The Science of Sleep: A Primer for Therapists

In this course, we ask: why do we sleep? It takes so much time out of each day; does it serve an evolutionary or developmental function? If so, why are so many of us so bad at it, including, perhaps, the client that has come to see you because they are sleeping poorly? Sleep issues result in widespread daytime sleepiness, ill health, accidents, and massive loss of productivity. This course outlines how much sleep we need at various life stages, along with explaining the nightly stages of sleep that we pass through: governed, partially, by our circadian rhythms and nature-inspired sleep and wakefulness hormones. Sleep debt and chronotypes are discussed, and we investigate the effects of lifestyle choices – from napping and shift work to caffeine, alcohol, and vitamins – on sleep. We define insomnia and describe the chief sleep disorders, including conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, sleep walking, and teeth-grinding. Throughout the course and especially in the last section, we offer both allopathic solutions for chronic poor sleep – that is, CBTI and hypnotherapy – and also those emanating from various naturalistic traditions, such as herbal remedies, acupuncture, and color therapy. Your poorly-sleeping clients will thank you that they can soon start waking up refreshed and ready to go!