Parasomnias & Nightmares

Understanding and Treating Disruptions to Restful Sleep

Sleep is meant to be a time of restoration. But for many, nighttime can bring confusing or frightening experiences like sleep walking, confusional arousals, and nightmares that disrupt sleep and affect both emotional and physical well-being.

I work with individuals experiencing these challenges, combining evidence-based strategies, sleep education, and tailored treatment plans to help reduce nighttime disruptions and restore a greater sense of safety and calm around sleep.

Parasomnias

Parasomnias are sleep events that occur during the transitions between sleep and wakefulness, or between different stages of sleep. Common parasomnias include sleepwalking, sleep talking, confusional arousals, sleep terrors, and other behaviors that may seem purposeful but occur outside of full consciousness.

These events can feel scary to those experiencing them, as well as to loved ones, and can sometimes raise concerns about safety during sleep.

In treatment, I incorporate strategies from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), along with education about parasomnias and sleep science. Together, we will collect information about your sleep patterns and environment to identify contributing factors and develop a personalized plan. Our goal is to improve sleep quality, reduce the frequency of these events, and support safer, more restful nights.

Nightmares

Frequent or recurrent nightmares can significantly disrupt sleep, leading to nighttime anxiety, poor sleep quality, and even daytime distress. Nightmares can also worsen sleep avoidance, creating a difficult cycle.

Evidence-based treatments such as Image Rehearsal Therapy (IRT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Nightmares (CBT-N) can be highly effective in reducing nightmare frequency and intensity. These therapies focus on reshaping the narrative of the nightmares and changing the emotional response to distressing dreams, leading to more peaceful sleep over time.

If parasomnias or nightmares are interfering with your sleep or causing distress, know that effective, supportive treatments are available. Together, we can help you reclaim a sense of calm, safety, and rest at night.