Studying for a Masters in Gestalt Psychotherapy

David Forrest

Dream, as an activity, is experienced by all humans; indeed this is believed to extend to all mammals. The evidence for this is based on the physiological, chemical and neural activity observations and measurements. The requirement usually associated to dreaming is for the body to be experiencing Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. At this level the body loses virtually all muscle tone effectively paralysing all movement (Powell, 2000, p21) and supports the view that ‘waking to sleeping is a transition from where thought is strongly influenced by external sources to a mainly endogenous generation of mental activity in dreaming’ (Toates, 2001, p482). This state is also believed to provide protection from harm and perhaps explain why (usually) we do not fall out of bed.

Research indicates bouts of REM sleep last between 5 and 30 minutes and occur during the sleep cycle at intervals between 60 and 90 minutes. The first bout of REM sleep usually occurs 80 to 100 minutes after the start of sleep (Toates, 2001, p488).

However research has shown that dreaming occurs pre and post REM sleep, the quality, vividness and recall ability changing.

Clearly, then, we all dream, and often. Yet dreams are not necessarily remembered. In our Western culture waking is so often accompanied by the need to mobilise for the day ahead, this may inhibit and block out any reflective thought. A valid comment in all dream texts is the advice to have pen and paper handy. Thus promoting remembering the dream into awareness.

Perhaps though not remembering dreams is the protective mechanism to allow the person to deal with their day, their reality. This action is an interruption to contact. The interruption may be valid and necessary, as all interruptions initially are. ‘All interruptive states may also be discussed from the vantage point of defence mechanisms’ (Zinker, 1978, p98).

Dream is a part of our functioning and there are, perhaps, several functions of dreams. These relate to physiological, cognitive and psychological needs.

Physiologically the dream state does provide for the shut down of response to external stimulus giving a definitive period of physical stillness;

Cognitive functions are strengthened through REM sleep in maintaining the integrity of neural tissue, (Toates, 2000 p483).

The psychological function of dreams is conventionally put down to a need to re-catalogue, re-organise and re-arrange events of the day.

Is any one function the trigger to activate dreaming? If so have we found either the function or the trigger? T – Field dynamics, Holism; Gestalt is the key.

One interesting aspect concerns whether dream is a planned or chaotic function. Hobson 1986, referenced by Toates, 2000 states:

R. McCarley and J. A. Hobson have proposed an activation-synthesis model in that dreams are the subjective awareness of neural events in, for example, the visual, or motor, system. This triggered by the influences from the brain stem.

As such any imagery pertains more to the neural activity being mainly visual – thus dream imagery.

I feel there must be a connection with the activity in new born infants; in particular the amount of sleeptime. I wonder if there is any research or findings regarding non-dream states and infant psychology?

Stern (1985) examines the subjective experience of the infant and relates on the development of assimilation of experiences. How, where, does dream play a part in this?

Worthy of consideration, perhaps, is Jung’s focus on the archetype and the aspect that is carried through our subconscious from historic beginnings. Suffice for now that there is something to relate on this with further work of Stevens (2002, p304) section titled Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious. In this Stevens explores the work of Paul Maclean regarding the structure of the brain. Maclean proposes the brain to be of three structures and that each has its own special memory and sense of time and space, and motor functions. This in addition to considering the dominant hemisphere as being another level

The reptilian brain – The palaeo-mammalian brain – The neo-mammalian brain

The human brain(Stevens, 2002, p306)

The interplay of these physiological, cognitive and psychological needs is in fact Field bound. As such the distinction of whether dreaming is a planned model or a chaotic model becomes not important. The important matter is the dream has content. This content may be meaningless imagery triggered by chemical reactions in the same way the cloud in the sky looks uncannily familiar, or the tea leaves in the cup will tell your future.

The dream has content, as does the teacup. How the dream and or the content is used is what becomes the important issue.

Dreams of the Old Testament were held to form a clear communication link with (the Christian) God. This fell from favour only in the Middle Ages when it was felt unwise to have the ordinary believer receive messages direct from (the Christian) God. (Powell, 2000)

The Australian aborigines believe their world was created during a time of dreaming.

The Navaho, native American, believe good dreams only come true once in a while and that bad dreams always come true. The Mohave believe the medicine men acquire their powers through dreaming. (Cushway & Sewell1994)

All societies have dreams as a thread in their culture with a consensus that dreams have a meaning that needs to be addressed. This is in keeping with completing unfinished business; with looking to complete the gestalt. Where there is a missing element we seek to complete the image.

Whether the dream content is or is not random, whether the neural firing and chemical reactions give imagery, we will each seek to comprehend, to complete the affect. We will each seek to make sense of the content, sense of ‘incompletely formed gestalten’ (Clarkson, 1989).

The Gestalt approach to working with the dream and its content is to not interpret; it is to work with the client and the dream in the present tense; working figural. The meaning of the dream is within the reality of the dreamer. The dreamer will explore to this. The Gestalt therapist will meet the dreamer and the dream with respect, with honour; and be open to explore that which is figure for the dreamer and for the therapist.

