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It’s easy to brush off poor sleep as just a side effect of stress or a busy schedule. But when restless nights become the norm, your mental health takes a hit—and so does your ability to function.

Sleep isn’t just a physical reset. It’s deeply intertwined with your emotional, cognitive, and psychological wellbeing. At Oak Health Center, we treat sleep not as an afterthought, but as a foundation for mental health.

Meet Dr. Alison Kole, MD, MPH, FCCP, FAASM

Dr. Alison Kole is the founding Medical Director of the Oak Health Sleep Program. She is board-certified in Sleep Medicine, Pulmonology, and Critical Care, and brings over a decade of clinical experience to her work with patients.

Dr. Kole’s approach is both holistic and evidence-based. She works closely with each client to evaluate root causes and deliver a personalized, actionable plan—minimizing or even eliminating the need for pharmaceutical treatment when possible.

While her services are out-of-network, Oak Health Center can provide superbills for insurance reimbursement upon request. If more advanced care is needed, Dr. Kole also maintains relationships with sleep labs at UCLA, UCI, and across NJ, NY, and Georgia.

Sleep Deprivation: A Mental Health Risk Factor

Sleep problems are often a key part of mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. Lack of restorative sleep can:

• Increase irritability, sadness, and emotional dysregulation
  
  
• Impair memory, focus, and decision-making
  
• Weaken resilience to stress and worsen mood instability
  
• Increase risk of suicidal thoughts, especially in people with existing depression
  

It’s also worth noting that many psychiatric medications can disrupt sleep—even while treating the core condition.

That’s why Oak Health Center’s Sleep Program was designed with collaboration in mind—working alongside your psychiatrist, therapist, or primary care provider to build a sustainable care plan.

A New Approach to Sleep Medicine

Our program is based on the idea that sleep is not a disruption to wakefulness—it is a necessary complement to it. And yet, in today’s culture, sleep has become something we try to “fit in” instead of something we prioritize.

At Oak Health, we want to change that.

We offer a unique, integrative sleep program that combines traditional medical science with holistic sleep coaching, mindset shifts, and actionable tools to restore healthy rest without over-reliance on medications.

Program Options

Depending on your needs, Dr. Kole may recommend:

Comprehensive Sleep Coaching

• Full sleep assessment
  
• 1-on-1 coaching with a board-certified sleep expert
  
• Personalized, holistic “sleep prescription”
  
• Ideal for insomnia, hypersomnia, or complex sleep concerns
  

Streamlined Apnea Support

• Rapid access to home sleep testing
  
• Shorter appointments
  
• Best for individuals with obstructive sleep apnea or narrow sleep concerns
  

Second Opinions & Sleep Test Reviews

• Review of past records or diagnoses
  
• Reevaluation or confirmation of conditions
  
• Ideal for patients unsure about next steps
  

Learn more about these options on our Sleep Program page.

Why Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Works

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is one of the most effective, long-term treatments for chronic sleep problems. It helps address the habits, thoughts, and behaviors that keep you from getting the rest you need—without relying on sleep aids.

Many clients experience improved sleep within weeks, and results tend to last much longer than with medication alone.

When to Reach Out

If you’ve been struggling with poor sleep for more than a few weeks—and especially if it’s affecting your mental health—it’s time to get help. Whether you’re dealing with chronic insomnia, sleep apnea, or just feeling exhausted despite “enough” sleep, we can help you find the missing link.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Kole through our Sleep Program

Learn more about our telehealth options

Or contact us directly to ask about availability

Sleep is not optional. It’s not a luxury. It’s the foundation your mental health depends on.

Let’s help you get it back.