Behavioural Sleep Medicine Clinic
Having trouble sleeping? There are few experiences in life more miserable than being awake while everyone else is sleeping. You are not alone.
The first line of intervention for insomnia is usually behavioural. Treatment is based upon the fact that chronic insomnia lasting from months to years is maintained by physical and behavioural factors that have little or nothing to do with what initially caused the insomnia. Treatment targets the factors that have been shown to cause acute insomnia to take on "a life of its own". (Penn Sleep Center)
There is large scientific literature that shows that behavioral interventions are as effective as medication and, unlike medications, produce durable results that last after treatment is discontinued.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)
1 in 4 people struggle with sleep
1 in 10 people develop chronic insomia
Our Clinic
Most people are chronically sleep-deprived.
Sleep deprivation can lead to fatigue, reduced ability to think clearly, reduced ability to maintain attention and retrieve information from memory, leads to reduced emotional control (which can show in irritability and reactivity), and can lead to increased insomnia.
The Facts are:
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Insomnia, when chronic (present for more than 1 month), is unlikely to "go away"
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most self-management strategies are not effective (e.g. will power, self control, supplements, warm milk, tea, etc)
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allowing insomnia to go untreated may negatively impact your quality of life, work performance, and increase your risk for things like: accidents and injuries, medical illness (e.g. hypertension), psychiatric illness (e.g. depression).
There are 3 different types of Insomnia:
1. Initial Insomnia
2. Middle (Medical) Insomnia
3. Late Insomnia
Erinn is recently trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) and has a special interest in continuing education in behavioural sleep medicine assessments and interventions, including consultation with board certified behavioural sleep medicine specialists with decades of experience.
About CBT-I for Insomnia
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Good short and long term efficacy
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No issues with drug-drug interactions
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Does not alter sleep architecture
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No rebound insomnia
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No abuse potential
Frequently Asked Questions
If I have insomnia along with another medical or mental health condition, are the treatments offered still good for me.
Yes. The first line treatment for insomnia (CBT-I) has been shown to be as effective for these kinds of insomnias as it is for insomnia that occurs in the absence of such complications.
Will I be prescribed sleeping pills?
While this is not a first line approach in our clinic, there are some instances where some form of medical therapy is indicated. When it comes to medication, consultation will occur between your prescriber provider and you.
Will I be required to discontinue using sleeping pills?
More than likely. If the approach you are currently using with medications were effective, it is unlikely you would be seeking treatment at this time.
WHAT THE SLEEP CLINIC WILL OFFER
1. Comprehensive Intake and Sleep Assessments
2. Review of Medical and Mental Health History
3. Review of Medications
4. Discussion on recommended treatment CBT-I and/or supplemental provider referral
5. Discussion on consultation with prescribing provider (if needed)
6. Weekly Treatment towards your goals for treatment x 8 sessions
90 Minute Intake Appointment with Assessment Review
90 minute first follow-up appointment
30 minute follow-up treatment appointments
Typically 1 Intake session + 8 follow up sessions (1 session per week) will be required for treatment
