Need Sleep? Interventions for Healthful Sleep
Drucilla Brethwaite, MSW, LCSW and Darah Curran, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C
October 11, 2018
About this Webinar Recording
Cancer is a complex illness that often carries a significant burden of side effects for patients, who are today experiencing an increased number of years in survivorship. Insomnia (i.e. trouble falling asleep, maintaining sleep, early morning awakenings and non-restorative sleep), is prevalent in patients with cancer and their caregivers and often goes undertreated. Insomnia impacts quality of life and also has the potential to interfere with immune functioning and patient treatment outcomes (Lis, C.G., Gupta, D., and Grytsch, J.F., 2008). Causes of insomnia include dysfunctional beliefs about sleep, fears, ruminating thoughts, and maladaptive behaviors. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) has been shown to be an effective intervention for sleep disturbance, and can be preferable to pharmacotherapy, which is often associated with side effects (Perlis, M.L., Jungquist, C., Smith, M.T., & Posner, D., 2008). Need Sleep? was created as a multi-component, structured, cognitive behavioral program for patients and caregivers who identify sleep disturbance as a problem, but have not been diagnosed with a sleep disorder. Session content includes education on insomnia and the role of dysfunctional beliefs about sleep, ruminating thoughts and fears. Information on sleep hygiene and relaxation techniques are also provided and the concepts of sleep restriction and stimulus control are discussed. Weekly sleep diaries are used both as a learning tool and as a way to calculate sleep efficiency. In session worksheets and homework assignments serve to reinforce learning. Such evidence based interventions have the potential to increase quality of life and reduce negative health outcomes. Oncology social workers would benefit from learning a protocol, such as “Need Sleep?” which would provide them with strategies to better assist patients and caregivers experiencing insomnia.Learning Objectives
At the end of the presentation, the participant will be able to:
- Describe an awareness of the biopsychosocial impact of insomnia on patients and caregivers
- Evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of a structured CBT-I intervention
- Apply framework and elements to implement a CBT-I intervention for an individual or group program
Presenters
Drucilla Brethwaite, MSW, LCSW, oversees the delivery of programs, processes, and procedures for patients and families as a Director at Inova Schar Cancer Institute’s, Life with Cancer program. In addition, she provides counseling to individuals, couples, and families to promote adjustment to illness and improved quality of life. Drucilla co-facilitates a number of groups and engages in research and publishing. Drucilla earned a master’s in social work from Virginia Commonwealth University, is a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, and was named NASW Oncology Social Worker in 2014. Drucilla also has been an adjunct faculty member at George Mason University, teaching in the Social Work Department.
Darah Curran, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, is a Manager of Oncology Navigation and Counseling at ISCI’s Life with Cancer. In her ten years at Life with Cancer, she has supported pediatric oncology patients as well as provided clinical support for both inpatient and outpatient adult patients and caregivers. She has presented at national conferences on the topic of insomnia and cancer. Areas of interest include adjustment to illness, insomnia, mind-body wellness, resiliency, and grief/bereavement. Darah has 20 years of social work experience, having worked in home-based counseling for 10 years prior to receiving her master’s in social work from Catholic University. She maintains a private practice in Northern Virginia.Continuing Education Credits
This recording is no longer eligible for CE credit.
Level - Intermediate
Course Designation - Clinical
Outline
12:00 p.m. - 12:20 p.m.: Describe an awareness of the biopsychosocial impact of insomnia on patients and caregivers
12:21 p.m. - 12:41 p.m.: Evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of a structured CBT-I intervention
12:42 p.m. - 1:02 p.m.: Apply framework and elements to implement a CBT-I intervention for an individual or group program
1:03 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.: Questions and Answers
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