What is Sleep Psychoeducation & Coaching?
Sleep is one of the foundations of mental health. When we experience trauma, stress, or ongoing anxiety, sleep is often one of the first things to suffer. Insomnia, nightmares, restless nights, or difficulty falling back asleep are all common for trauma survivors.
Sleep coaching at Living Free is not about “just getting more rest.” It is about understanding how trauma affects the nervous system and circadian rhythm and learning practical strategies to restore natural sleep patterns.
Through psychoeducation, clients gain awareness of how stress hormones like cortisol disrupt sleep. With coaching, they are guided to apply gentle, step-by-step changes in daily routines that make falling and staying asleep easier. The aim is to rebuild a healthy relationship with sleep so the body and mind can truly recover.
How It Works
Assessing sleep patterns and difficulties.
Psychoeducation on the connection between trauma, nervous system arousal, and sleep.
Coaching in sleep hygiene techniques (bedtime routines, light exposure, reducing stimulants).
Relaxation, mindfulness, or breathwork practices to calm the nervous system before bed.
Who It Helps
- PTSD
- Stress Disorders
- Complex Trauma
- ADHD
Evidence Base
Research shows that improving sleep significantly reduces trauma-related symptoms and enhances emotional regulation. Sleep psychoeducation and coaching are part of Living Free’s six-domain recovery model, which addresses both mind and body for long-term resilience.
