Help me sleep. Please note that I use the words "counselling for sleep problems", "counselling for sleeping problems", "counselling for sleep deprivation", "counselling for sleep disorders", "counselling for insomnia", "counselling for poor sleep", "sleep problems therapy", "sleeping problems therapy", "sleep deprivation therapy", "sleep disorders therapy", "insomnia therapy", "poor sleep therapy", "psychotherapy for sleep problems", "psychotherapy for sleeping problems", "psychotherapy for sleep deprivation", "psychotherapy for sleep disorders", "psychotherapy for insomnia", "psychotherapy for poor sleep", "sleep problems counselling", "sleeping problems counselling", "sleep deprivation counselling", "sleep disorders counselling", "insomnia counselling", "poor sleep counselling", "sleep problems help", "sleeping problems help", "sleep deprivation help", "sleep disorders help", "insomnia help", "poor sleep help", "counselling sleep problems", "counselling for sleeping problems", "sleep problems therapy", "sleeping problems therapy", "poor sleep counselling", "insomnia counselling" interchangeably. I am trained & accredited as a sleep counsellor, insomnia psychotherapist & sleep disorders talking therapist and I am happy to help you with with your sleep patterns - lack of sleep, too much sleep, if you can't sleep or not sleeping.
Can't Sleep, Sleep Problems, Sleep Disorders, Insomnia, Help Me Sleep, Too Much Sleep, Poor Sleep, Lack Of Sleep
Problems Sleeping, Insomnia, Sleep Deprivation & Sleep Disorders
Sleep Problems Some of us may simply be susceptible to sleep problems, yet others not. Our sleep problems can be episodic or chronic, affecting our quality of life, not just at night, but during the day - our concentration, productivity, moods & energy levels. Levels of melatonin, stress, fear & anxiety often affect our sleep, and this can become circular, because when we are tired, exhausted, or don't get enough sleep, our ability to manage stress reduces. The quality of our sleep declines with our age. Some people may have sleeping problems, having not enough sleep or too much sleep. The therapy may include seeing what else might lay behind your sleep problems.
Disturbed Sleep & Insomnia Sleep disruption can come in many forms. Having a problem sleeping, we may lay awake at night anxious about things now or in the future. We may have trouble getting off to sleep, problems staying asleep or disturbed sleep - experiencing insomnia. We may have difficulties clearing our head. Letting go may be a problem for some. We may be waking up in the middle of the night, thinking or worrying about things (e.g. work, relationships). Waking earlier than we need to may also be a problem. When awake we may be on automatic pilot or hyper-alert, and our sleep deprivation may affect our physical health, emotions, moods, energy levels & concentration. Through our disruptive sleep patterns, we may become irritable, sluggish, weary & apathetic. Our relationships & work may suffer. The counselling & psychotherapy can support you in overcoming any stress-related insomnia.
Getting Off To Sleep Late, Problems Getting Up Some people complain they simply can't sleep or have a lack of sleep. We may have developed sleeping patterns over time, which are hard to break, and are now seeking sleep help. Not wanting the day to end we may put sleeping off, knowing we are doing this, yet can't stop. Putting things off, including our sleep, or struggles getting up in the morning, may be linked to our procrastination. We may find it hard to switch off & let go, saying "I'll go to bed in a minute - I'll just do this one thing". Mulling things over, our thoughts may race ahead. We may have trouble stilling our mind with all its inner chatter. Aroused, we may find it difficult to close down. Besides, we may enjoy our own space & time, with no intrusions (even relieved when others go to bed before us or the freedom that no one is telling us to go to sleep). In spite of our age, staying up for some may have a rebellious edge, yet we may also be lonely. For others it can be as if we are waiting to be told, or given kind permission to go to bed. Giving us permission to go to bed, or get up in the morning, may be hard. Some of us don't care very much about sleep - stopping ourselves from going to sleep, avoiding going to bed, yet pay the consequences. Sleep deprivation may result. Some of us may struggle to get up in the morning. We may use alcohol as a sedation to help get us off to sleep, or for our insomnia, which can turn out to be counterproductive, especially if we have problems waking up in the morning.
Oversleeping Some of us may actually sleep more than we need to & can even become depressed. Too much sleep can be a problem for some people
Counselling & psychotherapy can help see what is happening for you about your sleep patterns, investigating other options. Regarding your specific sleep problems we may also look at other factors, such as:
- Any initial triggers in not sleeping well, e.g. trauma, bereavement, redundancy
- Health problems
- Pressures of daily living
- Being overly focused on work
- Your lifestyle
- How you relax & how you don't (especially before you go to bed), including what happens in your body
- What you tell yourself
- Trusting yourself that it's OK to switch off
- Your sleeping history
- Your specific struggles in getting off to sleep
- Your sleeping environment
- Your sleeping patterns & rituals
- What disturbs you at night
- Filtering your thoughts
- Calming your racing mind
- What you do with your imagination
- Your dreams
- What else is happening in your life
