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.
Psychotherapists are professionals trained in one or more models of psychotherapy (psychodynamic, systemic, humanistic, cognitive-behavioural…). The protected title and requirements vary by country; profiles show each professional’s training and registration.
Getting mental health care in Guernsey
Public health system · Health and Social Care (HSC) – Adult Mental Health Services
Specialist adult mental health services are reached through your GP or the hospital; the Psychological Therapies Team offers time-limited therapies such as CBT, DBT and EMDR for moderate to severe or complex problems. For mild to moderate anxiety or depression, adults aged 17 and over can self-refer to the Healthy Minds service. More information
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Committee for Health and Social Care – Guernsey health professional registers. Health professionals including psychologists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and social workers must be on the local HSC register to practise in Guernsey, usually alongside their UK regulator registration. The registers are published online and updated monthly. Search the official register
- Guernsey register of medical practitioners (HSC) and UK General Medical Council. Doctors must be on the local register and registered with the UK GMC. Search the official register
Urgent help in Guernsey
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
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: gov.gg, gov.gg, gov.gg, gov.gg
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 psychotherapist do?
A psychotherapist helps people understand and change emotional, relational and behavioural patterns through a structured therapeutic relationship. Their work is shaped by one or more models, such as cognitive-behavioural, psychodynamic, systemic, humanistic or integrative therapy. They meet individuals, couples, families or groups, usually in regular sessions, and spend time outside sessions on notes, preparation and their own supervision.
When to see a psychotherapist
Psychotherapy suits people who want to work in depth on recurring difficulties: anxiety, low mood, relationship patterns, self-esteem, the effects of past experiences or major life transitions. It can also help when you feel stuck without a clear diagnosis. If you need a formal diagnosis, a specific psychological assessment or medication, a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist may need to be involved.
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 Guernsey cover psychological care?
Specialist adult mental health services are reached through your GP or the hospital; the Psychological Therapies Team offers time-limited therapies such as CBT, DBT and EMDR for moderate to severe or complex problems. For mild to moderate anxiety or depression, adults aged 17 and over can self-refer to the Healthy Minds service.
How do I check that a psychotherapist is licensed in Guernsey?
Committee for Health and Social Care – Guernsey health professional registers: Health professionals including psychologists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and social workers must be on the local HSC register to practise in Guernsey, usually alongside their UK regulator registration. The registers are published online and updated monthly.