Poor sleep can affect almost everything: mood, energy, concentration, memory, work, relationships and physical wellbeing. Many people start with a few bad nights and then become anxious about sleep itself. The harder they try to force sleep, the more alert and frustrated they feel.
Sleep issues may include trouble falling asleep, waking during the night, waking too early, unrefreshing sleep, irregular sleep patterns, nightmares, racing thoughts at bedtime or fear of not sleeping.
At Darlinghurst Psychologists, we support people with insomnia and sleep issues linked with anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, autism, workplace stress, alcohol or drug use and relationship difficulties.
What can keep sleep problems going?
Sleep difficulties may be triggered by stress, grief, anxiety, trauma, pain, illness, shift work, lifestyle changes or a major life event. Over time, insomnia can continue because the brain starts associating bed, night-time or wakefulness with pressure and threat.
Common patterns include worrying about sleep, checking the time, spending long periods awake in bed, irregular sleep and wake times, napping to recover, using alcohol or screens to switch off, or trying harder and harder to force sleep.
The goal of therapy is not to add more pressure. It is to understand the cycle and gradually rebuild conditions that support sleep.
Evidence-based treatment for insomnia and sleep issues
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia, often called CBT-I, is a well-established psychological treatment for chronic insomnia. It focuses on the behaviours, thoughts, routines and conditioned patterns that maintain sleep problems.
At Darlinghurst Psychologists, sleep support may include CBT-I, sleep psychoeducation, stimulus control, sleep scheduling, cognitive therapy for sleep-related worry, relaxation strategies, mindfulness and treatment for related mental health concerns.
Therapy may help you understand what is maintaining your sleep difficulty, reduce sleep-related anxiety, rebuild a more consistent sleep rhythm, manage racing thoughts and address nightmares, stress or emotional triggers.
If your symptoms suggest a medical sleep disorder, such as sleep apnoea, restless legs or breathing-related sleep disturbance, we may recommend speaking with your GP or a sleep physician.
How Darlinghurst Psychologists can help
Sleep advice can sometimes feel simplistic, especially when you have already tried the obvious things. We take a careful, individualised approach to your sleep pattern, mental health, lifestyle and goals.
You may also find it useful to read about Anxiety, Depression, Trauma Therapy, ADHD Support, Workplace Stress and Burnout and Alcohol and Drug Problems.
Common questions about sleep therapy
Can a psychologist help with insomnia?
Yes. Psychologists can provide CBT-I and other evidence-based strategies for insomnia and sleep-related anxiety.
Is sleep therapy just sleep hygiene?
No. Sleep hygiene can be useful, but CBT-I is more structured and focuses on the thoughts, behaviours and learned patterns that maintain insomnia.
What if my sleep issues are linked to anxiety or trauma?
Therapy can address both sleep symptoms and the underlying anxiety, trauma, stress or mood difficulties that may be contributing to poor sleep.
Should I see a GP about sleep problems?
It can be helpful, especially if symptoms suggest sleep apnoea, restless legs, medication effects, pain, hormonal changes or other medical factors.
Can alcohol affect sleep?
Yes. Alcohol may make people feel sleepy initially, but it can disrupt sleep quality and contribute to waking during the night.
