At North Carolina Sleep and Counseling Center, we use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), which is recognized as the most effective treatment for chronic insomnia by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the American College of Physicians.
CBT-I is a structured program that helps you identify and replace thoughts and behaviors that cause or worsen sleep problems with habits that promote sound sleep. Unlike sleeping pills, CBT-I addresses the underlying causes of your sleep problems rather than just treating the symptoms.
Your treatment begins with a comprehensive initial appointment where we'll discuss your sleep challenges in detail. We'll explore your sleep patterns, medical history, lifestyle factors, and any other issues that might be affecting your sleep quality.
This thorough assessment helps us understand the root causes of your insomnia and develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
Based on your assessment, we'll develop a customized sleep plan that incorporates proven CBT-I techniques to address your specific sleep challenges. Your plan may include sleep restriction therapy, stimulus control, relaxation training, cognitive restructuring, and sleep hygiene education.
You'll also begin using our mobile app to track your sleep patterns, which helps both you and your clinician monitor your progress and make adjustments as needed.
Regular follow-up sessions with your clinician are an essential part of the CBT-I process. During these weekly check-ins, we'll review your progress, address any challenges you're experiencing, and refine your treatment plan as needed.
These sessions are typically 30-45 minutes and can be conducted via secure video conferencing, making it convenient for you to receive care from the comfort of your home.
CBT-I is a structured, evidence-based approach to treating insomnia that targets the thoughts, behaviors, and environmental factors that can interfere with sleep. Here are the core components:
Research has consistently shown that CBT-I improves sleep in 75-80% of insomnia patients, decreases time to fall asleep by 50%, and reduces time spent awake during the night by 50-60%. Unlike medication, the benefits of CBT-I persist after treatment ends, making it a sustainable solution for long-term sleep health.