Reconnect with your

SLEEP SELF LIFE MIND JOY LOVE TRUTH

Struggling with sleep that just won’t reset?
Specialist psychotherapy and psychotherapeutic coaching for adults with insomnia, ADHD, anxiety and trauma-related sleep issues. My holistic approach supports you in finding ease within yourself, in your relationships, and in how you sleep at night – a journey of insight and change we undertake together.

Struggling with Sleep? Discover Holistic Sleep Therapy & Psychotherapy

Heather Darwall-Smith

As a UKCP psychotherapist specialising in sleep and neurodiversity, I understand that sleep issues are rarely just about sleep. They’re often shaped by deeper patterns – anxiety, inner conflict, or unmet needs that surface when the world quietens down.

My approach is integrative and collaborative. Together, we create a space to make sense of your experience and reconnect with what your body and mind need to truly rest – not just at night, but in your waking life too.

Discover your sleep identity

Access exclusive content not included in the book – because there’s only so much you can fit between the covers!

Sign up to my monthly newsletter to get regular practical tools and profound insights to help you align your habits with your body’s needs. Sleep is not an indulgence; it’s your foundation. Let’s reclaim it together.

How to Be Awake (So You Can Sleep Through the Night) is written from my perspective as a psychotherapist specialising in sleep. Over the years, I’ve worked with people who feel stuck, frustrated, or even hopeless about their sleep – and I’ve seen just how personal and complex these struggles can be. Sleep isn’t just a biological process; it’s entangled with how we think, feel, and live.

This book is my way of sharing what I’ve learned – not just about sleep, but about the emotional and psychological patterns that quietly shape it. It’s not a list of quick fixes. Instead, it offers a compassionate, evidence-based approach to understanding why rest can feel so out of reach – and how to begin reclaiming it.

You won’t find generic tips or one-size-fits-all solutions here. What you will find is a thoughtful guide to self-awareness, nervous system regulation, and small but sustainable shifts that help you feel more grounded by day and more at ease by night.

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What they say

"A brilliant and accessible book which brings scientific rigor to the variety of sleep problems I frequently see in the therapy room. With its clear explanations and practical steps, this is my go-to recommendation for every one I see who struggles with sleep."

"I love the book - turns on its head what we know about sleep and clear, empathetic and practical."

Whether you seek short term work or a longterm, more reflective journey, my approach is flexible and responsive. I’ll meet you where you are, offering targeted solutions or a deeper dive, all within a compassionate, empathetic, and balanced environment.

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What I help with

Many of my clients arrive exhausted, frustrated, and confused. They’ve tried everything – apps, supplements, sleep hygiene – but nothing sticks.

I specialise in supporting adults in areas including:

Difficulty falling or staying asleep and waking at 3am
ADHD-related sleep disruption (hyperfocus, lateness, impulsive nights)
Trauma- and anxiety-related night awakenings
Sleep impacted by hormones, grief or burnout
Poor response to CBT-I or sleep medication
Addiction issues and sleep

Whether you seek immediate relief or a deeper, more reflective journey, my approach is flexible and responsive. I’ll meet you where you are, offering targeted solutions or a deeper dive, all within a compassionate, empathetic, and balanced environment.

The Science of Sleep brings together the evidence-based answers to the most common – and often most misunderstood – questions I’m asked in my clinical work.

Beautifully illustrated and thoughtfully designed, the book offers a clear, accessible look at how sleep works and why it matters – blending visual storytelling with up-to-date science.

Each chapter explores a key theme: from the history of sleep research to the stages of sleep, the role of technology, and the powerful links between sleep and mental health.

Alongside the science, you’ll find practical guidance – simple strategies to improve sleep habits, manage common sleep issues, and build a more restful relationship with rest. The book also shares real stories from people who’ve struggled with sleep, offering comfort and connection as well as insight.

How to purchase:

My approach blends psychotherapy with evidence-based sleep techniques. Find out how I do it.

Location

London

In-Person: Sleep Therapy in London – 85 Wimpole Street, London, W1G 9RJ (Near Bond Street & Oxford Circus)

Online

Online: Therapy Sessions via Zoom – Convenient & Accessible Worldwide

All sessions are held online, offering flexibility and consistency no matter where you are. Many clients appreciate the ease of accessing therapy from home or while travelling, without the disruption of commuting. This approach also allows me to work with people across the UK and internationally, ensuring continuity of care wherever life takes you.