Insomnia treatment

Yes. The program was designed for people with chronic insomnia but can be adapted to other situations, such as acute insomnia, unusual work schedules, jet lag or circadian rhythm disorders.

If you actively follow the suggested action plan, you will generally see significant results after 3 weeks of treatment.

BBT-I is more accessible, less expensive and has a smaller number of sessions (1-4) since it focuses mainly on the behavioural aspect.

CBT-I is usually spread over 5-8 sessions, sometimes up to 12. As well as behavioural strategies, it also addresses the cognitive aspect, meaning thoughts and beliefs around sleep. It may be particularly indicated when there are more obvious psychiatric disorders.

At the first appointment, we will determine together which approach is best suited to your needs.

Our insomnia treatment program is based on Brief Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (BBT-I), which is recognized to improve the quality of sleep. On average, 1-4 sessions are enough for working on behavioural strategies, such as stimulus control and sleep restriction.

BBT-I often helps reduce how long it takes to fall asleep and how long you are awake after you fall asleep and improves your sleep efficiency. However, the results can vary from one person to the next and are not guaranteed in all cases. BBT-I is designed to be effective but doesn’t guarantee complete remission.

The majority of people gain benefits, but some may need further treatment or a different approach. At the first consultation, an assessment will help determine whether our insomnia treatment is a good fit for your needs or whether it would be preferable to consider a referral for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I).

Our insomnia treatment, or Brief Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (BBTI), often means that sleeping pill use is reviewed because the treatment is based on non-drug strategies recognized for long-term beneficial effects and for having fewer side effects. Sleeping pills may provide short-term relief but their benefits tend to go away once treatment is stopped.

To optimize the results of insomnia treatment, we may recommend that the dose be gradually lowered during or after the program. However, this must be done under medical supervision and be assessed individually, because stopping suddenly may not suit everyone. If you are considering stopping your sleeping pills, we will recommend talking to your doctor or pharmacist to develop a safe discontinuation plan which suits your situation.

Yes, our insomnia treatment can be followed at the same time as other medical treatments, including drugs, treatment for sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and coexisting psychiatric disorders.

Studies have shown that combining different treatments may improve the results for some coexisting disorders, such as depression or chronic pain, and, for example, may greatly assist with adjusting to sleep apnea treatment.

Alcohol and drug use may make the insomnia treatment less effective and affect other behavioural approaches for insomnia. These psychoactive substances harm the architecture of sleep, increasing drowsiness during the day, and may make insomnia more persistent. When substance use is not controlled, the risk of recurrence is also higher.

For now, Biron’s insomnia treatment is intended for adult patients. The program will be adapted for pediatric patients soon, starting with teenagers. Stay tuned; our website will be updated once it’s available.

If insomnia symptoms come back after insomnia treatment, we recommend arranging follow-up sessions as needed. We offer customized consultations. Additional sessions or a referral for CBT-I may help treat persistent or recurrent symptoms by fine-tuning behavioural strategies, adjusting conditions which are suitable for sleep and strengthening adaptation skills. We recommend maintaining good sleep hygiene and sticking with the habits learned during the program.

Increasingly, insurance companies are covering consultations with healthcare providers or clinicians. We can send you a quote to help you check your eligibility with your insurer.