Dream Wisdom from Montague Ullman, Master of Dream Group Process
Montague Ullman developed what is likely the most popular and democratic method of working with dreams in groups. Working with dreams in a group can open multiple avenues in a dream, deepen our capacity for empathy and illustrate how all dreams have archetypal dimensions that speak to us all. (Sign up here if you want
Active Imagination: How and Why
For Those Who Don’t Dream, Invite Waking Dreams If you are someone who doesn’t recall many dreams, and yet would like to engage with your dream life more deeply, there are a couple of solutions. I typically offer tips for improving dream recall but another option is to cultivate waking dreams. If you are persistent
Befriending the old hag: A primer on sleep paralysis
Folklore, causes and approaches to treatment and prevention In Newfoundland, they tell stories of her: a terrifying creature said to live in the ocean and torment those who dare to sleep near the shore. In a typical account, a fisherman returns home exhausted from a long day at sea, lays down to rest and starts
New study shows altered nervous system activity for those with frequent nightmares
New study shows altered nervous system activity for those with frequent nightmares In a recent paper on nightmares and the autonomic nervous system (ANS), I described how polyvagal theory might inform clinicians seeking to understand and treat those with frequent nightmares (Ellis, 2022). A new paper, desceribed below, offers further evidence that nightmares are implicated
Dream engineers work on promising ways to improve nightmare treatment
A group of dream researchers I met with this past month are focused on using technology and engineering to tackle big questions about dreams. February’s session was focused on improving treatment for nightmares. Consistent themes were: adding sensory triggers during dreaming to augment existing treatments; and the clear need for effective nightmare treatments to be
Over time, dreams appear to help take the emotional charge out of challenging memories while enabling us to retain the information we need to make more adaptive decisions in the future. Engaging with dreams can augment and strengthen this process. By Dr. Leslie Ellis Paying attention to dreams adds richness, creativity and depth to inner
Speed is the enemy of depth This January, I was in stormy Santa Barbara at a 3-day dream tending retreat at Pacifica Graduate Institute. Midday of the first class, we were informed of flood and landslide warnings right in our location! So we hastily gathered our things and dashed to our cars in the pouring
Nightmares exacerbate mental illness, but treatment helps
In clinical settings, nightmares are rarely inquired about, and even less often treated directly. Evidence that this needs to change is mounting. On a more positive note, nightmare treatment research continues to advance – and a new method shows that adding sensory triggers can strengthen treatment effects. Review finds nightmares may contribute broadly to mental
Dream changes help clinicians predict suicidal behaviors
There is a well-established link between frequent nightmares and a greater risk of suicide, but until now, there has been no sense of specifically what to watch for in a client’s dream life to signal that their risk is escalating. However, a group of researchers has just published an article on how dreams change prior