"Sleep Works Changed My Entire Life”: How Jan Cain Finally Found Rest (And Relief) With Sleep Works

For Jan Cain, sleep had been a lifelong struggle. “I’ve had insomnia since I was a child,” she shared. “Sometimes I’d fall asleep right away and wake up for hours in the middle of the night. Other times, I just couldn’t fall asleep at all.”

She tried melatonin, supplements with complex ingredient lists, even prescription medications—but nothing worked consistently.

What finally turned things around was a podcast. While listening to Martha Beck talk about her own sleep struggles, Jan perked up. “She mentioned this group out of Nova Scotia that helped her, and I thought—I’m going to investigate that.”

That group turned out to be Sleep Works.

Despite being a mental health professional herself—and familiar with CBT—Jan had never heard of CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia). “I had read the book the program is based on, but honestly, I just couldn’t get through it. I was so sleep-deprived, it was too much to process on my own.”

Joining the 6-week CBT-I group program, Jan immediately found comfort in the shared experience. “It was all women, mostly driven, type A personalities. I realized I wasn’t alone—it was the busy-brain problem. That was so normalizing.”

But the real turning point came in a conversation with Sleep Works facilitators Leah and Marlee. “Leah just looked at me and said, ‘You will get to sleep, Jan. We have 100% confidence this will work for you.’ And something in me shifted. That belief was everything.”

Among the many strategies taught in the program, one stood out: getting out of bed when you can’t sleep. “I had spent my whole life just lying in bed, awake for hours. That was the hardest change to make—but it made the biggest difference. It completely turned my sleep around.”

Since completing the program in mid-February, Jan has consistently been sleeping 7 to 8 hours a night. “Even if I have a rough night, I know exactly what to do. I have the tools now.”

When she traveled to Europe, a nine-hour time difference, Sleep Works went the extra mile. “Marlee built me a personalized travel plan. I’d never slept on a plane in my life, and I did. It worked. I came back from the trip rested and amazed.”

But for Jan, the biggest shift went beyond sleep. “It changed my entire life,” she said. “I’m happier. I’m more relaxed. I’m not walking through my day in a fog. I’m not on edge anymore.”

In fact, the benefits reached into areas she didn’t expect. “The program didn’t just improve my sleep—it helped reduce my anxiety overall,” she later shared. “Now that I’m rested, I just feel more grounded.”

As a parent coach and mental health professional, Jan has started applying what she learned with her clients. “It was a double win. I’m able to support children and parents dealing with sleep challenges using what I learned from Sleep Works.”

Even with her initial doubts, Jan has no regrets. “It was an investment of time and money, but it was well worth it. A very good exchange for what I got.”

And when asked if she had any negatives about the program?

“None,” she said simply. “I really appreciated the support. I needed handholding—and they gave it.”

Meet Your Sleep Coaches: Marlee & Leah

At Sleep Works, we’ve helped hundreds of people just like Jan finally get the rest they deserve. Our expert sleep therapists, Marlee and Leah, support clients in improving both the quality and quantity of their sleep.

They’re not here to judge. They’re here to support you with warmth, expertise, and a plan that actually works.

How to Get Started (Even If You’re Not Sure Yet)

Whether you’re ready to dive into CBT-I or just curious, we’ve got options:

• Online Self-Guided CBT-I Course – Work through the full CBT-I program at your own pace, on your schedule.
  

• Small Group Programs – Learn alongside others, with live guidance from our therapists. (Eligible for private Canadian health insurance coverage - inquire for details)
  

• 1:1 Private CBT-I Therapy & Consultations – Get personalized support tailored to your sleep patterns, challenges and lifestyle.
  

• FREE 15-Minute Consultations – Chat with Marlee or Leah to find out which option is right for you. No pressure. Just clarity.

Schedule your free consult here