Restoring Rest: Understanding and Healing Sleep Disorders

Up to 45 percent of people experience a sleep disorder at some point in their lives. Yet, many struggle in silence, minimizing the impact of sleepless nights on their physical and emotional well-being. When left unaddressed, chronic sleep difficulties can lead to profound consequences—affecting mood, memory, concentration, and even immune function. Over time, disrupted sleep may increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, obesity, or diabetes.

As a therapist, I help clients explore the relationship between their sleep, their thoughts, and their stories about rest and control. If you find yourself struggling to get the restorative sleep you need, it is important to know that help is available—and that meaningful change is possible.

Exploring the Causes of Sleep Disorders

Sleep problems can stem from a variety of sources. Stress, irregular sleep schedules, and excessive screen exposure can disrupt the body’s natural rhythm. Medical conditions such as sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome may also play a role.

From a Narrative Therapy perspective, I often invite clients to explore the “story” they tell themselves about sleep—whether it is one of helplessness, frustration, or fear—and to begin rewriting that story with self-compassion and agency. In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), we look closely at how thoughts and behaviors reinforce sleeplessness, identifying patterns such as overthinking at night or associating the bed with anxiety rather than rest.

Through mindfulness, clients learn to observe the sensations, thoughts, and emotions that arise around bedtime without judgment, cultivating a more peaceful relationship with the present moment. This shift helps calm both body and mind, paving the way for more natural, restorative rest.

Paths Toward Restorative Sleep

One of the most effective treatments for insomnia is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). This approach focuses on reshaping beliefs and routines that interfere with sleep. I often work with clients to:

• Develop consistent sleep and wake times.

• Create relaxing pre-sleep rituals.

• Limit caffeine, alcohol, and late-night screen exposure.

• Incorporate gentle exercise and mindful breathing.

• Reframe anxious thoughts that surface at bedtime.

In some cases, short-term medication or supplements like melatonin may support these changes, though I always emphasize building long-term habits that sustain rest naturally. The goal is to empower you to view sleep not as a struggle but as a relationship you can nurture through awareness and intention.

Reclaiming Rest and Well-Being

If insomnia or another sleep disorder has left you exhausted, irritable, or disconnected, you are not alone—and you do not have to face it in isolation. In therapy, I help clients restore balance to both mind and body by strengthening their sense of self-efficacy and promoting a compassionate understanding of their struggles.

You deserve to feel rested, alert, and capable of living fully. Together, we can explore what has been keeping you awake and develop the skills to help you sleep—and live—more peacefully.

Reach out today to begin the process of restoring your rest and reclaiming your well-being.