Diploma in Sleep Psychology with BBT for Insomnia
Course Director - Dr. Prof. Michael Gradisar
Self-Paced learning


Module 1: Sleep Psychology

This elementary course focuses students’ learning on the requisite knowledge of sleep psychology, which is needed to learn ‘How To Diagnose Insomnia’ (Module 2) and treating insomnia in adults (Modules 3 & 4) with the most efficacious treatment – Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). Learning Outcomes (i) the application of learning, physiological and cognitive theories to the assessment and treatment of insomnia, (ii) knowing what constitutes ‘good sleep’ to benchmark sleep problems and insomnia, (iii) the main consequences of insomnia, and (iv) an introduction to the key tools used to measure sleep and insomnia.

Module 2: Diagnosing Insomnia

This elementary course aims to provide students with the skills needed to diagnose insomnia, using contemporary measures and specialised diagnostic systems (The International Classification of Sleep Disorders, 3rd edition). Learning Outcomes (i) the main contributing risk factors for developing and maintaining insomnia (including which contributors to focus on in treatment); (ii) the diagnostic criteria needed to diagnose Chronic Insomnia Disorder; as well as (iv) differential diagnosis (ie, distinguishing an Insomnia Disorder from other sleep disorders (eg, Sleep Apnea, Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders) and other mental disorders).

Module 3: Sleep Hygiene for Insomnia

This advanced course prepares the student to promote an excellent sleep environment and sleep behaviours for their clients, prior to implementing CBT for insomnia. Students are guided towards and taught sleep hygiene techniques with the most reliable scientific evidence, as well as common sleep hygiene myths (ie, sleep hygiene techniques with an absence of scientific support). Implementing Sleep Hygiene techniques is necessary to prepare clients for the important and powerful techniques of CBT for insomnia.

Module 4: Introduction to CBT for Insomnia

CBT has been proven to be the most effective and safe treatment for insomnia. In this final module to complete the Course, students will learn how to use CBT for insomnia to bring about vast improvements in their clients’ sleep health. This module will provide step-by-step instructions on how to deliver potent behavioural techniques for insomnia, and provide an introduction to the delivery of cognitive therapy for insomnia. By the end of this Module and Course, students will possess the knowledge and skills to diagnose and treat Chronic Insomnia Disorder.