What We Do

Online Therapy for Sleep Disorders

What are Sleep Disorders?

Sleep disorders can affect every aspect of life, whether you’re struggling to fall asleep, stay asleep, or feel refreshed during the day. Conditions like PTSD can significantly contribute to disrupted sleep, making it difficult to achieve the rest your body and mind need. These disorders impact your energy, mood, and overall health. Fortunately, with proper diagnosis and treatment, you can reclaim restful nights and energized days

Types of sleep disorders
There are many types of sleep disorders, but some of the most common include:

  • Insomnia — Difficulty falling or staying asleep, often linked to stress, diet, medical issues, pain, or mental health issues, such as mania, depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
  • Sleep Apnea — Breathing interruptions during sleep that can cause snoring, gasping, and frequent awakenings, leading to daytime sleepiness.
  • Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) — A neurological condition causing uncomfortable sensations and an urge to move your legs, especially at night.
  • Narcolepsy — A disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden episodes of sleep.

What causes sleep disorders?
The causes of sleep disorders are diverse and may include:

  • Physical conditions — Heart disease, respiratory problems, perimenopause, menopause, or chronic pain can interfere with sleep.
  • Mental health disorders — Anxiety, depression, trauma, or stress can make it difficult to sleep.
  • Neurological factors — Conditions like RLS and narcolepsy are rooted in brain function.
  • Lifestyle influences — Poor sleep habits, caffeine use, substance use, and irregular schedules can contribute.

In some cases, sleep disorders arise from a combination of these factors, making it essential to pinpoint the root cause.

How are sleep disorders diagnosed?

How are sleep disorders diagnosed?

Diagnosing sleep disorders often begins with a conversation about your sleep habits and medical history. Your healthcare provider may also recommend a referral for:

  • Sleep studies—These include overnight monitoring (polysomnograms) to assess brain activity, breathing, and other factors while you sleep. Many times, these can be done remotely in the comfort of your home.
  • Actigraphy — A wearable device tracks your activity and sleep patterns over several days.
  • Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) — Measures daytime sleepiness and helps identify disorders like narcolepsy.

These evaluations help uncover the cause of your symptoms and guide effective treatment.


Related:  When Anxiety Interferes With Sleeping


Treatment options for sleep disorders

Behavioral Therapies

  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) — Helps address negative thought patterns and habits that disrupt sleep.
  • Relaxation Techniques — Mindfulness, meditation, and breathing exercises promote restful sleep.

Medical Interventions

  • CPAP Machines — These devices keep airways open for sleep apnea and improve breathing during sleep.
  • Certain medications can treat underlying issues, such as anxiety, depression, mania, RLS, or narcolepsy. For medical issues, referral to the proper specialist is essential.

Lifestyle Changes

  • Establishing a consistent sleep schedule
  • Creating a calming bedtime routine
  • Limiting caffeine, alcohol, and screen time before bed
Top Divider Image

Here’s to a good night’s sleep

Sleep disorders can feel overwhelming, especially when they’re tied to emotional challenges like grief, but effective treatments are available to help you rest easier and live better. With the right diagnosis and care, you can overcome the challenges of disrupted sleep and enjoy brighter days ahead.

If you’re having trouble sleeping, don’t hesitate—start your journey to improved rest today.

  • Identifying the Symptoms
  • Symptoms of sleep disorders can differ based on the type, but common ones include:
  • Trouble falling or staying asleep
  • Fatigue or drowsiness during the day
  • A strong desire to nap in the daytime • Feelings of irritability or anxiety
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Depression

These symptoms can significantly affect physical and mental health, so early detection is key.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does online therapy help treat sleep disorders in New Jersey?

Online therapy offers a convenient and accessible way to address sleep disorders without requiring you to leave your home. Through secure video sessions, our licensed New Jersey therapists help identify behavioral and psychological contributors to poor sleep. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), mindfulness training, and stress management are common techniques used in online sleep disorder treatment. These approaches are just as effective virtually as they are in person and allow for flexible scheduling. Patients gain tools to improve sleep hygiene and build healthier sleep patterns over time.

What are the common causes of sleep disorders?

Sleep disorders can be caused by a wide range of factors, including anxiety, depression, chronic stress, poor sleep habits, or medical issues like sleep apnea. Lifestyle choices such as excessive screen time, irregular schedules, and caffeine or alcohol use also play a role. At Family Psychiatry and Therapy in New Jersey, we focus on identifying and addressing these contributing factors through personalized treatment plans. Online therapy enables clients to make these discoveries in the comfort and privacy of their homes. Understanding the cause of a sleep disorder is key to long-lasting relief and healthier routines.

Can therapy alone treat sleep disorders without medication?

Yes, in many cases, sleep disorders can be effectively treated with therapy alone, particularly when caused by psychological or behavioral issues. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is a gold-standard treatment proven to help people fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. In New Jersey, our therapists offer CBT and other non-medication interventions through online therapy. These methods empower patients to make lasting changes to their sleep habits without relying on pills. Our approach focuses on sustainable solutions that promote deep, natural rest over time.

