What is CBT-i?

Over 50% of adults now complain of difficulty sleeping, half of these chronically.  We now know that sleeping pills are not the
solution to insomnia and that it is possible to successfully treat insomnia using cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT).Research on CBT-i shows the following:

• 75% of insomnia patients experience significantly improved sleep
• The majority become normal sleepers
• 85-90% reduce or eliminate sleeping pills
• CBT is more effective than sleeping pills
• CBT-i achieves these results because it is based on the idea that insomnia can only be treated effectively by addressing the
  underlying causes of insomnia - thoughts and behaviours - which are learned and can be unlearned.

How does CBT-i treat insomnia?

CBT-i is an evidence based form of sleep therapy proven from successful clinical studies for more than 30 years.  CBT-i trains you to address and unlearn the negative cognitive processes, behaviours, emotions and a busy mind, related to poor sleep, resulting in a natural,  consistent and reliable sleep.

Techniques taught include:

• Education about normal sleep and insomnia
• Setting realistic sleep expectations
• Behavioural techniques, including stimulus control, bedtime restriction, and sleep hygiene
• Cognitive skills to manage unhelpful thoughts and worries about sleep
• Relaxation techniques

Your naturopath will oversee pathology and sleep supportive supplementation that compliments your CBT-i therapy and dietetics.  Complete digestive microbiome and PCR, nutritional and hormonal tests to look for linked causes and insomnia assessment tools from the Insomnia Severity Index. 

Your naturopath will also work with your dietitian to formulate a nutritional protocol that will assist quality sleep.   

These test are done through private labs in Australia based on a consultation and a completed health questionnaire with your treating naturopath.  These include stress and female/male hormone, gut and digestive testing plus behavioural assessments.

These test are done at home with reply paid satchels and instructions.

Once your pathology results return you will have another consultation to review and interpret the findings.  Your naturopath will then send you sleep specific supplementation and herbal formula's that will aid in restoring and maintaining quality sleep.

Your integrated dietitian will work with your therapist and naturopath to formulate a dietary plan that will support sleep, improve eating habits and routine, improve digestion, increase energy, improve vitamin and mineral uptake and support and take over from supplementation.