About 15% of the general population meets criteria for chronic insomnia disorder, a rate that is disproportionally higher (50-70%) in individuals with mental health disorders. Despite the widespread use of prescription and over-the-counter sleep aids, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is the guideline-recommended, first-line treatment for the disorder. CBT-I integrates behavioral and sleep physiology principles to implement behavioral therapies that modify sleep-inhibitory, -incompatible and -compensatory behaviors with the aim of increasing homeostatic sleep drive, increase sleep efficiency, and reassociate the sleep environment with good sleep. Sleep restriction and stimulus control therapies are the active ingredients of CBT-I and can be implemented alone. As a multicomponent therapy, CBT-I further implements cognitive therapies, such as schedule/constructive worry or cognitive restructuring, to reduce cognitive hyperarousal and modify dysfunctional sleep beliefs, which are highly prominent in people with chronic insomnia. Additionally, CBT-I may include deactivation techniques (e.g., relaxation therapy) or other cognitive techniques (e.g., behavioral experiments) as needed. CBT-I yields superior long-term outcomes compared to sleep aids, as 70% of patients improve and 50% achieve full insomnia remission and boosts the improvement of symptoms of comorbid mental health disorders. However, access, dissemination and implementation of CBT-I in real-world practices outside of specialized sleep centers remains a challenge as there is a significant lack of trained practitioners and limited resources. In this workshop, attendees will help close this gap by learning the principles and practice of effective implementation of CBT-I. 

CE Learning Objectives

At the end of this workshop, the learner will be able to:

1. Summarize the 3 behavioral mechanisms by which insomnia becomes a chronic disorder;

2. Explain the differences between sleep need, duration and efficiency;

3. Describe the 6 key principles for correct implementation of sleep restriction and stimulus control therapies;

4. Identify 2 different cognitive therapy approaches to dysfunctional sleep beliefs;

5. Compare the efficacy yield by sleep aids and behavioral therapies for insomnia; and

6. Demonstrate effective use of behavioral and cognitive therapies to improve sleep.

About Presenter

Julio Fernandez-Mendoza, PhD, DBSM, FAHA

Edward O. Bixler, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health

Associate Vice Chair for Faculty Development in Research Scholarship

Professor of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics and Public Health Sciences

Director of Behavioral Sleep Medicine

Penn State Health Sleep Research & Treatment Center

Target Audience

This workshop is designed for licensed professionals & advanced graduate students with clinical experience who anticipate seeking licensure as mental health professionals. The instructional level of this presentation is INTERMEDIATE.

Continuing Education

• Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists*. Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
• This program provides three (3) total hours of CE credits (1.5 CE credits per each separate date).
• * PBTA offers CE to licensed psychologists licensed in the state of New York. Attestation of full attendance and provision of license number post-event required to obtain certificate that meets NY criteria for CE.
  
• PBTA is also an authorized provider of CE credits for Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Clinical Social Workers licensed in the state of Pennsylvania. Non-psychologist licensees in other states should confirm with their respective boards if this meets criteria for CE in their specific non-PA states.
  
• Full attendance with video display is required to obtain CE credit for this program. APA guidelines do not permit PBTA to issue partial CE credits. No refunds are provided for CE programs. No exceptions allowed. Registrants have the option to log in and cancel up to 48 hours before event when registration closes.
  

Zoom video link will be sent to participants 48 hours before the event contingent upon membership being paid in full if membership rate was selected. NOTE: New membership period begins 2/1 of each calendar year. Enrollment for non-members is automatically cancelled if registration fee is not paid within 15 minutes of registration. Past members who have not renewed membership will not be eligible for no-cost CE credits.

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