Frequently Asked Questions
How can CBT and hypnotherapy techniques help with sleep?
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Sleep problems are often maintained by a mix of unhelpful thoughts, habits and physical tension. CBT-based approaches help you understand and change the thoughts and behaviours that keep sleep anxiety going, such as worrying about not sleeping or putting pressure on yourself to “perform” at night.
Hypnotherapy works alongside this by helping the nervous system settle, reducing night-time arousal and reinforcing healthier sleep responses through focused attention and imagination. Together, these approaches address both the mental and physical sides of insomnia, helping sleep feel safer and more natural again.
Does sleep therapy work if I’ve had insomnia for years?
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Yes. Many people I work with have struggled with sleep for a long time.
Chronic insomnia is often less about a broken sleep system and more about patterns that have become stuck over time.
Sleep is a natural biological process, and with the right support, your system can relearn how to rest, even after years of difficulty. Progress is often gradual, but meaningful improvements are very possible.
How many sessions of sleep therapy will I need?
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For most people, around six sessions is enough to make lasting changes and feel more confident about sleep again. Some people notice shifts earlier, while others benefit from taking a little longer. It depends on your history, stress levels and sleep patterns. This is something we’ll review together as we go, and the work is always tailored to you.
This is a very common worry and it usually isn’t a problem. Hypnotherapy is not about being “put under” or losing control. It’s a natural state of focused attention that most people experience in everyday life (like daydreaming or becoming absorbed in a book). As long as you can engage, imagine and follow guidance (which most people can), hypnotherapy can be very transformative. Everything is done collaboratively and at your pace.
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What if I can’t be hypnotised?
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Is it the therapy the same as sleep hypnosis videos I can access for free on YouTube?
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No. While sleep hypnosis recordings can be relaxing, they’re not personalised and don’t address what’s actually driving your sleep difficulties. Therapy involves understanding your specific sleep patterns, anxieties and habits, then using targeted CBT-based strategies and hypnotherapy to create meaningful change. Recordings may be used as a support but they’re not a substitute for tailored therapeutic work.
Are online sessions as effective as in-person sessions?
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For most people, yes. CBT-based approaches and hypnotherapy work very well online, and many clients find it easier to relax in their own space, especially when working with sleep and anxiety. There is no difference in price or quality between online and in-person sessions.
Is sleep therapy suitable if I’m taking medication?
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Yes. Many people come to therapy while taking sleep or anxiety medication, either short-term or longer-term. I can’t provide advice on medication, but therapy can work alongside medical treatment where appropriate. If your insomnia may be linked to an underlying medical condition, I’ll always encourage you to speak with your GP or specialist as well.
How flexible is sleep therapy around work, fatigue and daily life?
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Sleep therapy is designed to fit around real life, especially when energy is low and days already feel demanding. Sessions are arranged at times that work around your schedule, and we can work together in a way that feels most manageable for you.
The work itself is gentle and practical. You won’t be asked to make drastic changes or follow rigid routines. Instead, we focus on small, realistic adjustments that support your sleep without adding pressure or overwhelm. Many people find that learning to work with their nervous system, rather than pushing against it, makes change feel far more achievable.
If work demands, fatigue, or fluctuating energy levels are part of your experience, we take that into account. Sleep therapy should support your life, not compete with it, and the pace of sessions is always guided by what feels sustainable for you.
What if there’s a medical reason behind my sleep problems?
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Many people experience sleep difficulties alongside medical or health-related issues such as sleep apnoea, restless legs syndrome, chronic pain, hormonal changes or the effects of medication. In these situations, it’s important that any underlying medical condition is properly assessed and treated by your GP or specialist.
Sleep therapy can still be very helpful, either alongside medical care or once medical causes have been explored. Even when there is a physical or medical contributor to insomnia, worry about sleep, night-time anxiety and disrupted sleep patterns often develop on top of it and can keep the problem going.
My role is to support the psychological and physiological aspects of sleep, helping to reduce anxiety, calm the nervous system and rebuild confidence in sleep while working respectfully alongside any medical treatment you’re receiving. If something suggests that medical input is needed first, I’ll always encourage you to seek that support.
This joined-up approach ensures you’re getting the right help, in the right order, so sleep can improve safely and sustainably.
Yes, some sleep support is available free of charge on the NHS, particularly when sleep problems are linked to medical conditions or mental health difficulties. Access often begins via your GP and may involve referral to IAPT (Talking Therapies) services, a sleep clinic or specialist care depending on the cause of your insomnia.
That said, availability, waiting times and the type of support offered can vary widely, and CBT for insomnia (CBT-I) is not always easy to access or delivered in a fully tailored way.
If you’d like a clear, practical overview of what NHS sleep support typically looks like, and how it compares with private sleep therapy, please click this link to read a short guide (NHS versus Private Sleep Therapy) I’ve written on this subject.