Insomnia Treatment & CBT-I
Sleep Psychologist and Sleep Physician in Sydney CBD
Struggling to fall asleep, stay asleep, or return to sleep after waking during the night?
Insomnia is one of the most common sleep difficulties, impacting up to 15% of adults. It can affect mood, concentration, energy levels, relationships, work performance, and overall wellbeing.
At Sydney Sleep and Insomnia, we provide evidence-based treatment for insomnia using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), the recommended first-line treatment for insomnia. Our clinic combines the expertise of a sleep psychologist and a sleep physician to provide comprehensive and integrated assessment and care.
What Is Insomnia?
Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterised by persistent difficulty:
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Falling asleep
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Staying asleep
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Returning to sleep after waking
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Waking earlier than intended
While everyone experiences short bouts of poor sleep, insomnia becomes a problem when sleep difficulties occur regularly, persist and begin affecting daytime functioning.
Many people with insomnia report feeling exhausted during the day, frustrated at night, and increasingly worried about sleep and bedtime. Over time, these concerns can create a cycle where the harder a person tries to sleep, the more difficult sleep becomes.
Common symptoms include:
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Taking long to fall asleep
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Frequent awakenings with difficulty returning to sleep
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Early morning waking
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Fatigue and reduced energy
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Concentration and memory difficulties
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Irritability or low mood
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Anxiety about sleep
What Is CBT-I?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is the gold-standard and evidence-based psychological treatment for chronic insomnia.
CBT-I aims to address the behaviours, thought patterns, and physiological processes that contribute to ongoing sleep difficulties.
CBT-I is widely recognised as the gold-standard treatment for chronic insomnia. Major sleep medicine guidelines recommend CBT-I as the first treatment to consider for long-term insomnia because it is effective, has lasting benefits, and can improve sleep without the side effects associated with sleeping tablets (American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2021; Buysse et al., 2026).
Components of CBT-I
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Bedtime or Sleep Restriction: Improves sleep by matching time in bed to your body's natural sleep needs.
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Stimulus Control: Rebuilds a strong association between bed and sleep, rather than wakefulness and frustration.
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Cognitive Therapy: Identifies and changes unhelpful thoughts and beliefs about sleep.
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Relaxation Strategies: Reduces physical tension and mental overactivity that can interfere with sleep.
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Sleep Education: Helps you understand how sleep works and what is considered normal.
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Healthy Sleep Habits: Reviews factors such as caffeine, alcohol, exercise, and bedtime routines that may support better sleep.
Sleep difficulties are rarely caused by one factor alone. That is why treatment begins with a comprehensive assessment of both sleep-related and other psychological factors.
Our Integrated Approach
Our clinic combines the expertise of a clinical psychologist and a sleep physician, allowing us to consider both the psychological and medical factors that may be contributing to poor sleep. This integrated approach helps ensure that treatment is tailored to your specific needs rather than focusing solely on sleep symptoms
Insomnia & CBT-I FAQ
References:
American Academy of Sleep Medicine. (2021). Behavioral and psychological treatments for chronic insomnia disorder in adults: Clinical Practice Guideline. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.
Buysse, D. J., Arnedt, J. T., Buenaver, L., et al. (2026). Combination treatment for chronic insomnia disorder in adults: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 22, 56