Coordinated sleep care
The two professions have different roles that often complement one another
Sleep psychologist
A sleep psychologist reviews the signs and symptoms of suspected sleep disorders, helps clarify possible diagnoses, and offers evidence-based treatments that do not require medication. Care often focuses on the thoughts, behaviors, and emotional factors that perpetuate a sleep disorder.
Sleep physician
A sleep physician is a medical doctor with specialized sleep medicine training. Sleep physicians diagnose and medically manage conditions such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, movement disorders, and parasomnias, and may order sleep testing or prescribe medication.
Either a sleep psychologist or a sleep physician can often be an appropriate starting point. The best choice depends on the symptoms and whether the immediate need is behavioral treatment, medical evaluation, sleep testing, or medication management. Sleep psychologists and sleep physicians frequently work together, and many patients benefit from coordinated care involving both professions.
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