A sleep psychologist is a licensed psychologist with specialized training in sleep disorders who assesses and treats sleep problems using behavioral, cognitive, and circadian methods rather than medication.
Typical scope
- Chronic insomnia, treated with CBT-I.
- Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders, including delayed phase and shift work.
- Difficulty tolerating or adhering to PAP therapy, including claustrophobic responses.
- Behavioral management of hypersomnia and narcolepsy alongside a sleep physician.
- Nightmare disorder and sleep disturbance in PTSD.
- Pediatric behavioral sleep problems and family sleep.
- Sleep concerns affecting athletic performance and recovery.
What a sleep psychologist does not do
Prescribe medication, order or interpret polysomnography as the diagnosing physician, or manage medical treatment of sleep apnea. That work belongs to sleep physicians and other prescribers, and behavioral care is coordinated with them.
How this differs from a general therapist or a sleep coach
A general psychologist may provide excellent therapy without training in sleep-specific protocols. A sleep coach may hold no licensure, no clinical training, and no accountability structure. Behavioral sleep medicine has a defined credential — the DBSM — described in the behavioral sleep medicine guide.
Written and reviewed by Christine Mason, PhD, DBSM, health psychologist board-certified in behavioral sleep medicine. Published August 25, 2026. Last reviewed August 25, 2026.
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