Sheryl Leytham is a clinical health psychologist who specializes in health issues. She has worked extensively in a major medical setting treating a variety of health issues including sleep disorders, pain disorders, eating disorders, rehabilitation and cancer treatment. She also worked at the VA treating primarily health issues including sleep disorders, pain disorders and IBS. This clinician was the lead instructor for a multi-state class on behavioral strategies to manage chronic pain. She has published and presented in multiple national conferences on the behavioral management of health conditions and the overlap of stress and physical symptoms.

This psychologist was department chair and a tenured faculty at Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa

Sheryl Leytham has a PhD in Clinical Psychology from St Louis University, a Masters in Psychology from California State University and is a member of APA, ASCH  and the National Register.  She served as a national trainer in medical hypnosis for the VA.  This clinician is licensed in Iowa and Illinois as a Clinical Psychologist and a Health Service Provider.

Fun Sleep Facts About Dr. Leytham:

Reading, listening to relaxing music or, drinking a cup of herbal tea, using lavender and other calming scents, or taking a warm bath or shower can improve sleep

Exposure to noise at night can suppress immune function even if the sleeper doesn’t wake.

One of the biggest sleep distractions is 24-hour internet access

Exercise usually improves sleep patterns.  Strenuous exercise right before bed may keep you awake

Binge-watching television or using your mobile phone or computer late into the night affects your natural body’s rhythm and can make it more difficult to fall asleep.

Dr. Rickards completed his doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, internship at the Palo Alto VA, and post-doctoral fellowship in Rehabilitation Neuropsychology in the Johns Hopkins PM&R Department. He has completed board certification in Clinical Neuropsychology, teaches a course at Johns Hopkins, and has significant experience with adults with cognitive disorders due to TBI, stroke, or other neurological conditions.

Dr. Rickards appreciates the major impact that poor quality sleep can have on daily function – specifically mood and thinking skills – and the impact that improved sleep can have on someone’s life.

Fun Sleep Facts About Dr. Jones:

Optimal sleep: 9:00 PM – 5:00 AM 

Peak alertness: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Favorite sleep tip: Morning exercise and prioritizing important activities earlier in the day (when I’m most alert!) can help most people be productive and feel better throughout the day. And importantly, there CAN be a place for a good cup of coffee in your life!

Dr. Garcia is a bilingual Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Virginia and Puerto Rico, and a member of the American Psychological Association. She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Carlos Albizu University in Puerto Rico. She completed an American Psychology Association (APA) internship at the Albizu Clinic in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Dr. Garcia’s focuses are were children, adolescents, and their families who experienced sexual abuse. Additionally, she completed an APA Postdoctoral Fellowship in Clinical Psychology at the Veterans Affairs Caribbean Health Care system.

Dr. Garcia spent the last four years working with Veterans at the Veterans Affairs as a Health psychologist and, eventually, a Pain Psychologist. She attended to Veterans with various physical and psychological concerns of different ages, racial backgrounds, LGBT communities, beliefs, and War Eras with multiple circumstances and diagnoses. As a health psychologist, she has also worked with patients with medical conditions, chronic pain, trauma, anxiety, and
depression, among others. During her clinical practice, she has implemented short-term interventions and Evidence-Based Practices including, but not limited to, treatments such as Behavioral Activation, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (CBT-CP), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). At Dr. Lullaby, Dr. Garcia assists patients in engaging in new helpful behaviors that facilitate better sleep. She uses evidence-based therapy to manage insomnia and guides patients in identifying harmful sleep habits with a
collaborative approach.

Fun Sleep Facts About Dr. Garcia:

Optimal sleep: 9:30 PM -5:30

Peak alertness: 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Favorite sleep tip: Knowledge itself doesn’t change behavior; It is in the application of that knowledge that we start seeing changes in our life.

Sleep hygiene strategies are skills that you can start doing today. Such as, keeping a sleep schedule. wake up every morning at the same time, even on weekends. Go to bed when sleepy and not when feeling tired. Avoid using the bed for activities other than sleep and sex. Maintain a healthy diet and exercise frequently.