Book & Resources | Dr. Michael R. Nadorff, Ph.D.

New in 2025

The Nightmare and Sleep Disorder Toolkit

A Workbook to Help You Get Some Rest Using Imagery Rehearsal Therapy and Other Evidence-Based Approaches

Authors: Christy Worley & Michael R. Nadorff, Ph.D.

Publisher: New Harbinger Publications (2025)

Millions of people suffer from chronic nightmares and sleep disorders, yet most never receive effective treatment. This workbook brings together the best available evidence-based approaches, including Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), and other proven strategies, in an accessible, self-guided format that readers can work through on their own or alongside a therapist.

Drawing on more than a decade of Dr. Nadorff's research on nightmares, insomnia, and their impact on mental health, the toolkit gives readers practical tools to understand their sleep patterns, modify distressing nightmare content, improve sleep hygiene, and address the psychological factors that keep them stuck in cycles of poor sleep.

Whether you're dealing with trauma-related nightmares, chronic insomnia, or general sleep disruption, this workbook offers a compassionate, science-backed path toward better rest.

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Inside the Workbook

What You'll Find

Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT)

The cornerstone treatment for chronic nightmares. IRT is a brief, structured intervention that teaches you to rewrite the narrative of your nightmares during waking hours, reducing their frequency and distress. Supported by decades of research, including Dr. Nadorff's own clinical trials.

CBT for Insomnia (CBT-I)

The gold-standard psychological treatment for insomnia. The toolkit walks readers through sleep restriction, stimulus control, sleep hygiene, and cognitive restructuring, the same techniques used by sleep medicine specialists.

Understanding Your Sleep

Before changing your sleep, you need to understand it. The workbook includes sleep diaries, self-assessment tools, and psychoeducation to help readers identify patterns and set realistic goals.

Trauma-Informed Approaches

For readers whose nightmares are connected to traumatic experiences, the toolkit includes trauma-sensitive adaptations of IRT and guidance on when to seek additional professional support.

Relaxation & Mindfulness

Practical exercises for calming an anxious mind at bedtime, including progressive muscle relaxation, diaphragmatic breathing, and mindfulness-based approaches to nighttime arousal.

Maintenance & Relapse Prevention

Sleep improvement takes time and practice. The toolkit includes tools for tracking progress, troubleshooting setbacks, and maintaining gains over the long term.

For Clinicians

Using the Toolkit in Clinical Practice

The Nightmare and Sleep Disorder Toolkit is designed to be used both as a standalone self-help resource and as a clinician-guided workbook. Therapists, psychologists, and sleep medicine providers can use it as a structured companion to treatment, assigning chapters between sessions, using the assessment tools to track progress, and drawing on the psychoeducation sections to support patient understanding.

The workbook is appropriate for adult clients experiencing nightmare disorder, insomnia disorder, or sleep disturbance related to PTSD, anxiety, or depression. If you have questions about clinical applications or are interested in training on the use of IRT in your practice, please feel free to reach out.

Get in Touch

Additional Resources

Research Publications

Browse my peer-reviewed publications on nightmares, insomnia, and their relationship to suicidal behavior, depression, and aging. Many articles are available via DOI link.

View Publications

Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine

The SBSM is the professional home of behavioral sleep medicine specialists. Their website includes a provider directory to help you find a qualified clinician in your area.

Visit SBSM

National Sleep Foundation

Consumer-facing resource with evidence-based information on sleep health, sleep disorders, and sleep hygiene. A good starting point for anyone learning about their sleep.

Visit NSF

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, AFSP offers resources, a crisis line, and support for those affected by suicide loss.

Visit AFSP