Talking Sleep Behavioral therapy for sleep disorders: CBT-I and beyond
Sep 27, 2024
Dr. Richard Blackburn, a sleep psychologist at Nystrom & Associates, is on a mission to boost access to behavioral therapies for sleep disorders. He discusses the challenges of training clinicians in CBT-I and the importance of telemedicine. They dive into practical strategies for billing and providing care across various health providers. Blackburn also outlines modifications for special populations like children and veterans. Plus, he explores innovative treatments like imagery rehearsal therapy for nightmares and discusses integrating behavioral strategies in sleep clinics.
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Scale CBT‑I By Training Local Clinicians
- Train more clinicians locally to deliver full‑fidelity CBT‑I and provide ongoing supervision and consultation.
- Build cohorts and mentorship so new therapists can start seeing referrals quickly.
Reimbursement Limits Drive Workforce Gaps
- Behavioral sleep medicine is billed under standard mental‑health CPT codes, which limits reimbursement compared with medical specialties.
- Poor behavioral health pay reduces incentives for widespread CBT‑I adoption despite clinical parity.
Leverage Telehealth And Automated Tools
- Use telehealth and digital platforms to expand reach and efficiency for CBT‑I delivery.
- Leverage remote platforms like COAST to review algorithmic plans and manage many patients in minutes weekly.