Frequently asked questions: For clinicians and therapists
Sleep therapy overview
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Behavioral sleep therapy (or behavioral sleep medicine) is a branch of sleep psychology that focuses on the behavioral and cognitive aspects of sleep health to strengthen natural sleep processes.
Behavioral sleep therapy relies on evidence-based interventions (e.g., CBT-I, CBT-N) to address the drivers of chronic sleep difficulties. It is generally more effective at yielding long-term improvement compared to medication.
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CBT-I is the gold standard and treatment for insomnia (i.e., people who struggle with falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early).
It is structured, brief, and evidence-based, recommended as the first-line treatment by major medical organizations, including the American College of Physicians, the Cleveland Clinic, the Mayo Clinic, the National Institutes of Health, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
CBT-I addresses the root causes of insomnia and strengthens natural sleep processes, rather than masking symptoms or inducing sedation. It involves specific techniques, including sleep consolidation, stimulus control, and cognitive restructuring.
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CBT-I is a specialized treatment that is more effective at addressing sleep problems than general psychotherapy. Research demonstrates that insomnia should be treated as an independent health condition rather than a secondary symptom.
CBT-I is often implemented concurrently with general psychotherapy. Renew Behavioral Health greatly values care coordination, and we would love to work with you to optimize care for your clients.
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Renew Behavioral Health also works with people with many other types of sleep problems beyond insomnia. This includes chronic nightmares (and specifically the use of cognitive behavioral therapy for nightmares [CBT-N]), circadian rhythm disorders, people with shift work schedules, sleep-related anxiety, sleep apnea, and narcolepsy.
However, some sleep disorders are primarily caused by physical health problems, including sleep apnea and narcolepsy. These are best diagnosed through a diagnostic sleep center. Renew Behavioral Health does not offer sleep studies, MSLTs, or other physical health services. While we work with clients with these diagnoses, they require care coordination with other physical health providers.
Assessing fit
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People with insomnia that persists for several weeks or longer, including problems falling asleep, staying asleep, waking too early, or non-restorative sleep.
Additionally, consider referring people struggling with chronic nightmares, adjusting to shift work or other impacts to their circadian rhythm, or who could benefit from additional behavioral or cognitive supports in response to another sleep disorder (e.g., narcolepsy, sleep apnea).
Common client complaints that they could benefit from sleep therapy include:
Not being able to fall asleep or not feeling sleepy at bedtime
Waking up in the middle of the night
Waking up earlier than desired
Racing thoughts or feeling like their mind won’t shut off at beditime
Feeling like their sleep is “broken”
Relying too much on melatonin, Ambien, or other sleep aids
Never feeling rested
Frustration at bedtime
Checking the clock throughout the night
Feeling exhausted during the day but wide awake at night
Feeling “wired but tired”
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Generally, yes. Comorbid insomnia is very common with many health conditions. Extensive research demonstrates the effectiveness of CBT-I among most populations, and that insomnia should be treated as an independent health condition (rather than a secondary symptom).
Renew Behavioral Health highly values care coordination, and treatment is always individualized to each person’s needs and health conditions.
There are some situations in which CBT-I (specifically sleep restriction/consolidation) is contraindicated, including seizures or bipolar disorders that are not currently well-managed. Renew Behavioral Health is happy to discuss whether sleep therapy is a good fit for a specific person before you refer.
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Yes! Many clients start services while taking a sleep medication. Renew Behavioral Health often coordinates with prescribers to taper medications.
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These types of sleep disorders warrant a sleep medicine referral, often including a sleep study and sometimes additional assessments (e.g., MSLT). Sleep therapy and CBT-I do not address underlying physiology that causes or contributes to these conditions, and Renew Behavioral Health does not offer sleep studies or other medical or physiological services.
However, it is still sometimes appropriate to start sleep therapy before or during other sleep services. For example, research indicates that completing CBT-I before starting CPAP use for sleep apnea can improve CPAP acceptance, use, and sleep outcomes.
Renew Behavioral Health is happy to discuss whether sleep therapy is a good fit for a specific person before you refer.
Referral process, care coordination, and other logistics
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Reach out! You or your client can email melissa@renew-behavioral-health.com with any questions or to start services. Clients can also schedule a time directly using the link at the top right of this page.
Additionally, Renew Behavioral Health offers free 15 minute consults to potential clients to assess whether sleep therapy is appropriate.
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Because sleep touches many areas of our health, Renew Behavioral Health often coordinates care with providers clients are already seeing (after obtaining a signed release of information). This includes mental health care, primary care, prescribers, cardiology, sleep medicine physicians, and providers from other disciplines.
Coordination frequency depends heavily on each individual and their needs, such as whether they are tapering medications or have comorbid conditions. Renew Behavioral Health will work closely with you to determine the best approach to optimize care.
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Yes, Renew Behavioral Health accepts insurance. Fee and insurance information can be found here.
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Renew Behavioral Health primarily provides telehealth services and serves clients across the state of Colorado.
If clients prefer in-person services, this can typically be accommodated with advanced notice.