Treatment
We believe that our evidence-based approach to treating insomnia is the most effective route to rediscovering good quality sleep and improved wellbeing. The treatment programme that our insomnia specialists design for you will be based on your 1:1 sleep assessment, but could include one or more of our evidence-based therapies and interventions.
How we treat insomnia
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)
CBT for Insomnia (CBT-I) is a specially designed programme of talking therapy to help people replace thoughts and behaviours that cause sleep problems or make them worse with more helpful thoughts and behaviours that promote sound sleep. During a series of sessions, we’ll work with you to understand how the things you do and think contribute to your sleep problems and develop ways of thinking and behaving that will help you achieve good sleep.
CBT-I has been proven to be effective in resolving insomnia and is endorsed by the NHS in the evidence-based guidelines it provides to health and care professionals.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Insomnia (ACT-I)
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy for Insomnia (ACT-I) is a psychological therapy based on techniques of acceptance and mindfulness to improve psychological flexibility. It has a growing evidence base as a successful treatment for insomnia and it involves techniques which help you to notice and become comfortable with the thoughts and feelings you have around sleep.
Reducing prescribed sleeping medication
Many people use medication to aid their sleep, and would like to reduce or discontinue this. As we learn more about the negative impact these medications can have on your overall health we offer a supportive approach and work alongisde your GP or specialist to explore options to reduce this safely. We often support patients to gently taper sleeping medication downwards by using other techniques to improve your sleep. Find out more about our approach with The Good Sleep Clinic Medication Manifesto
Holistic menopause management
Where sleep problems are related to the menopause we will closely with your menopause doctor or GP to help you recover your sleep at this time of hormonal transition. We also work closely with our colleagues at Myla Health, a trusted team of Menopause Specialists who can advise you on appropriate evidence-based body-identical hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to help manage symptoms and improve quality of sleep and life. We also offer advice on non-hormonal treatments for other symptoms of menopause; CBT specifically targeted to helping women cope with the symptoms of hot flushes and night sweats.
Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR)
If your sleep problems are linked to traumatic events in your past or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), we may recommend EMDR as part of your treatment programme. EMDR is an evidence-based psychological therapy which involves the patient following the therapist’s hand move from side to side for short bursts of time and focusing on, and reprocessing, the traumatic experience which is affecting them.
After a difficult start I have made so much progress with my sleep. It is more consistent, and I no longer spend my day worrying about bed time. I now understand factors that were getting in the way of good sleep, and I am confident I can navigate my way around them if they arise in the future. Thank you for all your support.