COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY FOR INSOMNIA IN TENNESSEE
BEYOND INSOMNIA: SPECIALIZED SLEEP PROTOCOLS
Some sleep concerns require a more specialized approach. Red Deer provides behavioral treatment for parasomnias, recurring nightmares, hypersomnolence, circadian rhythm disorders, menopause-related sleep disruption, and the unique challenges of shift work.
When Does a Sleep Problem Need Specialized Care?
When your sleep concerns don’t fit neatly into standard insomnia treatment, a more specialized approach may be appropriate. You may have already tried behavioral sleep strategies, medication, or CBT-I and still be dealing with disrupted sleep or daytime exhaustion.
SPECIALIZED SLEEP CARE MAY BE A FIT IF YOU:
- Experience sleepwalking, sleep talking, or sleep-related eating
- Have recurring, disruptive nightmares
- Live with narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia
- Have an advanced or delayed sleep schedule that conflicts with daily life
- Are dealing with perimenopause or menopause-related sleep disruption
- Work overnight, rotating, or other nontraditional shifts
- Have tried standard CBT-I or medication and still cannot rest
Your Sleep Treatment Actually Matches Your Sleep Problem
Behavioral sleep medicine isn’t one-size-fits-all. The approach depends on what’s disrupting your sleep. Treatment may include CBT principles combined with clinical hypnosis for parasomnias, Imagery Rehearsal Therapy for recurring nightmares, CBT-H for hypersomnolence, or circadian interventions for advanced or delayed sleep phases.
CARE BUILT AROUND WHAT’S ACTUALLY HAPPENING
For shift workers, that can mean adapting CBT-I to the realities of overnight or rotating schedules. For women experiencing perimenopause or menopause, care can address hormone-related sleep disruption, hot flashes, and night sweats. When your sleep concern also requires medical care, Red Deer coordinates with your medical sleep provider so the behavioral work fits into the larger treatment picture.
You Don’t Have to Keep Organizing Your Life Around Your Sleep
Poor sleep has a way of taking over more than the night. It affects when you work, how you feel during the day, what you have energy for, and how much of your attention gets spent thinking about sleep.
If you’ve already tried the standard recommendations and you’re still arranging your life around a sleep problem that isn’t improving, it may be time to stop experimenting on your own and get more specialized help.
IS THIS APPROACH RIGHT FOR YOU?
You May Be a Good Fit If:
- You’ve done your research and want a provider with specialized behavioral sleep medicine expertise.
- You’ve worked with a general therapist or other provider who didn’t fully understand the complexity of your sleep concerns.
- You want an evidence-based approach without feeling like you’re being treated as a checklist.
- You value care that can adapt to your individual needs rather than applying the same protocol to everyone.
- You’re open to an approach that considers both the behavioral and mind-body aspects of sleep.
- You’re ready to stop managing around the problem and address it more directly.
CONDITIONS WE TREAT
Specialized behavioral sleep medicine for concerns that extend beyond standard insomnia treatment.
Non-REM Parasomnias
Sleepwalking, sleep talking, sleep-related eating, and other behaviors that occur during partial arousals from sleep. Treatment may incorporate behavioral sleep medicine and clinical hypnosis.
Recurring Nightmares
For recurring, distressing nightmares that interfere with restful sleep. Treatment may include Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT).
Narcolepsy & Idiopathic Hypersomnia
Behavioral management for persistent daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia, including CBT-H.
Circadian Rhythm & Shift Work Sleep Problems
Support for advanced or delayed sleep schedules, overnight work, rotating shifts, and other situations where your internal clock and required schedule don’t align.
Perimenopause & Menopause-Related Sleep Disruption
Specialized support for sleep changes associated with perimenopause and menopause, including clinical hypnosis for hot flashes and night sweats.
“Drs. Saxby and Shollenbarger have become an integral part of our sleep medicine team.”
Psychologists who specialize in treating sleep-related behaviors are even rarer than those who provide CBT for insomnia. Since discovering Drs. Saxby and Shollenbarger’s practice, I have referred patients to them for CBT for parasomnias, all of whom have successfully learned to control their behaviors. Despite the distance, they have become an integral part of our sleep medicine team.
DR. HRAYR P. ATTARIAN
Fellow, American Academy of Sleep Medicine
Professor of Neurology & Sleep Medicine
“They are both compassionate, respectful, and collaborative.”
“Both Dr. Saxby and Dr. Shollenbarger at Red Deer are highly trained clinical psychologists with a long history of helping people reach their health goals. They are both compassionate, respectful, and collaborative.”
