Insomnia Treatment & CBT-I: Clinical Psychologist and Sleep Physician in Sydney CBD
Struggling to fall asleep, stay asleep, or return to sleep after waking during the night?
Insomnia is one of the most common sleep difficulties: a 2019 national survey found that nearly 1 in 4 Australian adults (23%) met the criteria for chronic insomnia (Appleton et al., 2022). It can affect mood, concentration, energy levels, relationships, work performance, and overall wellbeing.
At Sydney Sleep & Insomnia, we provide evidence-based treatment for insomnia using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), the recommended first-line treatment for insomnia. Our clinic brings together a clinical psychologist and a sleep physician to provide integrated assessment and care.
What Is Insomnia?
Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterised by persistent difficulty:
- Falling asleep
- Staying asleep
- Returning to sleep after waking
- Waking earlier than intended
While everyone experiences short bouts of poor sleep, insomnia becomes a problem when sleep difficulties occur regularly, persist and begin affecting daytime functioning.
Many people with insomnia report feeling exhausted during the day, frustrated at night, and increasingly worried about sleep and bedtime. Over time, these concerns can create a cycle where the harder a person tries to sleep, the more difficult sleep becomes.
Common symptoms
- Taking long to fall asleep
- Frequent awakenings with difficulty returning to sleep
- Early morning waking
- Fatigue and reduced energy
- Concentration and memory difficulties
- Irritability or low mood
- Anxiety about sleep
What Is CBT-I?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is the recommended first-line psychological treatment for chronic insomnia.
CBT-I aims to address the behaviours, thought patterns, and physiological processes that contribute to ongoing sleep difficulties.
Major sleep medicine guidelines recommend CBT-I as the first treatment to consider for chronic insomnia. In clinical trials it improved sleep, its benefits lasted after treatment ended, and it avoids the side effects associated with sleeping tablets (Edinger et al., 2021; Buysse et al., 2026). Results vary from person to person.
Components of CBT-I
- Bedtime or Sleep Restriction
- Improves sleep by matching time in bed to your body’s natural sleep needs.
- Stimulus Control
- Rebuilds a strong association between bed and sleep, rather than wakefulness and frustration.
- Cognitive Therapy
- Identifies and changes unhelpful thoughts and beliefs about sleep.
- Relaxation Strategies
- Reduces physical tension and mental overactivity that can interfere with sleep.
- Sleep Education
- Helps you understand how sleep works and what is considered normal.
- Healthy Sleep Habits
- Reviews factors such as caffeine, alcohol, exercise, and bedtime routines that may support better sleep.
Sleep difficulties are rarely caused by one factor alone. That is why treatment begins with a comprehensive assessment of both sleep-related and other psychological factors.
Our Integrated Approach
Our clinic brings together a clinical psychologist and a sleep physician, allowing us to consider both the psychological and medical factors that may be contributing to poor sleep. This integrated approach means treatment can be tailored to your specific needs rather than focusing solely on sleep symptoms.
Insomnia & CBT-I FAQ
What's the difference between a clinical psychologist and a sleep physician?
A clinical psychologist with training in sleep assesses and treats insomnia using evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). Treatment focuses on the behavioural, cognitive and emotional factors that contribute to sleep difficulties and is recommended as the first-line treatment for chronic insomnia.
A sleep physician is a medical specialist who assesses and manages sleep disorders, including insomnia. They can investigate potential medical contributors to sleep problems, prescribe medication when appropriate, and arrange further assessment if another sleep disorder is suspected.
Because insomnia and obstructive sleep apnoea commonly occur together, we routinely screen for risk factors such as snoring, witnessed breathing pauses during sleep, and excessive daytime sleepiness. If another sleep disorder is suspected, our sleep physician can arrange further assessment, such as a sleep study, so it can be treated alongside your insomnia.
Where both are needed, psychological and medical treatment can be combined, with the clinical psychologist and sleep physician working together as part of your care team.
Do you offer CBT-I for insomnia?
Yes. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is one of our core treatments for chronic insomnia and is delivered as part of evidence-based care.
How long does CBT-I treatment take?
Most people complete CBT-I in around 4 to 8 sessions, although this can vary depending on individual needs and sleep concerns (Edinger et al., 2021).
Do I need a referral to see the clinical psychologist?
No. You can book directly with our clinical psychologist without a referral. However, a referral from your GP will be required if you wish to claim a Medicare rebate.
Is CBT-I covered by Medicare?
Medicare rebates are available with a Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral from your usual GP or MyMedicare practice.
Is CBT-I available via telehealth?
Yes. CBT-I can be delivered via telehealth, so you can have sessions from home.
References
Appleton SL, Reynolds AC, Gill TK, Melaku YA, Adams RJ. (2022). Insomnia prevalence varies with symptom criteria used with implications for epidemiological studies: role of anthropometrics, sleep habit, and comorbidities. Nature and Science of Sleep, 14, 775–790. doi:10.2147/NSS.S359437
Edinger JD, Arnedt JT, Bertisch SM, et al. (2021). Behavioral and psychological treatments for chronic insomnia disorder in adults: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 17(2), 255–262. doi:10.5664/jcsm.8986
Buysse DJ, Arnedt JT, Buenaver L, et al. (2026). Combination treatment for chronic insomnia disorder in adults: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 22(1). doi:10.1007/s44470-025-00038-8
Ready to Improve Your Sleep?
Contact us to arrange an appointment with our Clinical Psychologist or Sleep Physician.