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Discover how starting insomnia therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
2 therapists available in Pittsburgh
As a counselor, I implement compassion and empathy to create a safe, comfortable space for clients to be themselves and work towar...
About
As a counselor, I implement compassion and empathy to create a safe, comfortable space for clients to be themselves and work towards healing.
Heather Richards is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 20 years of experience working with diverse populations, from preschool-aged children to older adults. She has supported individuals facing trauma, grief, and loss, and has worked with clients navigating depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. Heather’s background includes work with at-risk youth, family systems, and outpatient and group therapy. She is passionate about helping clients committed to healing and personal growth.
Heather earned her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Capella University. She uses a client-centered, integrative approach that includes cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-informed care, and strength-based techniques. She meets clients where they are while encouraging growth outside their comfort zone.
Heather helps clients feel empowered in their healing journey by fostering connection and trust. She values each client’s input and believes therapy should be tailored to individual needs and never one-size-fits-all. Heather supports clients in developing tools to manage symptoms, build resilience, and improve their quality of life.
Education and training
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As an individual who has experienced mental health concerns both personally and professionally, I have an authentic understanding ...
As an individual who has experienced mental health concerns both personally and professionally, I have an authentic understanding of how it impacts one's overall wellness and the need to address mental health concerns holistically to nurture all aspects of one's being.
I am a licensed professional counselor with 14 years of experience providing mental health services to individuals across the lifespan. I have worked with clients experiencing depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders, trauma-related conditions, and substance use disorders. My experience across multiple settings allows me to support individuals with complex and co-occurring mental health needs.
I hold a master’s degree in clinical counseling from Alliant International University. My approach is evidence-based and collaborative, integrating cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-informed care, and person-centered therapy to support insight, coping skills, and emotional regulation.
Seeking support is a meaningful and courageous step. I strive to provide a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you feel understood and empowered to make meaningful change. When you are ready, I invite you to take the next step and begin this work together.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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Insomnia therapy is a tailored form of treatment that addresses chronic sleep disturbances, which can include problems with falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restorative sleep. The goal of Insomnia therapy is to enhance sleep quality, establish healthy sleep routines, and, in turn, improve an individual’s overall well-being by mitigating and reducing the adverse effects of persistent sleep deprivation.
Insomnia therapy combines therapeutic approaches, with a central focus on cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) to modify sleep-disrupting thoughts and behaviors, integrating techniques like stimulus control, sleep restriction, and relaxation training. Thriveworks Pittsburgh therapists will also emphasize sleep hygiene education and may include mindfulness and relaxation exercises to improve sleep quality, equipping individuals with effective strategies to enhance their sleep and overall well-being.
Common symptoms of insomnia include:
Symptoms of insomnia often look different for everyone; however, there are some warning signs that can signal the need for insomnia therapy. These include feeling anxious about bedtime, bedtimes getting later and later, energy peaking at night rather than during the day, and drastic caffeine consumption in order to stay awake.
Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is one of the most effective forms of therapy for treating insomnia, working to modify sleep-disrupting thoughts and behaviors through strategies like sleep hygiene and sleep restriction.
Insomnia therapy at Thriveworks Pittsburgh is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
The duration of insomnia therapy can vary based on the individual’s needs and progress in treatment. Typically, it involves a short series of sessions over a few weeks to a couple of months, with the number and length of sessions decided in consultation with the therapist. Some experience better sleep within this time, while others choose longer therapy to address complex sleep issues or maintain good sleep habits.
Many people start to see improvements in their sleep patterns after about two to three weeks of CBT-I. However, the duration and effectiveness will differ for everyone, so don’t worry if it takes a bit longer to have a strong effect.
The feeling of waking up from a good sleep is something that many people look forward to each day. Modern life can wear out even the most energetic people, so getting a quality night of sleep is essential to being able to meet the challenges that face you in the day ahead. Unfortunately, people with insomnia are unable to experience the feeling of waking up refreshed and restored – because they have spent most of the night laying in bed awake. Staring at the ceiling is no way to rest up for the next day, so insomnia is a problem that needs to be addressed as soon as possible once it becomes an issue in your life.
If you are struggling with insomnia, we may be able to help. Our Thriveworks Pittsburgh team is proud to offer insomnia counseling, and we have already helped numerous people get back to sleep successfully. Therapy for your insomnia is no guarantee of a cure, but it often is a step in the right direction.
As those who suffer from insomnia already know, the following list of side effects are commonly seen in those who aren’t sleeping well at night.
In reality, there are far more than those three side effects which can potentially be experienced if you are suffering from insomnia. No matter what it is that has happened to your day to day life as a result of your lack of sleep, you need to fix the problem in order to start enjoying your life once again.
If you are interested in learning more about the counseling for insomnia that we offer at Thriveworks Pittsburgh, please contact us at your convenience. We will be happy to discuss treatment options with you so that you can make an informed and educated decision about the best way to proceed. Thank you for taking the time to visit, and we look forward to having the opportunity to work with you on this challenging problem in the near future.
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Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
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