CBT-I - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia
CBT-I is a structured, evidence-based, drug-free treatment for insomnia that helps you understand and change the thoughts, behaviours, and patterns that can interfere with sleep. It addresses difficulties falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early and provides practical, personalized strategies to help restore healthy sleep patterns.
CBT-I is a structured treatment that typically takes place over several sessions. Together, we’ll look at what may be contributing to your sleep difficulties and develop tools to help you feel more confident and in control of your sleep.
CBT-I with Nightmares (CBT-I/N)
CBT-I-N combines Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia with evidence-based strategies for addressing distressing or recurring nightmares. This approach can be helpful when nightmares and disrupted sleep occur together. Treatment focuses on improving sleep while developing strategies to reduce the distress and impact of nightmares.
How CBT-I works
CBT-I helps you understand the factors that may be affecting your sleep and provides practical strategies to help change patterns that may be maintaining insomnia. The cognitive component focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and beliefs about sleep, while the behavioural component works to establish healthier sleep patterns and strengthen the connection between your bed and sleep.
Together, we work to develop strategies that are personalized to your needs and circumstances. CBT-I is a skills-based approach that can help you build greater confidence in your ability to manage your sleep.
CBT-I Treatment
CBT-I is typically delivered over a series of structured sessions. The first part of treatment includes an assessment of your sleep patterns, routines, and factors that may be contributing to your insomnia.
The following sessions may include:
- Understanding your individual sleep patterns and factors affecting your sleep
- Identifying thoughts and beliefs that may be contributing to sleep difficulties
- Developing strategies to improve sleep habits and routines
- Strengthening healthy sleep-wake patterns
- Learning practical skills to manage difficulties with sleep
- Developing strategies to maintain improvements and prevent setbacks
Successful CBT-I involves collaboration between the counsellor and the individual. You will be supported in learning and practicing strategies between sessions so that the skills you develop can become part of your everyday life. Your treatment will be individualized to your needs, goals, and circumstances.
CBT-I with Nightmares (CBT-I/N)
CBT-I-N combines Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia with evidence-based strategies for addressing distressing or recurring nightmares. When nightmares and insomnia occur together, treatment can address both sleep difficulties and the impact that nightmares may have on your sense of safety, rest, and overall well-being.
Treatment is individualized and may include strategies to improve sleep, reduce the distress associated with nightmares, and develop a greater sense of confidence and safety around sleep.
How we can work with you
When it comes to finding the right therapy for you, each client receives a unique plan based on your experiences and what works best for you. CBT-I may be recommended when it fits your individual needs and goals.
Our current CBT-I counsellors
- Associate
- MSW, RSW #14952
Leanne Koot
- Associate
- MSW, RSW #14952
Areas of practice: Trauma, First Responders, Individuals, Case Management, CBT-I
I believe that life can be difficult, and sometimes we need a safe place to slow down, be heard, and make sense of what we are experiencing. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, difficult emotions, insomnia, relationships, or simply feeling stuck, I believe there is hope for growth and change. My role is to walk alongside you, without judgment, as we explore what is happening and what you need. I am passionate about helping people understand themselves more deeply, recognize their strengths, and develop practical tools for navigating life’s challenges.
My counselling style is warm, compassionate, and collaborative. I see you as the expert on your own life, and I see our work together as a partnership. I want to create a space where you can be honest about what you are experiencing and feel accepted for who you are. Together, we can explore patterns that may no longer be serving you, build skills to manage difficult thoughts and emotions, and work toward a life that feels more meaningful and aligned with what matters to you. I also recognize that faith and spirituality can be an important part of a person’s identity, values, relationships, and healing journey. I am comfortable making space for these aspects of your life and exploring how they can be a source of meaning, strength, hope, and connection.
Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with people from many different backgrounds and supporting individuals, families, and groups. My experience has taught me that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to counselling. I tailor our work to you, your experiences, your strengths, and the goals you hope to achieve. I use a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach and draw from therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). I am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I).
I am a Registered Social Worker in British Columbia and I have extensive clinical experience in counselling, community mental health, crisis intervention, mental health and substance use services, leadership, education, system navigation and program development.
Wherever you are in your journey, you don’t have to walk it alone.
How we can work with you
We provide individual counselling (both in-person and over the phone).
Treatments we offer
Art Therapy
Art therapy is a specialized form of psychotherapy that integrates creative expression—such as drawing, painting, or sculpting—into the therapeutic process to support emotional, psychological, and cognitive well-being.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT, or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, is a practical and short-term type of psychotherapy, useful in treating conditions like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress conditions. It works by helping clients focus on the present, on the problems that come up in day-to-day life.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)
CBT-I is an evidence-based, drug-free treatment for insomnia that helps you understand and change the thoughts, behaviours, and patterns that can interfere with sleep. It addresses difficulties falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early and provides practical, personalized strategies to help restore healthy sleep patterns.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
DBT is a modified form of CBT, and it aims to teach people how to live in the moment, develop healthy ways to cope with stress, regulate their emotions, and improve their relationships with others.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT/EFIT)
EFT (for couples) and EFIT (for individuals) are therapeutic approaches that prioritize understanding and transforming emotional responses.
EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and it’s an integrative therapy used specifically for clients who have experienced trauma and many other mental health issues. It has been proven very effective in dealing with these conditions.
Gottman Couples Therapy
Gottman Couples Therapy is an approach that helps couples understand and manage their relationship dynamics through practical, research-based methods.
Observed & Experiential Integration (OEI)
OEI helps integrate posttraumatic material in the brain to reduce trauma-related symptoms, including overwhelming emotions (such as anxiety and grief) by engaging the visual pathways (through the eyes).
Play Therapy
Play Therapy is a highly regarded and evidence-based therapeutic modality for children.
Therapy for First Responders
We are proud to offer therapy services provided by Terresa and Dean, both trained through First Responder Health and listed in the Warrior Health directory, an initiative associated with Wounded Warriors.
Trauma-focused Therapy
Trauma-Focused Therapy (TFT) is designed specifically to help people confront and resolve the impacts of traumatic experiences.