Rest is Best

Wellness Through Sleep

UPDATE FOR COVID-19

We are still open for business as usual but in an effort to keep all of our clients safe, all services will be offered solely via telephone or video chats.

STAY SAFE.

Welcome. If you’re visiting this website you probably know someone who struggles to achieve their best rest and are looking for some support.

That someone may be your baby, child, teenager, partner, or even you. Either way, I applaud you for making sleep a priority.

Millions of people around the world are operating with a sleep deficit. Inadequate sleep can negatively impact your behavior, mood, physical health, learning, development, performance, ability to self-regulate, and how you relate to others.

Thus, it's easy to conclude that sleep is an essential component to healthy living.

My name is Janice. I have my Masters in Occupational Therapy and additional training specific to sleep via the University of Alberta, University of Colorado, International Parenting and Health Institute, and Isla Grace. I can help you or your loved ones sleep better.

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My Philosophy

My approach to sleep is based on the core belief that sleep is a natural, inevitable bodily function. It is intertwined with a person’s social context, physical environment, health, wellness, lifestyle, habits, routines, and skills (e.g. their ability to regulate).

When one of these components is lacking, or is present in excess, it strains the individual’s system and impedes optimal sleep.

Visualize each individual as an elastic band. Stress (e.g. poor diet or strained relationships) causes tension on the elastic; thus, hindering the band’s ability to return to homeostasis - the ideal balance for sleep. When we relieve stress (i.e. relieve tension on the band) by resolving issues, sleep is optimized.

My approach, based on the Holistic Science of Sleep Method (HSS Method TM), emphasizes the importance of investigating, evaluating, and addressing imbalances in optimal human functioning (i.e. physical, mental, and emotional) and external forces (i.e. social, environmental, and cultural) that inhibit sleep. This means that sleep concerns are addressed within the context of the whole person and not just from a behavioural perspective. Once the root cause is determined, we can collaboratively act to resolve the sources of ‘stress’ negatively impacting our ideal sleep. The founder of the HSS Method TM and author of “Awakening Through Sleep”, Mar De Carlo, refers to these actions as sleep optimizing strategies.

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FAQs

See some common questions and answers below, or call us at 780-267-9866

What can I expect from the process?

Expect a personalized approach resulting in a unique, individualized sleep plan. Prior to the initial consult, you will receive a questionnaire that will assist me to streamline our consultation while ensuring a thorough investigation. Consultations can occur over the phone, via video conferencing, or in your home - based on your preference. During this appointment, we will explore the identified factors hindering the achievement of restorative sleep. Collaboratively, we will review and identify sleep optimizing strategies that best suite your needs. This interactive process ensures that your parental (or personal) expertise and philosophies are honoured and incorporated within your sleep plan. A written sleep plan will be provided within 24 - 48 hours (electronically) to act as a point of reference for the duration of our work together.

*home visits are limited to the Edmonton area and may include an additional charge.
What kind of sleep concerns do you work with?
There are numerous sleep complaints that I am comfortable supporting. These include but are not limited to:
- Bedtime battles
- Frequent night wakings
- Independent sleep
- Insomnia
- Major sleep transitions (e.g. transitions to new beds, homes, from co-sleeping, etc...)
- Nap struggles
- Pregnancy related sleep concerns
- Split nights (when baby wakes in the middle of the night for several hours at a time)
- Self Soothing
- Anxiety
- Sleep concerns related to health conditions and/or pain
What ages do you support?

I am able to provide sleep support to individuals of all ages and abilities.
I co-sleep with my child but want his sleep to improve, can you help?

I believe it is important to respect each parent's decision regarding their family's sleep situation. If you co-sleep and are content with the situation I can definitely support you in improving your child's sleep while co-sleeping. If you co-sleep, want to stop, and are unsure how - I can help with that as well.

Do you use a sleep training method?

I believe that sleep is a natural bodily function that will inevitably occur when all individual factors that impact sleep are in balance. As such, I do not prescribe to a sleep “training” method. Instead, by identifying the root cause of a sleep issue we are able to develop strategies that support more optimal sleep. For parents, this holistic approach ensures that while supporting your child towards more better rest you are also supporting their emotional, mental, and physical well-being.
Does that mean that you don't use traditional sleep training methods?

To answer this I believe the term "sleep training" needs to be defined. Sleep training is commonly used to describe the use of extinction, graduated extinction, or gradual removal of parental presence within a sleep setting. These are all behavioural methods intended to address unwanted sleep time behaviours. Unfortunately, these methods are often used without first addressing other essential foundational components to sleep. In these cases, the strategies may work but changes may not be long lasting or difficulties may arise in other areas of the individual's life. However, these sleep training methods can be helpful when all other factors are met and the root cause may require a behavioural strategy. I strongly believe that my role as a sleep consultant isn't to tell you what to do but to provide you with reliable, evidence-informed information, assist you in navigating conflicting sources, provide support and encouragement, and empower you to confidently address your or your child's sleep as you see fit.
What is your philosophy on crying?

Crying may be inescapable during changes to a child’s sleep. My individualized, holistic approach aims to minimize discomfort or distress experienced by the you or your child. I utilize your parental expertise, to collaboratively develop a sleep plan that will support better rest for your entire family. Thus, all sleep plans developed take into account the best strategies for individual that will promote secure, healthy attachment while improving sleep.
How do you differ from other sleep approaches?

I believe that my holistic approach offers a truly individualized service. By identifying the root cause of reported sleep concerns each sleep plan ends up being completely unique to the individual or family for whom it was developed. I pride myself in ensuring that all sleep plans are customized for each individual.

“We enlisted Janice not only to help get our girl sleeping during the night, but to help us get her napping. Janice took the time to get to know my husband and I, and most important, our wants and needs. We really liked that each and every method that she gave us was carefully thought out for what would work best for us. It wasn’t ever a cookie cutter progress, but more so of what’s gonna work for us in the here and now. Read more

Kim M.

“Janice was incredibly professional. She was flexible with availability and the method of communication which made working with her so easy to balance with a job and toddler. I also grately appreciated how punctual she was with appointments. Janice was quickly did her report and got back to me with strategies that worked very well and very fast! I grately the help and the sleep!”

Kelsey B.

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