Dream Consultation
Background
The theory and practice of classical psychoanalysis were based upon dreams. Dreams provided a window to neural network activity that operated outside the purview of conscious consideration. The recognition that the mind was not a “singular” apparatus that simply dealt with whatever was conscious and the corollary view that the content of consciousness was controlled by consciousness was replaced by the view that the mind is layered. The layers represent different and sometimes competing networks of mental activity. Current science largely has validated this view. The brain is a hive of activity reminiscent of Sherrington’s description of lights in a great city as it awakens from slumber. Myriads of lights interweave to form a tapestry of activity.
Least the activity become chaotic, awareness regularly falls into what fMRI researchers characterize as the “default” network. In this mode, persons describe their experience as “daydreaming” or “out to lunch”. They are not purposefully directing consciousness, in fact, consciousness has taken a back seat, as these mental activities sample from the varied processes that characterize the mind. These processes of sampling and integration continue day and night. At night, particularly active and adaptively significant mental processes are in the foreground. These processes often find form in dreams.
Understanding dreams
Understanding and interpreting dreams requires broad familiarity with human development, emotion and motivation, life’s quandaries, symbolism and representation. Accurate understanding is not an easy skill to learn, and in my experience, takes broad experience and years of practice. Sadly, due to cultural and professional changes, the interpretive skill to understand dreams is rarely taught or acquired except by very few mental health professionals.
I have conducted entire treatments based upon my patient’s dreams. Through their understanding of dreams, they have come to understand themselves, what moves them, what fears and blockages have left them wanting, have found new paths, and secure identity.
Understanding dreams can be quite powerful. The same mental processes that power dreams power fantasy, imagination, obsessions, and irrational preoccupations. I have published multiple papers in professional journals on dream interpretation and the underlying neurology.
Appointments
Since dream interpretation is hard to come by, I offer consultation to professionals and lay people on a “one-off” or continuing basis. I stress that this consultation is interpretive only and not diagnosis or psychotherapy. These tasks can be only be engaged by an appropriately licensed professional in your state or territory.
The usual dream consultation is a one-hour session. An appointment may be made through my portal or by phone. During Covid-19 distancing, dream consultations are through telehealth . Telehealth provides secure, face-to-face meeting on-line. Appointments for consultation on dream interpretation may be made here. The current fee for dream consultation is 150 dollars per hour.