Nicky Sumner

Sleep is such an essential part of our well-being, and it’s incredibly rewarding to work with clients to regain restorative sleep and experience the positive ripple effects it brings to their lives.

I am passionate about helping individuals across the lifespan improve their sleep, from children (age 6+) to adults and older adults.

My primary therapeutic approach is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), which is widely recognized as the gold standard for addressing sleep difficulties like insomnia. Together, we’ll explore how sleep is regulated, identify barriers to good sleep, and develop practical strategies to help you or your child establish healthier sleep patterns.

Some of the sleep concerns I commonly work with include:

• Insomnia: Difficulty falling or staying asleep, or waking too early.
• Circadian rhythm issues: Such as delayed or advanced sleep phases, often seen in teens or shift workers.
• Nighttime anxiety and fears: Including separation anxiety or fear of the dark in children.
• Overthinking at bedtime: Struggling to quiet a busy mind or relax into sleep.
• Nightmares and other parasomnias: Managing chronic nightmares or nighttime behaviors.
• Childhood bedtime challenges: Bedtime oppositionality, frequent waking, or difficulty settling.
• Teen sleep struggles: Supporting teens with late-night schedules and morning fatigue.
• Adjustment to CPAP therapy: Addressing discomfort, resistance, or claustrophobia when using CPAP for sleep apnea.
• In our work together, my goal is to help you or your child feel more confident and hopeful about achieving better sleep. With the right tools and support, restful sleep can become a reality, paving the way for greater emotional balance, energy, and well-being.

When working with children and their families, I enjoy using a creative and collaborative approach, tailoring strategies to meet each family’s needs.

Feel free to reach out if you’d like to discuss how we might work together to address your sleep concerns—I’d be delighted to help!