Why choose Dr. Yoe for your sleep struggles?

I received my training at the University of Arizona School of Medicine, part of Banner Behavioral Sleep Medicine Clinic in Tucson, AZ. There, I worked alongside experts in the field, learning to apply evidence-based strategies for sleep difficulties across the lifespan. Currently, I am working to complete my Diplomate in Behavioral Sleep Medicine (DBSM), one of the highest certifications in this specialty.

This advanced training ensures that I bring proven, research-backed tools to help you address your unique sleep challenges. From bedtime resistance in children to chronic insomnia in adults, I’ve supported countless individuals in creating lasting change.

 

A Personal Journey to Restful Nights

 

Sleep challenges aren’t just something I treat—they’re something I’ve lived. At 19, I was prescribed Ambien to manage my lifelong insomnia, a struggle that followed me into adulthood. For years, I thought restful sleep was simply out of reach for me.

It wasn’t until I began learning and implementing the same tools, I now teach my clients that I experienced a complete transformation. By addressing the underlying causes of my insomnia and practicing sustainable strategies, I reversed my sleep issues, something I never thought possible. I know firsthand how overwhelming and impossible the journey to better sleep can feel, but I’m here to tell you: it’s not.

 

The Science Behind Sleep Struggles: The 3P Model

 

Understanding why sleep problems occur is key to overcoming them.

 

One framework I use with my clients is the 3P Model of Insomnia:

1. Predisposing Factors
   These are the genetic, biological, or personality traits that make someone more vulnerable to sleep problems. For example, a naturally anxious disposition or a family history of sleep issues might make sleep harder for some individuals.

2. Precipitating Factors
   These are the events or life changes that trigger insomnia or other sleep challenges. Stressful situations like starting college, becoming a parent, or experiencing a loss can disrupt sleep routines.

3. Perpetuating Factors
   Over time, habits or beliefs about sleep can reinforce the problem. For example, staying in bed for hours hoping to fall asleep or avoiding nighttime routines can worsen insomnia.

 

Here’s how this might look in real life:

 

• A college student -- Has a high-achieving personality (predisposing factor) begins to experience sleep disruptions during finals week (precipitating factor). They start sleeping in late and taking naps to “make up” for poor sleep (perpetuating factors), which only disrupts their sleep cycle further. Over time, their insomnia becomes chronic.

• A Woman Going Through Menopause – Hormonal changes (predisposing factor) lead to night sweats and disrupted sleep patterns (precipitating factor). Frustrated, she starts taking long daytime naps and scrolling on her phone in bed, further interfering with her ability to fall asleep at night (perpetuating factors).

• A Person Entering Retirement – A structured work schedule helped maintain their sleep-wake cycle for decades (predisposing factor). Upon retiring, they no longer have to wake up early, so they start staying up late and sleeping in (precipitating factor). Over time, their inconsistent sleep schedule leads to difficulty falling asleep, frequent nighttime awakenings, and daytime fatigue (perpetuating factors).

• A Person Overcoming Trauma – Someone with a history of anxiety (predisposing factor) experiences a traumatic event that increases stress and hypervigilance at night (precipitating factor). To cope, they avoid bedtime, distract themselves with TV, or develop a fear of nighttime, reinforcing their struggle to sleep (perpetuating factors).

 

The good news? By targeting these perpetuating factors, we can break the cycle. My approach helps clients uncover and address these hidden patterns, replacing them with tools that promote healthy, sustainable sleep.

 

Compassionate and Tailored Support

 

Sleep is personal, and the path to better sleep isn’t one-size-fits-all. I meet my clients where they are, tailoring every session to their specific challenges, routines, and goals. I also understand how overwhelming it can feel to be told to "get better sleep" without clear guidance on how to do it. That’s why I focus on breaking the process into manageable, actionable steps.

 

With my expertise, personal experience, and a deep understanding of what it’s like to struggle with sleep, I’m here to guide you every step of the way. Together, we’ll make restful nights not just a possibility, but a reality.