The drama and power of dreaming; working with dreams in therapy. By Wendy Bramham

“Unlocking the Secrets of Dreams” with Matthew Harwood, Nov 2014

This seminar was akin to being in the theatre watching an absorbing drama unfold!  Matthew Harwood treated us to a fascinating and crystal-clear presentation of how he worked with a former client’s particular dream to help the client free himself from outmoded attitudes and a long-standing depression.

We learned that it is possible for just one sentence of a dream to provoke an hour’s worth of investigation and produce a powerful “aha” moment of insight that can create profound change at a cellular level. Like adding a drop of wine to water, we remain changed forever.

Science tells us that we all dream for about two hours per night, whether or not we remember our dreams. Dreams produce words and images that are metaphors ….. they are direct messages from our unconscious that can “compensate” for, and illuminate, our conscious (often unbalanced) attitudes.  Depression can often signify a fear of living, but when we remember a dream it is a sign that we are ready for change, and to have the courage to live.  By asking the right sorts of questions which enable the client to give descriptive definitions (prior to their associations) of the objects, characters and places in their dreams, Matthew showed us that it is possible to unlock their central dilemma and blind spots.

In the words of Carl Jung:

In each of us there is another whom we do not know. He speaks to us in our dreams and tells us how differently he sees us from the way we see ourselves. [CG Jung: Collected Works Vol 10 para 325]

It was wonderful to learn how to work in such a creative way with our clients.

Wendy Bramham
25/11/14

Read more summaries of key learning points of our seminars for therapists.