Is Online Therapy Right For Me?
Sleeping well under the best of circumstances is a challenge for many people. In this time of the pandemic, social distancing, and financial worries, it can be even harder to get a good nights’ sleep.
Adequate sleep is essential for physical and emotional health and well-being, particularly in these stressful times. We have been called upon to cope in ways that few of us ever have before.
Poor sleep and insomnia can easily become intertwined with anxiety, mood problems/depression and irritability. It is not uncommon for people to be taking sleeping pills and still not getting good sleep. Although they can be helpful in the short-term, sleeping pills are not a good long-term solution for insomnia. Your doctor may have told you it would be good to go off sleeping pills or you may have decided this on your own.
Whatever has led you to seek help for your or your child’s sleep issues, let’s begin.
I evaluate and treat sleep problems in adults and adolescents including acute and chronic insomnia (having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or returning to sleep), circadian rhythm disorders (sleep schedule problems, going to bed too early or too late, shift-work problems), having difficulty tolerating a CPAP mask for sleep apnea, inadequate sleep, and nightmare disorder. Additionally, I can evaluate and help determine the need for an overnight sleep study. I can also help in the process of tapering off sleep medications under the guidance of a physician in conjunction with sleep therapy.
I also work with children in evaluating pediatric sleep disorders including: bedtime refusal, inability or refusal to sleep independently, nighttime awakenings, and sleep terrors.
We start with an assessment to gather information and identify the sleep problems you, your child or teen are having and figure out what is interfering with your ability to get a good nights’ sleep.
We will then develop an individualized sleep plan that is non-pharmacological, safe and highly effective, designed to address your specific sleep issues. I utilize evidence–based, cognitive–behavioral therapy along with relaxation and mindfulness strategies.
For uncomplicated insomnia, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT-i) is usually completed within 4-6 therapy visits. Sleep concerns and anxiety are common bedfellows. If anxiety is interfering with your sleep, we will work to resolve this as well.
I see children (as young as 18 months), adolescents, adults and older adults. I greatly enjoy the challenge of understanding and treating sleep problems and partnering with clients in a relaxed, supportive and warm environment to help get clients sleeping well again and feeling confident and relaxed about their ability to sleep.
About Dr. Patricia Evans
Dr. Patricia Evans is a licensed psychologist in the state of Minnesota. She received her doctoral degree from the University of Minnesota and then completed her pre-doctoral internship at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland in Behavioral Pediatrics and Adult Behavioral Medicine.
She then became a professor in Clinical and Behavioral Psychology at the University of Puget Sound in Washington State. While on the West coast, she completed a Senior Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the University of Washington Medical School, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
Dr. Evans returned to Minnesota where she worked at Aspen Medical Group and Allina Health for more than 30 years. At Aspen Medical Group she was the head of the Behavioral Medicine Program and Co-Director of the doctoral-level internship program for many years. She has been in private practice for the past 2 years.
She has extensive experience treating children, teens and adults with a wide range of mental health concerns. Her therapeutic approaches include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
Ten years ago, after extensive training and treatment of sleep disorders, she became board certified in Behavioral Sleep Medicine through the American Board of Sleep Medicine. Two years ago, she became a diplomate in Behavioral Sleep Medicine. Her primary specialties at this time are sleep psychology, health psychology and anxiety problems.
Dr. Evans lives in the Southwest Metro. She enjoys spending time with family, friends and her grand-dog, traveling, gardening, and playing pickleball.
Professional Memberships: Minnesota Psychological Association and National Register of Health Care Psychologists
