Hiring a sleep consultant can be daunting. There are many different certifications, professional memberships, and acronyms to research, all on little poor-quality sleep. These sleep proponents make the process easier for you, highlighting the traits you should look for when hiring a sleep consultant.
Nicole Eichelberger

Nicole Eichelberger

BSM Certified Sleep Expert at .

Six Traits To Consider For Sleep Consultants

When hiring a sleep consultant, here are some traits you may want to consider:

    1. Professional Certification: Look for a sleep consultant who has received professional training and certification, such as the Certified Child Sleep Consultant (CCSC) or the Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant (CPSC) designation.

    2. Experience: Consider a sleep consultant who has experience working with children of a similar age to your child and who has successfully helped other families resolve sleep issues.

    3. Personalized Approach: A good sleep consultant will take the time to understand your family’s unique needs and develop a customized sleep plan that works for you.

    4. Good Communication Skills: It’s important to find a sleep consultant who can clearly explain their approach and answer any questions you may have.

    5. Positive Reviews and Recommendations: Look for a sleep consultant who has received positive reviews and recommendations from other parents.

    6. Flexibility: A sleep consultant who is willing to be flexible and adjust their approach as needed can be more effective in helping your family achieve better sleep.

Trustworthy, Supportive, And Available Between Sessions

Trust
Feeling comfortable around the consultant and talking to them openly about issues regarding their sleep and other physical or mental stressors requires a certain level of trust in the consultant and their abilities. This is why a meet-and-greet should always be offered.

Expertise
The consultant should understand the functioning of the human body, how physical and mental stressors can impact sleep, and how to address these. Sleep saboteurs such as gut inflammation, parasites, or hormonal imbalances are often not addressed in classical sleep consulting services.

Supportive
Working with a sleep consultant often comes along with changing habits around lifestyle, exercise, and even nutrition. Change is hard, and having a cheerleader on your side to help you through this process is crucial for a successful outcome.

Availability Between Sessions
This is [the] clients’ most important trait they keep pointing out: the fact that they can stay in contact during office hours via text messaging, so [sleep consultants] can answer any questions or navigate any challenges with them in real-time without having to wait for [the] next appointment.

References and Testimonials
While consultants should show confidence in their approach, references and testimonials are essential to show that they have successfully worked with other cases. Eventually, no matter how many certifications a sleep consultant might have, the proof is in the pudding.

Annika Carroll

Annika Carroll

Women's Sleep & Health Coach, CEO of .
Macall Gordon

Macall Gordon

Respects Your Expertise As A Parent

First, please check their credentials and training. The sleep consultant field currently isn’t regulated, and anyone can say they’re a coach or consultant. Look to make sure they have had training in sleep, child development, and other related topics. Also, make sure they are trained to work with your child’s age. Some training programs are extensive and require exams and offer supervision as part of training.

Second, be leery of consultants who promise quick or guaranteed results. There is no one approach that works for every child every time. And last, find someone who respects your expertise and input as a parent. As much as you might want to help from an expert, really, YOU are the expert. They’re just giving you a little extra input.

Good Communication Skills And Professionalism

A sleep consultant is a professional who helps individuals improve their sleep habits and overcome sleep-related problems. Sleep consultants may work with people who have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting restful sleep.

They may also work with people who have specific sleep disorders, such as insomnia, sleep apnea, or restless leg syndrome. Sleep consultants use a variety of techniques to help clients improve their sleep, including behavior modification, relaxation techniques, and education about healthy sleep habits. They may work with clients in person or remotely through phone or online consultations.

Sleep consultants can be helpful for people who have tried to improve their sleep on their own but have not been successful. They can provide guidance and support to help clients develop healthy sleep habits and overcome sleep issues. If you’re considering hiring a sleep consultant to help improve your sleep habits, it’s important to choose someone qualified and experienced.

Here are five traits to look for when hiring a sleep consultant:

    1. Certification
    Look for a sleep consultant who is certified by a reputable organization, such as the Board of Sleep Medicine or the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. This ensures that the consultant has the necessary knowledge and skills to help you improve your sleep.

    2. Experience
    Choose a sleep consultant who has a track record of helping clients improve their sleep. Ask about their experience working with people with similar sleep issues as yours.

    3. Personalized Approach
    A good sleep consultant will take a personalized approach to help you improve your sleep rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. Look for someone who will work with you to develop a plan that is tailored to your specific needs and goals.

    4. Good Communication Skills
    Effective communication is key to a successful sleep consulting relationship. Look for a sleep consultant who is a good listener, able to explain concepts clearly, and open to answering your questions.

    5. Professionalism
    Choose a sleep consultant who is professional in their interactions with you and respects your privacy. A good sleep consultant will be understanding and non-judgmental and will work with you to help you achieve your sleep goals.

Bill McKenna

Bill McKenna

Neurological Research and Founder of .

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