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Made with for better mental health
v2.2.0

CBT-i Coach

CBT-i Coach helps users track their sleep, learn CBT-I techniques (sleep hygiene, stimulus control, relaxation), and follow a structured program to improve sleep. Intended as a companion to therapist-delivered CBT-I, but can also be used alone as a self-help tool.
digital tools
Reviewed by the HeyPsych Medical Review Board
Board-certified psychiatrists and mental health professionals
Medical Review Board
Published: December 25, 2025
Last Updated: March 25, 2025
Last Reviewed: January 9, 2026

In Plain Terms

CBT-i Coach provides tools to track sleep and improve habits, such as logging sleep times, relaxation exercises, sleep-friendly routines, and educational materials about sleep behavior. It’s useful for people with insomnia or poor sleep patterns, but not a replacement for therapy if you have complex mental health needs.

CBT-i Coach

Digital CBT-I / Sleep Improvement

4

Available On

iOS
Android
Offline Access
Data Export
Last updated: 3/25/2025

How Well Does It Work?

Support for CBT-I adherence
vs. Standard CBT-I without digital support

In Plain Terms

Using CBT-i Coach can help you stay on track with your sleep therapy, keep a precise sleep diary, follow recommended routines, and apply CBT-I tools daily — which are key for improving insomnia.

CBT-i Coach is designed to augment therapist-delivered CBT-I by facilitating homework completion (sleep diary, stimulus control, scheduling). While there is no published RCT showing superior outcome compared to non-app CBT-I, clinician surveys report that many find it helpful and that it improves homework adherence and treatment engagement. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Who Should Use This?

Best For:

CBT-i Coach is best for adults who:

  • Have chronic insomnia or persistent sleep difficulties
  • Are undergoing or considering cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I)
  • Want to track sleep and apply behavior-based tools to improve sleep hygiene
  • Prefer a free, easy-to-use, evidence-informed tool on their phone
  • Need support to follow through with homework and self-care between therapy sessions

Not Recommended For:

  • People with untreated sleep disorders (e.g. sleep apnea, restless legs)
  • Those in a mental health crisis or with active severe psychiatric symptoms
  • Users requiring immediate professional sleep medicine interventions
  • Night-shift workers or individuals with irregular sleep schedules not suited to standard CBT-I recommendations

Key Features Explained

Sleep Diary & Sleep Tracking

Log bedtimes, wake times, sleep quality, awakenings, naps, and sleep-related behaviors daily. Visual sleep charts help identify patterns and measure progress.

Sleep Hygiene & Education

Guides on optimizing sleep environment, reducing stimulants, and improving bedtime routines. Helps you understand sleep mechanisms and insomnia maintenance factors.

Relaxation & Wind-down Tools

Includes guided breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and audio wind-down exercises to help you relax before bed or when you can’t sleep.

Reminders & Scheduling

Customizable reminders for bedtime, wake time, sleep diary entries, and relaxation practices — supports adherence to consistent sleep schedule and CBT-I homework.

Cost & Subscription

CBT-i Coach is free and publicly available. It was developed by the VA / DoD and is offered at no cost to users. There are no subscription fees or paywalls.

Free Features

  • • Full access to sleep diary, education, relaxation tools, reminders
Insurance

Not applicable — free publicly available self-help app

Platform Availability

iOS (iPhone/iPad)

Sleep diary, sleep tracking, relaxation tools, reminders

Android

Same features as iOS: diary, education, tools, reminders

Privacy & Data Security

B

CBT-i Coach stores data locally on your device. The app does not automatically transmit sleep diary or personal data to VA unless you choose to export and share it with a clinician. Use device-level security to protect your data; HIPAA rules don’t apply unless you manually share data with your provider.

Data Collected

  • Sleep diary entries
  • Device data (if enabled)
  • Optional self-reported sleep assessments

Data Shared

  • No data shared with third parties
No Data Sales
Encrypted
VA mobile-app privacy standard
  • Sleep data remains on the user’s device unless exported manually
  • No automatic data sharing or cloud upload by default
  • Encryption depends on device security settings
  • Recommended: enable device lock / encryption if available

How to Start Using CBT-i Coach

How to Get Started

  1. 1Download CBT-i Coach from the App Store or Google Play (free)
  2. 2Open the app and complete the initial sleep questionnaire to assess your sleep patterns
  3. 3Enter your regular bedtimes and wake times to establish baseline sleep diary
  4. 4Set up bedtime and wake reminders to encourage consistent schedule
  5. 5Start tracking your sleep daily and use relaxation exercises if needed
  6. 6If you plan to start CBT-I with a clinician, bring your sleep diary to sessions to support treatment

Pro Tips

  • • Use the sleep diary every morning for best adherence
  • • Stick with the same wake time even on weekends to stabilize circadian rhythm
  • • Avoid alcohol, caffeine, heavy meals, or screens 1–2 hours before bedtime
  • • Use relaxation tools as part of a consistent wind-down routine
  • • If insomnia persists, consult a sleep medicine specialist — insomnia may need professional assessment

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • • Skipping daily sleep diary entries (makes tracking unreliable)
  • • Trying to ‘fix’ sleep too fast — CBT-I works over weeks with consistency
  • • Mixing frequent naps or irregular schedules — undermines sleep consolidation

Alternatives & Related Tools

Insomnia Coach

View

Insomnia Coach — a related app by VA for users who are not in formal CBT-I, offering self-guided weekly sleep training and education.

Sleepio

View

Sleepio — a fully digital CBT-I program with structured weekly modules and automated guidance, though may require subscription or institutional access.

Related Mental Health Conditions

Insomnia Disorder
supportive
high

CBT-i Coach supports CBT-I protocols — the first-line recommended treatment for chronic insomnia. It can help users track sleep and apply behavioral changes to improve sleep quality. Should be used along with a clinician when possible. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Frequently Asked Questions