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 distress, and it may also be helpful when nightmares, anxiety, or sleep problems
Sleep anxiety can keep insomnia going because the fear of not sleeping activates the same nervous system response that prevents sleep. The person may be exhausted, but the mind starts monitoring, calculating, predicting failure, and worrying about tomorrow. At that point, the first treatment target is often not sleep itself,
What Is Sleep Coaching and Can It Help You Sleep Better? By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. You might be wondering, what is sleep coaching and can it help you sleep better? You may have come across the term “sleep coach,” but what exactly is sleep coaching, and can it
Why Can’t I Put My Phone Down at Night? By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. If you find yourself scrolling through your phone long after you intended to go to sleep, and keep asking yourself, “Why can’t I put my phone down at night?” the problem is often not a
Why Insomnia Often Becomes a Habit By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Insomnia often becomes a habit because the brain and body can learn to associate bedtime, the bed, or nighttime waking with alertness instead of sleep. After enough nights of frustration, clock watching, worry, or fear, the nervous system
Paradoxical Insomnia (Sleep State Misperception): Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph. D. Many people wonder, what is paradoxical insomnia? Paradoxical insomnia, also known as sleep state misperception, sleep misperception, or subjective insomnia, is a sleep disorder in which people believe they are awake for much of
How CBT-I Treats Chronic Insomnia By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. How CBT-I treats chronic insomnia is practical: it changes the thoughts, behaviors, sleep schedules, and nervous-system patterns that keep insomnia going. It does not simply give you more sleep hygiene rules. CBT-I helps retrain the brain and body so
What Is CBT-I? A Complete Guide to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. CBT-I for insomnia (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia) is considered the gold standard treatment for chronic insomnia. CBT-I for insomnia helps people identify and change the thoughts, behaviors, habits, and nervous system patterns
Why Do I Wake Up at 3 A.M. Every Night? By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. If you wake up at 3 A.M. every night, your nervous system, stress hormones, sleep rhythm, pain, trauma history, or nighttime anxiety may be keeping your brain alert when your body should stay asleep.
Can PTSD Cause Insomnia? By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Yes, PTSD can cause insomnia. Post-traumatic stress disorder can keep the nervous system on alert long after the danger has passed. A person may be physically safe in bed, but the brain and body may still be scanning for threat.
Sleep Deprivation: Why One Bad Night Isn’t a Crisis By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Sleep deprivation can affect mood, concentration, energy, and overall health. However, many people with insomnia overestimate how little sleep they actually get and underestimate their ability to function after a poor night’s sleep. While chronic
Why Trauma Survivors Often Struggle With Sleep and Insomnia By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Trauma survivors often struggle with sleep because the nervous system may stay alert long after the danger has passed. Bedtime can feel unsafe when the brain connects stillness, darkness, or loss of control with threat.
