Dreams in Psychotherapy: an empirically supported model of the relations of dreams to the course of psychotherapy

Abstract

From the beginning, interpretation of dreams has been an integral part of psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Nevertheless, there is still only limited empirical support for psychoanalytic dream theory and the practice of dream interpretation in psychotherapy. This paper aims at providing an empirically supported theoretical model of how dreams are specifically related to psychopathology, the topics that are focused in psychotherapy, and the general course and results of psychotherapy. 1. The findings of empirical and clinical dream research – as they relate to the field of psychotherapy – are summarized which support some of the general concepts of psychotherapeutic dream work. 2. The findings of Structural Dream Analysis (SDA) are summarized, which builds on clinical dream research and has reached the point to present a theoretical model which can explain the relations between dreams and improvement gained in the course of psychotherapy. The core concept that was found is a hierarchical typology of dream patterns which are characterized by different levels of agency of the dream ego. 3. This theoretical model is tested in a series of statistical analyses. The theoretical model is largely confirmed. These findings can inform future research as well as assessment and clinical practice in the field of psychotherapeutic dream work.