Understanding Insomnia

Insomnia affects how you fall asleep, stay asleep, or feel rested. While our network of sleep specialists is growing, you can explore therapists who work with anxiety, stress, and related concerns that often impact sleep.

Want help finding the right therapist? Call or text us at 778-486-0068

Jordan Wiener
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
- Virtual sessions in ON, BC, AB, MB, SK, YT, NT, NU, NL
Jordan Wiener
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Offers free consultation
$160/session
Stress, Emotional regulation, Relationships, ADHD, Anger Management, Anger, Couples Therapy, Depression, Workplace stress, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Spirituality, Sleeping difficulties, Relationship anxiety, Psychedelic therapy, Parts Work, Performance anxiety, Mindfulness, Men's issues, Meaning and purpose, Masculinity, Life transitions, Insomnia, Existential questions, Burnout, Anxiety, Self Confidence
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Joy MacKey
Registered Psychotherapist
- Offers in-person (Guelph, ON)
- Virtual sessions in AB, BC, NL, NT, SK, MB, NU, YT, ON
Joy MacKey
Registered Psychotherapist
She/her
Offers free consultation
$175/session
ADHD, Burnout, Career Stress, Anxiety, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Dating challenges, Insomnia, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Mind-body connection, Mindfulness and stress reduction, Overwhelm, Parenting, Parental divorce, Personal Growth, Relationship anxiety, Relationships, Workplace stress, Therapy for Teachers, Trauma, Sports Performance, Empowerment, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Childhood trauma, Relationship Trauma
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Timothy Lamont
Canadian Certified Counsellor
- Offers in-person (Kelowna, BC)
- Virtual sessions in all provinces and territories.
Timothy Lamont
Canadian Certified Counsellor
Offers free consultation
$170/session
Depression, Life transitions, Anxiety, ADHD, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Career guidance, Career Stress, College or University Coaching, Sports Performance, Relationship to self and others, Perfectionism, People pleasing, Overwhelm, Negative thinking and ruminating, Negative body image, Navigating challenging relationships, Motivation, Men's issues, Meaning and purpose, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Insomnia, Familial and social relationships, Depression coping skills, Decision making
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Thiviyan Sithganesan
Registered Social Worker
- Virtual sessions in ON
Thiviyan Sithganesan
Registered Social Worker
He/Him
Offers free consultation
$180/session
Childhood trauma, Relationships, Anxiety, Addiction, Anger, Attachment, BIPOC, Burnout, Children/Teens, Couples Therapy, Cultural Challenges, Depression, Emotional regulation, Health anxiety, Infidelity, LGBTQ2IA+, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Men's issues, Mindfulness, Motivation, Phobias, Stress, Insomnia, Couples, Grief and Loss
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Nicholas Balaisis
Registered Psychotherapist
- Offers in-person (Kitchener, ON)
- Virtual sessions in ON, AB, BC, QC
Nicholas Balaisis
Registered Psychotherapist
Offers free consultation
$160/session
Relationships, Men's issues, Trauma, Anxiety, Attachment, Attachment wounds, Building Meaningful Connections, Burnout, Career guidance, Couples Therapy, Depression, Emotional regulation, Existential questions, Familial and social relationships, Masculinity, Insomnia, Infidelity, Intimacy concerns, Meaning and purpose, Performance anxiety, Parenting, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Transformative dream work, Sexuality, Spirituality, Identity and Self-Exploration
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Jessica Sloan
Registered Psychotherapist
- Waitlist
- Virtual sessions in all provinces and territories.
Jessica Sloan
Registered Psychotherapist
She\Her
Offers free consultation
$185/session
ADHD, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Somatic Therapy, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Caregiver burnout, Fertility, PTSD, Nervous system regulation, Highly Sensitive Person, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Trauma processing, Self-esteem, Prenatal care, People pleasing, Pregnancy, Assertiveness, Insomnia, Perfectionism, Empowerment, Emotional regulation, Goal Setting, General Mental Health, Maternal mental health, Career Stress, Imposter syndrome
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Dr. Chasidy Karpiuk
Registered Clinical Counsellor
- Waitlist
- Offers in-person (North Vancouver, BC)
- Virtual sessions in BC
Dr. Chasidy Karpiuk
Registered Clinical Counsellor
She/Her
Offers free consultation
$200/session
ADHD, Addiction, Trauma, Aging, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anger Management, Anxiety, Assertiveness, Attachment wounds, Attachment trauma, Anger, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Depression, Chronic Illness, Early childhood, Family issues, Insomnia, Mindfulness, Navigating challenging relationships, Negative thinking and ruminating, Workplace stress, Relationships, Stress, Attention and Impulsivity, Befriending the Nervous System, Behaviour, Behavioural Issues, Bipolar Disorder, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Building Meaningful Connections, Building Self-Care Routines, Bullying, Burnout, Children/Teens, Chronic and acute illness, College or University Coaching, Coming out and identity, Confidence, Connecting with your Inherent Power, Coping Skills, Couples, Couples Therapy, Creativity, Decision making, Deep connections, Disability, Dreams, Emotional Fluidity, Emotional Numbness, Emotional regulation, Empowerment, Familial and social relationships, Family Conflict, Fears and phobia, Goal Setting, Health anxiety, Imposter syndrome, Infidelity, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Intimacy concerns, LGBTQ2IA+, Low mood, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Managing ADHD symptoms, Meaning and purpose, Mental performance, Mind-body connection, Mindfulness and stress reduction, Mindfulness Practices, Motivation, Negative body image, Nervous system regulation, Neurodiversity, Panic attacks, People pleasing, Perfectionism, Personality & Mood Disorders, Phobias, Power, Problematic video gaming, Productivity, Psychedelic therapy, PTSD, Relationship anxiety, Relationship to self and others, Responsibility, School challenges, Self Destructive Behaviour, Self-Criticism, Self-Development, Self-esteem, Self-Regulation, Separation and divorce, Separation anxiety, Sleeping difficulties, Social anxiety, Somatic Therapy, Specific phobias, Substance Use, Thought Restructuring, Transitioning into Adulthood, Trauma processing, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Vulnerability, Wellness Counselling, Women's Health, Work-Life Balance
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Fawn MacInnis
Registered Social Worker
- Waitlist
- Offers in-person (Orilla, ON)
- Virtual sessions in ON
Fawn MacInnis
Registered Social Worker
Her/ She
Offers free consultation
$140/session
Couples Therapy, Childhood trauma, Break-up recovery, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Couples, Trauma processing, Thought Restructuring, Life transitions, Family Conflict, Insomnia, Goal Setting, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Vulnerability, Anger Management, Stress, Grief and Loss
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Browse all therapists

