Dream Incubation: Targeting Dreaming to Focus on Particular Issues
May 1, 2015 DOI: 10.4324/9781315761640-10 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | Iraq War veteran with PTSD |
| Intervention | Nightmare Deconstruction and Reprocessing (NDR) |
| Topics | Dreaming |
| Keywords | Dream Existentialism Psychotherapist Experiential learning Psychoanalysis Epistemology |
| Key findings | Both waking-life and sleeping PTSD symptoms decreased post-Nightmare Deconstruction and Reprocessing (NDR). |
Abstract
The cognitive experiential dream model (CEDM) was developed as a means for studying the effects of working with dreams in therapy. The CEDM comprises three stages: exploration, insight, and action. The model is based on client-centered theory in that the therapist serves as a guide in helping the client explore her or his dreams rather than serving as an expert who has the interpretation. Some research on CEDM has found decreases in general symptoms and in depression, as well as increases in existential well-being when spiritual insight was the focus of the dream work. This chapter examines how spiritually centered dream work relates to outcome for clients who are spiritually oriented. It presents the case study evidence with an Iraq War veteran indicated that both waking-life and sleeping Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms decreased post-Nightmare Deconstruction and Reprocessing (NDR).