Like to share two recent experiences working insomnia with two very different clients.

The first is a three-year-old child (grandson).  He had developed behaviour whereby he awoke every morning at 2am, remained in his bed but cried, screamed for his Mum. Mum would evidently succumb and go into his bed and sleep with him rather than have his other siblings disturbed.                                       I explained the technique that Rob spoke about in Sleeping Difficulties tutorial.  Cautioned that child should not feel threatened or scared.  Mum and Dad came up with strategy, he was told  if he woke up, either Mum or Dad would come in and give cuddles, comfort, reassurances whilst sat out in loungeroom and  watched the news on television. Child woke the next morning at 2am, sat quietly with Dad, happy enough, whilst Dad watched news for 30 minutes.  Last 4 nights child has slept through to 5am.  

The second example was client, very well educated (lectures at university), who developed insomnia during recent prolong lockdown. I had worked with this client to past, developed good rapport, success  weight, coffee, chocolate issues. However all attempts to resolve insomnia failed.  Explained strategy per Rob. Client disclosed that they were undertaking an online course, very basic, very boring but felt commitment to complete course.  Client agreed  that it they awoke during night and did not go back to sleep within 5 minutes , they would arise from bed, log on to course and spend an hour on this course.  Client disclosed that they experienced insomnia first two nights, subsequently spent an hour completing course those two nights.  However client has now slept 5 nights without awakening.

Very simple and effective strategy for enabling people to negotiate, within their minds,  for  the outcome/change they desired.

Thanks Rob.