Using dreams in cognitive behavioral psychotherapy: Theory, method, and examples.

Abstract

Dream analysis can be a fruitful complementary technique in cognitivebehavioral therapy, providing it is based on a theoretical conception of dreaming and an interpretation method that are both compatible with the principles and methodology of CBT. The present paper first presents some aspects of a cognitive conception of dreaming explaining the occurrence and specificities of dream representations by their production processes. The next section describes an interpretation method that gives the patients the opportunity to find some sources and meanings of their dreams. Finally examples are given of the different ways in which the result of a dream interpretation contributed to therapy. Thanks to their condensed and often exaggerated treatment of a theme, dreams often facilitate becoming aware of cognitive distortions and schemas and help to proceed to cognitive restructuring. They also give to the therapists an opportunity to underline the patient's resources.

Dreams in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

“…The historical perspective on dream analysis in CBT concerns the works of Beck [9], Hill [4], Freeman [8], and Montangero [2]. The use of dreams in third wave schema therapy is also considered.…”

“…Referring to dreams in CBT is fully justified if the cognitive processes that are involved in the dreaming process are considered. Dreaming includes such cognitive processes as: accumulating content in both semantic and autobiographical memory; representing these elements in a visual and auditory manner and in other modalities; combining the above representations into a dream scene; creating a narrative sequence for the dream scene; and focusing on dream content [2]. Dreaming is also related to assimilation of personal experiences into one's existing memory system.…”

“…Working with nightmares in CBT is developed and often applied, but working with dreams, in general, in CBT is barely elaborated and rarely used. A vicious circle occurs due to a lack of research on the use of dreams in CBT, and there is a very little knowledge about dream analysis in this therapeutic approach; therefore, therapists do not want to elaborate on this topic during therapy sessions [2,8].…”

Dream thought should be compared with waking world simulations: A comment on Hobson and colleagues' paper on dream logic.

“…Consequently the coherence of dream content should be compared to that of the similar waking cognitive functioning: producing imaginary content. Dreaming is at the end of a continuum that starts with waking spontaneous remembrances and anticipations (Montangero, 2009). The latter share several features with dream thought: they are unintentional, they consist in concrete scenes involving visualization and they are parsimonious.…”

Experiences of engaging in Archetypal Dreamwork

“…Although various forms of dream work have been studied (for an overview of previous dream work research see Cogar & Hill, 1992;Crook, 2004;Feinberg, 1981;Hill, Diemer & Heaton, 1997;Marszalek & Myers, 2006;Montangero, 2009;Pesant & Zadra, 2004;Rosner, Lyddon & Freeman, 2004;Schredl, Bohusch, Kahl, Mader & Somesan, 2000;Widen, 2000), Archetypal…”