Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is considered the treatment of choice for chronic insomnia by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the American College of Physicians. CBT-I is more effective than sleeping pills without the significant risks that are associated with sleeping pill use--including a decline in cognitive functioning and an increase in mortality. Studies show that the majority of participants benefit from treatment with CBT-I and most are able to successfully lower or eliminate use of medications for sleep with CBT-I. 

CBT-I works by changing learned thoughts and behaviors surrounding sleep. It strengthens the sleep system and helps to quiet the arousal system, bringing the sleep-wake system into a more normal balance. Key components of CBT-I include sleep education, cognitive restructuring, medication tapering, sleep scheduling, stimulus control, practice of the relaxation response, and sleep hygiene.

You can find more information about CBT-I by following the links below.

• New York Times, "The Evidence Points to a Better Way to Fight Insomnia" 
• NPR, "Working with a Therapist Can Help When Sleeping Pills Don't"
• Annals of Internal Medicine, "Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Insomnia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis​"
• ​American Psychiatric Association, "Treat Chronic Insomnia with CBT-I, says American College of Physicians"​

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Resources for CBT-I patients

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