Cognitive Behavioral Sleep Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) – Dallas

Get to the Bottom of Your Insomnia

Woman with insomnia

Sleep is such an important part of well-being. If you have insomnia, you already know the kind of toll it can take on nearly every aspect of your life. At Star Sleep & Wellness, Dr. Karla Austin, our licensed sleep psychologist can help patients get to the bottom of their insomnia with cognitive behavioral sleep therapy (CBT-I). After facing her own sleep problems, she is now passionate about helping others get deep rest. Continue reading to learn more about this treatment and how it can benefit you.

What Is CBT-I?

Doctor talking to patient

The way CBT-I works is by exploring the link between the way we think, the things we do, and how we sleep. By identifying thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, it’s easier to pinpoint the components that are contributing to insomnia. Sessions may include cognitive, behavioral, and educational components. Here’s what this looks like:

  • Cognitive: Cognitive restructuring is an attempt to change unhelpful thoughts regarding sleep.
  • Behavioral: Stimulus control, sleep restriction and compression, and relaxation techniques can help to establish healthy habits to prepare your body and mind for sleep.
  • Educational: Learning more about the connection between thoughts, feeling, behavior, and sleep can help patients gain a better understanding of their insomnia.

By combining the components listed above, as many as 70% to 80% of patients with primary insomnia experience improvements. In fact, CBT-I is recommended as a first-line approach by the American College of Physicians.

Benefits of CBT-I Treatment

Woman sleeping

In addition to relieving insomnia, CBT-I offers a variety of benefits. Here are some of the most prominent ones:

  • Effectiveness: Some studies have shown that CBT-I is just as effective as sleep medication to aid in sleep but without the negative side effects. On top of that, CBT-I doesn’t mask the issue – it helps patients to learn to overcome their insomnia, bringing longer-lasting results.
  • Addresses Other Issues: In addition to insomnia, CBT-I can aid in addressing some of the issues surrounding insomnia, such as emotional disturbances and feelings of depression.
  • Concentrates on Goals: CBT-I is individualized, so it works to address the specific goals that you have related to your insomnia. Some examples include sleeping without medication, improving daytime fatigue, and falling asleep more easily.