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Articles

Fighting Back

Addressing a Nightmare in Counseling

Pages 38-47
Published online: 28 Dec 2017
 
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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.

Additional information

Author information

Margaret Bowater

Author Biography
Margaret Bowater, M.A. (Hons), Certified Transactional Analyst, Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst (psychotherapy), is a registered psychotherapist, supervisor, teacher, and author in part-time practice in Auckland, New Zealand. She is also codirector of the Auckland Transactional Analysis Training Institute. She teaches a certificate in applied dreamwork and is also New Zealand’s contact person for the International Association for the Study of Dreams. Margaret can be reached at 109 Eban Ave, Hillcrest, Auckland 0627, New Zealand; e-mail: .