Colleen E. Carney, PhD, CPsych
Dr. Colleen E. Carney, PhD, has established herself as one of the world’s leading experts in the treatment of insomnia, particularly in the context of concurrent mental health conditions. As Professor and Director of the Sleep and Depression Laboratory at Toronto Metropolitan University, she has pioneered research examining the intersection of sleep disorders and mood disturbances.
Dr. Carney is widely recognized for developing and testing novel treatments combining Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) with interventions for depression. Her research has been instrumental in challenging traditional approaches that viewed insomnia merely as a symptom of depression, helping establish it as a distinct disorder requiring specific therapeutic attention.
She has authored several influential treatment manuals, including “Cognitive Behavioral Treatment of Insomnia: A Session-by-Session Guide” and “Quiet Your Mind and Get to Sleep,” which have become essential resources for clinicians worldwide. Her treatment protocols have been adopted in numerous clinical settings and have helped shape best practices in the field.
Dr. Carney’s research portfolio includes multiple large-scale clinical trials funded by major organizations including the National Institutes of Health. Her work has been published in prestigious journals such as the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology and the Journal of Sleep Research. She regularly presents at international conferences and conducts professional training workshops, helping disseminate evidence-based treatment approaches to practitioners globally.
Beyond her research contributions, Dr. Carney serves as a dedicated mentor to graduate students and early-career professionals. She has trained numerous clinicians in CBT-I and integrated treatment approaches, significantly expanding the availability of evidence-based sleep treatments.
Her commitment to making sleep science accessible has led to regular media appearances and public engagement efforts, helping bridge the gap between academic research and practical clinical application. She is known for her ability to communicate complex scientific concepts in ways that resonate with both professional and general audiences.
Dr. Carney’s work continues to influence the field’s understanding of the sleep-depression relationship, contributing to more effective, integrated treatment approaches for patients with comorbid conditions. Her research has been particularly valuable in developing targeted interventions for populations that have historically been underserved in sleep medicine.
Financial Disclosures: Colleen Carney receives royalties from book sales at Guilford, New Harbinger, Routledge and Oxford, and a speaking honorarium from Leading Edge Seminars Inc. Dr. Carney receives licensing fees for the Consensus sleep Diary tool from industry-funded projects.