A Qualitative Exploration of Barriers and Facilitators to Implementing Sleep and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia Knowledge Into Graduate Psychology Students’ Practice

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Abstract
Insomnia is highly comorbid with mental health conditions, yet graduate psychology students receive limited training in sleep and insomnia management. An online introductory sleep workshop focused on insomnia management with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) was developed for Australian graduate psychology students to address this training gap. However, some students reported difficulties applying CBT-I knowledge to clinical practice. This study explored the barriers and facilitators to implementing CBT-I knowledge into graduate psychology students' practice post-workshop. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 graduate psychology students who attended an online introductory sleep and CBT-I workshop. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Facilitators of CBT-I implementation included: (1) Helpful workshop resources; (2) Increased awareness of the importance of sleep's role in mental health; (3) Enhanced self-efficacy with introductory sleep skills (e.g. sleep history taking); and (4) Knowing where to access further training. Barriers included: (1) Limited ongoing training and clinical supervision; (2) Accessibility challenges; (3) Clinical implementation challenges; and (4) Constraints of being a graduate student. The introductory workshop facilitated the development of introductory CBT-I skills among graduate psychology students, but ongoing training and supervision are needed to enhance implementation and expand Australia's CBT-I workforce.
Funding Information
  • Brain and Mental Health Hub
  • Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne
  • Australasian Sleep Association
  • Health Peak and Advisory Bodies grant from the Department of Health and Aged Care

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