Insomnia is a common sleep difficulty that can leave you feeling exhausted, irritable, and struggling to function during the day. Whether you have trouble falling asleep, wake frequently during the night, or find yourself awake too early, sleep challenges can significantly affect your quality of life. Chronic insomnia often intertwines with stress, anxiety, depression, or life circumstances that keep your mind racing when you need rest.

Therapy can be a helpful approach for addressing insomnia, particularly when sleep difficulties are connected to underlying emotional or psychological factors. Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is one evidence-informed approach that many find effective. On First Session, you can explore therapists who work with anxiety, stress management, and related concerns. Browse profiles and watch intro videos to find a therapist whose approach resonates with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early and not being able to return to sleep. It can be acute (short-term, often related to stress or life events) or chronic (lasting three months or longer). Insomnia affects daytime functioning and can contribute to fatigue, mood changes, and difficulty concentrating.

What causes insomnia?

Insomnia can stem from many factors, including stress, anxiety, depression, irregular sleep schedules, lifestyle habits, medical conditions, or significant life changes. Sometimes insomnia develops after a stressful event and persists even after the initial trigger has resolved. Understanding the underlying causes can help guide effective support.

How can therapy help with insomnia?

Therapy can address the thoughts, behaviours, and emotional patterns that contribute to sleep difficulties. Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is a structured approach that helps people change sleep habits and address anxious thoughts about sleep. Therapists may also help with underlying stress, anxiety, or depression that affects rest.

How do I find a therapist for sleep difficulties?

On First Session, you can browse therapist profiles and look for those who work with anxiety, stress, or general mental health concerns—areas that often overlap with sleep difficulties. While our network of sleep specialists is growing, many therapists can support the emotional factors that impact rest. Watch intro videos to find someone who feels like a good fit.

Are there related areas of support I could explore?

Yes—if you're experiencing insomnia, you might benefit from exploring therapists who work with anxiety, stress management, burnout, or nervous system regulation. These areas often connect to sleep difficulties and addressing them can support better rest over time.

How can First Session help me find support?

First Session connects you with licensed therapists across Canada. You can browse profiles, watch intro videos, and filter by specialty or availability. All therapists have their credentials verified during onboarding, making it easier to find qualified support for your needs.

You deserve more from therapy.

You made the courageous decision to reach your full potential. Find the right therapist to help get you there, and make the most of the time and money you’re investing in yourself.

Find your therapist

Understanding Insomnia

Therapists

Jordan Wiener

Jordan Wiener

Joy MacKey

Joy MacKey

Timothy Lamont

Timothy Lamont

Thiviyan Sithganesan

Thiviyan Sithganesan

Nicholas Balaisis

Nicholas Balaisis

Jessica Sloan

Jessica Sloan

Dr. Chasidy Karpiuk

Dr. Chasidy Karpiuk

Fawn MacInnis

Fawn MacInnis

Frequently Asked Questions

You deserve more from therapy.