Module: Working with Dreams

Days :  6  7        1 - 2 December 2001  Jane Jameson-Milner

Days :  18  19     6 - 7 April 2002  Jane Jameson-Milner

Days :  25  26      6 - 7 July 2002  Jane Jameson-Milner

Day Six 1 December 2001

Consideration given to why dreams are important in psychotherapy.  A number of pointers were promoted out of dual working then group working.  These brainstormed points are listed.

Discussion covered the general approach by Freud, Jung, and Perls. Essentially Freud considered dreams as disguising disturbances; Jung, as revealing disturbances and Perls, as integrating disturbances.

In approach Freud approached the psychoanalysis from the point of view that the therapist would interpret the dream for the client; Jung, that the therapist interpreted but suggested variations to the client; Perls, that the therapist had the client interpret the dream, with the therapist in support to increase and focus awareness.

In developmental terms there seems a clear progressive enhancement here in empowering the client.  Gestalt therapists can learn from the approaches of Freud and Jung and integrate their work to allow the client to discover and become aware of meaning and relevance.  Each in their time have given much to this field. Within the context of their environment and culture and time great work has been achieved.

Day Seven 2 December 2001

tiredness  . . .

I will return to this page to revise and complete. I will comment on the exercise of story interpretation, covered in the morning session; the analysis techniques and archetypical aspects of dreams; I will include the story, with check points for anyone wishing to follow the exercise themselves; the role the therapist plays for the client in dream focused work;  and on the added question for therapist/client role; and generally on my feelings regarding this being the end day.

Day Eighteen  6 April 2002

DREAMS:

Day Nineteen  7 April 2002

AND, no day nineteen...

The intervening period has been very full with events, including the writing of the last essay...

All in all the past months have been very intense and I have been trying to get back on track with the various aspects of my life; not least my reading.