Chronic insomnia is trouble falling or staying asleep at least three nights a week for three months with daytime impairment. First-line treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), which outperforms medication long term. Short-term medication options include doxepin, trazodone, ramelteon and newer orexin antagonists, with sedative-hypnotics used sparingly. Treating coexisting depression or anxiety is essential. Stedfast Psychiatry treats insomnia at 3107 Stirling Road in Fort Lauderdale and by video across Florida; new patients call (561) 437-2413.
Insomnia at our Fort Lauderdale office
For insomnia treatment, residents of Oakridge, Emerald Hills, Avon Park and Liberia and Dania Beach, Plantation, Pembroke Pines and Cooper City are usually within a short drive. The office is on Stirling Road west of I-95, in the stretch between Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Davie, close to State Road 7 (US 441).
New-patient scheduling for Fort Lauderdale runs through (561) 437-2413. Existing patients reach the office directly at (561) 858-1951. Free surface parking is available in the lot in front of the building, with accessible spaces by the entrance. If a same-week in-person slot is not open, a video visit with the same provider usually is.
The Fort Lauderdale office is an entry point to Stedfast Psychiatry's Deep TMS and Spravato programs. Treatment sessions run at our Palm Beach Gardens TMS center and the Boynton Beach Spravato rooms, roughly 60 and 45 minutes away; the evaluation, the screening scales and the prior authorization all happen here.
Who you will see in Fort Lauderdale
The Fort Lauderdale team includes psychiatrist Dr. Sabina Goldstein, psychiatric nurse practitioners Ashley Toledo and Stefanie Sicre and physician assistants Rodrigo Zuniga, Hannah Parker and Daniela Contreras. Visits in Spanish are available with Rodrigo Zuniga, Ashley Toledo and Daniela Contreras. Children and teens are seen by Stefanie Sicre, Hannah Parker, Daniela Contreras and Sabina Goldstein.
Rod Zuniga, PA-C
Physician Assistant · Adults 18+ · English, Spanish
Ashley Toledo, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner · Ages 10 through older adults · English, Spanish
Stefanie Sicre, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner · Adults and teens 16+
Hannah Parker, PA-C
Physician Assistant · Adults and teens 15+
Daniela Contreras, PA-C
Physician Assistant · Adults and teens 16+; 15 on request · English, Spanish
Dr. Sabina Goldstein, MD
Psychiatrist · Adults and teens 15+
Signs of insomnia
- Taking more than 30 minutes to fall asleep most nights
- Waking during the night and struggling to get back to sleep
- Waking an hour or more before you need to and not returning to sleep
- Unrefreshing sleep despite enough time in bed
- Daytime fatigue, sleepiness or low energy
- Irritability, low mood or anxiety about sleep
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering
- Dreading bedtime or watching the clock
How we diagnose it
A sleep evaluation at Stedfast Psychiatry starts with a detailed sleep history: your schedule, time to fall asleep, number and length of awakenings, naps, caffeine and alcohol, screen use, and what you do when you cannot sleep. We use the Insomnia Severity Index and a two-week sleep diary, and we screen for depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD and bipolar disorder because insomnia is often the first visible sign of one of them. We screen for sleep apnea (snoring, witnessed pauses, morning headaches, daytime sleepiness) with the STOP-Bang questionnaire and refer for a sleep study when it is likely, because sedating medications can worsen untreated apnea. We review all medications and order thyroid tests, iron studies for restless legs, or other labs when indicated.
About one third of US adults report insomnia symptoms, and roughly 10 percent meet criteria for chronic insomnia disorder.
Source: American Academy of Sleep Medicine
More than one third of US adults report sleeping less than the recommended seven hours per night.
Source: CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
CBT-I is recommended as the first-line treatment for chronic insomnia in adults, ahead of medication.
Source: American College of Physicians Clinical Practice Guideline (2016); American Academy of Sleep Medicine (2021)
People with insomnia have about twice the risk of developing depression compared with those who sleep well.
