DREAMWORK FAQ

---

Dreamwork is the act of studying our dreams to try and grasp their meaning. Dreamwork often looks like pondering our dream images, exploring our associations with those images, or "dreaming the dream forward" to see what happens next. Sometimes we involve a form of creative or bodily expression like writing a poem, drawing a picture, or taking a meditative walk. Jungian dreamwork simply means engaging in these activities guided by the theories of Carl Jung, a Swiss psychoanalyst who viewed dreams as a natural balancing mechanism that leads us toward our truest selves. 

As Walt Whitman put it, we "contain multitudes." Dreamwork is a safe and reliable way to get to know your inner multitudes and how they influence your behavior without your awareness. These unknown parts appear in your dreams, and by engaging them intentionally, you can increase your self-awareness and creativity, improve your health and well-being, and deepen your sense of purpose and meaning in life. 

Yes, you can absolutely do dreamwork on your own! In fact, that is the goal. Working with a dreamworker is a lot like working with a music teacher or a personal trainer. You can acquire the same skills and make the same progress on your own, but the journey will be easier and more direct with an experienced guide to offer feedback, encouragement, and course correction. 

During each session, we'll read through your dream several times and then we'll wonder about it together—at first, one word or image at a time, and then, as a whole. We'll discuss how it might relate to your outer, waking life, as well as your inner life. My role in the session is not to interpret your dream; only you can do that. But I will companion you as we explore the dream together, asking questions along the way and holding space for whatever arises. As we conclude each session, we will also discuss resources you can explore or ways you can continue working with the dream on your own. 

Duration varies with your needs. If you're just looking to give dreamwork a try or want help with a particular dream, one session might be plenty. If you're looking to learn the basics so you can do dreamwork on your own, we might meet several times over the course of a few weeks or months. I also work with dreamers ongoing.  

Frequency varies with your needs. If you're new to dreamwork I generally recommend one or two sessions a month until you have a good handle on the basics, but there is no minimum requirement. When I work with dreamers ongoing, we simply meet on an as-needed basis, often a few times a year. 

In one-on-one dreamwork, we'll discuss your personal associations with each word or image in the dream and, through the lens of those associations, wonder what the dream might be trying to tell you. 

In group dreamwork, the dreamer never shares their personal associations. Instead, the dreamer reads their dream aloud and the other participants project their own associations and interpretations onto the dream as if it were their own. As the group does this, the dreamer listens and takes notes but does not actively participate. In this way, the dreamer's privacy is protected and their sanctity as the final authority on the dream's meaning is preserved. 

To express your interest in joining a dream group, use the contact form on my home page. Once at least 5 dreamers are willing to participate, I'll email everyone to align on scheduling and ensure participants are familiar with the process. Then the group will meet over Zoom once a week for 6 consecutive weeks. Meetings typically last between 60 and 90 minutes—long enough for the group to work 2 dreams together. Everyone who participates in a dream group gets to work at least one of their dreams with the group (and often, 2 or 3).

No previous experience is required. Whether you are interested in working together one-on-one or in a group, I will provide you with a safe and supportive environment and all the context you need to begin working with your dreams. 

I offer a sliding scale for all clients as needed, and a package discount for current Haden Institute students. To inquire about either, use the contact form below.   

While both psychotherapists and dreamworkers help individuals improve their lives, psychotherapists focus on addressing all kinds of mental health issues and other adaptive challenges through the therapist-client relationship. Dreamworkers, by contrast, focus on helping clients develop a relationship with their own dreams, providing companionship and containment as needed along the way. Dreamwork can be done on its own or as a complement to psychotherapy, but it is not a substitute for psychotherapy.  

The focus of each consultation varies based on the needs of the clinician and their level of familiarity with dreams. In general, these sessions can include: a basic orientation to the proper therapeutic stance for discussing client dreams, a review of proven resources the clinician can use to further their understanding, and/or an analysis of dream material to demonstrate the kinds of insights a dream may offer.  

I am a graduate of the Haden Institute's 2-year training program in Jungian dreamwork facilitation for individuals and groups. And, as a firm believer that we can only meet others as deeply as we've met ourselves, I have been through 200+ hours (and counting) of my own Jungian analysis.   

I adhere to the International Association for the Study of Dreams Code of Ethics, which includes strict guidelines for maintaining client confidentiality and for honoring the dreamer as the final authority in the interpretation of their own dreams. If you are also working with a psychotherapist, I am happy to consult with them at your written request—otherwise anything discussed in dreamwork sessions is completely confidential.