Sleep Matters

09/03/2026

Sleep and mental health are deeply interconnected.

It was a pleasure collaborating with colleagues Flavie Waters and Vivian Chiu on a new book chapter exploring this relationship.

Poor sleep and mental health often travel together — and treating one can transform the other.

Our chapter, “CBT-I in Patients With Schizophrenia and Psychosis,” appears in the new textbook Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in the Context of Comorbid Mental Health Conditions, edited by Andrea Goldstein-Piekarski and Rachel Manber.

This important clinical text outlines the evidence base for CBT-I and practical adaptations when delivering insomnia treatment alongside mental health conditions. Chapters cover presentations including ADHD, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance use, and more, with practical case examples throughout.

It’s wonderful to see the relationship between sleep and mental health considered so thoughtfully and comprehensively in one clinical resource. I'm looking forward to diving into the other chapters.

A special acknowledgement to Vivian Chiu, whose PhD research formed the foundation of this chapter. Sadly we couldn’t include her in the photo, but her contribution was central to this work.

09/03/2026

Today marks the start of Sleep Awareness Week, which serves as a reminder that good sleep isn’t a luxury - it’s a foundation for mental health, physical wellbeing, focus, and resilience.

If you’ve been struggling with falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking feeling unrefreshed, you’re not alone. Sleep difficulties are incredibly common, and they’re often driven by patterns that can be changed with the right support.

The encouraging news? Evidence-based treatments like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) can help retrain your sleep system and create lasting improvements without relying on medication.

This week is a great opportunity to check in with your sleep habits and prioritise rest as part of your overall health.

If sleep has been challenging, support is available. Better nights are possible.

Take the first step toward better sleep and book a consultation with our clinical team today. To find out more or to book an appointment, visit the link in our bio or call the clinic at (08) 6107 6828.

08/03/2026

Meet Sarah Shihata 👋

We’re delighted to welcome Sarah to the Jeffery & Ree team 💚

Sarah is a Clinical Psychologist who works with children, young people, and adults, supporting people as they navigate life’s challenges and make sense of difficult experiences.

Her approach is warm, collaborative, and trauma-informed, with a focus on creating a safe and supportive space where clients can explore their experiences and work toward meaningful change.

Sarah has a particular interest in supporting individuals who have experienced trauma, including complex trauma related to abuse or neglect. She also works with concerns such as anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, grief and life transitions.

Drawing on approaches such as CBT, ACT, MBT and EMDR, Sarah tailors therapy to each person’s goals and pace.

Sarah sees clients at our Como location, and we’re so pleased to have her as part of our team. 💫

08/03/2026

Happy 💙 Today we recognise and celebrate the achievements of women everywhere. We’re proud to be surrounded by such a thoughtful, dedicated team of women making a difference in the lives of our clients and community.

06/03/2026

Meet Jay Lee 👋

We’re delighted to welcome Jay to the Jeffery & Ree team 💚

Jay is a Clinical Psychologist (Registrar) who works with adults (18+) across the lifespan, supporting people through a range of challenges including anxiety, obsessive-compulsive related concerns, depression, low self-esteem, perfectionism, stress and burnout, chronic pain, ADHD, and sleep difficulties.

Drawing on experience across both public health and private settings, Jay takes a warm, personalised approach to therapy. He integrates evidence-based treatments including CBT, Schema Therapy, DBT and ACT, working collaboratively with clients to develop practical strategies that support meaningful change.

Originally from Singapore, Jay brings strong cultural sensitivity to his work with culturally and linguistically diverse clients and offers sessions in both English and Mandarin.

Jay sees adults at our West Perth and Como locations, and we’re so pleased to have him as part of our team ⭐

05/03/2026

Struggling night after night with falling asleep, waking too often, or feeling exhausted even after a full night’s sleep? 😴

Chronic insomnia affects more than rest - it can impact mood, focus, productivity, and overall quality of life. Our Goodnight Insomnia Group Program gives you practical tools and evidence-based strategies to break the cycle, restore natural sleep patterns, and feel more energised during the day.

Built on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT-I), this program has been refined over 10+ years and is proven to improve sleep long-term, often more effectively than medication and without the side effects.

Participants also receive a comprehensive program book and ongoing guidance. On average, 80% of participants experience clinically significant improvements in sleep, many returning to normal sleep ranges.

