Today we’d like to introduce you to Rayni Collins.
Hi Rayni, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Whenever I am asked this question, I instantly think, “which starting point?” and “which layer?” because I think it can be answered in a number of ways. When asked why I’m passionate about sleep health, my mind races through numerous starting points and layers. This time, I’ll begin with my childhood, when my sleep issues first emerged.
My fear of going to sleep began in childhood. The prayers I recited, particularly “…and if I die before I wake, I pray to the Lord my soul to take,” filled me with dread instead of peace. This fear of the night and sleep worsened during my teen years, leading to daily microsleeping in high school classes. It’s no surprise I struggled academically and didn’t enjoy school, being so sleep deprived.
In college, I was known for nodding off in lectures, though dance classes (my major was dance performance and choreography) kept me awake. My senior year was particularly demanding, balancing a full course load, multiple dance rehearsals (including my capstone piece on sleep, nightmares, and dreams), and working two jobs. Inevitably, the stress took its toll. One morning, I dozed off while driving to campus, side-swiping an oncoming car. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but the incident left me rattled and guilt-stricken.
A sleep evaluation was recommended, and although I didn’t have narcolepsy, my sleep clock was misaligned. The specialist’s advice to gradually adjust my bedtime seemed impractical at the time, so I opted to quit one job to reduce stress and late nights.
Post-college, I relied on energy drinks to manage a 60+ hour workweek and dance commitments. Unsurprisingly, my body soon demanded I stop. Working with an integrative medicine doctor inspired me to pursue a Master’s Degree in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling, a decision that likely saved my life. I learned to prioritize my health, particularly sleep. Through sleep retraining, I saw a marked reduction in anxiety and depression.
Motherhood introduced a new level of sleep deprivation, leaving me delirious, angry, foggy-brained, and frequently nodding off. Despite the joy of motherhood, the sleep deprivation was a dark shadow over those early years. The situation worsened with the onset of COVID, intensifying my insomnia and anxiety. Briefly helped by prescriptions, I soon sought longer-term solutions. Consulting a functional health practitioner and starting Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) protocols, I finally found relief.
After two months of supplements and CBT-I, I felt revitalized, with clearer thoughts and a more positive mood. This experience reaffirmed my belief that sleep is the cornerstone of health. Since then, prioritizing sleep has been essential for both me and my child.
I am flexible with my sleep schedule, recognizing that occasional late nights or lazy mornings are part of life. However, maintaining a consistent sleep routine overall is crucial. Prioritizing sleep is the ultimate act of self-care and self-love. When we ensure our most vulnerable moments are calm and secure, we affirm our own importance.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey to understanding and prioritizing sleep health has certainly not been a smooth road for me. Much like many people, I have often found myself resisting the call to go to bed, reminiscent of the childhood phase of “but I don’t want to go to bed!” I am no exception to the allure of staying up later than I should, often tempted to click the play button for just one more episode.
One of the struggles I faced was not realizing sooner the importance of listening to my body’s signals. Ignoring the drooping eyelids and the nodding head in favor of fleeting pleasures like binge-watching shows only left me feeling worse the next day. The aftermath of a poor night’s sleep can be brutal, often leaving me with the feeling of not wanting to be around anyone, including myself.
Additionally, the pressures of society demanding more than our bodies can manage add to the challenge of prioritizing sleep. It’s all too easy to get caught up in the hustle and grind, neglecting the crucial need for rest. I understand the reasons why people don’t prioritize sleep – the endless to-do lists, the desire to maximize leisure time, and the fear of missing out.
However, through my own experiences and the bumps along the way, I have come to a crucial realization: going to sleep when my body tells me to is the ultimate act of self-care. It reinforces the message that I can trust my body and its needs, rather than bypassing them for temporary pleasures. Ignoring these signals can lead to dire consequences, as our bodies eventually give us warning signs that our health needs attention.
My personal journey has taught me the immense value of making the short-term choice of getting a good night’s sleep regularly for the long-term benefit of living a longer, healthier life. This understanding drives my passion for sleep health and fuels my commitment to helping others achieve the same. Prioritizing sleep is not just about avoiding negative consequences; it’s about embracing a practice that fundamentally supports our well-being and allows us to thrive in all areas of life.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
My journey with sleep health has profoundly shaped my professional offerings, and I’m excited to share more about my practice. Here’s what you should know about my business and what sets it apart:
I specialize in helping adults who dream, create, and make, by focusing on improving their overall mental health and well-being through a holistic and outcome-focused approach. My core services include:
– Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I): This is often the starting point for my clients. We typically spend the first 2-4 sessions improving sleep efficiency, which has a lasting positive impact on their overall health.
– Brainspotting: This technique helps process deeper symptoms of stress, anxiety, low mood, depression, and trauma.
– Dance/Movement Therapy: Leveraging the body’s natural movement to explore and express emotions.
– Person Centered Therapy: Providing a supportive and non-judgmental space for clients to explore their thoughts and feelings.
Additionally, I offer add-on services of CBT-I and Brainspotting for individuals who are already working with other therapists, as well as for other therapists and healthcare professionals themselves.
What sets my practice apart is the unique combination of therapies I offer, all grounded in a holistic and somatic approach. I am action-oriented and dedicated to producing tangible outcomes for my clients. By addressing sleep health first, I ensure that clients have a solid foundation upon which to build further therapeutic work.
In the initial phase, clients typically meet with me once a week for the first 1-3 months. During this period, they often notice significant improvements in their mood and functioning, particularly in how they respond to stressors. After this intensive phase, we generally shift to bi-weekly sessions. Many clients find themselves ready to graduate from therapy within 6-9 months.
I am most proud of my ability to transform lives by prioritizing sleep health and integrating various therapeutic modalities. My clients consistently report noticeable improvements in their mood, stress response, and overall functioning within a relatively short time frame. This progress is a testament to the effectiveness of my holistic, somatic, and action-oriented approach.
At the heart of my practice is a commitment to helping clients achieve better health and well-being through improved sleep and comprehensive therapy. Whether you are struggling with insomnia, anxiety, depression, or trauma, my tailored approach can provide the support and tools you need to thrive. My goal is to empower you to feel more alive, clear-headed, and positive, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling life.
By prioritizing sleep and utilizing a combination of CBT-I, Brainspotting, Dance/Movement Therapy, and Person Centered Therapy, I help clients unlock their full potential and achieve lasting positive change.
How do you define success?
To me, success is simply accepting that falling is part of the process and always getting back up.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://RayniCollins.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/e_motive_counseling/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RayniCollins/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/raynicollins
- Other: www.E-MOTIVEcounseling.com
