Sleep Counseling & Insomnia Therapy

Sleep Counseling & Insomnia Therapy in Westchester, NY

Sleep is an essential bodily function – it allows your body and mind to rest and recuperate. If you’ve ever stayed up all night – be that due to stress, studying or an inability to switch off, you’ll understand just how much this can impact you.

Sleep is a necessity for everyone, but one third of American adults aren’t getting enough of it. Sleeping well, and having enough hours of it helps your body to stave off illnesses and aids in recovery. Failing to achieve this causes your brain to malfunction, impairs your ability to concentrate and to process information. 

If you’re finding yourself struggling to sleep, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. Westchester Therapy Match is here to help you connect with a specialist sleep and insomnia therapist in your area. Finding a reputable, suitable therapist for your needs can be daunting – so let us help you make the right choice.

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Sleep Disorders

The connection between mental health and sleep runs deeper than you may think, and the cycle between the two can lead to either the development of or worsening of mental health conditions. Here are some common sleep disorders:

• Insomnia
• Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
• Narcolepsy
• Sleep apnea

A lot of sleep disorders are connected to conditions such as PTSD, anxiety and depression. 

• PTSD

PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, can often trigger nightmares and other sleep disturbances. A fear of disturbed sleep may lead to people avoiding or minimizing the amount of sleep they get. This can lead to fatigue and exhaustion.

• Anxiety

Anxiety can trigger high levels of alertness, which can make it harder to both fall and stay asleep. Racing worries and thoughts can lead to restless, interrupted sleep.

• Depression

For those with depression, a common symptom is insomnia – however, hypersomnia can also occur, which can make you feel very sleepy during the day.

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Therapy Options for Insomnia/Sleep

With research, certain therapies have been found to help with poor quality of sleep. 

• CBT-I

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is often recommended as a first-line treatment for long-term insomnia, due to its effectiveness. Typically, the treatment plan lasts anywhere between six to eight weeks.

The goal of these sessions would be to develop strategies that aid in falling asleep quicker and staying asleep for longer. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps you to identify specific thoughts and behaviors that lead to sleep issues. These thoughts and behaviors will be replaced with positive alternatives that support restful sleep. 

The treatment success rate of CBT-I can be as high as 80%. Research has found it to be more useful than sleep medications for many people. 

• Light Therapy

Light therapy, also known as phototherapy, uses light exposure to regulate the body’s circadian rhythm – the sleep-wake cycle. 

Typically, light therapy involves placing yourself in front of a light box that produces a similar light to the sun. Being exposed to bright light in the morning can suppress melatonin, which increases alertness. The opposite should be applied in the evening, with a reduction in light exposure promoting an increase in melatonin.  

Steps should be taken in the evening, such as reducing the use of blue-light screens, as well as keeping your sleeping space dark and cool to help with restful sleep.

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Take Our Quiz

By now, you may be wondering “is there insomnia counseling near me?” Westchester Therapy Match wants to make sure that you’re matched with the best sleep therapist for your needs. 

We have created a simple quiz that takes less than five minutes to complete. We will use your answers to understand who you are and what you’re looking for so we can match you with the most appropriate therapist. Click here to take the quiz.

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