The dream has always been the subject of magical and philosophical reflections and considerations, in the attempt to decipher the complexity of the psychic life of the human being. In the psychotherapeutic context, where the person who dreams expresses, also through dream images, desires and fears in the process of self-knowledge, the interpretation of dreams represents a precious tool: paying attention to this aspect can offer new keys to understanding and precious insights into understanding, accompanying the person in the therapeutic path. How to listen and interpret the dreams of a person in therapy?
A tool to get to know each other better
Generally, it is recognized that dreams make the nature and complexity of the dreamer’s internal world aware and communicable, because dream activity allows one to experience a fullness of expressions not limited by a pathology or by difficulties and conflicts. Precisely for this reason, dream analysis becomes an important tool in the therapeutic process: for an effective interpretation, in fact, it is important to contextualise the dream in relation to the history of the person who has it. Every dream, therefore, is always someone’s dream.
In the dream the ways of being of the person. Dream activity is a theater in which one can exist, especially on an emotional level, in different ways compared to known existential situations. In the therapeutic relationship, the “how”, the “why” and the “when” the person tells the dreams become important and, above all, the way in which the therapist knows how to listen to them. In this way, the therapist becomes the person who helps manage dreams as well as any other unclear or pleasant part of oneself.
The “told dream”
In psychotherapy the dream is one two-man constructionthat is, a manifestation of what the person, in his unconscious aspects and in his profound and internalized relationship with the therapist, produces in the form of images, emotions and experiences. The dream can be considered:
- “object” of analysis in itself;
- “experience” of the dreamer;
- “story” that creates a space for sharing and dialogue with the therapist.
In any case, the dream is also and always the fruit of a creation that draws on a “mental space” shared between the dreamer and the listener.
the dream as a passage from fear to desire
The dream expresses, albeit with its own particular language, the complexity of experiences emotional, affective and cognitive of the individual:
- can make a wish;
- it can reveal defense mechanisms against anguish, hatred and anger;
- it can highlight the person’s psychological state;
- it can be an attempt to resolve problems and conflicts.
Clinical work with dreams
It is possible to interpret the dream in the context of psychotherapy, as long as the relationship between the story of the dream and the interaction with the therapist in the different phases of the process is taken into account. “Interpret”, from the Latin interpretiumit means mediate in meaning. In psychodynamic psychotherapy, to achieve the interpretation of dreams, a mediation is sought between:
- the conscious, that is, the story of the dream;
- the unconscious, or the person’s dream experience;
Clinical therapeutic work on dreams is based first and foremost on the recognition of a profound alliance between those who bring the dream and those who listen to it, to follow a path together that leads to well-being. A valid approach is to work leaving room foranalogywhich allows you to:
- recount facts external to therapy or specific to the therapeutic context;
- explain what is happening in the “here and now” but also what has happened in the person’s history.
The dream expresses the intensity, temporality and mutual desirability of a therapeutic interaction and manifests itself through a shared symbolism, which reveals meanings that concern the person’s relationships: family, intimate ones and, last but not least, the one with the therapist.
A “dream companion”
The therapist, in this relationship, becomes a “dream companion”. In the dream, the person’s ego shares with the therapist the awareness of what he feels about himself, his place in the world and his expectations regarding himself and others. In the narrated dream, the person’s ego renounces solitude and experiences the relationship with the therapist without losing its individuality.
The possible practical benefits of dream work in therapy
Working on dreams in psychotherapy can offer several concrete advantages for the path of personal growth. The exploration of dream contents allows us to delve deeper into the psychological meaning of dreams, allowing the person to access parts of themselves that are often difficult to express in words and thus promoting greater emotional awareness.
Among the main benefits we can identify:
- Processing internal conflicts: dreams can allow unconscious tensions or fears to be brought to light, facilitating their understanding and integration into daily life.
- Development of creativity and personal resources: dream activity can stimulate the imagination and suggest new solutions to problems or blocked situations.
- Improved relationship with oneself: Understanding your dreams can help you recognize needs, desires and limitations, promoting authenticity.
- Strengthening the therapeutic alliance: Sharing dreams with the therapist can create a space of trust and collaboration, which is essential for the process of change.