Can therapy help with sleep issues caused by shift work or irregular sleep/wake patterns?

Yes—Family Psychiatry & Therapy therapists understand the unique challenges of circadian disruption from shift work. Treatment includes personalized strategies like scheduled light exposure, consistent sleep rituals adjusted to variable routines, and strategic timing of naps. Therapists help clients monitor outcomes and tweak routines to maximize quality rest despite irregular shifts. Cognitive approaches also address anxiety about sleep loss or performance fatigue. Over time, these techniques help stabilize rest cycles even in nontraditional schedules. The goal is adaptive sleep hygiene that fits your life demands, not one-size-fits-all timing.

How are co-occurring anxiety or mood symptoms addressed when treating insomnia?

When anxiety or mood disturbances accompany sleep difficulties, therapists integrate tools to calm racing thoughts, manage worry, and regulate emotion—usually before addressing sleep directly. Approaches like mindfulness, worry journaling, and relaxation training help reduce nighttime arousal. This emotional groundwork paves the way for sleep-specific strategies like stimulus control and sleep scheduling. Cognitive restructuring reframes negative beliefs about sleep failure and restlessness. Medication consultations may be coordinated if needed to support early stabilization. By treating both sleep and emotional contributors, therapy promotes deeper, more restorative rest and emotional balance.

Are wearable sleep trackers incorporated into treatment plans to monitor progress?

Family Psychiatry & Therapy can incorporate wearable sleep data—such as sleep duration, awakenings, or sleep stage estimates—if a client is already using a tracker. Therapists discuss how to interpret trends and align them with subjective experiences like daytime energy or mood. This biofeedback helps clients recognize patterns, validate progress, and identify areas still needing adjustment. However, clinicians balance tech data with clinical judgment and psychoeducation, avoiding over-reliance on possibly inaccurate metrics. When used thoughtfully, trackers can motivate adherence to sleep hygiene strategies and show tangible improvement. They become tools for insight, not definitive measures.

How do I begin online therapy for sleep disorders with your New Jersey team?

To get started with online therapy, simply schedule a consultation with our licensed therapists in New Jersey. During your intake, we’ll evaluate your sleep patterns, routines, and mental health to create a personalized treatment plan. Whether you’re experiencing insomnia, frequent nightmares, or sleep-related anxiety, we’re here to help. Our HIPAA-compliant video sessions are secure, discreet, and flexible to fit your schedule. If you’re ready to improve your sleep, contact our team today to begin your journey toward restful nights.

Additional Information in New Jersey

Centers for Disease Control and PreventionSleep Deprivation, Sleep Disorders, and Chronic Disease: Data showing how lack of sleep affects physical and mental health. For patients in online counseling, it provides validation that their sleep challenges are serious and linked to broader health risks like heart disease, diabetes, and depression. This awareness can motivate them to treat sleep issues as a medical priority, not just an inconvenience. The site also helps patients recognize how their sleep patterns may be influenced by lifestyle, work schedules, or stress—topics often explored in therapy. By learning the health consequences of poor sleep, patients become more engaged in making changes during online sessions. The CDC’s authoritative backing builds trust and supports the value of consistent, guided counseling.

National Sleep FoundationSleep Disorders: Offers user-friendly, in-depth information on a wide range of sleep disorders, including insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and narcolepsy. For patients, this site helps them identify specific symptoms and understand how their condition works, which can reduce anxiety and confusion. It includes practical tips and behavioral strategies that align well with online cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and other treatment approaches. Patients can refer to the site between sessions to reinforce therapy goals and track progress. The foundation’s tools, such as sleep hygiene checklists and lifestyle recommendations, give patients concrete ways to take control of their sleep health. This empowers them to play an active role in their recovery during and beyond their online counseling sessions.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)Highlights in Sleep Disorders Research: Highlights key scientific breakthroughs in sleep research and explains how sleep affects cardiovascular, metabolic, and cognitive health. For patients in online sleep counseling, this site reinforces the importance of sleep as a foundation for overall well-being. It helps patients understand how disrupted sleep can increase the risk of chronic illness, which can motivate them to take therapy more seriously. The site also emphasizes that sleep issues are treatable and worth addressing early, especially through evidence-based interventions. Patients benefit by learning that their sleep disorder is not just a nuisance but a real medical issue supported by science. This empowers them to fully participate in their online treatment plan with a clearer understanding of why it matters.

Get in Touch

We help children, adolescents, adults, and families achieve behavioral health solutions in a comforting, confidential, and supportive environment. You’ll hear a friendly, live voice 24/7. Appointments are easy to book. No long waits.

Serving All Of

Tri-state Area.

Call or Text Us

201-977-2889

201-977-2889

Book Online

Let's Get Started

Let's Set Up an Appointment

Name(Required)
User Preference