The Sleep Health Center Philosophy

Are you tired of being tired?  Are you sick of your health condition controlling your life?  More importantly, do you want to be treated OR managed? At Sleep Health Center, we believe in actually treating those conditions that can be treated and assisting in the management of those which remain. 

What do we Mean by Treatment?

Treatment involves going through a period of intervention which ultimately results in resolution or remission of the problem.  A simple example of treatment would be taking an antibiotic for an infection.  For this, you would take an antibiotic for a limited period of time and after the course of antibiotics, the infection would resolve and there would be no further need for additional intervention.  Of course, it is possible that a similar infection could occur in the future, which would require another course of treatment. 

We believe that many conditions can be treated!  Unfortunately, too many conditions which may be able to be treated are just being managed.  The reasons for this are numerous, however factors include limited time, and differences in training or expertise of healthcare providers. 

Our current healthcare system is wonderful in many ways and terrible in others.  A significant limitation involves the time providers have to spend with you.  It is simply not possible to design an individualized treatment plan in a 10-minute office visit.  As a result, too many are being “managed” with medication as providers don’t have the time or expertise to actually treat you. 

Lack of Training or Expertise in Treatments

Clinical experience has confirmed that many of those we see have never been told that there is an actual treatment for their condition.  In some cases, this is because the provider they are seeing is either not aware of the available treatments or is aware of the treatment options but does not believe you will be able to succeed with the treatment.  A good example of this is weight loss.  So many providers have simply given up on recommending weight loss (a treatment for many conditions) as they feel like their recommendations will “fall upon deaf ears”.  However, many do succeed in losing weight and many can also succeed in improving their sleep and health in incredible ways.

At Sleep Health Center, we believe in you!  We are constantly reviewing the literature and keeping up to date on available treatments for a variety sleep and health conditions.  Clinical experience confirms that with adequate understanding, guidance, and support many of those we see are able to find a solution for their condition even when they thought they were a lost cause. 

Management versus Treatment:  How can I know the difference?

If little is asked of you, and the intervention is relatively easy, then you are probably being managed.  Examples of management of insomnia include taking medication nightly or listening to a guided meditation nightly.  Such strategies may help in the short-term, however may be problematic in the long-term.  Ultimately, the body will adjust to the sedating effects of the drug and they will stop working.  To add insult to injury, once somebody has experienced short-term success in sleeping with these options, they are likely to develop the belief they cannot sleep without them, even when they are obviously no longer effective.  This is called dependence.  It is important to understand that all “management” strategies lead to dependence on the strategy and hence ARE habit forming.  There is no such thing as a non-habit-forming management strategy. 

Treatment on the other hand, generally involves time and effort.  Treatment may be challenging, require you to develop a good understanding of your condition, will require you to make changes, and will take time and effort.  The benefit is that you will ultimately not have to depend on anything outside of yourself for continued relief.  The results of this short-term effort include the possibility of a true resolution of the problem which endures after the course of treatment.

About Sleep Health Center

Sleep Health Center, PLLC was started by Dr. Ryan Wetzler in 2018 to increase availability of sleep and health psychology services. The specialty of behavioral sleep medicine/sleep psychology studies sleep and evaluates and treats sleep disorders. The fields of sleep and health psychology are relatively new and boarded specialists are rare. Dr. Wetzler is the only board certified behavioral sleep specialist and is one of only 4 boarded clinical health psychologists in the state of Kentucky.

Sleep and health psychology can help with sleep problems by identifying and treating the actual causes of sleep disturbance instead of managing the symptoms with medication.  These causes commonly include circadian disruption and disregulated sleep drive as well as a variety of other factors we identify through our comprehensive evaluation process.  Although many with sleep disturbance may also experience depression and/or anxiety, by improving sleep, there is often a significant improvement in these co-existing conditions.

We are committed to providing scientifically proven treatment approaches with a goal of optimally managing health problems with use of as little medication as possible. If you're already taking medication for your condition we will work with you and your prescriber to determine if you could benefit from a reduction or discontinuation of your medication.

What is Sleep and Health Psychology?

Sleep Psychology

Focus: Examines how sleep affects mental processes, emotional regulation, and physical health.
Sleep Disorders: Addresses conditions like insomnia, sleep apnea, and narcolepsy, studying their psychological impacts.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I): A common treatment that focuses on changing thoughts and behaviors related to sleep.

Health Psychology

Focus: Investigates how psychological factors influence health and illness. It considers behaviors, emotions, and social influences on health.
Chronic Illness: Studies how psychological factors can affect the management of chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes, heart disease).
Health Promotion: Develops strategies to encourage healthy behaviors (e.g., exercise, nutrition) and improve overall health outcomes.

Interconnections

Stress and Sleep: Chronic stress can lead to sleep disturbances, while poor sleep can exacerbate stress and anxiety.
Mental Health: Conditions like depression and anxiety often impact sleep quality, creating a cycle that can be difficult to break.
Behavioral Interventions: Incorporates techniques from both fields to promote better sleep and healthier lifestyles, often addressing mindset, habits, and environmental factors.

Overall, sleep and health psychology emphasizes the importance of sleep as a crucial element of health, advocating for interventions that can improve both sleep quality and psychological well-being.

Begin Your Transition to Better Health

Discover the transformative power of sleep and health psychology for a happier, healthier life. The holistic approach at the Sleep Health Center combines expert insights into sleep science with proven psychological strategies, helping you overcome barriers to well-being. Whether you’re struggling with insomnia, stress, or lifestyle changes, we provide tailored solutions that empower you to reclaim restful nights and energized days.     

 

Start Your Journey By Requesting an Appointment Today

Flexible appointment options include office visit appointments and/or telehealth appointments.