Meet the Person Behind SleepPsychologist․IN

Hi. I'm Shabbir Ahmed — Founder of SleepPsychologist․IN

You’d think that being a psychologist, mindfulness teacher, and yoga teacher would mean I had sleep all figured out, right?

That’s what I believed too—until I went through my own struggle with sleep.

I tried everything that influencers and experts from related areas often recommend—and to be honest, even I used to suggest many of those things myself: comfy beds, fancy gadgets, guided meditations, special drinks, breathing techniques, stretching… you name it. These helped in small ways, but deep, refreshing sleep still felt out of reach. I knew something was missing.

Over time, I realised that the issue with sleep isn't just one thing—it’s many things, working together. And fixing it isn’t about trying more random tips. It’s about understanding the full picture.

The Holistic Connection Between Life and Sleep

Sleep affects every part of our life—and every part of life affects sleep. If sleep is disturbed, stress, other health issues, and emotional imbalance start creeping in. And if you're already dealing with health challenges, your sleep almost always suffers too.

But here’s the beautiful part—when you start improving your sleep in the right way, using science-backed, holistic methods that address your thoughts, habits, routines, and lifestyle, other areas of life begin to improve too. That includes better mood, reduced stress, and improved overall health. That’s what I experienced—and what I now help others experience. I built SleepPsychologist․IN to offer clear, proven methods that address sleep issues at their root.

Sleep is personal, and so is the path to fixing it. It can’t be rushed, and it can’t be done with one-size-fits-all advice. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that there’s no quick fix, product, or “hack” for restoring natural sleep. What truly works is becoming aware of and addressing a dozen interlinked factors—some hidden—step by step, with patience, clarity, and the right kind of support.

My Structured and Compassionate Approach

That’s why I now offer a structured, compassionate, and evidence-based approach to help people like you find natural, deep, and lasting sleep—without pills, without guesswork.

At SleepPsychologist․IN, I leverage everything I’ve learned, taught, coached, and counseled—from sleep science, psychology, and mindfulness to yoga and therapeutic practices, along with my own personal journey—to offer you genuine care and crystal-clear guidance.

Because sleep isn’t just about the night—it’s about how you live your day. And you don’t have to walk this journey alone. With the right guidance, deep sleep and vibrant living can become your new normal.

My Professional Roots

Credentials and Expertise
Counselling Psychologist (M.A. Psychology), PhD Scholar (Psychology)

Qualified counselling psychologist with a Master’s degree in Psychology, pursuing a PhD in Psychology (Sleep Psychology), estimated to be completed in 2028.

Mindfulness Teacher — 10 years

Nearly a decade teaching mindfulness using a unique framework that blends ACT, MBCT and MBSR. (See testimonials.)

Bestseller Author & Co-author

Author of Mindfulness Made Simple (Link here) and co-author of Mindfulness for Challenging Times, both endorsed by mental-health and mindfulness experts.

Published Experimental Research Paper

Conducted a multi-month study with 60 women across India on the effects of mindfulness on resilience and psychological well-being. Published paper (Link1Link2).

Accredited Yoga Teacher (500 Hours, IYA)
Member and accredited teacher with the Indian Yoga Association (Link). Completed 500-hour YTT at Yoga Sadhana Mandir; studied Patanjali Yoga Sutra, Hatha Pradipika and Gheranda Samhita.
Acceptance & Commitment Therapist (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy practitioner with professional membership in the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS). [Link]
Accredited Mindfulness Teacher (CMA, UK)
Accredited by the Complementary Medical Association, trained under Shamash Alidina, a world-renowned mindfulness teacher and author. (Link)
Accredited Mindfulness Teacher — IMTA (Professional Level)

Professional-level accreditation from the International Mindfulness Teachers Association, an organization dedicated to setting the highest standards for mindfulness educators and trainers. (Link)

Certified Life Coach (Career Coaching | ACSTH, ICF)
ICF-aligned ACSTH accreditation (Link). Over a decade of career coaching experience, formerly leading the flagship program The Career Garage. (See participant feedback — Link here.)
Certified Sleep Coach — CCA (ACSTH, ICF)
ICF-aligned ACSTH accreditation. Certification from the Certified Coach Alliance (CCA) signifies adherence to professional standards, ethical conduct, and high-quality coaching skills in the sleep-coaching niche. (Link)
Sleep Psychology Specialist

Specialised in sleep psychology using CBT-I, ACT-I, MBTI (Mindfulness-Based Therapy for Insomnia), yoga-based strategies, and emotional-wellness approaches for insomnia and sleep restoration.

