Insomnia is not just a problem of the night — it is the result of patterns that can be changed. The most helpful resources on insomnia are grounded in CBT-I (cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia), the world’s leading evidence-based approach, recommended by NICE as the first-line treatment. Rather than offering quick tricks, the real goal is to change your relationship with sleep so it returns naturally.
Why focus on CBT-I?
If you suffer from insomnia, you are not alone. Millions of people experience difficulty falling asleep, waking in the middle of the night, or a tiredness that won’t lift — even after a full night in bed. But here is the truth: insomnia is not just a problem of the night. It is the result of patterns that can be changed.
Dr Jonathan Kushnir, clinical psychologist (HCPC PYL042430), has written extensively on sleep — more than 25 publications and 17 books — to make sense of this and show what genuinely works in treating insomnia. His writing is based on the world’s leading approach: CBT-I, cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia. (Dr Kushnir’s CBT-I book is available in Hebrew for Hebrew speakers; English-speaking readers are warmly encouraged to use the resources on this site instead.)
What do good CBT-I resources teach?
- Why sleep “escapes” precisely when you try hardest to fall asleep
- The difference between tiredness and sleepiness (and why it is critical)
- How insomnia develops — and what keeps it going over time
- Which common mistakes make insomnia worse
- How to stop fighting sleep — and let it return naturally
What actually works for insomnia?
Many people try to manage insomnia with:
- Sleep hygiene
- Supplements or “natural remedies”
- Alcohol or compensatory sleep
But in most cases, these do not solve the problem over the long term. CBT-I is the treatment recommended by NICE, the NHS and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine as the first-line approach. It focuses on changing the patterns that hold the problem in place — not just the symptoms.
Who is this approach for?
It is for anyone experiencing:
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Frequent waking in the night
- Waking too early
- A mind that won’t stop before sleep
- Chronic daytime tiredness
And also for anyone who has already tried “everything” and still not found a solution.
What is different about this approach?
Unlike quick promises, the CBT-I approach does not offer “tricks for falling asleep fast”. Instead it offers something deeper: a real change in your relationship with sleep — less effort, less anxiety, and more natural confidence in your ability to sleep.
To learn more, explore the complete guide to insomnia or book a consultation with Dr Jonathan Kushnir. You can also take a short insomnia self-assessment.