Therapist Training, Feedback, and Practice for Dream Work: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Thirteen therapists (8 women, 5 men; M age = 29.1 yr., SD = 6.3; M counseling experience 2.7 yr., SD = 6.3, range = 1 semester to 8 yr.) received training in the cognitive-experiential model of dream work through a didactic-experiential workshop, individual feedback, and practice. All participants but one were enrolled in masters' or doctoral level counseling training programs. An examination of effect sizes indicated that (a) therapists' self-efficacy about using the dream model increased substantially and positive attitudes toward dreams increased slightly after the didactic-experiential workshop; (b) the process and outcome of the second dream session were better for therapists who received individual feedback after the first session than for therapists who did not receive feedback after the first session; and (c) for the subgroup of six therapists who conducted five sessions, therapists' attitudes toward using the dream model improved, and their self-efficacy for working with dreams and perceived self-competence in dream work increased.

The Use Of Dreams In Modern Psychotherapy

“…In a recent empirical study with s small sample and only one trainer, Crook-Lyon et al (2009) found evidence that therapists felt more self-efficacy for working with dreams, had more positive attitudes toward dreams, and had higher self-reported competence for working with dreams as a result of training. In addition, there was some preliminary evidence that feedback from supervisors about their performance in sessions and practice doing sessions with clients both led to higher levels of self-efficacy, attitudes toward dreams, and ability to conduct dream sessions, but these findings await replication with larger samples.…”

Working with dreams and nightmares: A review of the research evidence.

“…Though dreamwork is not typically taught in graduate training programs, educators can consider dreamwork training. Therapists who completed a 3-hr CEDM workshop reported increased selfefficacy for using CEDM and positive attitudes toward dreams (Crook-Lyon et al, 2009). CEDM training resources include Dream Work in Practice (video; Hill, 2013) and Dream Work in Therapy: Facilitating Exploration, Insight, and Action (C. E. Hill, 2004).…”

Skills and methods that work in psychotherapy: Observations and conclusions from the special issue.

“…In addition, they suggested that training the trainers as well as trainees was integral to securing the systemic adoption of ROM (see Swift et al, 2015). Spangler and Sim (in press) reported that psychotherapists who received a 3-hr workshop on cognitive-experiential dream work increased their self-efficacy in using the cognitive-experiential dream model and their positive attitudes toward dreams (Crook-Lyon et al, 2009). …”

“…Spangler and Sim (in press) reported that psychotherapists who received a 3-hr workshop on cognitive-experiential dream work increased their self-efficacy in using the cognitive-experiential dream model and their positive attitudes toward dreams (Crook-Lyon et al, 2009).…”