Sleep Support
Insomnia and Sleep Support in Ottawa
When falling asleep or staying asleep becomes difficult, it can be hard to know where to turn. Stradwick Clinic offers insomnia and sleep support for children from age 6, teens and adults. Options include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), neurofeedback, biofeedback and heart rate variability (HRV) training, with the approach and location discussed before you begin.
Understanding Sleep Concerns
Support for Difficult Nights
You may lie awake with a busy mind, wake during the night and struggle to settle again, or feel anxious as bedtime approaches. Sleep difficulties can also affect how manageable the next day feels. You do not need to arrive with a complete explanation of what is happening before asking for help.
Psychological support provides a place to explore the thoughts, behaviours and stress responses connected with sleep. Your goals might include understanding bedtime worry, developing a steadier wind-down routine or learning ways to respond when you feel alert and tense. The plan should fit your age, circumstances and wider health needs.
An Important Boundary
When to Seek Medical Assessment
Sleep difficulties are not always psychological. If you have loud snoring, breathing interruptions, waking while gasping, unusual movements at night or marked daytime sleepiness, speak with a physician about medical assessment. This is especially important when symptoms are new or changing.
Therapy, neurofeedback and biofeedback do not replace medical assessment or treatment for a possible medical sleep condition. Let your clinician know about health conditions, medications and any medical advice you have received. Do not change prescribed medication without speaking with your prescriber.
Ages 6 and Up
Who Can Ask for Sleep Support?
Sleep support is available from age 6. Contact the clinic to discuss which approach and clinician may fit your needs or those of your child.
Children
Parents can contact the clinic about a child aged 6 or older. Discuss bedtime concerns, daytime effects and how caregivers might be involved. The approach needs to fit the child's age and needs.
Teens and Adults
You may be looking for support with bedtime worry, feeling keyed up at night or difficulty settling back to sleep. Explain what has been happening and what you would like to work on.
Options to Discuss
Approaches to Insomnia and Sleep Support
Sleep support at the clinic can include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), neurofeedback, biofeedback and heart rate variability (HRV) training. The right approach depends on your sleep concerns, age and wider health needs. Your clinician can explain the purpose, limitations and costs of each option so you can discuss a suitable plan.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
CBT explores connections between thoughts, feelings and behaviours. For sleep concerns, discussion may focus on worry about sleep, routines and responses to wakefulness. All of our therapists use CBT, and it is available at all three clinic locations.
Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback uses scalp sensors to monitor brain activity and provide feedback through a screen or sound. It may be considered as part of a plan focused on self-regulation and sleep concerns. Responses vary, and improved sleep is not guaranteed. Neurofeedback is available at all three clinic locations.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback uses sensors to show body signals, such as breathing or muscle tension, while you practise responding differently. It may be considered as part of a sleep-support plan; ask whether it fits your needs. Biofeedback is available at all three clinic locations.
HRV Training
Heart rate variability (HRV) training uses heart rhythm feedback and guided breathing. It may be considered as part of a sleep-support plan; ask whether it fits your needs. HRV training is available at all three clinic locations.
Your Next Steps
Getting Started
Tell Us What Is Happening
Contact the clinic with your age or your child's age, the sleep concerns you are noticing and your preferred location. Mention any medical assessment already underway.
Discuss the Options
Ask which clinician and approach fit your needs. Confirm what appointments involve, fees and the location before booking. You can ask questions before deciding how to proceed.
Agree on a Plan
Discuss goals that matter to you, what you feel comfortable trying and how progress will be reviewed. The number and frequency of appointments depend on the individual plan, not a set promise.
Plan Your Visit
Ottawa Locations
Nepean: 21 Concourse Gate, Unit 12.
Stittsville: 120 Iber Road, Suite 208.
Centretown West: 111 Sherwood Drive, Unit 202.
CBT, neurofeedback, biofeedback and HRV training are available at all three locations. See our contact page for office details.
Before You Book
Fees and Insurance
Psychotherapy is $190 per hour with a social worker or psychotherapist, including a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), and $250 per hour with a psychologist. For neurofeedback and biofeedback, contact the clinic for session fees.
Services may be covered by extended health benefits, depending on your plan and the provider. Check with your insurance provider before you begin, including the eligible provider designation, service and annual limit. We provide receipts and do not offer direct billing: you pay for each session and submit your receipt for any eligible reimbursement. Coverage is not guaranteed. Services are not covered by OHIP.
Questions About Sleep Support
Common Questions
You can contact the clinic to describe your concerns without choosing a diagnosis yourself. Ask whether psychological support is appropriate. Possible medical causes of sleep difficulties need assessment by a physician.
The clinic does not offer a dedicated CBT-I program. All of our therapists use CBT, and sleep concerns can be part of that work. Contact the clinic to discuss whether this approach fits your needs.
The service is available from age 6. Contact the clinic with your child's age and concerns so you can discuss suitable clinicians, approaches and caregiver involvement.
Yes. CBT, neurofeedback, biofeedback and HRV training are available at all three locations: Nepean, Stittsville and Centretown West.
There is no guaranteed outcome. Neurofeedback may be considered as one part of an individual sleep-support plan. Ask about its limitations, how progress would be reviewed and whether other care is needed.
Speak with a physician about medical assessment. Breathing interruptions or gasping during sleep should not be treated as a psychological concern alone. Clinic sleep support is not a substitute for medical sleep care.
Psychotherapy is $190 per hour with a social worker or psychotherapist, including Qualifying, or $250 per hour with a psychologist. Contact the clinic for neurofeedback and biofeedback session fees. Check your insurance coverage before booking.
Any of our therapists can offer CBT. For neurofeedback, biofeedback or HRV training, contact the office with the age of the person seeking care and the sleep concerns, and ask which clinician offers that service and works with that age group before selecting an appointment in Jane.
Talk With Us About Sleep Support
Tell us what your nights have been like and what you hope to address. Contact the clinic to discuss an appropriate starting point, or use Jane to view booking options.