Insomnia is insufficient, inadequate, or poor-quality sleep due to one or more of the following reasons:
According to the National Sleep Foundation, one third of adults experience difficulty sleeping every night. Are you one?
It’s called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy -Insomnia (CBT-I). CBT-I will teach you to:
Using Hypnosis combined with CBT-I techniques can accelerate your progress so that you can get the sleep you so desperately want and need. That’s why I combine CBT-I and hypnosis. According to one study published by the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, combining clinical hypnosis and CBT increases the efficacy of treatment.
“I started noticing a difference in my sleep after the first session. I put into practice everything I learned and it worked! I loved doing hypnosis. It really helped me learn to let go of my worries. ”
~Terri M. September 2018
“I am so happy to finally be sleeping. My sleep improved rapidly once I started seeing Dr. Linda. I highly recommend you work with her if you are having sleep issues.”
~Gail K. January 2019
Insomnia is caused by learned thoughts and behaviors that can be unlearned. Insomnia is a habit of NOT sleeping. Habits can be changed. Using CBT-I techniques and hypnosis, I will show you how to overcome your insomnia so that you can sleep when you want to sleep.
CBT-I focuses on the connection between the way you think, the things you do, and how you sleep. CBT-I will help you identify thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are contributing to the symptoms of insomnia. CBT-I sessions will include cognitive, behavioral, and educational components.
Hypnosis is a naturally occurring state of concentration and focused attention. It will allow you to be more open to discussion and suggestion about changes that will improve and increase your sleep. Combining hypnosis with CBT-I can improve the success of treatment for insomnia so that you get results faster.
This is a collaborative process and you will need to practice the skills learned in session between sessions.
Hypnosis is a state of absorption and focused attention. It is a state of heightened receptivity in which you are able to focus your mind and body to achieve the results you desire. It is an integrative process of rebuilding habits and behaviors, as well as emotions, beliefs, and feelings.
Yes! Anyone wanting and willing to be hypnotized can experience the state of hypnosis. The only exception would be someone with severe cognitive impairments.
No! Hypnosis is a collaborative process. You will be aware of what I am saying during the session and aware of your responses. You cannot be made to do anything you do not want to do. You will not tell secrets or reveal any information during hypnosis.
Should you want to howl at the moon at midnight or bark like a dog at 8:00 am, well, that will be an extra charge.(JUST KIDDING!!!)
No. You will actually be in a heightened state of awareness during hypnosis. You will be aware of your surroundings and will hear not only my voice but all the other sounds around you. You will remember as much of the hypnosis session as you do a regular conversation. Learning how to use hypnosis will help you learn to relax and learn to drift into sleep.
Yes. You will leave the hypnosis session fully alert and feeling refreshed.
No. Hypnosis is a natural ability of the mind that we all experience daily. It is completely safe when practiced by an experienced, professional hypnotherapist. There is no evidence at all of hypnosis doing harm to a person.
Hypnosis is not relaxation but…I often help you create a profoundly relaxed state to assist you in making the changes you desire. This is especially true when working with clients experiencing insomnia. Many people are a bit surprised at how normal they feel during the experience. Your mind will be alert and your focus will be on your experience and the suggestions you are receiving.
Sometimes there are physical reasons for not being able to sleep. I can’t promise this approach will overcome actual physical issues. However, using the techniques I teach you can achieve a deeper level of relaxation and rest. Most people find that these techniques are the missing link to being able to sleep when they want to sleep.
Rapid change is possible with the use of CBT-I and Hypnosis. Most clients with insomnia issues find they need only a brief series of sessions; typically, 4 to 6 sessions. My goal is to provide you with the most effective customized process in the most efficient use of your time. Treating insomnia is a process although most people begin to experience the benefits from the very first session. An effective brief series of sessions provides continued reinforcement. Your treatment is completely customized for your individual and unique needs.
The Gold Standard of Treatment for Insomnia
“The hypnosis was really helpful in helping me learn to relax and let go of my anxiety. Dr. Ritchie is the only one I know who uses both CBT and Hypnosis to help with insomnia. I have experience significant changes in my ability to fall asleep and stay asleep.”
~David W. January 2021
“I used to need medication in order to sleep at night. By working with Linda I have been able to get off the medication totally and I now sleep very well most of the time. Very few nights do I ever have problems sleeping. I didn’t think I could be hypnotized but…I was wrong.”
~Amanda T. July 2019
Our sessions are going to be different from anything you’ve done before. What I do is unique because it is designed to use both your conscious and your unconscious mind. Hypnosis is a specialized technique, NOT a therapy itself. By using hypnosis I help you amplifies and accelerate the effect of CBT-I. Who doesn’t want faster results?
“ Hypnosis can be used to amplify whatever it is about therapy that makes it therapeutic. It permits a wide range of choices regarding where and how to intervene…” Ng BY, Lee TS. Hypnotherapy for sleep disorders. Annals, Academy of Medicine, Singapore. 2008 Aug;37(8):683-8. PMID: 18797562.