DR. BERET SKROCH
Clinical Psychologist & U.S. Navy Veteran
“Dr. Saxby is a talented clinician who is able to connect with complex patients.”
“Dr. Saxby has extensive experience treating insomnia, difficulty tolerating PAP therapy, posttraumatic nightmares, hypersomnia, and parasomnias. She is also highly experienced in clinical hypnosis. She is a talented clinician who is able to connect with complex patients and help them improve their sleep and overall well-being.”
DR. THOMAS HURWITZ
Sleep Medicine Colleague
Here's How it Works
STEP 1: START WITH A FREE 15-MINUTE CONSULTATION
We’ll talk briefly about what’s been going on and determine whether Red Deer is a good fit for your needs.
STEP 2: MAKE SURE THE RIGHT CARE IS IN PLACE
If you have a medical sleep disorder, you’ll need to be formally evaluated and diagnosed by a board-certified sleep physician. Red Deer can treat the behavioral and insomnia components while coordinating with your medical sleep provider.
STEP 3: BEGIN SPECIALIZED TREATMENT
Your treatment is selected based on the sleep concern you’re experiencing rather than applying the same protocol to every client. Depending on your needs, that may include CBT-I or one of the specialized approaches outlined above.
Session Fees
Treatment length and session frequency depend on the sleep concern we’re addressing and the approach we use. Insomnia treatment typically takes 6–12 sessions, while other specialized sleep concerns may follow a different timeline. We’ll talk through what makes sense for you and adjust the plan as treatment progresses.
45-minute session
$200
Dedicated behavioral sleep medicine session.
60-minute session
$250
Extended session for specialized behavioral sleep medicine treatment.
We are in-network with traditional Medicare and BCBS. We do not accept Medicare Advantage plans, with the exception of some BCBS Medicare Advantage plans. Coverage and out-of-pocket costs vary by plan, and any applicable copay or deductible is due at the time of your session.
OUR APPROACH
You’re a Whole Person, Not a Sleep Problem
We want you to feel known here. That means taking the time to understand what matters to you, what your days actually look like, and what you need from your care.
You can expect warmth, curiosity, and serious clinical expertise from people who listen closely and care about helping you feel better in your life, not just better on paper.
Behavioral Sleep Medicine & Health Psychology in Franklin, TN
Dr. Dyani Saxby &
Dr. Skyler Shollenbarger
WHAT SETS OUR PRACTICE APART
- Two Ph.D. psychologists with specialized training in behavioral sleep medicine
- Advanced expertise in insomnia and complex sleep concerns
- Evidence-based care that considers mind and body together
- Individualized treatment rather than a one-size-fits-all protocol
- Collaboration with medical sleep providers when appropriate
Red Deer Sleep & Health Psychology was built for people who need more than generic advice or another handout about sleep hygiene.
Our team brings specialized clinical training to sleep concerns that can be frustrating, complicated, and difficult to treat well.
But expertise is only part of what matters to us. We want you to feel comfortable asking questions, telling us when something isn’t working, and bringing the full context of your life into the room. We pay attention to the connections between sleep, physical health, stress, emotions, relationships, and the demands you’re carrying every day.
That combination of clinical precision and human warmth shapes the way we work. You’ll receive care grounded in evidence from people who are also interested in knowing you, understanding what matters to you, and building a treatment plan together.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT YOU MAY BE WONDERING
Do I need a diagnosis from a sleep physician first?
If you have a medical sleep disorder, yes. We require a formal evaluation and diagnosis from a board-certified sleep physician, and you’ll remain co-managed by your medical sleep provider. We can treat behavioral and insomnia components of conditions such as sleep apnea, but the underlying medical condition needs appropriate medical care.
How many sessions will I need?
It’s difficult to know exactly how many sessions you’ll need before we begin. Insomnia treatment generally takes 6–12 sessions. Other concerns may follow a different timeline based on what we’re treating and how you respond to care.
Can I meet with you virtually?
Yes. Red Deer offers both virtual and in-person appointments. Virtual clients receive a video link, while in-person appointments take place at the Franklin office.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes. Red Deer is in-network with traditional Medicare and BCBS. We do not accept Medicare Advantage or other insurance plans. Any applicable copay or deductible is due at the time of your session.
Do you offer a free consultation?
Yes. We offer a free 15-minute consultation to talk about what you’re looking for and see whether working together feels like a good fit.
