Fighting Back

Abstract

Dreamwork is usually associated with long-term psychotherapy or intensive group work, but it can also be highly effective in short-term counseling when a dream encapsulates an ongoing problem in a client’s life. The transactional analysis literature on dreams is briefly summarized, and relevant research is cited from the growing field of dream studies. Dreamwork can be particularly effective in dealing with recurring nightmares, as shown in a case example. A mature woman sought help to overcome a long-term pattern of sleep disturbance caused by a recurring nightmare in which she was attacked. The problem was resolved by using the nightmare to change her script.