Insomnia and Sleep Disturbance: An Integrative, Mind-Body Approach
Difficulty sleeping can affect nearly every aspect of life: energy, mood, concentration, relationships, physical health, and overall well-being. Many people struggling with insomnia feel frustrated, exhausted, or trapped in cycles of worry about sleep itself.
Together, we use this understanding to help you find rest.
What is a “Whole Health” approach to sleep?
An integrative, whole-health approach takes into account the whole person, recognizing that sleep is not isolated from the rest of your life. Sleep is influenced not only by biology, but also by the nervous system, stress, conditioning, habits, emotions, and our relationship with wakefulness and rest.
While occasional sleep difficulties are a normal part of being human, persistent insomnia often becomes maintained by patterns in the mind and nervous system that can be understood and changed.
What My Approach Is Grounded In:
I focus on principles from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), the most evidence-based non-medication treatment for chronic insomnia. CBT-I helps address the patterns that perpetuate insomnia and supports the body’s natural ability to sleep again over time.
Care is individualized and may also integrate:
Clinical hypnosis
Mindfulness and meditation practices
Yoga Nidra and nervous system regulation practices
Stress Reduction
Lifestyle strategies
Acupuncture
Sleep medication reduction
The focus is to help create the conditions where sleep can emerge from within. For many people, healing insomnia begins not by trying harder to sleep, but by changing the patterns of fear, hyperarousal, and struggle that surround sleep itself.
With time, practice, and the right support, sleep often becomes less effortful and more natural again.
Who Is This For?
This approach can be especially helpful for anyone who has been experiencing chronic insomnia and you:
have persistent difficulty (usually at least 3 months) with falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early
have a sleep disturbance that is causing significant concern or distress, or affecting your physical or mental health
have a sleep disturbance that may be related to another condition such as chronic pain, sleep apnea, PTSD, Depression, anxiety, or perimenopause
prefer a gentler, more holistic, less invasive, or natural approach
want to wean off of your chronic sleep medications
Why work with Michael Spertus, MD?
Physician + Integrative Medicine Perspective: I’m board-certified in Family Medicine, Integrative Medicine, and Lifestyle Medicine, with additional experience in mind-body medicine, hypnosis, mindfulness, and nervous system-based approaches to healing.
A whole-person approach: Sleep difficulties are rarely just about sleep itself. My work considers the broader context of stress, nervous system activation, burnout, lifestyle, meaning, and emotional well-being that often influence insomnia.
Evidence-based + integrative: CBT-I remains the foundation of this work, while integrative approaches such as mindfulness, hypnosis, relaxation practices, acupuncture, and iRest® may be incorporated when helpful and aligned with your goals.
Leadership and Education Experience: I’ve lectured nationally on integrative and mind-body approaches to insomnia and sleep and have led groups for those suffering from both chronic pain and insomnia
A collaborative, compassionate space: Insomnia can feel discouraging and isolating. I aim to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where we can better understand the patterns maintaining sleep difficulties and work toward meaningful improvement.
What Others Are Saying:
“I was referred to Dr. Michael Spertus by my PCP to try to confront an insomnia diagnosis I have been dealing with for 50 years!! Initially skeptical, Dr. Spertus encouraged me to not just try, but DO what he suggested. If it didn't work we could try something different or add to the approach he was suggesting. I agreed, and it has been remarkable. I will continue to "DO" what he has recommended and check back in if I feel the need. My husband commented "I haven't seen you sleep this well in over 50 years!" and he's right, I haven't.” -Leslie A.
“I have also taken Ambien to sleep for many years. With your bi-monthly visits over the past few months I have successfully weaned off of Ambien. Without you this would not have been possible. My anxiety is lower, I am sleeping better and feel so much better. “ - Suzy M.
Integrative Sleep Consultation:
How It Works
1. Free 15-Minute Discovery Call
We begin with a brief phone conversation to discuss your goals, answer questions, and determine whether this approach feels like a good fit for you. This is also an opportunity to explore whether a mind-body and integrative approach to insomnia and sleep may be helpful in your situation.
2. Comprehensive Integrative Pain Consultation (75–90 minutes)
During the initial consultation, we explore your sleep history, routines, stress patterns, medical and mental health history, lifestyle factors, nervous system patterns, and previous treatments or strategies you’ve tried.
Together, we develop an individualized plan that may incorporate CBT-I principles alongside integrative and mind-body approaches depending on your needs.
3. Ongoing Individual Sessions
Follow-up sessions are individualized and collaborative, with frequency depending on your goals and what we are working on together. Many people meet every 1-2 weeks for this work.
Most sessions are conducted via secure video, allowing flexibility and accessibility. In-person sessions are also available in Miami Shores, particularly for:
Acupuncture
Ketamine-assisted therapy
Hypnosis
Select Integrative Medicine Consultations or follow up visits upon request when appropriate
Sessions may include CBT-I strategies and sleep restructuring, , hypnosis, mindfulness and yoga nidra practices practices, acupuncture, other integrative medicine strategies, or medication management/weaning.
The goal is to create a thoughtful, personalized process that supports healing, insight, and meaningful change over time.
Note: Integrative Medicine Consults are for individuals living in FL, CA, MA, NH, or NY only.
Group Classes for Insomnia and Mind-Body Skills
In addition to integrative medical consultations, I also offer educational group classes focused on insomnia, sleep, and other mind-body skills like mindfulness and self-hypnosis that can be helpful for insomnia
These classes are intended to provide education, practical tools, and shared support around improving sleep and restoring rest.
NOTE: classes are educational and are intended to support skill development and self-regulation. They are not designed to diagnose or treat medical conditions, other medical treatments are generally not discussed, and they are not considered medical visits (and unfortunately are not insurance-reimbursable). These sessions are available to those residing in any state.
