Sleep Difficulties-Adults, Smoking Cessation Mindfulness approaches

Sleep Difficulties-Adults, Smoking Cessation

Sleep difficulties in adults can occur for a great number of reasons, both common and unusual.  For most people, sleep is a routine, but many people experience sleep difficulties, such as insomnia on a fairly regular basis. While it usually clears us in a short while, it can become a long-term problem, because sleep is important for our bodies and minds to stay healthy.

Sleep difficulties can, after a few weeks, cause a person to feel tired all the time, and cause them to nod off during the day. Difficulty concentrating, making decisions and feeling depressed are some of the symptoms of sleep difficulties. People who perform jobs that require a lot of concentration, such as operating heavy machinery or driving, can pose a danger to themselves and others if they suffer from sleep difficulties. Over time, sleep difficulties can lead to high blood pressure, overweight and diabetes.

Many situations can contribute to sleep difficulties, including too much noise or  light in the bedroom, a bed that is too small or uncomfortable, or a partner with a different sleep pattern. Lifestyle choices such as smoking, going to bed too late, lack of exercise, consuming caffeine, no set bedtime routine, and illness can also cause insomnia.

A therapist can help you deal with sleep difficulties, by using progressive muscle relaxation therapy, sleep restriction and cognitive therapy.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who offers sleep disorders counselling to address sleep difficulties you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

Smoking cessation can be tough, but knowing that there are several options and by preparing yourself mentally for the process, you can make it easier on yourself.

Tobacco smoking is a psychological habit and a physical addiction. Nicotine is addictive because it offers a temporary high, and when you eliminate that you will experience physical symptoms, such as cravings and other withdrawal symptoms.

Many people habitually smoke to help them cope with boredom, anxiety, depression and stress. After doing it habitually for a while, it can become ritualistic - an automatic response. You will find that you smoke automatically as part of other activities. Socially, smoking is a way in which people relate to one another.

Successful smoking cessation requires a change in the routines or habits, as well as beating the addiction. More people are looking for healthier options to quit smoking than using nicotine patches and prescription medications.  Many therapists now offer smoking cessation counselling and use a wide range of techniques and approaches to address tobacco addiction.

Hypnosis is a common method that helps people to create negative associations with cigarettes while the client is in a deep state of relaxation. It is nothing like what stage hypnotists do, and is in fact a serious and effective therapy for many. Cognitive behavioural therapy is a fantastic approach that helps people establish new habits to cope with smoking cessation. The therapist will help you to understand the reason why you smoke, and explore the associated emotions and feelings. You can quit smoking with the help of an experienced smoking cessation therapist.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who offers counselling approaches to address your smoking cessation issues, you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

Mindfulness approaches

Mindfulness approaches help clients to be focused in the here and now. Generally rooted in Eastern meditative techniques,  Mindfulness approaches offer a non-judgmental alternative therapy for dealing with stress and other psychological issues.

By observing worrisome thoughts and learning to accept situations for what they are, people can learn to cope with issues better and make more productive choices.

Mindfulness approaches include a range of models, including dialectical behaviour therapy,  mindfulness-based stress reduction, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. These approaches can be used in a wide range of settings to reduce the symptoms of a broad spectrum of psychological issues.  These therapies can be practiced effectively in individual or group therapy.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers Mindfulness approaches, please browse our list of practitioners below..

Note: You may narrow your search by selecting more than one filter below.

Ian Bond

M.A., RCC
Ian has over 25 years of education, training, and experience in counselling and therapy.  He works together with clients to help them explore relationships, thoughts, feelings, or behaviours, which... Read more

Alistair Gordon

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
As a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Director of Wellspring Counselling Inc., as well as an Adjunct Professor of Counselling Psychology at the University of British Columbia, my mission is to help you navigate the... Read more