Personal Experience Informs Practice

Personal recovery from sleep problems shaped my approach and strengthened my focus on deep, quality sleep.

Integrative Evidence-Based Practitioner

Uses CBT, REBT, MBSR, MBCT, ACT, Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT/SFBT), and NLP in a client-centred, outcome-focused way, applying what works best for each individual’s needs and goals.

Pursuing Programs in Integrated Sleep Medicine

Enrolled in multiple multi-month to year-long programs with leading experts, covering how general medicine, sleep medicine, dentistry, ENT, pulmonology, urology, neurology, psychiatry, and other fields influence sleep and its treatment. This broadens my understanding of the patient journey and strengthens my ability to manage psychological aspects of sleep care.

Grounded in Reality: A Psychologist with Real-World Experience
Before becoming a full-time psychologist, I spent over two decades in the corporate and tech world, including with organizations like Microsoft. I managed teams, worked in sales and pre-sales, contributed to product and engineering teams, and took on roles in advisory, support, and more. I studied at institutions such as IIM and co-founded a food & beverage startup that went on to receive the F&B Leaders Award from the Times of India.

This allows me to deeply relate to high-performing professionals, entrepreneurs, and students navigating pressure, deadlines, and burnout. I know firsthand the toll it can take—the sleepless nights when your mind won’t stop racing—which is why every program I offer is grounded in the realities of everyday life.

My Mission

At SleepPsychologist․IN, my mission is simple,
help you sleep naturally, deeply, & peacefully, without pills or endless trial and error. My Programs Combine Following:

Targeted therapeutic techniques
CBT-I changes sleep-related thoughts and habits to restore regular sleep. ACT-I builds acceptance and flexibility, helping you relate differently to difficult thoughts, emotions, and sleep challenges.

Science-backed mindfulness
Short, consistent mindfulness exercises reduce arousal and interrupt rumination. Improved emotional regulation makes falling and staying asleep easier.

Restorative movement and breath
Slow, restorative yoga releases muscle tension and signals safety to the nervous system. Calming breathwork lowers heart rate and eases the shift into sleep.

Tailored practical guidance
Plans are adapted to your schedule, needs, and progress. Ongoing adjustments keep strategies realistic and effective.

Whether you're a working professional, student, entrepreneur, or homemaker, if poor sleep is holding you back, I'm here to guide you on a simple, science-based path to restful nights and brighter days.

My Journey into Sleep & Insomnia Support

Over the years, I’ve developed a unique, results-oriented approach to teaching mindfulness—one that has positively transformed many lives. My programs inspired me to author a book for individuals committed to deep inner work, and I also conducted and published the first experimental research study on mindfulness for Indian women.

While leading these programs, I began exploring how mindfulness, meditation, and yoga could improve sleep. Many participants experienced significant benefits, as reflected in their testimonials. However, I soon realized mindfulness and yoga were only part of the equation. This insight led me to focus on sleep and its deep connection to psychological well-being. I started deeply learning evidence-based sleep therapies, including CBT-I and ACT-I, and integrated them with mindfulness and yoga to develop a holistic, science-based sleep framework.

At SleepPsychologist․IN, I combine my psychological expertise, mindfulness leadership, and lived experience to help people not just sleep better—but live better. My simple, step-by-step approach blends proven sleep therapies, mindfulness, and gentle yoga to promote deep rest and overall well-being.

My Promise

At SleepPsychologist․IN, I will help you with
Let Go of Sleepless Nights
and Reclaim Your Peace
Build Healthy Sleep Habits
Without Pills or Pressure
Wake Up Feeling Refreshed,
Focused, and Full of Energy
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