Is the Cost of Therapy Worth It?
We often receive queries from help-seekers who struggle with insomnia symptoms.
They tell us about their anxiety and frustration towards their restless nights, and how interrupted sleep has impacted their relationships, work, and overall wellbeing. In response, we describe the systematic approach and potential benefits of psychological therapy, such as CBT-I. While this is often received with interest, a common concern that arises is whether the financial cost of therapy would be worthwhile.
The Cost of Insomnia
Consider the monetary costs of finding personal solutions for chronic insomnia. Insomnia sufferers are often willing to spend on products that claim to help with sleep. These include over-the-counter sleep supplements (melatonin, magnesium, ashwagandha, GABA, etc.), sleep app subscriptions, white noise machines, diffusers and fragrances, and expensive mattresses and sleepwear. While they might offer short-term relief, these expenses tend to accumulate, because they often fail to address the root causes of insomnia and can lead to diminishing returns.
Some turn to prescription medication as a quicker and less costly option. Some side-effects that accompany medication may be worth enduring for the sedation and relief that comes with it. However, prolonged use may lead to dependence and masking of the underlying factors that fuel insomnia.
Think of Therapy as an Investment
What about therapy? Here are some potential returns, attested by many studies and from our clients who have completed treatment:
Customised Solutions: With a trained therapist providing you with instruction and guidance according to your profile and needs, you no longer need to rely on Dr. Google or trial and error.
Lifelong Skills: The knowledge and tools derived from therapy can be redeployed on your own to prevent a poor night’s sleep from developing into an episode of insomnia in the future.
Happier Sleep: Imagine having no apprehension or anxiety when going to bed. Imagine waking up feeling refreshed and energized without any night-time struggles with sleep.
Enhanced Productivity: Quality sleep restores your cognitive abilities, helping you concentrate, persist, and perform better at work or school.
Improved Health: Good quality sleep reduces daytime fatigue and increases your motivation to engage in health-promoting behaviours like physical activities and social engagements.
Better Relationships: When you’re well-rested, you’re more present and emotionally available for your loved ones.
Enriched Life: You no longer need to skip appointments or plan your day around how well you slept. You can choose to live life more fully according to your values and pursuits.
A Worthwhile Approach
Insomnia treatment should not be about quick fixes, but lasting change.
CBT-I is a systematic and step-by-step approach, typically lasting 4–8 sessions. During this time, we work together to identify your sleep challenges and tailor solutions to your unique needs. These include developing healthier sleep habits and practices, modifying unhelpful thoughts about sleep, and instilling helpful attitudes to encourage and befriend sleep.
The benefits of psychological therapy often last for years with fewer episodes of relapse, making it a cost-effective solution in the long run.
Taking the Next Step
If you’ve been hesitating to seek help for your insomnia, we encourage you to think about the value of reclaiming your nights—and your days. Your health, your happiness, and your future are worth it.
Let’s talk about how we can make it work for you.
Further Reading
Fang et al. (2024). Is cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia more cost-effective? New-perspective on economic evaluations: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article-abstract/47/8/zsae122/7682319
Rossman (2019). Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia: An Effective and Underutilized Treatment for Insomnia.
