Insomnia Interventions: First-Line Treatment for Insomnia in Primary Care

Queen's University offers an 8 module on-demand Continuing Professional Development course for healthcare professionals on insomnia interventions. This practical program focuses on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia or CBT-I, the first line treatment of chronic insomnia, and safe and effective methods for deprescribing sedative hypnotics.

Through this online professional development course's interactive, on-demand modules and FAQ resource, you will learn about the science behind CBT-I. You'll also discover how to help your patients apply these techniques to reverse chronic insomnia and enjoy long-term benefits without sleep medications.

Fee: $245 CAD per learner

Learn more about insomnia and CBT-I with a free video featuring the Insomnia Interventions educators. This 16-minute video was created from the first module in our Insomnia Interventions On-Demand Course. After registering for the free video you will be sent a discount code for 10% off the full professional development course.

The video link will be sent to you by email after completing a very short form.

Topics

An interprofessional team of healthcare providers, educators, and sleep researchers has developed this on-demand professional development course on Insomnia Interventions. You will learn effective sleep therapy techniques that reverse chronic insomnia and lead to sustained improvements in sleep quality without sleep medications. The team has extensive experience with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) and the deprescribing of sedative-hypnotics. Because of the success of these methods and the satisfaction of patients, the team is passionate about sharing these effective strategies. Using an engaging, interactive format, the program highlights practical approaches and resources for how to implement CBT-I and deprescribing of sleep medications into your clinical practice.

Topics include:

Setting the Stage: Insomnia Assessment & Treatment Overview
CBT-I: Sleep Scheduling
CBT-I: Calming the Racing Mind
Sleeping Pills and How to Safely and Effectively Stop their Chronic Use
Case-Based Approach to Developing Abilities for Stopping Long-Term Use of Sedative-Hypnotics
Brief Appointments to Support CBT-I and Deprescribing of Sedative-Hypnotics
Running a CBT-I-Group Program
Applying the Strategies to your Setting

Content Experts

Judith R. Davidson, Ph.D., C. Psych., Clinical and Health Psychologist, Somnologist (ESRS): Behavioural Sleep Medicine & Adjunct Professor, Queen's University, Department of Psychology
Erin Desmarais, MSW, RSW; Clinical Social Worker, Queen's Family Health Team, Department of Family Medicine, Queen’s University
Katherine Fretz, MSc, PhD Candidate in Clinical Psychology, Queen’s University
David Gardner, PharmD, MSc, Professor of Psychiatry & Pharmacy, Dalhousie University
Cynthia Leung, RPh, BScPhm, PharmD, CDE, Former Pharmacist, Queen's Family Health Team, Program Development Officer, Pharmaceutical Review, CADTH
Stephanie Lynch, PharmD, BCACP, Pharmacist, Department of Family Medicine, Queen's University
Eileen Sloan, PhD, MD, FRCPC, Psychiatrist, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
Shayna Watson, MEd, MD, CCFP, FCFP, Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Queen’s University

Accreditation Details

This online program is certified for certified for up to 30 Self-Learning Mainpro+ credits by the CFPC, accredited by Queen’s University for 10 Self-Assessment learning hours for the Royal College. It provides 10 hours of professional development for health professionals.

Insomnia Interventions On-Demand Course - 64965731 has been evaluated by The Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) for 10 CEC hours.

Intended Audience

Anyone who is interested in helping their patients or clients reverse their chronic insomnia and experience long-term benefits of sound sleep. Past learners have included family physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, occupational therapists, residents, and clinical psychology students.

Group Registration Rates

Groups of 5 or more: Contact Jenny at opdes.marcom@queensu.ca for information on group discounts.

Students: Contact Jenny at opdes.marcom@queensu.ca for student discount information.

This program is non-refundable

Access & Completion Date

After registering, you will be able to access the Insomnia Interventions On-Demand Course for one year after purchase.

You can complete the 8 modules (approximately 10 hours of learning) at any time before the end date.

Welcome to your next step in continuing professional development!
View all our CPD programs on the "Get Your CPD" webpage.

Feb 23, 2025 - The Current

Struggling to get a good night's sleep? There's an alternative to meds, experts say

Dr. David Gardner, a professor of psychiatry and pharmacy at Dalhousie University, discussed the benefits of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). Dr. Gardner is also a key educator in our on-demand course, Insomnia Interventions: First-Line Treatment for Insomnia in Primary Care.

Jan 23, 2024 - Ontario Today

How are you managing your insomnia?

Ontario Today gets advice from Queen's University pharmacist, Stephanie Lynch and psychologist Judith Davidson. Davidson is the author of 'Sink Into Sleep.'

Mar 14, 2023 - CBC Radio

Sleep tricks for those struggling with the time change.

Are you still feeling the effects of losing that one hour of sleep? We spoke with a sleep expert to get some new tips and tricks for those having a little extra trouble getting up in the morning.

Mar 3, 2023 - Toronto Star

Can’t sleep? Menopause may be the culprit

An expert shares evidence-based sleep help tips for falling, and staying, asleep.

Jan 19, 2023 - Chatelaine

How to Sleep Better in 2023

Unlock the secret to more restful sleep with these five tips.

Jan 02, 2023 - National Post

Trouble sleeping? You're not alone. Here's the best science on how to beat insomnia

Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder. Obsessing about a lack of sleep only makes it worse. But specialists say even small changes can help improve sleep

Jan 26, 2021 - CBC

Sleeping pill use 'very high' among Atlantic Canada seniors

Sleeping pill use on P.E.I. more than double Saskatchewan rate, study finds

October 10, 2017 - Chatelaine

The Most Effective Way To Treat Insomnia (That You've Likely Never Heard Of)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia is so effective it's actually the recommended first-line treatment in Canada. Here's how it works.

November 2023 - Family Medicine Forum

Members of the Insomnia Interventions educator team presented "Treating chronic insomnia without medications in primary care"to approximately 200 learners at the 2023 Family Medicine Forum.

This session was presented by: Shayna Watson, MD, CCFP; David Gardner, MSc CH&E, PharmD; Judith Davdison, PhD, C.Pscyh; Erin Desmarais, MSW; Stephanie Lynch, PharmD

April 2023 - 2023 National Conference of the Canadian Sleep Society

Insomnia Interventions: First-Line Treatment for Insomnia in Primary Care

Fee: $245 CAD per learner

Course Details

Team-Taught

Evidence-Based

Online & On-Demand

Accredited Learning