What is Dreamwork?
Dreams are continually revealing the energies and messages of the unconscious which orient us toward our natural state of wholeness. Working with dreams in a group of like-minded people is often a transformational process because the group supports and witnesses each dreamer on their unique journey. Additionally, dreams hold universal wisdom and each person in the dreamwork group, not just the dreamer, benefits deeply from working with each dream.
Dreams are continually revealing the energies and messages of the unconscious which orient us toward our natural state of wholeness. Working with dreams in a group of like-minded people is often a transformational process because the group supports and witnesses each dreamer on their unique journey. Additionally, dreams hold universal wisdom and each person in the dreamwork group, not just the dreamer, benefits deeply from working with each dream.
The process of working with dreams is unique for each person, but dreamers often experience a combination of the following:
- Greater sense of meaning and life purpose
- Processing of emotions and trauma
- Increased awareness in our relationships
- Deeper connection to Nature / the Universe / the Divine / God
- Guidance with the next steps in our life's journey
- Renewed interest and energy for creative expression
- Deeper connection with our true nature and sense of Self
Dreamwork Group Overview:
In dreamwork groups, a dreamer shares a significant dream and the group members bear witness to the dreamer and the uniqueness of the dream. We are typically oblivious to the meaning of our own dreams or take them literally, so it is an incredible gift to hear multiple perspectives and interpretations of a dream. Because dreams come from the deepest part of ourselves, sharing our dreams is a deeply meaningful and connective experience. Dreams hold universal wisdom, so each person in the dreamwork group, not just the dreamer, benefits deeply from working with each dream. No prior experience working with dreams is necessary and participants are invited to bring both new and old dreams (even from childhood!) to the group.
In dreamwork groups, a dreamer shares a significant dream and the group members bear witness to the dreamer and the uniqueness of the dream. We are typically oblivious to the meaning of our own dreams or take them literally, so it is an incredible gift to hear multiple perspectives and interpretations of a dream. Because dreams come from the deepest part of ourselves, sharing our dreams is a deeply meaningful and connective experience. Dreams hold universal wisdom, so each person in the dreamwork group, not just the dreamer, benefits deeply from working with each dream. No prior experience working with dreams is necessary and participants are invited to bring both new and old dreams (even from childhood!) to the group.
Dreamwork Group Logistics
Groups are offered on a sliding scale basis from $100-$300. Dreamwork has changed my life and I want to share the information with as many people as I can, which is why I offer a sliding scale so people with fewer funds can participate. I just ask people to consider their personal financial situation, how much they might spend on other courses or classes, and how much discretionary income they have when deciding how much to pay.
Dreamwork groups will take place for about 2 hours weekly for six weeks. The timing depends on how much time is required to work with two dreams. The group consists of a maximum of eight circle members and each person will share at least one dream (hopefully two!) during the course of the dreamwork group. There will also be optional videos to watch between group meetings on topics such as dream symbols, common dreams, and techniques to work with our own dreams. In order to protect any sensitive information that might be shared during the group, the sessions are not recorded.
Groups are offered on a sliding scale basis from $100-$300. Dreamwork has changed my life and I want to share the information with as many people as I can, which is why I offer a sliding scale so people with fewer funds can participate. I just ask people to consider their personal financial situation, how much they might spend on other courses or classes, and how much discretionary income they have when deciding how much to pay.
Dreamwork groups will take place for about 2 hours weekly for six weeks. The timing depends on how much time is required to work with two dreams. The group consists of a maximum of eight circle members and each person will share at least one dream (hopefully two!) during the course of the dreamwork group. There will also be optional videos to watch between group meetings on topics such as dream symbols, common dreams, and techniques to work with our own dreams. In order to protect any sensitive information that might be shared during the group, the sessions are not recorded.
Projective Dreamwork
In dreamwork groups, we practice "projective" dreamwork which means that each circle member takes ownership for their projections, or ideas and thoughts, about the dreams. We only have an imagined version of someone else’s dream – we can never know exactly what they dreamed. Similarly, we only have an imagined version of someone else’s life, so we can only speak from our own life experiences, personality, and beliefs about a dream. Therefore, anything we think or feel about someone else’s dream is a projection – a mirror of our own inner world. Our thoughts or feelings about a dream are true for us, but might not be true for others. By acknowledging that our ideas about others' dreams are projections, we discourage advice-giving and judgment and allow the dreamer to maintain authority over what the dream means to them.
Fostering Safety in a Dreamwork Group
During the first dreamwork group session, Andrea will provide guidance about language use that encourages personal ownership of projections (interpretations) of dreams and minimizes the potential for hierarchy, judgement, and advice-giving. She will continue to provide mentoring around language throughout the group to encourage an environment that is supportive and encouraging for each dreamer. Additionally, a dreamer is never expected to share more information about themselves than they feel comfortable doing. It is my intention that each dreamer feel supported in their personal process and is encouraged to check in with me privately if they do not feel supported in the group.
In dreamwork groups, we practice "projective" dreamwork which means that each circle member takes ownership for their projections, or ideas and thoughts, about the dreams. We only have an imagined version of someone else’s dream – we can never know exactly what they dreamed. Similarly, we only have an imagined version of someone else’s life, so we can only speak from our own life experiences, personality, and beliefs about a dream. Therefore, anything we think or feel about someone else’s dream is a projection – a mirror of our own inner world. Our thoughts or feelings about a dream are true for us, but might not be true for others. By acknowledging that our ideas about others' dreams are projections, we discourage advice-giving and judgment and allow the dreamer to maintain authority over what the dream means to them.
Fostering Safety in a Dreamwork Group
During the first dreamwork group session, Andrea will provide guidance about language use that encourages personal ownership of projections (interpretations) of dreams and minimizes the potential for hierarchy, judgement, and advice-giving. She will continue to provide mentoring around language throughout the group to encourage an environment that is supportive and encouraging for each dreamer. Additionally, a dreamer is never expected to share more information about themselves than they feel comfortable doing. It is my intention that each dreamer feel supported in their personal process and is encouraged to check in with me privately if they do not feel supported in the group.
Dreamwork and Psychological Growth
Because dreams present information from the unconscious, they often bring up memories and emotions than can be surprising and unexpected. This process can feel thearuputic, but also very emotioanlly intense at times. It is important to note that dreamwork groups are not group therapy and if you are experiencing strong psychological distress at this time in your life, it may be contraindicated to participate in a dreamwork group. Although Andrea intends to make dreamwork groups safe and trauma-informed spaces, she is not a clinician and cannot provide mental health services.
Additional Questions
If you have any additional questions about dreamwork groups or would like to start a new group, please feel free to contact me. I look forward to meeting you in the dreamworld!
Because dreams present information from the unconscious, they often bring up memories and emotions than can be surprising and unexpected. This process can feel thearuputic, but also very emotioanlly intense at times. It is important to note that dreamwork groups are not group therapy and if you are experiencing strong psychological distress at this time in your life, it may be contraindicated to participate in a dreamwork group. Although Andrea intends to make dreamwork groups safe and trauma-informed spaces, she is not a clinician and cannot provide mental health services.
Additional Questions
If you have any additional questions about dreamwork groups or would like to start a new group, please feel free to contact me. I look forward to meeting you in the dreamworld!