What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is a psychotherapy that helps people with insomnia by addressing their sleep-related thoughts and behaviors. CBT-I is an evidence-based treatment that typically involves multiple sessions and several components, including:

• Sleep restriction

• Stimulus control

• Relaxation therapy

• Sleep hygiene education

• Cognitive restructuring

• Behavioral and cognitive interventions

• Motivational techniques

• Relapse prevention skills 

The goal of CBT-I is to address the factors that contribute to chronic insomnia, which is the most common sleep disorder. CBT-I helps people identify and change habits that may have made insomnia worse, and reduce worry and arousal related to sleep.