Behavioral Treatment of Insomnia
and Sleep Disorders for Adults and Children

National Telehealth Practice

David Siegman, Psy.D. 732.545.8766

NJ Psychologist License #35SI00198200

APIT # 12092

Behavioral Treatment of Insomnia and Sleep Disorders for Adults and Children

Calm Twilight Scene Over Water

What is CBT-I?

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, CBT-I, is a scientifically proven treatment for insomnia. It focuses on changing sleep patterns and habits as well as beliefs about sleep, in order to improve sleep quality and quantity and daytime functioning.

CBT-I is a drug-free therapy. The treatment can be used to help patients reduce or stop sleep medication.

CBT-I is strongly recommended as the initial treatment for chronic insomnia by The American College of Physicians. It is also recommended as a first line treatment for chronic insomnia by The National Institutes of Health and The American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

How does CBT-I work and is it effective?

During CBT-I treatment behavioral interventions address your sleep schedule, sleep environment, and other activities that affect sleep. Cognitive techniques address unhelpful attitudes and beliefs about sleep and sleep-related anxiety. I may add tools from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, ACT, and mindfulness meditation to help my patients decrease their struggle with sleep and stay committed to the treatment. CBT-I usually lasts 4-8 sessions over 6-12 weeks.

If you are in treatment or recently have been in treatment with another behavioral health provider, sleep physician, or physician prescribing psychiatric and/or sleep medication, it is my practice to communicate with that provider or providers in order to optimize your treatment.

Decades of research have shown that CBT-I for insomnia works as well as medicine in the short run and better than medicine in the long run.

Research shows that CBT-I results in:

  • More sleep
  • Better quality sleep
  • Improvements in sleep long after treatment is over
  • Decreased sleep-related worry
  • Improved daytime functioning
  • Less reliance on sleep medications

Do you only treat insomnia?

No. I treat a range of sleep problems for children and adults including:

  • Circadian rhythm disorders such as Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome, when one falls asleep very late at night and has trouble waking up in the morning, or Advanced Sleep Phase Syndrome, when one falls asleep very early in the evening and wakes up much earlier than one would like
  • Sleep difficulties due to medical conditions including those which are cancer related, post-Covid related or Long Covid related
  • Sleep difficulties due to chronic pain
  • Tapering and discontinuation of sleeping pills and/or supplements. This treatment is always conducted in collaboration with a physician
  • Difficulties using CPAP treatment for sleep apnea
  • Nightmare disorders, sleepwalking, and sleep terrors for children and adults
  • Hypersomnia and narcolepsy utilzing CBT-H, cognitive behavioral therapy for hypersomnia. This treatment is always conducted in collaboration with a physician

Telehealth Practice

This practice is a telehealth practice only for all patients. All sessions are delivered on-line by live two-way video or occasionally by phone. You need an internet connection and a smartphone, tablet or computer to receive treatment. Patients appreciate the convenience, flexibility and accessibility of telehealth as well as the ease of receiving timely support and answers to questions.

Studies show that telehealth CBT-I is as effective as in-person CBT-I (for example, Arnedt et al, 2019).

Telehealth works very similarly to Zoom or Facetime. I use a HIPAA-compliant video-conferencing platform called Telehealth by SimplePractice to ensure that your sessions are safe, secure, private, and confidential.

Getting started with Telehealth (PDF)

Treatment Available Nationally

I am licensed in New Jersey. Additionally, I am part of the Psychological Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), and am certified (APIT#12092) to practice telehealth for patients living in these states:

Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Maine
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin

Note: Vermont has enacted PSYPACT legislation, tentatively effective 7/1/2024.

Additional states are in the process of enacting PSYPACT legislation, so if your state isn’t in this list, it may be soon. You can check the PSYPACT Map for updates.

About Dr. David Siegman

Dr. David Siegman

I am a licensed psychologist who has been providing evidence-based psychotherapy in New Jersey for more than 35 years. My practice is limited to the behavioral treatment of sleep disorders, including insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, CPAP intolerance and sleep medicine dependency.

If needed, I will coordinate your treatment with your sleep physician or other healthcare providers.

I treat infants, children, adolescents and adults with sleep difficulties.

Working with a compassionate psychologist who is an expert in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) gives you many advantages as you initiate behavioral sleep treatment.

Professional Education and Affiliations:

  • Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
  • Member, New Jersey Psychological Association
  • Member, American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
  • Member, Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine
  • Advanced Training in CBT-I, Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine
  • Advanced Training in Pediatric Behavioral Sleep Medicine (infancy through adolescence), sponsored by Saint Joseph's University and National Jewish Health
  • Rutgers University, Graduate School of Applied & Professional Psychology, Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology
  • Johns Hopkins University, BA in Psychology, General Honors, Phi Beta Kappa

insurance

I am not in-network for any insurance plan. Most insurance plans with out-of-network benefits cover my services at least in part.
Please be sure to contact your insurance company and determine your coverage prior to your initial appointment.

CONTACT DR. SIEGMAN


Dr. David Siegman
NJ Psychologist License #35SI00198200
Phone: 732.545.8766
Fax: 1.855.833.3242