Sleep Disorder Therapy

Specialised psychotherapy for insomnia and other sleep disorders using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) and related evidence-based interventions. Conducted by clinical psychologists with expertise in behavioural sleep medicine.

Sleep disorder therapy at Annabelle Psychology is anchored in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), the gold-standard, first-line psychological treatment recommended by international sleep medicine guidelines over long-term sedative medication. CBT-I addresses the cognitive and behavioural patterns that perpetuate insomnia — such as dysfunctional beliefs about sleep, compensatory behaviours like excessive time in bed, and conditioned arousal — rather than merely masking symptoms. The therapy programme typically spans four to eight sessions and is structured as follows: an initial comprehensive sleep assessment covering sleep history, sleep diary data, medical history, and associated psychological factors such as anxiety, depression, or chronic pain; psychoeducation on normal sleep physiology and the two-process model of sleep regulation; stimulus control instructions to re-associate the bed with sleepiness rather than wakefulness; sleep restriction therapy to consolidate fragmented sleep and build homeostatic drive; cognitive restructuring to challenge unhelpful beliefs about sleep (e.g. catastrophising about consequences of poor sleep); and relaxation strategies including progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery. Beyond insomnia, the team at Annabelle Psychology also works with clients experiencing hypersomnia, circadian rhythm disruptions related to shift work or travel, nightmares and PTSD-related sleep disturbances, and sleep difficulties associated with anxiety, depression, or chronic pain conditions. Sleep therapy is suitable for adults who have struggled with chronic insomnia for three months or more, those who wish to reduce or eliminate reliance on sleeping medication, and individuals whose poor sleep is significantly affecting their daytime functioning, mood, or quality of life. Sessions are available at both the Novena and Thomson clinics.