Source: Meta-analysis, Journal of Affective Disorders (Baglioni et al., 2011)
Treatment for insomnia in Fort Lauderdale
Medication management
When medication is appropriate we choose based on the pattern. Low-dose doxepin (3 to 6 mg) is FDA-approved for sleep maintenance and is not habit-forming. Trazodone 25 to 100 mg is widely used off-label, especially when depression is present. Ramelteon acts on melatonin receptors and helps with sleep onset. The orexin receptor antagonists suvorexant, lemborexant and daridorexant are newer options that reduce wakefulness without the next-day grogginess of older drugs. Mirtazapine helps when depression, poor appetite and insomnia occur together. Sedative-hypnotics such as zolpidem and eszopiclone work quickly but carry risks of tolerance, dependence, complex sleep behaviors and falls, so we use them short term and rarely in older adults. We avoid benzodiazepines for chronic insomnia. Medication is reviewed every four to eight weeks with the goal of tapering as CBT-I takes effect.
Psychotherapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the first-line treatment recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the American College of Physicians. Over four to eight sessions it uses sleep restriction (temporarily limiting time in bed to consolidate sleep), stimulus control (bed is for sleep only; get up if awake more than 20 minutes), fixed wake times, cognitive work on anxiety about sleep, and relaxation training. CBT-I improves sleep in 70 to 80 percent of patients and the gains last after treatment ends, which medication cannot claim. It can be delivered by telehealth and combined with medication during the first weeks when sleep restriction is hardest.
What to expect
Your first visit is a 45 to 60 minute evaluation, in person or by video, and we may ask you to keep a sleep diary beforehand. You leave with a working diagnosis of what is driving the insomnia and a plan that may include CBT-I, medication, treatment of an underlying condition, or a referral for a sleep study. Follow-ups are every two to four weeks at first. Telehealth works especially well for CBT-I and medication follow-up, and we see patients across Florida and South Carolina.
The complete guide, including causes, subtypes and research, is on our Insomnia page.
Emergency and crisis resources near Fort Lauderdale
In an emergency, call 911 or go to Memorial Regional Hospital Emergency Department (3501 Johnson St, Hollywood). The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available by call or text 24 hours a day. Broward Health Medical Center Emergency Department and 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline are also listed on the Fort Lauderdale office page.
Frequently asked questions
Who provides insomnia treatment at the Fort Lauderdale office?
The Fort Lauderdale team includes psychiatrist Dr. Sabina Goldstein, psychiatric nurse practitioners Ashley Toledo and Stefanie Sicre and physician assistants Rodrigo Zuniga, Hannah Parker and Daniela Contreras. Visits in Spanish are available with Rodrigo Zuniga, Ashley Toledo and Daniela Contreras. Every provider works under psychiatrist oversight and the same evaluation standard: about an hour for a first visit, validated screening scales, and a written plan.
Can I be seen by video instead of coming to Fort Lauderdale?
Yes. Stedfast Psychiatry providers are licensed in Florida and offer video visits for evaluations and follow-ups. Some situations, including certain controlled-substance prescriptions and first visits for young children, require an in-person appointment at 3107 Stirling Road.
Does the Fort Lauderdale office take my insurance?
We accept most major commercial plans and Medicare. Call (561) 437-2413 with your member ID and we will verify benefits before the visit. Self-pay new-patient evaluations are $185.
How soon can a new patient be seen in Fort Lauderdale?
Most new patients are scheduled within one to two weeks. If you need to be seen sooner, ask about a video visit; those often open up within days. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 or go to the nearest emergency room rather than waiting.
Can I get Deep TMS or Spravato as a Fort Lauderdale patient?
Yes. Stedfast Psychiatry is licensed for both. Your Fort Lauderdale provider does the evaluation and the prior authorization; treatment sessions are scheduled at our Palm Beach Gardens TMS center and the Boynton Beach Spravato rooms.
Is medication or CBT-I better for insomnia?
CBT-I is better for chronic insomnia. It works for 70 to 80 percent of people, the gains hold after treatment ends, and it carries no risk of dependence. Medication works faster and has a role in short-term insomnia, during the first weeks of CBT-I, and when an underlying condition such as depression needs treatment. Our usual plan is CBT-I as the foundation with medication as a bridge if needed.
What is the safest sleep medication for long-term use?
Low-dose doxepin, ramelteon and the orexin antagonists (suvorexant, lemborexant, daridorexant) have the best safety profiles for ongoing use and do not cause dependence. Trazodone is widely used and generally safe. Zolpidem and similar drugs are best kept to short courses. Over-the-counter diphenhydramine (Benadryl, ZzzQuil) is a poor choice for regular use, especially in older adults, because of next-day impairment and anticholinergic effects.
Nearby Stedfast offices
If you are in crisis, call or text 988 or go to the nearest emergency room. Educational content; individual results vary. Reviewed by Dr. David Husted, board-certified psychiatrist.