Fast, coordinated CBT-I referrals for your patients
Referring a patient for CBT-I is straightforward. Here’s everything you need to know about who can benefit and how the process works.
This website is for referring professionals. Please click the button below if you are looking for information for yourself.
Good candidates for CBT-I
CBT-I is appropriate for most adults with chronic insomnia (difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep at least 3 nights per week for 3 or more months). It is particularly effective for:
- Patients with primary insomnia, with or without a comorbid mood or anxiety disorder
- Patients who prefer a non-pharmacological approach or have concerns about sleep medications
- Patients currently on sleep medications who want to taper or reduce reliance
- Patients whose insomnia is complicating management of depression, anxiety, chronic pain, PTSD, or other conditions
- Patients who have not responded to sleep hygiene recommendations alone
Please note that extra caution must be taken with patients who have sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, bipolar disorder, epilepsy, or other medical problems. These issues don’t necessarily prevent participation in CBT-I therapy but additional assessments or treatment modifications may be necessary.
30 years of experience
I've been a licensed clinical social worker for 30 years right here in Madison, WI. I have over 30 hours of training in the latest techniques in insomnia treatment with leaders in the field such as Meg Danforth, PhD, CBSM, Colleen Carney, PhD, and Gregg Jacobs, PhD.
I am listed in the follow directories of CBT-I specialists:
https://cbtforinsomnia.com/clinicians-recently-trained-by-dr-jacobs/
How referrals work
You can trust that each referral will be handled with care from the initial contact to the handoff back to your practice.
Call to consult
You can give me a call at 608-345-1349 so we can discuss your patient's needs.
If you prefer, you can give your patient my number and I will do a screening before contacting you (if your patient gives me permission).
Your patient gets prompt intake
You can expect your patient to be seen within 14 days of our first contact. Time is of the essence for a successful referral. If your patient is motivated to begin, inital appointments are always available.
You stay in the loop
With patient consent, I provide progress updates to ensure care remains coordinated.
Your patient is handed off back to you
With patient consent, you will receive a summary of the treatment as well as any recommendations for further services.
FAQ
Does my patient need a formal sleep study before being referred?
No. CBT-I does not require a prior polysomnography. If there is clinical suspicion for sleep apnea, restless leg disorder, or another sleep disorder, that should be evaluated before a referral. However, the majority of people with insomnia do not need a sleep study.
Do you accept insurance?
Definitely, this is a covered service under most policies. Common insurers I work with are: Dean, Quartz, GHC, The Alliance, Anthem, Medicare, and Medicaid but this list is not exhaustive.
Patients may also pay for your therapy out-of-pocket if they prefer. The time limited nature of this therapy makes it affordable and costs are known up front.
What is the length of CBT-I?
Only 4-6 sessions are needed over the course of two months for most people. Patients spend about 3 minutes per day upon waking to complete a sleep log that will guide treatment. Educational materials teach your patient how the sleep cycle works and what they can do to fall asleep faster, stop waking up, and feel more refreshed in the morning. The majority of people start to feel better after just two weeks.
Can patients continue their sleep medication while doing CBT-I?
Yes. Many patients begin CBT-I while still using sleep medication. CBT-I can be used alongside medication.
Is CBT-I appropriate for patients with depression or anxiety?
Yes. CBT-I is often especially beneficial for people with anxiety or mood disorders. Insomnia and mood disorders are bidirectionally linked. Treating insomnia frequently improves mood symptoms and can enhance the effectiveness of other treatments.
Are telehealth services available?
Sessions can be done either in person at my office in Madison, WI, or via telehealth (patients must be located in Wisconsin at the time of service).