Online Nightmare Treatment in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida and Arizona
Are nightmares disrupting your sleep and peace of mind?
You go to bed desperate for rest, but part of you feels uneasy. Will tonight bring another vivid, distressing dream? Will you wake up suddenly in the middle of the night, heart racing, unable to settle back to sleep?
You wake up shaken, your mind replaying what you just experienced. The images linger, the emotions are real, and it becomes harder to relax. You may start to dread going to sleep, afraid to let the nightmare in and wondering how you’ll function the next day.
Nightmares can affect every part of your life.
When your sleep is interrupted by nightmares, everything feels more difficult. You may feel anxious, agitated, and irritable. Your focus, productivity, mood and relationships can suffer. Over time, the fear of experiencing another nightmare can create a cycle of insomnia or even avoiding sleep.
You might try fending the nightmares off with alcohol or marijuana, but that only contributes to feeling hung over and unrested the next day.
You’re not the person, partner, or parent you want to be, but you can’t see how you’ll break out of this loop.
Let’s break the nightmare cycle.
Imagine going to bed without fear. No more waking up in a frightful sweat. No more sleep avoidance, self-medicating, and trudging zombie-like through the day. You sleep more peacefully, wake feeling calmer, and move through your day with greater clarity and ease.
Our work together starts with a comprehensive assessment to understand your sleep patterns, triggers, stressors, and how nightmares are affecting your life.
Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy specifically developed for nightmares, we’ll develop a structured plan to reduce the frequency and intensity of nightmares, calm your nervous system, and help you feel safe and in control of your sleep again.
As your sleep improves, you’ll learn how to maintain a sense of calm and resilience, even during stressful times. With better rest, you’ll feel more grounded, focused, and ready to engage fully in your life.
Nightmare Treatment can help you:
- Reduce the frequency and intensity of nightmares
- Fall back asleep more easily after waking
- Feel calmer and less anxious at bedtime
- Regain a sense of control over your sleep
- Experience deeper, more restorative rest
Peaceful, uninterrupted sleep is possible.
Frequently Asked Questions about Treatment for Nightmares
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CBT-N?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Nightmares (CBT-N) is a scientifically proven treatment designed to reduce the frequency and intensity of recurrent nightmares. Treatment consists of a comprehensive assessment followed by 4-8 treatment sessions. We’ll work to rewrite your nightmare to create new options and outcomes. Through rehearsal, this process has been shown to alter the nightmare pattern, creating a calmer experience and a sense of safety. CBT-N also covers a lot of the same ground as CBT for Insomnia, restoring healthy, natural sleep rhythms through changes to your schedule, routines, and thought patterns.
How long does it take?
Treatment typically lasts 4-8 sessions after the initial evaluation. Most people start to notice improvement after 2-3 sessions, if not sooner.
Why is CBT-N preferable to medication for sleep and nightmares?
CBT-N addresses the root causes of sleep problems whereas medication addresses the symptoms. When the medication runs out, the sleep problems often return. CBT-N works to correct the behaviors and thoughts that keep you stuck in nightmare cycles.
Do I have to stop taking medication to work with you?
No. Certain medications can help lessen nightmares and other medications can treat the anxiety and trauma symptoms that can trigger nightmares. Once we determine the cause of your sleep problems, we will create an appropriate treatment plan in consultation with your physician or pharmacologist.
Do you prescribe medication?
No. Psychologists do not prescribe medication. Medication for depression, anxiety or other underlying mood problems can be helpful if those symptoms make it harder to follow through with our treatment plan. Occasionally, sleep medications may also be helpful. If we decide that it makes sense to add medication, I can refer you to a prescribing doctor or NP and we will work together on your treatment plan.
My nightmares are related to trauma. Can CBT-N help?
Yes. CBT-N has been shown to improve nightmares as well as insomnia, sleep quality and sleep duration in individuals suffering from trauma and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Often, the improvement in sleep that comes from CBT-N is associated with improvement in overall anxiety and PTSD symptoms. I am happy to consult with your trauma therapist to coordinate care.
