Over 10 to 25% of adults suffers from persistent lack of sleep or Insomnia. Failure to treat Insomnia influences the general wellbeing, causes problems of attention and concentration and increases the risk of depression. Extensive scientific research demonstrates how Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) in group sessions leads to the best and most durable results. As a result, this treatment is on the rise internationally. Among others in the Netherlands and Canada, it has become the treatment of choice for Insomnia. CBT-I has recently also become more widespread in Flanders.

At the core of CBT-I lies the principle whereby the interplay of someone’s thoughts, feelings and behaviour will influence and reinforce their problems related to falling and staying asleep. During the first phase of the treatment, patients chart their sleep-wake patterns together with their therapist. They review how a better sleep quality may be achieved. This is done by analysing patients’ reactive behaviour towards the sleeping issues. During group sessions, any of the patients’ views about sleep deprivation and sleeping problems will also be discussed.

 

During the next stage, the focus is on psycoeducation and the learning of new behaviour. During psychoeducation, the implications of sleep deprivation are highlighted as well as how certain behavioural measures can help tackle sleep problems. A critical feature is that such behavioural measures should also be tested in practice by the patients themselves. This will help to adapt the measures individually to ensure the best possible personal result.  

Adults facing problems falling or staying asleep may take part in the group sessions, on condition of a prior consultation with dr. De Weerdt, head of the clinical sleep laboratory.

Both the first exploratory conversation, which is individual, and the group sessions CBT-I, take place at UZ Brussel. During the first individual conversation, it will be determined whether CBT-I offers an appropriate treatment in your case, depending on the nature of your sleep problem, your means and your preference.  The group sessions encompass seven consecutive weekly gatherings lasting 1.5 hours. Each group comprises a maximum of seven patients.

 

The treatment is led by Aisha Cortoos, doctor in psychology. She is a clinical psychologist, specialised in sleep and wake disorders, who is experienced in treating people suffering from Insomnia.

For more information about the treatment of Insomnia using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT-I), please call dr. Sonia De Weerdt, pneumologist and head of the sleep lab on number +32 (0)2 477 71 57 or Aisha Cortoos, clinical psychologist at the sleep lab by email: Aisha.cortoos@uzbrussel.be