ERRT

An elderly man with gray hair sleeping on a bed, hugging a pillow, in a bright room with a white nightstand, a pair of glasses, a gray phone, and a small potted plant. He is in ERRT treatment for nightmare, CBT-I, sleep therapy, dream rescript, sleep

What is ERRT Therapy?

Exposure, Relaxation, and Rescripting Therapy (ERRT) is a treatment designed for people struggling with chronic nightmares, often related to trauma or PTSD. In ERRT, you learn relaxation skills to calm the body, gradually face the distress connected to your nightmares, and then “rescript” the dream—changing the storyline so it feels less frightening and overwhelming. Over time, this process reduces the intensity and frequency of nightmares, helping you get more restful, restorative sleep.

What is a nightmare?

A nightmare is a disturbing dream that causes awakening from sleep. These dreams can be recurring or vary in content but have the consistent effect of disrupting rest. Nightmares often evoke strong feelings of fear, anxiety, or distress. For some individuals, the distress caused by nightmares may lead to anxiety about falling asleep, sometimes resulting in attempts to avoid bedtime altogether.