Insomnia Treatment in Massachusetts
Help for trouble falling or staying asleep by secure video, including the anxiety and low mood that often come with it.
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Clinically reviewed by Joseph Lavoie, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC · Last reviewed
The short answer
Insomnia treatment in Massachusetts usually starts with cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and better sleep habits, plus treating any anxiety or depression behind it. At Journey Psychiatric Care, a psychiatric nurse practitioner sees you by video every visit.
Sleep and mental health are tied together
Insomnia means trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or waking too early, even when you have the chance to sleep, and feeling the effects during the day. When it happens at least three nights a week for three months, it is called chronic insomnia.
Poor sleep and mental health feed each other. Anxiety keeps your mind racing at night. Depression can wake you at 4 a.m. And weeks of bad sleep make mood, focus and patience worse. Treating only the sleep, or only the mood, often misses half the problem.
Your care is with Joseph Lavoie, PMHNP-BC, a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner. He is not a physician. He looks at sleep as part of your whole mental health picture and treats what is driving it.
Small daily habits matter more than most people expect. Caffeine late in the day, alcohol at night, screens in bed, naps and a bedtime that moves around all make insomnia worse. These are part of the conversation, along with the bigger causes.
Trouble falling asleep
Lying awake for a long time, often with a busy mind or a sense of dread about not sleeping.
Waking in the night
Waking up and not getting back to sleep, or waking much earlier than you want to.
Sleep tied to mood
Insomnia that comes with anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief or a stressful stretch at work or home.
Signs insomnia is affecting you
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, insomnia can cause problems during the day like these:
- Feeling tired or sleepy during the day
- Irritability, anxiety or low mood
- Trouble paying attention or remembering things
- More mistakes at work or while driving
- Worry about sleep that makes bedtime stressful
Some sleep problems need a medical workup. Loud snoring, gasping at night or very strong daytime sleepiness can be signs of sleep apnea, and Joseph will point you to your primary care provider or a sleep specialist if he suspects it.
Treatment options
Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the recommended first treatment for chronic insomnia in adults. It works on the habits and thoughts that keep you awake, such as spending too long in bed or watching the clock. Joseph can work on these with you and help you find a CBT-I program if that fits.
When anxiety or depression is behind the insomnia, treating it often improves sleep. Sleep medication may be considered for some people, usually short-term. Some sleep medications can be habit-forming or cause next-day drowsiness, so Joseph explains the risks and other options first. Read psychiatric provider or therapist: which do I need? if you are not sure where to start.
How care works
- Book an evaluation. Your first video visit covers your sleep, mood, stress, caffeine and alcohol, and medications.
- Keep a sleep diary. A week or two of notes on bedtimes and wake-ups helps show the pattern. See how to prepare for your visit.
- Make a plan. You agree on sleep changes, treatment for anything behind the insomnia, and medication only if appropriate.
- Follow up with the same clinician. Check-ins track how sleep and mood are changing, and the plan adjusts.
Insurance
Journey Psychiatric Care is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna/Evernorth, Oscar Health, Oxford, Point32Health and UnitedHealthcare. Out-of-network invoices are available. Contact us for current self-pay rates.
Frequently asked questions
When should I get help for insomnia?
If poor sleep has lasted more than a few weeks, or it is affecting your mood, work or driving, it is time to talk to someone. Insomnia that comes with anxiety or depression is a good reason to see a psychiatric provider.
Can a psychiatric nurse practitioner treat insomnia?
Yes, especially when sleep problems are tied to mood, anxiety, ADHD or stress. Joseph Lavoie, PMHNP-BC, evaluates the causes and treats them. If a sleep disorder like sleep apnea is likely, he will refer you for a sleep study.
What is CBT-I?
Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is a structured program that changes the habits and thoughts that keep you awake. It is the recommended first treatment for chronic insomnia in adults. Its benefits tend to last after treatment ends.
Will I get sleeping pills?
Not automatically. Medication may be part of the plan for some people, usually alongside other changes. Joseph explains the risks, like dependence or next-day drowsiness, and the alternatives before anything is prescribed.
Can over-the-counter sleep aids help?
Some people use them now and then, but many cause grogginess and are not meant for long-term use. Tell Joseph what you take, including supplements, so he can check for interactions with other medications.
How long does it take for sleep to improve?
It varies. Many people notice changes within a few weeks of starting CBT-I or treating the anxiety or depression behind their insomnia. The first week or two of sleep changes can feel harder before they get easier.
Is insomnia treatment covered by insurance?
When insomnia is treated as part of psychiatric care, it is usually covered like other mental health visits. Check your plan on the insurance page.
Take the next step in your journey.
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