About insomnia
Chronic insomnia means difficulty falling or staying asleep several nights a week for months. Cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the recommended first treatment and works on habits, schedules and the thoughts that keep sleeplessness going.
Therapist is the everyday word for a professional who offers talking therapy: depending on the country it can be a psychologist, a psychotherapist, a licensed counsellor, a marriage and family therapist or a clinical social worker. Profiles show each therapist’s actual title, training and registration.
Getting mental health care in the United Kingdom
Public health system · National Health Service (NHS)
Psychological therapy for anxiety and depression is free through NHS Talking Therapies in England, which accepts self-referral or GP referral; more complex needs are referred by a GP to community mental health teams. Waiting times vary by area. More information
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Titles such as practitioner psychologist, registered psychologist, clinical, counselling, educational, forensic, health, occupational and sport and exercise psychologist are protected and require HCPC registration. The bare word psychologist is not protected. Search the official register
- General Medical Council (GMC). Psychiatrists are doctors on the GMC register with a specialist entry in psychiatry. Search the official register
- Accredited Registers programme of the Professional Standards Authority (e.g. BACP, UKCP). Counsellor and psychotherapist are not protected titles; check membership of a register accredited by the Professional Standards Authority. Search the official register
Urgent help in the United Kingdom
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 112 · Emergencias
- 116 123 · Samaritans
- Shout
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: hcpc-uk.org, regulated-professions.service.gov.uk
Signs to look out for
Everyone sleeps badly sometimes, especially during stress. Insomnia may need attention when you regularly struggle to fall asleep, wake up often or very early and cannot get back to sleep, or wake unrefreshed, for several weeks, and it affects your mood, concentration, energy or safety during the day. Worrying about sleep itself often becomes part of the problem.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is recommended as a first-line treatment for chronic insomnia. It includes sleep scheduling, stimulus control, work on unhelpful beliefs about sleep and relaxation techniques. Psychologists and clinical psychologists trained in CBT-I usually provide it, individually, in groups or through guided digital programmes. A doctor should rule out physical causes and other sleep disorders.
When to seek urgent help
Seek prompt medical attention if you stop breathing or gasp during sleep, fall asleep while driving or in dangerous situations, or go several nights with almost no sleep alongside unusual energy, racing thoughts or confusion. If lack of sleep comes with hopelessness or thoughts of harming yourself, contact your local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department.
What you can do in the meantime
Keep a regular wake-up time every day, including weekends, and only go to bed when you feel sleepy. If you cannot sleep after a while, get up and do something calm in dim light until you feel drowsy. Limit caffeine after midday, alcohol and heavy meals at night. Reduce screens before bed and get daylight and movement during the day.
What does a therapist do?
A therapist helps you talk through what is worrying you and find practical ways to feel and cope better. In sessions they listen, ask questions, help you notice patterns in your thoughts, emotions and relationships, and agree goals with you. Depending on their training they may use cognitive-behavioural, humanistic, systemic, psychodynamic or other evidence-based approaches, with individuals, couples, families or groups.
When to see a therapist
It makes sense to look for a therapist when stress, anxiety, low mood, grief, relationship problems, a difficult change or the effects of past experiences start to weigh on your daily life, or when you simply want space to understand yourself better. If symptoms are severe, you may need medication or there are signs of a medical cause, involve your doctor or a psychiatrist as well.
How to choose
When choosing, check the licence and training, the approach they use and whether they have experience with what you need. Consider practical aspects too: language, price, location or online sessions and availability. The relationship with the professional matters a great deal; if after a few sessions it does not feel right, it is fine to change.
Frequently asked questions
Does the public health system in the United Kingdom cover psychological care?
Psychological therapy for anxiety and depression is free through NHS Talking Therapies in England, which accepts self-referral or GP referral; more complex needs are referred by a GP to community mental health teams. Waiting times vary by area.
How do I check that a therapist is licensed in the United Kingdom?
Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC): Titles such as practitioner psychologist, registered psychologist, clinical, counselling, educational, forensic, health, occupational and sport and exercise psychologist are protected and require HCPC registration. The bare word psychologist is not protected.