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Sleep coaching is a non-pharmacological approach to overcome and treat non-restorative sleep, problems sleeping and even Sleep Disorders. Starting in the year 2002, the Viennese psychologist and Gestalt therapist Brigitte Holzinger developed the sleep coaching methodology together with Gerhard Klösch. Since 2015, sleep coaching is being taught at the Medical University of Vienna.

Concept
The concept of sleep coaching is based on ideas and concepts of Gestalt therapy, Gestalt theory and Gestalt psychology as well as other techniques such as: All four elements provide fundamental insights into the origin of non-restorative sleep and provide a robust and effective framework to treat a great variety of sleep disorders, especially with a psychological or psycho-physiological background (Holzinger, Klösch 2013). Sleep Coaching usually starts with the analysis and assessment of the client&#39;s sleep complaint and sleep behaviour by observation (e.g. sleep logs) and with discussing sleep related attitudes and behaviour as well as biographical background and family history. This explorative process is the basis of therapeutic procedures and interventions. Nevertheless, sleep coaching is an open system of interaction between the sleep coach and the client, and as such it can be adapted to individual requirements.
 * Sleep education
 * Cognitive behavioral therapy
 * Hypnosis and relaxation techniques
 * Dream and dream work

Gestalt therapy and Gestalt theory
Fritz Perls und Laura Perls developed Gestalt therapy. A main goal of Gestalt therapy and Gestalt theory is for the client to regain self-awareness, self-responsibility and subsequently recognize and claim self-esteem and authenticity and (re)discover their field and bonds with the other. See also the main article: gestalt therapy Gestalt therapy and Gestalt theory are the basis and background of sleep coaching. Sleep problems are considered an expression of the client. The whole person is addressed and not the problem.

Sleep education
A sleep coach has profound knowledge about sleep, sleep research, sleep medicine, sleep hygiene and sleep education. The underpinnings here are: if the client understands what the “Gestalt of his particular sleep problem” is about, the client will find a way out of his current situation, and will also change his behavior to improve quality of sleep by ways of self organisation and self healing. Sleep education comprises elements of behavioral psychology, nutritional science, sport medicine and sleep physiology (physiological processes occurring during sleep). Sleep education teaches awareness of the importance of sleep for general health and well-being.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Reflecting on one’s everyday life and on our own behavior and identifying habits and attitudes, which are harmful or even obstructive to sound sleep, is essential for the sleep coaching process. Here, the focus is not on the past or on unconscious behavior. CBT is an approach for improvement of sleep quality and vigilance. See also the main article: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia Since sleep disorders may severely affect our everyday life, sleep-promoting behaviors have to be implemented to guarantee quick and long-lasting behavioral changes. This is crucial in the therapeutic procedure of sleep coaching. The main focus here is to replace negative experiences by positive attitudes associated with sleep. Sleep coaches and clients decide as a team about the course of the coaching process, and how it should be individually adjusted, whenever necessary. This approach includes elements of stimulus control, sleep restriction, or lucid dreaming, especially in the case of nightmares.

Hypnosis and relaxation techniques
Hypnosis is widely established as a non pharmacolocigal approach for both mental and somatic disorders, including sleep disorders such as insomnia and parasomnias. Meditation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation or autogenous training can also help to reduce stress, one of the main causes of non-restorative sleep. The frequent use of such techniques may help to reduce or even to replace drug treatments.

Dream, dream work, lucid dream and DreamSenseMemory
Dream work has proven its usefulness within the framework of sleep coaching, not only in the treatment of nightmares. According to the concept of “Gestalt”, dreams might express non-integrated elements of the personality. Those elements are often the reason for non-restorative sleep, and should therefore be addressed by dream work. In both cases, dream work is essential in the process of sleep coaching to overcome sleep problems. Depending on the patient’s needs and on the preferences of the sleep coach, various methods for dream work might be used, specifically Gestalt dream work, lucid dreaming and DreamSenseMemory™. The method of DreamSenseMemory™ has been developed and described by Brigitte Holzinger. This approach is based on Lee Strasberg’s method acting: The dream has to be re-enacted as detailed as possible to

experience again all sensual aspects of the dream. In addition, lucid dreaming is being taught especially when the dreamer has to deal with nightmares, also in posttraumatic stress disorder.

Application
Sleep coaching can be used to treat all types of psycho-physiological sleep disorders.

Role and tasks of the therapist
In Gestalt therapy as well as in cognitive behavioral therapy, therapists and clients meet in single sessions or in group settings, depending on the patient&#39;s preference. The therapist trained as sleep coach does not guide the client, but rather supports him to find his own solutions.

Publications

 * HOLZINGER, B.; LaBERGE, S.; LEVITAN, L. (2006): Psychophysiological Correlates of Lucid REMSleep. In: Dreaming, Vol. 16, No.2, pp. 88-95.
 * HOLZINGER, B. (2008): Kognition im Schlaf (luzides Träumen). Eine Therapiemethode zur Bewältigung von Albträumen – auch bei Traumatisierung. In: Gestalt-Traumatherapie. Hrsg.: Anger, H.; Schulthess, P. Bergisch-Gladbach: EHP –Verlag Andreas Kohlhage.
 * HOLZINGER, B. (2009): Lucid Dreaming – Dreams of Clarity. In: Contemporary Hypnosis, Vol. Vol. 26/4, pp. 216-224.
 * HOLZINGER, B (2012): “Aspects terapeuticos dos Sonhos&quot; in &quot;O Sono e a Medicina do Sono&quot; eds T Paiva, S Tufik, M Andersen, by Lidel.
 * HOLZINGER, B. (2014): Lucid Dreaming in Psychotherapy. In: Lucid Dreaming: New Perspectives on Consciousness and Sleep, p. 37-63. Ryan Hurd and Kelly Bulkeley, Editors. Praeger Publishers, Santa Barbara, CA.
 * HOLZINGER, B. (2014): Der Luzide Traum - Phänomenologie und Physiologie. Wien: Facultas (3. und vollständig überarbeitete Auflage).
 * HOLZINGER, B. (2015): Gestalttherapeutische Integration der Traumwelten. In Psychotherapie Forum. Springer.
 * HOLZINGER, B.; KLÖSCH, G. (2015): Traumforschung. In: Psychotherapie Forum. Springer.
 * HOLZINGER, B., KLÖSCH, G., SALETU, B. (2015): Studies with lucid dreaming as add-on therapy to Gestalt therapy. In: Acta Neurolog. Scandinavica.
 * BRIGITTE HOLZINGER/GERHARD KLÖSCH (2013) Schlafcoaching | Wer wach sein will, muss schlafen, Goldegg Verlag; Auflage: 1 ISBN: 978-3902903488
 * BRIGITTE HOLZINGER, (2013) Albträume | Was sie uns sagen und wie wir sie verändern können, Nymphenburger; Auflage: 1 ISBN: 978-3485014274