💤 Take the first step toward better sleep and brighter days and join the Goodnight Insomnia Group Program. Our next 4 week program commences on May 2nd.

To find out more or to book an appointment, visit the link in our bio or call the clinic at (08) 6107 6828.

Learn how to break the habit of not sleeping well. Our Perth based group program runs over four Saturday mornings. First-line treatment for insomnia.

03/03/2026

We’re so pleased to welcome Dr Sherilyn Tan to the Jeffery & Ree team 💚
Sherilyn is a Clinical Neuropsychologist who works with adults — including older adults — who may be noticing changes in memory, attention or concentration.
Many people see Sherilyn because they’re feeling more forgetful, finding it harder to focus, or wondering whether stress, sleep, menopause, sporting injuries or medical concerns may be affecting their thinking. She provides clear answers and practical strategies to help clients understand their strengths and feel more confident moving forward.
Sherilyn offers brief, targeted neuropsychological assessments as well as individual therapy to support attention, organisation, concussion recovery and sleep health. Her approach is collaborative, strengths-based and evidence-informed.
She consults from our West Perth and Como locations, and provides sessions in English and Mandarin. We’re delighted to have her expertise as part of our team ✨

03/03/2026

ONLINE BOOKINGS ARE OPEN

We’ve reintroduced online bookings for sleep-focussed psychology appointments at Sleep Matters.

This pathway is designed for people wanting structured, evidence-based psychological support for sleep difficulties such as Insomnia.

If you are seeking broader mental health care, please contact our team directly so we can ensure you are matched with the most appropriate clinician.

Appointments are available in person and via telehealth.
https://www.sleepmattersperth.com.au/book-online/

26/02/2026

Sleep difficulties in children and teens can affect the whole family. When nights are disrupted, learning, mood and behaviour during the day often follow.

We’re looking forward to this upcoming AACBT WA Branch masterclass presented by Paul Jeffery from Sleep Matters.

Paul will cover Cognitive Behavioural sleep interventions for children, teens and families. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is a structured, evidence-based approach that targets the patterns that keep sleep problems going. It focuses on practical strategies that are grounded in decades of research.

Saturday 28 March 2026 @ 10am at The Niche

Pricing:
AACBT student members – free
AACBT members – $20
Non-members – $100

Bookings are essential: https://www.aacbt.org.au/eventdetails/37719/cognitive-behavioural-sleep-interventions-for-children-teens-and-families

At Psychology Sleep Matters, we’re committed to ongoing professional development so we can continue offering approaches that are supported by strong evidence rather than quick fixes. Quality sleep care should be thoughtful, personalised and science-informed.

If you’re a clinician interested in behavioural sleep interventions, this is a valuable opportunity to build practical skills that can genuinely support families.

26/02/2026

A natural night owl but needing earlier mornings? 🌙

Some people have a naturally delayed sleep–wake rhythm. In Delayed Sleep–Wake Phase Disorder (DSWPD), sleep onset occurs much later than desired, with difficulty waking early, even when sleep quality is good once sleep begins.

This isn’t about willpower, motivation, or “good” sleep habits. It reflects a mismatch between biological sleep timing and the demands of work, study, or family life.

Being a night owl isn’t wrong or unhealthy in itself. Difficulties arise when your internal body clock doesn’t align with your daytime commitments.

With gentle, evidence-based circadian strategies, sleep timing can often be shifted gradually while protecting sleep quality. Our sleep psychologists provide structured, individualised support to help you wake feeling more rested and better able to meet the demands of your day.

19/02/2026

Sleep matters for everyone - but for neurodivergent people, it can come with unique and lifelong challenges.

Differences in body clock timing, sensory sensitivities, executive functioning, and co-occurring conditions mean that “standard” sleep advice sometimes doesn’t fit. Many neurodivergent people experience delayed sleep times, late-night alertness, difficulty winding down, or ongoing insomnia, even when they’re doing their best to follow the rules.

In our latest blog, we explore why sleep can look different for neurodivergent minds and what actually helps, covering topics like delayed body clocks, sensory-friendly sleep environments, time blindness, light exposure, melatonin timing, and how evidence-based therapies like CBT-I can be adapted to work with neurodivergence rather than against it.

Understanding the “why” behind sleep difficulties is often the first step toward meaningful, compassionate change.

👉 Read the full blog to learn more about neuro-affirming approaches to better sleep.