2026-2027 SDCA Professional Webinar Series
Check them out and get signed up

 

September 15th: 

Targeting Trauma-Related Nightmares: Using Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT) to Improve Sleep and PTSD Recovery
 presented by Dr. Lillian Gibson, PhD
Tuesday September 15th, 12pm CT / 11am MT 
(1.0 contact hour)

Description:

Trauma-related nightmares are among the most distressing and persistent symptoms of PTSD, often contributing to chronic sleep disruption, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. Yet many clinicians receive little formal training in evidence-based interventions designed specifically to treat nightmare disorder. 

Led by Dr. Lillian Gibson, this practical workshop introduces mental health clinicians to Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT), an evidence-based treatment approach for reducing trauma-related nightmares. Participants will learn how to assess nightmare severity, understand the relationship between nightmares, intrusive memories, rumination, and sleep disruption, and determine when IRT may be an appropriate intervention within a comprehensive trauma treatment plan.

 By the end of the training, participants will understand the core principles of IRT, gain practical strategies for helping clients reduce nightmare frequency and distress, and feel more confident addressing one of the most overlooked symptoms of PTSD. Prior expertise in sleep medicine is not required.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Learners will be able to identify the relationship between PTSD, Insomnia, and Nightmares.
  2. Learners will be able to list CBT strategies to increase adaptive sleep related behaviors.
  3. Learners will be able to recognize dream rehearsal techniques to re-script re-occurring trauma related nightmares

 

 

Speaker Biography:

CAREER CONCENTRATION AREAS: Licensed Clinical Psychologist: Staff Psychologist (2010 to Present); Private Practice Owner (2017 to Present) Provides a broad range of advanced psychological interventions for symptom reduction through a variety of therapeutic modalities (problem solving therapy, brief interventions, motivational interviewing, diagnostic assessments, mindfulness interventions, group psychotherapy treatments, vocational evaluations, IBCT, DBT, IPT, CBT, CPT, and ACT) to treat depression, anxiety, varying traumas, anger management, insomnia, nightmare disorder, chronic pain, readjustment counseling, relationship challenges, anger management, caregiver stress, and adaptive coping skills for chronic medical conditions. Mental Health Speaker/Consultant (2020 to Present): Provides customized seminars and/or psychoeducational programs for various organizations to increase awareness and understanding of mental health conditions among adult populations, work wellness strategies, cultural affirming practices, re-adjustment counseling, and/or belonging initiatives.

EDUCATION: Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology Jackson State University (full Ph.D. APA accreditation) -Jackson, MS 

 

SDCA Members: Free

Non-Members: $25

Register HERE

 

 

*This event will be recorded for later viewing, if you want access to the recording, you must register for the event! An email will come out after the event with home study instructions for contact hour credit. 

 

 

 

 

Questions? Feel free to contact us at [email protected]

   The South Dakota Counseling Association has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 2042. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. The South Dakota Counseling Association is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 

This organization, South Dakota Counseling Association approval ID 1058, is approved as a provider for continuing education by the: South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners.

Sadie Hanson-ACEP Administrator
Po Box 38
Platte SD 57369
[email protected]
www.sdcounseling.org