Understanding Insomnia and How Treatment Can Help
Insomnia is more than an occasional bad night of sleep. It is a common and treatable condition that affects how the brain and body recover, regulate emotions, and function day to day. When sleep becomes difficult or unreliable, the nervous system may remain in a state of heightened alert, making it harder to feel rested, focused, or emotionally balanced.
Insomnia is not a personal failure or a lack of discipline. It is often shaped by stress, trauma, life transitions, and learned patterns that keep the brain awake even when the body is exhausted. With the right support, sleep can improve.
Insomnia can affect mental health, physical wellbeing, work performance, and quality of life. While each person’s experience is different, symptoms and consequences tend to fall into several key areas.
Common Insomnia Symptoms
Difficulty Sleeping
Insomnia often includes one or more of the following:
Trouble falling asleep
Difficulty staying asleep
Waking earlier than desired
Sleep that feels light, fragmented, or unrefreshing
Daytime Effects
Poor sleep can carry into the day, leading to:
Fatigue or low energy
Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly
Memory problems
Reduced motivation or productivity
Emotional and Nervous System Impact
Chronic sleep disruption can affect emotional regulation and stress tolerance, including:
Increased irritability or emotional reactivity
Heightened anxiety or low mood
Feeling “wired but tired”
Reduced ability to cope with everyday stressors
Consequences of Ongoing Insomnia
When insomnia persists, it can begin to affect multiple areas of life. Over time, poor sleep may contribute to:
Worsening anxiety, depression, or trauma-related symptoms
Increased stress sensitivity and reduced resilience
Strain in relationships and work performance
Greater reliance on caffeine, naps, or sleep medications
A cycle of worry and frustration around sleep itself
Because sleep plays a critical role in emotional processing, attention, and physical restoration, untreated insomnia can significantly reduce overall quality of life. The good news is that effective, evidence-based treatment is available.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is the first-line, evidence-based treatment for chronic insomnia. It is recommended by major medical and psychological organizations and has been shown to produce lasting improvements in sleep.
CBT-I works by addressing the thoughts, behaviors, and nervous system patterns that keep insomnia going—even when the original trigger has passed. Rather than relying on medication, CBT-I helps retrain the brain to associate the bed and nighttime with sleep rather than wakefulness or worry.
Treatment may include:
Sleep scheduling strategies that strengthen sleep drive
Reducing sleep-related anxiety and unhelpful beliefs
Improving sleep efficiency and consistency
Skills for calming the nervous system at night
Education about how sleep works and why insomnia persists
Treatment Structure and Scheduling
CBT-I is currently offered as weekly individual therapy sessions. Most clients experience meaningful improvement in six to eight sessions, though pacing is individualized based on needs and goals.
Group CBT-I offerings are planned for the future. If you are interested in a group format, you are invited to join the waitlist [Link to waitlist page] to be notified when groups become available.
Moving Toward Restful Sleep
Living with insomnia can be isolating and exhausting, especially when sleep feels unpredictable or out of reach. Treatment is collaborative, supportive, and focused on helping your body and mind rediscover a more natural, restorative sleep rhythm. Better sleep is possible. With evidence-based care and a structured, compassionate approach, many people experience improvements not only in sleep, but also in mood, focus, and overall wellbeing. You do not have to continue navigating insomnia alone—support is available, and change can begin.