Creating a container for the open exploration of dreams is at the heart of this work.  During a dream exploration session, you will share the story of your dream with me, and then we will walk through it together, taking time to explore landscape, motifs, emotional tones, and images.

How can I begin working with my dreams?

We dream five to seven dreams every night.  Here are a few suggestions for cultivating a relationship with your dreams.

• Ask for dreams.  Tell Dream Maker that you would like to start remembering and working with your dreams.  Place a pencil or pen and a pad of paper next to your bed before going to sleep.  Some people prefer to make an audio recording of their dreams; this is also an option.  Having these tools nearby will be helpful should you wake up in the middle of the night with a dream that’s presenting itself to you.

• In the morning, upon waking and before sitting up, let yourself notice any dream material that has arrived on the shores of waking awareness.  Are you aware of a feeling, a word, a dream image, or a whole episodic story? Whatever you have, let yourself linger with it by going over the dream material from this position.

• Once you're up and about, take a few minutes to jot the dream down so that you have it to work with in the moment or later on.  Write the dream in the present tense and with verbs that end in “ing”.  This will provide you with a sense of nowness and action.  

• Naps can also provide an opening for dreams to emerge.  

• Keep in mind that dream recall is reduced by such things as fatigue, lack of sleep, loud interruptions (including alarm clocks), vitamin B deficiency, and drugs (including alcohol, sleeping pills, antihistamines, and stimulants).