When Insomnia Is Not Really About Sleep
When Insomnia Is Not Really About Sleep By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Sometimes insomnia is not really about sleep. The sleep problem is real, but the cause may be anxiety, trauma, perfectionism, stress, rumination, or a nervous system that has learned to stay on alert at night. Many people come to treatment after trying […]
Can Anxiety Cause Chronic Insomnia?
Can Anxiety Cause Chronic Insomnia? By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Yes, anxiety can absolutely cause chronic insomnia. It can also maintain it long after the original stressor has passed. In my clinical work, I often see that people are not just struggling with sleep. They are struggling with a nervous system that has learned […]
Sleep Hypnosis vs CBT-I: What’s the Difference?
Sleep Hypnosis vs CBT-I: What’s the Difference? By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Sleep hypnosis vs CBT-I is a common question for people who want help with insomnia without relying only on medication. Sleep hypnosis and CBT-I can both help with insomnia, but they are not the same treatment. Sleep hypnosis is usually used to […]
Cognitive Distortions: How Unhelpful Thinking Affects Sleep, Anxiety, PTSD, and Recovery
Cognitive Distortions: How Unhelpful Thinking Affects Sleep, Anxiety, PTSD, and Recovery By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Yes, the way you think can make sleep, anxiety, PTSD symptoms, and emotional distress worse. That does not mean your symptoms are your fault. It means that thoughts, emotions, physical symptoms, and behavior influence one another. When the […]
Can Sleep Hypnosis Help Insomnia?
Can Sleep Hypnosis Help Insomnia? By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Yes, sleep hypnosis may help some people sleep better if they have insomnia, especially when anxiety, tension, racing thoughts, or sleep effort are keeping the mind and body activated at night. In my previous article, “What Is Sleep Hypnosis?” I discussed at length how […]
Why Trauma Affects Sleep for Years
Why Trauma Affects Sleep for Years By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Trauma affects sleep for years because the body may continue operating as if danger is still nearby, even when the traumatic event is over. That is why trauma affects sleep long after the event has ended. A person may intellectually know, “I am […]
What Is Sleep Hypnosis?
What Is Sleep Hypnosis? By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Sleep hypnosis is a focused, guided therapeutic process that helps the mind and body move out of alertness and toward a calmer state that is more compatible with sleep. It is not magic, mind control, or stage entertainment. In clinical practice, sleep hypnosis is best […]
EMDR for Trauma-Related Problems
EMDR for Trauma-Related Problems By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. EMDR for trauma-related problems may help when painful memories, body reactions, nightmares, shame, fear, or relationship patterns continue long after the original experience has ended. EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a structured trauma therapy that helps patients work with disturbing […]
EMDR and PTSD Recovery
EMDR and PTSD Recovery By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. EMDR may support PTSD recovery for some patients by helping them process traumatic memories that continue to trigger fear, shame, anger, body tension, nightmares, avoidance, and hypervigilance. EMDR is not about erasing the past. It is about helping the nervous system respond differently so the […]
What to Expect During EMDR Therapy: Before, During, and After a Session
What to Expect During EMDR Therapy: Before, During, and After a Session By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. If you are considering EMDR therapy, you can expect a structured process that begins with preparation, not immediate trauma processing. EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is used most often for PTSD and trauma-related […]