Practical Neuroscience of Sleep

In this short 2-hour seminar, designed specifically for mental health professionals, we will explore the fascinating field of sleep neuroscience and its relevance to mental health and wellbeing.

Throughout the course, we will dive into key topics that are essential for understanding the science behind sleep and its impact on our overall health. We will begin by examining the neuroscience of sleep, unraveling the intricate processes that occur within the brain during different stages of sleep. By understanding the neural mechanisms involved, we can gain insights into the vital role that sleep plays in cognitive functioning, emotional regulation, and memory consolidation.

Next, we will explore the emerging field of epigenetics and its connection to sleep. Epigenetic factors have been found to influence sleep patterns and can impact our susceptibility to sleep disorders and mental health conditions. By understanding the interplay between genetics and sleep, mental health professionals can gain valuable insights into personalised treatment approaches.

Furthermore, we will delve into the relationship between sleep and metabolism. Sleep disturbances have been linked to metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. We will examine the underlying mechanisms through which sleep influences metabolism and explore strategies for promoting metabolic health through adequate sleep.

One crucial aspect we will focus on is critical sleep architecture. Understanding the different stages of sleep, their durations, and their functions is essential for assessing sleep quality and identifying potential disruptions that may contribute to sleep disorders. We will discuss how disruptions in sleep architecture can lead to conditions such as insomnia and explore evidence-based approaches for their management.

Lastly, we will cover the important topic of sleep hygiene. Sleep hygiene refers to the practices and behaviours that promote healthy sleep. We will discuss various strategies to improve sleep hygiene, including lifestyle modifications, environmental factors, and relaxation techniques that can help individuals achieve restorative and quality sleep.

By the end of this course, mental health professionals will have gained a practical understanding of the neuroscience of sleep, the influence of epigenetics and metabolism, the importance of critical sleep architecture, and strategies for addressing insomnia and promoting sleep hygiene.

John Arden, PhD, ABPP, is a psychologist specializing in neuropsychology. He is widely known as an entertaining speaker and is talented at integrating diverse fields.   Author of 15 books, including Brain2Brain, The Brain Bible, Rewire Your Brain, Brain-Based Therapy with Adults and Brain-Based Therapy with Children and Adolescents. His new book is entitled Mind-Brain-Gene: Toward the Integration of Psychotherapy.

He presents workshops on brain-based therapy internationally and in the United States. Dr Arden has written books on anxiety (The Brain-Based Anxiety Workbook), OCD (The Brain-Based OCD Workbook) and PTSD (Conquering Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, with Dr. Victoria Beckner) as well Improving Your Memory for Dummies; Consciousness, Dreams, and Self: A Transdisciplinary Approach (winner of the Choice 1997 Outstanding Academic Book Award); and Science, Theology, and Consciousness.   Dr Arden’s study of neuropsychology has inspired him to integrate neuroscience and psychotherapy, synthesizing the biological and psychological aspects into a new vision for psychotherapy: Mind-Brain-Gene: Toward the Integration of Psychotherapy.

His work incorporates what is currently known about the brain and its capacities, including neuroplasticity and neurogenesis, with psychotherapy research, mindfulness, nutritional neuroscience and social intelligence. He has presented in all US States and in 30 countries around the world.

This online workshop will give you instant access to 2 sessions of video content, accessible via streaming on our website. You can view the course content in your own time, there is no time limit on access.

The duration of this workshop is 2 learning hours. A certificate of completion will be generated upon finishing the course and completing a short evaluation quiz. Please consult your professional organisation/association to confirm whether you are able to claim any CPD points/hours for this online workshop.