Insomnia Treatment

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) in person in Broomfield and online throughout Colorado and 43 PSYPACT states.

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We all know that sleep is absolutely imperative for overall well being. When you are not sleeping well, it is normal to struggle in other areas of your life. As a clinical health psychologist, I have a decade of experience helping people get the rest they deserve. I work with all people struggling with their sleep and have expertise in dealing with people struggling with other health issues too! Whether you are pregnant, struggling with pain, dealing with a medical diagnosis, or finding anxiety interfering, you deserve to feel well rested and rejuvenated.

Let's get you sleeping better!

What is insomnia?

Although a bad nights sleep happens to all of us from time to time. Clinical insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or awakening early.  When these challenges persist for most nights for more than 3 months it is defined as chronic and can negatively impact daytime functioning and quality of life.

You may notice the following symptoms:

  • Fatigue

  • Memory, attention or cognitive challenges

  • Irritability, or increased feelings of anxiety

  • Depressed mood

Although insomnia can arise independently, it is commonly related to other mental or physical health problems, in which case it is described as secondary insomnia.

Better Sleep Isn't Complicated

It's Knowing What Works

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - Insomnia (CBT-I) is the gold standard first line treatment for insomnia and has decades of empirical support (e.g., Furukawa et al., 2024).

How can psychotherapy/counseling help me sleep better?

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    Education

    A key component of CBT-I is learning about sleeping needs, sleep drives, circadian rhythms and where you may be holding misconceptions regarding sleep.

  • A minimalist bedroom with a bed on a wooden platform, white bedding, and multiple pillows in neutral tones. There is a single flower in a vase on the bedside table, and pillows on the floor, with a beige rug.

    Behavioral Strategies

    Stimulus Control - We will work together to re-associate your bed with sleep

    Sleep Restriction - By limiting your time in bed, we will work to reconnect your bed to a place of rest.

    Sleep Hygiene - We will work to develop a sleep plan that optimizes the conditions for sleep from a behavioral and environmental perspective.

  • Close-up of an open blank notebook with white pages on a wooden surface, with a sharpened beige pencil resting on the pages.

    Cognitive Strategies

    QUIET YOUR MIND

    An important part of CBT-I is addressing unhelpful thoughts and beliefs about sleep. Worries and an active mind interfere with your ability to get restful sleep, and you will develop the skills to address these challenges.

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    Enhanced Techniques

    Mindfulness strategies, relaxation techniques, self-compassion principles and acceptance and commitment therapy are all helpful tools in enhancing the core components of CBT-I. As we consider your unique needs, we may incorporate some of these strategies.

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New to Therapy?

Here’s What You Can Expect

I am so glad you are here! The steps outlined below are here to help demystify the therapeutic process with me.

  • I am so glad you found my website. Please browse around and see if we are a good fit. You can find more about my credentials, my specialty areas, or my services. Feel free to read my blog posts or explore my FAQs.

  • I am so glad you think we’d be a good fit or that you would like to learn more. Feel free to connect with me via phone or text (720-515-7295), email (lizfleagle@fleaglepsychology.com) or my contact form.

    Whatever feels most comfortable to you works for me.

  • We can either schedule a consultation call for a specific time when you reach out or you can schedule directly through my Simple Practice client portal. This call is usually about 10-20 minutes and allows us to get to know each other a little. I will ask a little bit about whats going on and what you are looking for in therapy. If I am a good fit, we will schedule an intake at this time.

  • Wonderful! We decided that we would be a good fit and scheduled an intake. This appointment feels a little different than other appointments because our goals are a little different. This appointment is a good opportunity for me to get a good sense of what brought you to therapy, what your goals are and a bit of your history. I usually say that by the end of our first appointment we will have a map of where we are going in therapy and the initial treatment plan!

    When working with insomnia, I will also have you fill out a few measures that help us track your progress!

  • I utilize a 55 minute therapy hour. Typically patients meet with me on a weekly or biweekly basis. If insomnia is your primary concern, we usually meet for 4-8 sessions. Some people like booster sessions down the road, and we can certainly accommodate this too.

  • Yay! You are sleeping better, feeling more well rested and are more able to engage meaning fully in life. Although we may not be seeing each other regularly, please know that my door is always open and you are welcome back if you ever feel the need.

Reach out today, sleep better tomorrow!

Therapy for Insomnia

Let’s get you sleeping better!

Work With Me
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the gold standard first line treatment for insomnia according the American College of Physicians.

  • CBT-I begins with a thorough sleep assessment and sleep tracking will likely occur throughout treatment. Primary components include education, stimulus control (i.e., re-associating your bed with sleep), sleep hygiene, sleep restriction and cognitive restructuring and worry management. Relaxation strategies and other mindfulness practices can enhance your treatment.

  • Although everyone is unique, usually 4-6 sessions.

  • Of course, I am happy to collaborate with your current therapist. Sometimes people prefer an intensive therapy format in these cases.

  • Absolutely, I help patients with all sorts of mental health challenges and we can certainly integrate other treatment into our work together. Please see my specialty page for an overview of my areas of expertise.

  • No you do not need to stop taking sleep medication to complete CBT-I. However, many of my patients prefer to.

  • Yes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is considered the first-line treatment for chronic insomnia (e.g., Qaseem et al., 2016). Research shows that CBT-I can help people fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and improve overall sleep quality. Unlike sleep medications, its benefits often continue long after treatment ends because it addresses the behaviors and thought patterns that contribute to insomnia.

  • Getting started is simple. Reach out through our contact form or call l—we’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.