Exploring the value of group dream experience (GDE): A qualitative study of psychotherapists’ experiences of group dream sharing and dream work

Bentley, Maryna

Abstract

Despite the longstanding interest of psychological research and practice in group dream sharing and group dream work, to date no research has been conducted examining group dream experience (GDE) of psychotherapists. Furthermore, GDE has not been considered in the context of Counselling psychology.

In this thesis GDE as a term is used to refer to a generic expression of psychotherapists’ complex experiences of participation in, and facilitation of, dream sharing and dream work in groups. It was assumed that GDE can be noted during a collaborative effort within a group to explore and share transpersonal meaning outside individual understanding of a dream recalled from sleep, for the purpose of gaining insight and awareness. The range of group techniques from different modalities for working with dreams may evoke GDE.

This study explored psychotherapists’ GDE from the psychoanalytic, Gestalt and Social Dreaming groups. The qualitative method of Thematic Analysis was used to process the data from individual interviews conducted via Skype with seven participants, and one face-to-face focus group interview conducted with a group of five psychotherapists.

Three overarching themes were identified: In-action GDE, On-action GDE and GDE as a whole. These three aspects of GDE were distinguished as a result of overseeing the whole data set. This differentiation considered subtle differences in the experiences, depending on where they were situated in time and space in the participants’ lives, with the acknowledgement of the potential ‘superposition’ of all three aspects. The findings were contextualised through the integration of theoretical literature and useful analogies from different disciplines, including psychology, anthropology, sociology, physics, and computer science.

This thesis argued that GDE is a complex nebulous experience which is hard to articulate. It involves the processes of construction, deconstruction, and reconstruction of meaning, facilitated by dreams shared in a group. Based on the findings from this research, GDE is viewed as an opportunity to approach and cross a certain threshold of awareness that expands past everyday reality, thereby playing a part in promoting Professional Maturation.

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 3, 2022
• Keywords: group dream work, personal and professional development, counselling psychology, psychotherapy
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1491226
• Award Date: Mar 3, 2022