Find a Sleep Therapist

Sleep is more than a nightly routine—it’s a biological necessity. While you sleep, your body restores muscles, balances hormones, strengthens immunity, and consolidates memories. Without enough rest, your brain and body can't function optimally.

Lack of sleep has been linked to:

• Impaired memory and concentration
• Increased risk of anxiety and depression
• Weakened immune system
• High blood pressure and heart disease
• Weight gain and metabolic issues
• Reduced ability to manage stress

Chronic sleep deprivation doesn’t just make you tired—it increases your risk of serious health problems. Working with a sleep therapist can help identify what’s disrupting your rest and give you tools to fix it.

Sleep issues are incredibly common, but they vary in severity and cause. Some of the most frequent sleep disorders include:

• Insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early. Insomnia may be short-term (acute) or persist for months or years (chronic)
• Sleep apnea: A condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, often leading to loud snoring and fatigue
• Restless legs syndrome (RLS): An uncontrollable urge to move the legs, often worse at night
• Narcolepsy: A chronic disorder that causes overwhelming daytime drowsiness and sudden sleep attacks
• Delayed sleep phase syndrome: A circadian rhythm disorder in which your internal clock is out of sync with conventional sleep/wake times.

A sleep psychologist or insomnia therapist can help you determine what type of sleep issue you’re experiencing and guide you toward an effective solution.

Sleep disorders don’t always show up as dramatic insomnia. Many people experience sleep issues without realizing they’re treatable. Here are common signs that you might be dealing with a sleep problem:

Signs and Symptoms:

• Taking more than 30 minutes to fall asleep
• Waking up frequently during the night
• Feeling exhausted even after 7–8 hours of sleep
• Relying on caffeine or naps to get through the day
• Waking up too early and unable to go back to sleep
• Feeling anxious or frustrated around bedtime
• Loud snoring or gasping for air during sleep
• Falling asleep during quiet activities like reading or watching TV

How Sleep Problems Are Diagnosed:

• Clinical interview: A sleep therapist will ask about your sleep patterns, lifestyle, stress levels, and medical history.
• Sleep diary: You may be asked to track your sleep-wake habits for 1–2 weeks.
• Sleep studies: In some cases, you may undergo a polysomnography (overnight sleep test) to monitor brain waves, oxygen levels, heart rate, and breathing.

If these symptoms sound familiar, a licensed sleep therapist or insomnia specialist can help identify underlying causes and create a personalized treatment plan.

Several internal and external factors can disrupt your sleep. Some of the most common include:

• Stress and anxiety: Racing thoughts, worry, or unresolved stress can keep your nervous system on high alert at night
• Screen time: Exposure to blue light from phones or computers delays the release of melatonin, your body’s natural sleep hormone
• Irregular schedules: Shifting bedtimes, late-night work, or travel can confuse your circadian rhythm
• Poor sleep environment: Noisy, bright, or uncomfortable sleeping conditions can make it harder to stay asleep
• Caffeine, alcohol, or heavy meals: What you consume in the evening has a big impact on sleep onset and depth
• Medical conditions: Chronic pain, acid reflux, thyroid disorders, and mental health conditions like depression or PTSD can all affect sleep quality.

A sleep psychologist can help you identify patterns and triggers that may be affecting your rest—and give you the tools to address them.