These benefits can manifest themselves gradually, supporting the person on the path towards greater autonomy and psychological well-being.
Practical advice: how to work with dreams
To benefit from dream work, it may be useful to adopt some practical strategies that facilitate reflection and sharing in therapy.
- Keep a dream diary: writing down your dreams as soon as you wake up, even with just a few key words, can help you remember them and grasp their most significant details. This tool becomes a precious resource to bring to the session.
- Reread and reflect on dreams: returning periodically to written dreams allows you to identify recurring themes, emotions or symbols that can be explored together with the therapist.
- Share without judgment: telling dreams in therapy, even those that seem strange or embarrassing, promotes a climate of welcome and openness, essential for psychological work.
- Ask questions about emotions and meanings: asking yourself, for example, “How did I feel during the dream?”, “What does this situation remind me of?”, helps to connect the dream material to one’s life experience.
These simple measures can make working on dreams more effective and engaging, supporting the path of personal growth.
The therapist’s role as facilitator in dream interpretation
The therapist plays an important role in accompanying the person in the exploration of their dreams. More than providing pre-packaged interpretations, the professional can help discover the personal and unique meaning of dream contents.
The therapist facilitates this process through:
- Active and non-judgmental listening: welcomes the story of the dream without immediately interpreting it, leaving room for the person’s emotions and spontaneous associations.
- Exploratory questions: guide reflection with open questions that stimulate curiosity and the search for meaning, such as “What does this element of the dream represent for you?”.
- Connection with real life: helps identify possible connections between the dream and current experiences, desires or conflicts.
- Respect for personal rhythm: Recognizes that each person has different times in processing their dreams and encourages gradual and respectful exploration.
In this way, the therapist becomes a precious ally in the journey of discovery that the dream represents.
Approaches to dream interpretation: an overview
Throughout the history of psychology, different approaches have proposed different ways of interpreting dreams, offering complementary perspectives.
- Psychoanalytic approach (Sigmund Freud, doctor and founder of psychoanalysis): considers dreams as a privileged way to access the unconscious, where repressed desires and conflicts are expressed in symbolic form. According to Freud, dream interpretation can help reveal these hidden contents.
- Analytical-archetypal approach (Carl Gustav Jung, psychiatrist and founder of analytical psychology): sees the dream as an expression not only of the personal unconscious, but also of the collective one, populated by universal archetypes. Jung attaches great importance to symbols and their evolutionary meaning for the person.
- Cognitive approach: offers another perspective on the psychology of dreams, interpreting dreams as a way in which the mind processes information, emotions and memories, contributing to problem solving and psychological adaptation.
These perspectives, although different, can be integrated into clinical work, offering useful tools for exploring the richness and complexity of the dream world.
Clinical examples: dreams as a resource in therapy
To better understand how dream work can be useful in therapy, it may be helpful to consider some short clinical vignettes (details have been changed to protect privacy).
- The recurring dream of falling: a person says he often dreams of falling into the void. Together with the therapist, explore the emotions of fear and insecurity that emerge in the dream, connecting them to a period of work changes. This can help address your anxieties in real life.
- The dream of a mysterious house: a young man dreams of wandering around an unknown house, full of closed rooms. In therapy, the dream becomes the starting point for reflecting on the parts of oneself that one feels one does not know or accept, in some cases favoring a path of personal integration.
- The dream of a significant meeting: A person dreams of talking to a wise figure. Through dialogue with the therapist, he recognizes in this figure a part of himself that he wants to listen to more, in some cases strengthening his trust in his own internal resources.
These examples illustrate how the dream, welcomed and understood in the therapeutic context, can in some cases become a precious resource for growth and well-being.
Discover the power of your dreams with Evidence Network
Every dream can contain precious messages about who we are and what we really need. Working on dreams together with a psychologist can help you better understand yourself, face your fears and enhance your inner resources. If you feel that the time has come to listen more deeply to your inner world and you want to be accompanied by an empathetic and competent professional, Evidence Network is here for you. Start the questionnaire to find your psychologist online and discover how your dreams can become allies in your personal growth journey.
