PTSD: National Center for PTSD
Assessment and Treatment of Sleep Problems in PTSD
Continuing Education
This section brings together free in-depth Continuing Education resources for the Professional community concerned with trauma.
Assessment and Treatment of Sleep Problems in PTSD
- Date Created: 05/21/2015
- Time to Complete: 5 1-hour modules
- Credits: ANCC, APA, ASWB, CA BBS, ACCME, ACPE, NBCC
- Skill Level: Intermediate
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Modules are on TRAIN.
1. | Background![]() |
2. | Assessment of Insomnia and Nightmares![]() |
3. | Pharmacological Treatments![]() |
4. | Cognitive Behavioral Treatment![]() |
5. | Alternate Methods for Delivery of CBT![]() |
Earn CE/CME Credits

Description
Sleep disturbance is common among those with PTSD and may lead to exacerbation of PTSD and other comorbid symptoms. This course provides information on PTSD and sleep problems, the advantages and disadvantages of pharmacological and cognitive behavioral interventions, and different ways these interventions can be implemented.
This course includes videos that demonstrate assessment of sleep-related problems and the tools included in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia.
Goals and Objectives
- Describe the reasons to treat sleep problems in PTSD patients.
- Describe the two major types of sleep problems associated with PTSD.
- Describe the stages of sleep, sleep as a process, and how insomnia relates to sleep stages and the sleep process.
- Describe the types of possible sleep disorders of PTSD patients.
- Describe the main approaches for treating sleep problems in patients with PTSD.