Dreamwork: How female psychotherapists experienced group dreamwork

Barker, A. H. (2000). Dreamwork: How female psychotherapists experienced group dreamwork. (Doctoral dissertation, Pacifica Graduate Institute, 2000). UMI no. 9987407

This inquiry used heuristic design and methodology to research how seven female psychotherapists personally experienced group dreamwork, and of how they planned to introduce dreamwork to their patients. Data was collected from two main sources. First, data was collected from the group through audiotape recordings made during the group dreamwork sessions. Second, data was collected from the individual women through audiotape recordings made during post-group interviews. The design of this inquiry focused on the questions: “How did you experience the group dreamwork?” and, “How will you take this experience back into your practice by introducing dreamwork to your clients?” These are the perspectives from which the group dreamwork experience were addressed. Seven women, ages 41 to 57, were interviewed regarding their experience of the group dreamwork. Two of the participants were new to group dreamwork, two had experienced a few sessions, and three had 1 or more years experience. No one had used the Dream Interview Method of Gayle Delaney, PhD, to understand and interpret her own dreams. The post-group interviews were audiotape recorded. The interviews were open-ended, informal, and interactive. They took place within 4 weeks of the completion of the dreamwork group. The participants were co-researchers and as such, they were asked to speak, in as much detail as they chose, to the fundamental questions. The interview was followed by transcription and study of the group and individual tapes. From this data, a portrait was written depicting each woman's experience of the group dreamwork, both personally and as a group member. A copy of her portrait was delivered to each participant. She was asked to make any modifications that she wished to the portrait. These changes were incorporated into her portrait. Excerpts from transcriptions of the participants' taped interviews were included in the study to substantiate the portrayals and to indicate the meaning of the experience for each of the female psychotherapists.