Use of the Method of Levels Therapy as a Low-Intensity Intervention to Work With People Experiencing Sleep Difficulties

Abstract

Sleep problems are common with nearly one in three people reporting disturbed sleep. In line with guidelines, most people experiencing poor sleep in the United Kingdom are referred for cognitive and behavioral treatment approaches. A large proportion of these clients are seen by Psychological Well-being Practitioners (PWPs) delivering low-intensity therapy within Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services. The training of PWPs in the treatment of sleep problems is limited to sleep hygiene psychoeducation. The role that sleep hygiene psychoeducation plays in improving sleep quality is unclear, especially if used as a stand-alone intervention. The article introduces method of levels (MOL) as an alternative approach explaining sleep problems by transdiagnostic mechanisms. Two clinical cases are presented to demonstrate how MOL was implemented to support clients with the perceived sleep issue. This article adds to growing evidence that a transdiagnostic approach to helping people experiencing psychological distress is needed.