Questions and Answers

What is insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that makes it hard to fall asleep, stay asleep, or get restful sleep even when you have the opportunity to rest. In the US, one in three people struggle with acute insomnia, meaning a brief period of difficulty sleeping during a time of stress. It typically resolves once the period of acute stress resolves.

For some people, insomnia persists and starts to take on a life of its own, becoming a source of distress in and of itself. The clinical term for this form of insomnia is chronic insomnia. Chronic insomnia is an extremely frustrating condition. Although it is quite common and often brings people to therapy, few therapists have advanced training in treating it. Chronic insomnia is the focus of my practice.

I have trouble sleeping but how do I know if it is insomnia or something else?

There are other sleep disorders besides insomnia, and you can have another sleep disorder and insomnia. I will assess you for insomnia and other sleep disorders. If I suspect that you have another sleep disorder, I will refer you to a sleep medicine specialist for a full evaluation.

Can I see a therapist for insomnia if I am in therapy for another issue?

Yes! Therapy for insomnia is laser focused on sleep. You can continue with your current therapist while we work on resolving your insomnia. If we discover that you need support for another issue in the course of our work, I can coordinate with your therapist, or make a referral.

How long until I am sleeping better?

The modality that I use, CBT-I, is designed to be a brief treatment. For many people, relief from insomnia comes after eight sessions.

Some people need a slower pace of therapy than traditional CBT-I. Everyone is different! My goal is to help you go at the pace that you need to feel better. If you are taking medication and wish to discontinue using it as part of your treatment, you will need sessions to support you during the process of tapering your medication. I will always work with your doctor to determine the timing of tapering medication.

How much does therapy cost?

Each session is $275. I am not in network with insurance. I can provide you with information to submit to your insurance for reimbursement. Reimbursement rates vary depending on your insurer, and not all plans offer reimbursement.

What if I tried CBT-I techniques/saw a CBT-I therapist before and it didn’t work?

Just like any other therapy, having a good rapport with a therapist who is focused on helping you sleep is an important part of the process. CBT-I requires commitment, so if you are trying to use a workbook or app, or didn’t connect with your therapist, you may have gotten discouraged and not been able to see the benefits before discontinuing treatment. This is totally normal. In my consultation calls and my first session, I try to determine if I am the right fit as a therapist for my clients. If I think that someone else will work much better with you, I will give you a referral.