CBT-I · Ontario
When Sleep Starts to Feel Like a Struggle: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) in Ontario
Book my FREE 20-min consultationSleep is meant to be a time when your body and mind can recover, but insomnia can change your relationship with rest. You may lie awake long after going to bed, wake repeatedly throughout the night, or begin each day already feeling exhausted. Over time, frustration and pressure around sleep can make bedtime feel like another source of stress.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) offers a structured approach to understanding the patterns that may be keeping insomnia going and creating meaningful change.
You do not have to keep pushing through exhausted. Reach out to start a conversation.
When Sleep Problems Start Affecting More Than Your Nights
Sleep difficulties can affect much more than the hours spent in bed. You may notice changes in your mood, concentration, patience, energy, or ability to manage everyday responsibilities. Even small tasks can begin to feel more demanding when you are carrying ongoing exhaustion.
Insomnia can take many forms. For some people, it means lying awake for a long time before falling asleep. For others, it involves waking during the night, waking earlier than intended, or sleeping for what seems like enough time but never feeling truly rested afterward.
Over time, the experience of not sleeping well can begin to shape the way you approach bedtime. You may find yourself watching the clock, worrying about the night ahead, or feeling pressure to make sleep happen. These patterns can become frustrating and leave you feeling disconnected from the rest your body is trying to find.
How CBT-I Helps Change the Cycle of Insomnia
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is a structured therapy approach that focuses on the thoughts, behaviours, and patterns that can maintain insomnia over time. Rather than simply offering general sleep tips, CBT-I helps you understand how your relationship with sleep may have changed and what may be contributing to ongoing difficulties.
In therapy, we explore patterns such as worry about sleep, spending long periods awake in bed, irregular sleep routines, or the pressure that can build when you feel like you need to sleep. Together, we identify what may be keeping the cycle going and work toward changes that help your mind and body reconnect with more restful sleep.
CBT-I is recommended as a first line treatment for chronic insomnia and has strong research supporting its effectiveness. The work is collaborative and tailored to your experience, goals, and the patterns that are unique to you.
Sleep Therapy That Looks Beyond Sleep
Elizabeth Boom is a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) and Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor Qualifying (RMFT-SQ) with over a decade of clinical experience supporting individuals through emotional challenges, life transitions, and patterns that no longer feel helpful. She has specific training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I).
While sleep may be the reason someone reaches out, it is rarely the only part of the story. Stress, emotions, relationships, life changes, and the ways we cope with challenges can all influence how we experience rest. Elizabeth’s broader psychotherapy approach creates space to look at the full picture while using CBT-I principles to address sleep related patterns.
Online insomnia therapy allows you to access care from the privacy and comfort of your own space, without adding travel to a time when you may already feel depleted. Elizabeth provides online therapy across Ontario, including Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, London, Kingston, Kitchener-Waterloo, and surrounding communities.
Your First Step Doesn’t Have to Be a Big One
Beginning therapy can feel like a significant step, especially when you have been coping with poor sleep for a long time. You do not need to have everything figured out before reaching out. The process is designed to be straightforward, supportive, and without pressure.
Free 20-Minute Consultation
Your journey begins with a free 20 minute consultation. You can reach out by phone at 1-844-JOY2DAY or by email at elizabethboom@protonmail.com to schedule a time.
This is an opportunity to share what has been happening with your sleep, ask questions, and get a sense of whether working together feels like the right fit. There is no expectation to continue. It is simply a conversation to help you decide what feels right for you.
Schedule Your First Session
If you decide to move forward, we will schedule your first 50 minute online session. You will receive a secure link to connect from a private space of your choice. Sessions are held through a platform that supports privacy and confidentiality.
Begin Your Therapy Journey
In your first session, we will begin exploring your current sleep patterns, what has been affecting your rest, and what you would like to feel different in your day to day life. Together, we will develop a direction for therapy that reflects your needs, goals, and pace.
Sessions are typically weekly or bi weekly, with flexibility to adjust over time as your needs change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) and how does it work?
CBT-I is a structured therapy approach that helps address the thoughts, behaviours, and patterns that can contribute to ongoing insomnia. It focuses on changing the cycle that keeps sleep difficulties going rather than only addressing the symptoms.
How is CBT-I different from medication for sleep?
Medication can be helpful for some people, but CBT-I focuses on developing lasting changes in the patterns and responses connected with sleep. Many people use CBT-I as a stand alone approach, while others choose to combine therapy with other forms of care.
Is insomnia therapy covered by insurance in Ontario?
Many extended health benefit plans provide coverage for services offered by Registered Psychotherapists (RP). Coverage varies between providers, so it is best to check directly with your insurance company.
How long does CBT-I typically take?
The length of therapy varies depending on your sleep concerns, goals, and circumstances. CBT-I is often structured over a shorter period than many forms of psychotherapy, but the pace is individualized based on your needs.
Can online CBT-I be effective?
Research suggests that online CBT-I can be an effective option for many people experiencing insomnia. Online therapy can also make it easier to access care from a comfortable and private space.