In an interview for the British Gestalt Journal by Jude Higgins (1994, p119) Dolores Bate responds to a question on therapeutic approaches to working with dreams by acknowledging both Perls and Jung as showing ‘a great honour and respect’ for the dream. Above all there needs to be honour for the dream and the dreamer.

Stevens (2001 p104-5) summarises Jung’s theory of dreams under four headings:

1. Dreams are natural, spontaneous events, which proceed independently of conscious will or intent;

2. Dreams are both purposive and compensatory, in that they serve to promote the balance in individuation of the personality;

3. The symbols of dream are true symbols, not signs, and they possess a transcendent function;

4. The therapeutic power of dreams is better served by the techniques of amplification and active imagination than by interpretation based on ‘free association’.

 

Perls ‘developed and extended Jung’s theory of dreams’ Cushway & Sewell (1994 p19)

Like Jung, Perls held that every dream had an existential message, a message of who and what you are.

‘... at the beginning, at least, regard all persons in it (the dream) and the features of it as projections’ Perls et al, (1951, p51)

Projection is ‘a trait, attitude, feeling, or bit of behaviour which actually belongs to your own personality but is not experienced as such;…’ Perls et al, 1951, p211)

For example you may see that people are difficult and reject your friendship, actually you are difficult and will not allow a friendship

Isadore From had a problem with the dream being a projection not so much as a theoretical construct but with the consequence in therapeutic practice. From suggests that the dream be seen as retroflection – as ‘retroflection par excellence’. Müller (1995, p125). Müller continues, From regarded the retelling of the dream as a sign to resolve the retroflection.

The power of working with dreams from a Gestalt approach presented itself to me recently.

The person is an elderly widow, becoming increasingly physically incapacitated and dependent on her children for support. This led to living away from her home for several months. Discussions had been taking place on selling her house and moving to sheltered accommodation closer to her children.

The dream:

I am in a field and the grass is very high. I have a stick in my right hand and I am sweeping across the grass to flatten the grass.

As a consequence of this dream she decided not to sell the house and move back on her own.

In my time with her I was struck by the repeated references back to the dream and the decision that this led to not selling the house. I felt there was more to this; she would not let go of the dream. I felt that continuing to speak of this dream indicated the cycle of formation had not been completed with satisfaction.

Questioning was directed to what was figural for me in her telling. Was there a purpose to flattening the grass; was this flattening, cutting, chopping? Did she feel that she was going somewhere? How does it feel to be doing this now? Where might she be?

Then as if out of nowhere she said she wished to visit her husband’s grave. Talking on this it transpired that since moving away from her home she had not been to visit her husband. She went on to relate how much and how often she thinks of him and misses him.

I felt a surging revelatory experience at the moment she exclaimed – I want to go to my husband’s grave! This seems to have satisfied the need. This is the appropriate action that has led to contact satisfaction and withdrawal. Now this person has decided to sell her house and move into sheltered accommodation closer to her children. This time the decision and action are hers.

On reflection, would I now, knowing more have asked her to feel the grass; what is it like to be that long grass. Would I ask her if she felt flattened by me; how flat do you want the grass/me/self to become?

Appropriate Gestalt techniques:

Tell the Dream.

start by telling a dream in the present tense.

Notice What Stands Out.

What part of the dream stands out to us?

"Become" Part of the Dream.

the dreamer "becomes" a character or object in the dream

Dialogue.

engage in a dialogue between characters or objects in the dream.

Another option:

Formulate an Existential Statement.

An "existential statement" summarizes a basic theme in the dream which is also an important theme in the dreamer's waking life. For example: "I'm falling through the air, and I feel great!"

Greenberg (2002)

 

For further consideration:  *The working with nightmares  *Exploring fantasy and metaphor

Bibliography

Clarkson, P. (1999) Gestalt Counselling in Action, Sage Publications, London

Cushway, D, & Sewell, R (1994) Counselling with Dreams and Nightmares, Sage Publications, London

Greenberg Dr L (2002) www.soulcenteredtherapy.com /textfiles/gestaltdreamwork.htm

Higgins, J. (1994) Honouring The Dream, Dolores Bate interviewed by Jude Higgins, The British Gestalt Journal, 1994, Volume 3, Issue 2

Müller B (1995) Isadore From’s Contribution to the Theory and Practice of Gestalt Therapy, The British Gestalt Journal, 1995, Volume 4, Issue 2

Parlett, M. (1991) Reflections on Field Theory, The British Gestalt Journal 1991 vol 1

Perls, F., Hefferline, R. F., and Goodman, P. (1951) Gestalt Therapy Excitement and Growth in the Human Personality. Souvenir Press, London

Powell, R. (2000) Dream Therapy, Interpretation and Insight into the Power of Dreams, Annes Publishing London

Stevens, A. (2001) Jung A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press, Oxford

Stevens, A. (2002) Archetype revisited, Brunner Routledge, Hove, England

Toates, F., (2001) Biological Psychology; an integrative approach. Pearson Education Limited. Harlow, England.

WordWeb (2001) www.wordweb.co.uk Wordnet database, Princeton University

Yontef, Gary M., (1993) Awareness Dialogue & Process Essays on Gestalt Therapy. The Gestalt Journal Press, New York

Zinker, J., (1978) Creative Processes in Gestalt Therapy. Vantage Books, New York