18 month old sleep regression??

[MAC2402]

Hello everyone,

My nearly 18 month old DD was sleep trained at around 13/14 months and took to it very quickly. Since then bedtime has been a more pleasant time with me putting her into her cot sleepy and staying in her room until she falls sleep (only ever up to half hour). She rarely woke up during the night and if she did it was due to teething.
The past week or so she has resisted going into her cot and will cling to me for dear life. Her cry has changed - it's not a cry of pain so it's not teething. She insists on holding onto me and will not let me go. When she finally falls asleep or gets sleepy enough I can put her down in her cot. She wakes up now during the night with this awful cry and points repeatedly towards the door as if she wants get out of the room. It takes ages to calm her down, she often thrashes around and I never know what it is she actually wants. Even cuddles and calm talking doesn't help.

Is this a phase/sleep regression?

Can anyone suggest anything to help?

Putting her to bed is hard work, she either won't let me go or insists on me holding her hands!

All comments appreciated x