Sleep & Stress
Consultants
since
1999

Professional Knowledge

It is expected that all sleep therapists and sleep management professionals registered on the Sleepwise Register will offer a proactive service designed to help their clients resolve their sleep related problems.

MUST HAVE

The sleep therapists and sleep management professionals must be able and competent in providing direct one-to-one guidance and personal mentoring in:

- Relaxation techniques

- Sleep preparation routines

- Anxiety management techniques

We are not prescriptive with regard to the exact professional qualifications of the associate sleep therapist / sleep management professional nor the exact techniques they use, however they must feel confident enough to declare competency in these three essential skills. We feel that each sleep therapist / sleep management professional must work within their own personality, strengths and knowledge. Each associate sleep therapist / sleep management professional will describe their approach to sleep therapy in their description of their services.

The sleep therapist / sleep management professional should also be able to provide a post therapy means of continuing the one-to-one therapy, for example an anxiety sleep management CD. This can be self produced, a standard Sleepwise recording or a suitable commercial product.

DESIRABLE

As the sleep therapist / sleep management professional is associating themselves with Sleepwise and the information provided on the Sleepwise web site, it is desirable that they be able to provide basic positive advice and guidance to clients on those topics discussed in the Sleepwise web site, i.e.:

- Food and Drink that can undermine sleep

- Lifestyle issues that can undermine sleep

- Exercise - as a aid to sleep and stress/anxiety management (e.g. yoga)

- Aromatherapy - not massage, but knowledge on aromas that aid sleep

- Bach flower remedies, inc. Rescue Remedy

- Allergies and sleep

- The sleeping environment - bedroom design issues

This is not essential, and it is not expected that the registered sleep therapist / sleep management professional will have formal qualifications in these topics. However, the registered therapist should have sufficient knowledge to be able to recognise how these topics can influence sleep and insomnia, and be able and willing to refer clients to other therapists who may be able to provide these services.

Registered sleep therapists / sleep management professionals must understand that clients may ask questions about the topics included in the Sleepwise web site. It is therefore desirable that they should have sufficient knowledge to be able to respond professionally and in a positive manner to these questions, and, if possible, offer advice on how these issues could have an adverse influence on their clients getting a good night’s sleep.

Such knowledge could have been gained through self-study or continuous professional development.

Referral to an suitable qualified specialist is expected where appropriate and in the best interests of the client.

NOT EXPECTED

Although discussed on the Sleepwise web site therapists are not expected to provide advice on:

- Dream Analysis

- Electromagnetic sensitivity / geopathic stress

unless they feel competent to do so.

TRAINING

Group training and CPD can be provided in the above requirements - contact associates@sleepwise.co.uk