The Fern Monster: A One-Session Cure with Dreamwork

This article describes the use of dreamwork in group therapy and the analysis of dreams with a focus on the evolution of the group imago over time. The model used involves exploratory analysis with an emphasis on the creative process of the dream and the cocreation of the discussion about the dream in the group. The author describes the way in which, in the process of deconfusion and healing, the group imago is modified and differentiated by the script themes, thus enriching the inner and interpersonal world of patients with new healing and integrative experiences. The dreamwork method used follows the ethical rules described by Bowater and Sherrard (2011), summed up in these keywords: ownership, respect, privacy, dialogue, meaning, and caution.

Section: Dreamwork and Psychotherapy: A Brief Historical Reviewmentioning

confidence: 98%

Group Imago and Dreamwork in Group Therapy

Tangolo¹

2015

“…Then in 1999 I began writing a series of short articles, two of them cowritten with Evan Sherrard (1999 and 2011), advocating that transactional analysts use dreamwork as a continuing part of their work, whether in psychotherapy or counseling. Bowater and Sherrard (1999) and Bowater (2001Bowater ( , 2008Bowater ( , 2009 specifically addressed the value of using nightmares for diagnosis and script change. Bowater (2003) provided an overview of applying transactional analysis to clients' dreams and described how a client, in the context of a supportive group, used two dreams-one a lifelong recurring dream, the other a brief vision-to achieve dramatic script change (Bowater, 2010).…”

Section: Eric Berne and His Followersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fighting Back

Bowater¹

2013

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.

“…In 1999, we (Bowater and Sherrard) wrote an article drawing more widely on transactional analysis and psychodrama for redecision work with nightmares; this was followed by a series of articles in the last decade by me (Bowater, 2001(Bowater, , 2003(Bowater, , 2008(Bowater, , 2009(Bowater, , 2010 on different applications of dreamwork. In all the casework cited, the process used for interpretation involved respectful inquiry by the therapist and full collaboration with the dreamer to arrive at a resolution.…”

Section: Brief Historical Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ethical Issues for Transactional Analysis Practitioners Doing Dreamwork

Bowater¹,

Sherrard

2011

The authors are concerned that dreams are undervalued by too many transactional analysis practitioners, most of whom do not appear to use dreamwork in their practices. This neglect raises ethical questions. Berne's valuing and use of dreams is briefly reviewed, and further clinical uses are noted. Case examples of dreamwork demonstrate how the ethical questions can be answered with benefits for clients. The article concludes with a set of ethical principles recommended for practitioners who work with dreams.