Sleep Psychologists
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SLEEPWISE About Our Sleep Psychologists Contact FAQ
SLEEPWISE
A Cognitive-Behavioural Treatment (CBT) Programme for Insomnia
Do you need help with your sleep?
If you have difficulty sleeping, you're not alone. Research suggests that approximately one third of adults report symptoms of insomnia. Psychologists Marie Young and Dr. Anna Clarkson have a particular interest in working with sleep disorders and are affiliated with the New Zealand Respiratory and Sleep Institute. They offer group-based and individual interventions to assist sleep.
Our Sleep Psychologists draw on research and experience to help you to make simple changes designed to restore sleep. Based on cognitive behavioural principles, which research has shown to be effective in treating insomnia, they provide the tools needed to help improve your sleep quality, helping you to:
- learn about the sleep cycle and basic principles of therapy for sleep
- acquire skills to promote better sleep
- learn how to monitor your sleep and improve sleep quality
- acquire skills in abdominal breathing, relaxation and imagery
- learn to adapt your thoughts to support sleep
- acquire skills in mindfulness-based stress reduction
- learn strategies to reduce the effects of anxiety on sleep
Who will benefit from SLEEPWISE?
Our programme is useful for clients who experience any of the following:
- Difficulty getting to sleep (Sleep onset insonmia)
- Waking during the night (Sleep maintenance insomnia)
- Pain-related insomnia
- Insomnia related to anxiety
- Non-restorative sleep
- Early morning waking
- Medication-dependent insomnia
About Our Sleep Psychologists
Marie Young
Marie Young is a registered Health Psychologist who has spent the last 5 years working at Middlemore Hospital in the Division of Medicine. Marie works with patients who have physical illnesses that are impacting on their emotional wellbeing and vice versa.
She works with patients who present with a range of problems including insomnia, depression, anxiety, grief, adjustment, pain and also smoking cessation. She works using evidence-based treatments including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Dr. Anna Clarkson
Dr. Anna Clarkson is a registered Clinical Psychologist. In addition to a background in general mental health and neuropsychology, she has a particular interest in the psychological treatment of insomnia, providing effective strategies to improve sleep.
She is also aware that sleep can be affected by a wide range of lifestyle factors and psychological stressors and is able to provide support and interventions related to these where needed, including anxiety, stress-management, depression, loss and grief, adjustment to life transitions, pain management, self-esteem and trauma. She tailors her interventions to meet individual needs, drawing on CBT, Narrative Therapy & Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
Contact Our Sleep Psychologists
Email: referrals@NZRSI.health.nz
Post: SLEEPWISE, PO Box 109-409, Newmarket, Auckland
Phone: 09-638 5255
Fax: 09-638 6022
Alternatively, contact Anna directly on 021-124-1226 or Marie on 021-255-4593.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does SLEEPWISE involve?
- When can I expect to see improvement?
- How many sessions will I need?
- Should I have individual sessions or come to a group programme?
- How much does it cost?
- Is treatment covered by insurance?
- Is your programme useful for me if I am on sleeping medication?
- What if my problems are not just about sleep?
- How effective is treatment?
- Who is this not suitable for?
- Are you able to see clients after hours?
- Are you registered with a professional body?
What does SLEEPWISE involve?
SLEEPWISE involves either individual (one-to-one) sessions or group-based sessions. When you contact us, we can discuss which seems right for you. We will organise an appointment time with you and send out some questionnaires related to your sleep. During the course of treatment, you’ll acquire CBT-based skills and knowledge to help improve your sleep quality. These include gaining an understanding of the sleep cycle, learning to monitor your sleep and improve sleep quality, acquiring skills in abdominal breathing, relaxation and imagery and learning mindfulness techniques and strategies to reduce the effects of anxiety on your sleep. These strategies are based on research and have been clinically proven to effectively treat insomnia.
When can I expect to see improvement?
In most cases you will need to consistently apply the strategies you learn for at least 4-6 weeks to notice significant improvement. This is because sleep habits tend to be ingrained and take time to change. Additionally, your internal "body clock" may need to be reset. You are likely to have had problems with sleeping for some time, so remember that it's not realistic to expect instant improvement.
How many sessions will I need?
The group-based programme involves four hours (2 x 2 hour sessions) where you will acquire the understanding and tools you’ll need to apply to see positive changes in your sleep. If you choose to come to individual sessions, a personal assessment will be conducted at the first session where specific factors related to your sleep and any related issues are considered. An intervention will then be tailored to your needs.
Should I have individual sessions or come to a group programme?
That’s up to you. The group-based programme offers a very cost-effective way to help you to break the cycle of poor sleep. In addition, you’ll find yourself in a supportive environment where others are facing similar difficulties. If you prefer a one-to-one format or have personal challenges that you think are impacting on your sleep, then you are likely to benefit most from individual sessions. Alternatively, you can come to the group sessions and then consider adding individual sessions later.
How much does it cost?
Our group-based treatment programme involves two 2-hour sessions and costs $180 in total. Our individual sessions are charged at $150 per hour.
Is treatment covered by insurance?
That depends on your insurance company and what cover you have. Some insurance policies cover a specific number of clinical psychology sessions. We suggest you check directly with your insurance provider to determine whether your policy includes this.
Is your programme useful for me if I am on sleeping medication?
Yes. During the course of SLEEPWISE you’ll learn to apply strategies to support healthy sleep, that will gradually reduce your need for sleeping pills. If you wish to reduce or stop your sleeping medication, you’ll need to do this in consultation with your GP.
What if my problems are not just about sleep?
That’s not uncommon. Often other things we are dealing with impact on our sleep. You can organise individual sessions with either Marie or Anna if you have challenges you’d like support with or to work through. As psychologists we work with clients in a wide range of areas, including self-esteem and confidence, stress management, anxiety, depression, loss and grief, adjustment to life transitions, pain management and trauma. You can contact either Anna or Marie to discuss whether you would benefit from individual therapy.
How effective is treatment?
A strong body of research demonstrates that CBT is effective for many people in improving their symptoms of insomnia and that these improvements tend to be maintained post-treatment. Just as our lives are highly individual, so too are our sleep patterns and difficulties. The more you are able to consistently apply what you learn, the more effective you are likely to be in restoring a pattern of healthy sleep.
Who is this not suitable for?
Some people are likely to need a different kind of approach to their sleep difficulties. If your problems with sleep are related to medical problems such as restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy or sleep apnea you may like to discuss these with medical specialists at the NZRSI.
Are you able to see clients after hours?
Yes, we are able to accommodate evening sessions on certain days if you’d like to schedule appointments after work.
Are you registered with a professional body?
Yes. Anna and Marie are both registered with the New Zealand Psychologists Board.
For any further enquiries or information you are welcome to contact us.
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