Sleep is a vital component of our overall well-being, yet many people struggle getting the rest they need. If you experience any of the following sleep difficulties, our Psychologists may be able to help:
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Trouble returning to sleep after waking during the night
- Struggling to wake up in time for work or school
- Frequently feeling tired, irritable, or lacking concentration during the day
If these symptoms occur regularly and disrupt your life, you may be dealing with insomnia.
Dr Neralie Cain and Patrick Carson are Clinical Psychologists experienced in providing psychological treatments for insomnia and other sleep problems. Neralie and Patrick have extensive experience providing treatments for insomnia and other sleep problems. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Insomnia is the “gold standard” treatment for insomnia, and its long-term effects are superior to sleep medications. Our psychologists are passionate about helping people to improve their sleep, because sleep problems can effect all areas of wellbeing.
What if I don’t have anxiety, depression, or any other mental health issues – why should I see a psychologist for sleep?
There are many problems associated with long-term use of sleeping pills and other sleep medications, but psychological treatments for sleep problems can be quick and effective. Seeing a psychologist does not mean that you need to be diagnosed with any other psychological difficulties, or that you are “crazy”.
No matter whether you have had trouble sleeping for 6 months or 60 years, psychological treatments aim to identify and modify the unhelpful associations that may be working to maintain your current sleep difficulties. The focus is on making practical changes to your sleep habits to improve your sleep quality.
What if I do have other mental health issues? Can I still address my sleep difficulties?
Even if your sleep is influenced by other psychological or medical conditions or medications, we may still be able to make practical changes to your sleep habits to improve your sleep quality. This can occur alongside any other treatments that you may be receiving for other conditions, or you may like to focus on sleep first before tackling more complex issues. Often improving sleep can help to improve other symptoms too.
What about children who can’t sleep?
Children and adolescents can also experience insomnia, and there is more and more research evidence that children of all ages can benefit from psychological treatments for their sleep problems.
Our team has helped many children to overcome difficulties such as bedtime resistance or refusal, trouble falling asleep, trouble returning to sleep after waking during the night, and fear of sleeping alone.
Neralie has also conducted research evaluating treatments for child and adolescent sleep difficulties, and presented her research at local and international conferences.
About Clinical Psychology
In addition to their work with sleep difficulties, Neralie and Patrick also provides evidence-based interventions for a range of other psychological difficulties. You can read more about this here.
