Overview

Over the past 2 years, the APS and the Australasian Sleep Association (ASA) have worked together to provide insomnia and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for insomnia (CBTi) education to over 2,000 Australian psychologists. This webinar forms part of a series informed by feedback from psychologists on additional sleep education needs and specific areas of interest.

Co-morbid insomnia and sleep apnoea (COMISA) is a prevalent and debilitating condition that impacts approximately 40% of people with insomnia symptoms. This webinar presented by two world experts in the COMISA field will focus on the identification, assessment, prevalence, consequences, and treatment approaches in clients with COMISA. Recommendations on supporting clients to navigate sleep/respiratory services to access diagnosis and treatment for sleep apnoea, in addition to cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia approaches in the presence of treated and untreated sleep apnoea will be described.

This webinar will focus on the benefits of multi-disciplinary collaboration for clients with this common, under-recognised, and debilitating condition.

Level of Learning

Foundational. This activity is targeted to those who are new to the topic.

Duration of access

This webinar will be recorded. Access to the recording and presenter slides is for 12 months from the date of confirmed registration.

APS CPD-Approved

This activity has been assessed against the APS Standards for CPD activities and approved for its education quality. Learn more about the APS CPD Approval process.

CPD Frequently Asked Questions

Refer to the APS CPD Frequently Asked Questions for general and technical information when undertaking APS Professional development activities.

Related activities

Insomnia management in clients with comorbid mental health symptoms

Insomnia management in clients with neurodevelopmental disorders

Insomnia management in children

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this webinar, participants should be able to:

• describe the prevalence and health consequences of co-morbid insomnia and sleep apnoea, 

• recognise the benefits of treating insomnia symptoms in clients with treated and untreated co-morbid sleep apnoea, and

• outline the core components of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia that can be used to treat insomnia in clients with co-morbid sleep apnoea.

Presenter(s)

Alexander Sweetman, Leon Lack

About the presenter(s)

Dr Alexander Sweetman (PhD) is a Senior Program Manager at the Australasian Sleep Association, chair of the ASA psychologist education committee, and has academic status at Flinders University, Bond University and the University of Western Australia. He has expertise in insomnia, co-morbid insomnia and sleep apnoea, and cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTi). Dr Sweetman is currently leading a primary care education and implementation program with the Australasian Sleep Association to improve the management of sleep health and sleep disorders by Australian general practitioners, psychologists, nurses, and psychiatrists. He has expertise in ‘co-morbid insomnia and sleep apnoea’ (COMISA) and has led the development of a 5-session interactive digital CBTi program, Bedtime Window, to improve access to CBTi.

Professor Leon Lack received his BA from Stanford University, his PhD from the University of Adelaide, and has a long and notable career in teaching and research at Flinders University. He has extensive research experience in basic sleep processes, circadian (24-hour) rhythms, insomnia treatment, and napping research. Since 1992 he has also been director of the Insomnia Treatment Program at the Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health. He is frequently invited to deliver professional development workshops for health professionals, speak at national and international conferences, and educate the general public through lectures and media appearances. His research and clinical experience has resulted in the development of therapeutic device and patents for the administration of bright light therapy helpful in the treatment of certain phenotypes of insomnia and circadian rhythm disorders. He has successfully integrated his teaching and research career with clinical practice, technological innovation, and public involvement.