austin is our in-house, licensed sleep psychologist who has experienced sleep problems in her own life. She passionate about providing cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) for our patients. By using this approach, Dr. Austin can help you experience a positive change in your sleep habits so that you wake up feeling renewed and hopeful each day. Call us to schedule an appointment to find out more about CBT-I and if it’s right for you.
What is CBT-I?
CBT-I is a type of therapy that is used to address short-term and chronic cases of insomnia. Focusing primarily on cognitive, behavioral, and psychoeducational interventions, it is highly effective and used by many licensed sleep psychologists.
According to The American College of Physicians (ACP), CBT-I is a preferred method of treatment that should be pursued before recommending medication.
Dr. Austin will begin with a scheduled consultation that includes a comprehensive overview of your overall health and any symptoms associated with insomnia. She will then prepare a treatment plan that focuses on:
- Cognitive: Restructuring the way you think about sleep by addressing negative or unhelpful thoughts.
- Behavioral: Recommending changes to how you prepare for sleep by reducing stimulus and practicing healthy habits as well as sleep restriction and compression.
- Educational: Informing you about how your thoughts and feelings can positively or negatively affect your sleep as well as your behavioral approach.
Benefits of CBT-I Treatment
There are many benefits associated with CBT-I. While it does often take time for the learned techniques to become effective, it can lead to improved sleep for those experiencing insomnia (i.e., pregnant women, those with post-traumatic stress disorder, etc.).
Some of the most common benefits include:
- CBT-I can be an effective alternative to medication. While some medicines can make symptoms worse, this type of therapy offers a longer-lasting solution that doesn’t require that you take a pill. By adopting the techniques and habits Dr. Austin will teach, you can work to overcome your insomnia and fully embrace a better night’s sleep.
- CBT-I can help to improve your mood, especially if you suffer from irritability, anxiety, or depression. Since these are commonly associated with insomnia, CBT-I can address unhelpful thoughts and change your way of thinking about sleep. In turn, this approach will produce positive results that lead you to feel happier and less anxious come bedtime.
- CBT-I can make it easier for you to fall asleep in less time as well as spend more time actually resting.
- CBT-I can also minimize how much you wake up throughout the night.