Insomnia Management Training

Insomnia Management Training Course

Our approach

The clinical trials evidence shows that cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) can be both clinically and cost effective in primary care settings. However, within the UK NHS (as in other healthcare systems worldwide) there are too few psychological therapists with sufficient expertise in CBT-I to meet the needs of those experiencing chronic insomnia. While the continued development of dedicated 'sleep clinics' may be appropriate for the less common sleep disorders (like sleep apnoea), it is unlikely that such services will ever develop the capacity to meet the demand for insomnia management.

As in other UK centres, we have already shown that CBT-I skills can be successfully transferred to non-specialists, and that the quality of therapy can be controlled with appropriate supervision. Our approach to insomnia management, therefore, is to transfer CBT-I skills to primary care health professionals who can then integrate evidence-based insomnia management into the services they routinely provide. Combined with periodic supervision, this model of service development amplifies existing psychological expertise within the NHS, and delivers quality treatment to patients.

What does the course involve?

The training requires 5 full days of classroom-based teaching involving lectures, presentations, practical exercises and group activities. Teaching is delivered by sleep experts and experienced clinicians. The classroom-based element is then followed by clinical supervision for 3 months, during which trainees develop their sleep management skills in routine primary care settings. Satisfactory completion of the course requires the trainee to submit a full case study describing the assessment, management and outcome of a single patient with insomnia.

A second 3-day (+ supervision) module has also been developed to train therapist supervisors.

The course has been developed from successful evidence-based programmes and provides a grounding in normal sleep, the nature and assessment of insomnia, and the use and effects of pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches to insomnia management. Training is then provided in a range of psychological management strategies including sleep hygiene, sleep restriction, stimulus control, relaxation and cognitive procedures. Outcome assessment is also included.

Can I apply for training?

The scheduling of courses depends on the availability of NHS funding. A course is currently ongoing, and will complete in Autumn, 2007. Further courses are currently being considered, but are not yet scheduled. Should the funding become available, schedules and application procedures will be announced on this page.