Paper I submitted for my Atlantic University TP6000 Course – January 25, 2020.
General
In 2018, I completed an online hypnotherapy certification course from Hypnosis Motivation Institute (HMI). The ethics I learned from HMI boiled down to one thing, Do no harm! I’ve adopted this as well for my life coaching career that I’m in the process of launching, which will include dream analysis and dreamwork as important tools in my toolbox.
As we’ve learned in this course, dreamwork can bring out deep-seated emotional issues, and as a practitioner, I will deeply respect its power. As Joan Harthan puts it, “dream sharing can be risky, dealing as it does with immensely personal issues” (2103, p. 9). Adds the International Association for the Study of Dreams (IASD) in its Ethics and Confidentiality statement, “Dreamwork outside a clinical setting is not a substitute for psychotherapy, or other professional treatment, and should not be used as such” (https://www.asdreams.org/ethics-and-confidentiality/). In their Guidelines for Ethical Dreamwork Training, IASD also states that a disclaimer for students should include “that dreamwork is therapeutic, but it is not a replacement for psychotherapy” (https://www.asdreams.org/guidelines_for_ethical_dreamwork/).
It’s essential to understand warning signs if people are in distress, and more importantly, to steer them to the proper place for help. HMI stressed that in the event an individual is in danger of harming themselves or others, to report it to the proper authorities. I will include this as well as the above IASD guidelines in a disclaimer that I will ask each client to sign before I begin working with them regardless of whether I’m providing hypnotherapy services, dreamwork analysis, or any other service I offer.
Another point stressed by our course’s Mentor is that dreams are the “property” of the individual, and we must avoid analyzing it for them. I will make a clear statement regarding the person’s ownership of their dreams at the beginning of working with anyone. As our Mentor explained, dogs, for example, can mean different things to different people. For some, they’re loveable and bring back fond memories of a childhood pet. Others may have been bitten by one, so it can mean fear for that particular person, or maybe they were heartbroken when their pet died, so it’s a sign of loss and grief.
IASD explains that any professional “should emphasize that ethical dreamwork helps the dreamer work with his/her own dream images, feelings, and associations…The dreamer is considered to be the final authority on the meaning of his/her dream” (https://www.asdreams.org/guidelines_for_ethical_dreamwork/). IASD adds that by assigning “authority” to what we believe is the meaning of someone’s dream “can be misleading, incorrect, and harmful” (https://www.asdreams.org/guidelines_for_ethical_dreamwork/)
Working One-on-One
The quickest way to blow-up any relationship where personal and intimate information is shared is by breaking a bond of trust and rapport. Therefore, respecting and honoring the dignity of the other person as a child of God is essential, and it will be stated in an agreement I sign with anyone I coach. As IASD frames it, it’s important “to respect the rights and dignity of other persons; to be honest, accurate and open-minded in the presentation of information and ideas; to ensure privacy and confidentiality in dealing with clients…” (https://www.asdreams.org/ethics-and-confidentiality/).
In addition, I will include a confidentiality clause and a release form if the client agrees to have the information presented in a group or public setting. IASD explains, “Information and mutual agreement about the degree of privacy and confidentiality are essential ingredients in creating a safe atmosphere for dream sharing” (https://www.asdreams.org/ethics-and-confidentiality/).
Working with Dream Groups
While I envision doing most of my dreamwork as part of one-on-one coaching initially, once I’m more comfortable with the practice and based on the experience of the practicum later this semester, I will likely branch out to include group dreamwork. There are additional ethical concerns that I will address as they relate specifically to groups.
The universal points raised above will be incorporated into a document that each participant will be asked to sign before any work commences. In terms of group sessions, I will follow IASD recommendation of obtaining “free and informed consent for any participant…[which] involves an adequate disclosure of purpose, requirements, benefits, and risks in question” (https://www.asdreams.org/ethics-and-confidentiality/).
In addition, as Jeremy Taylor notes, “What matters most [regarding developing a dream group] is the willingness of all participants to share dreams openly, to show basic respect for one another, and to keep in mind the ‘if it were my dream’ format in the discussion and projects that follow” (2009, p. 62). It’s natural for others to want to jump in and provide analysis, but I will stress Taylor’s If it were my dream at the start of any group session I facilitate.
It’s also important to understand Harthan’s point that If it were my dream can be abused and used merely as a way for an individual to tell someone what they think about a personal issue, and I will work to prevent this from happening. As Harthan puts it, dream sharing “is a sharing of an experience and knowledge in an equal partnership” (2013, p. 11). She also makes an important distinction that comments should be addressed to the group as a whole and not just to a particular individual (2013, p. 11). All points I plan to incorporate in the groups I facilitate.
Finally, group dynamics can make or break any situation that involves people sharing personal information. As Harthan puts it, “Crossing boundaries in dreamwork is an ever-present danger that dream facilitators have to be on their guard against” (2013, p. 9).
To be a facilitator means to be a leader. Overall, the emphasis should be on allowing others in the group to carry most of the conversation because the purpose of the group isn’t for the group leader to illustrate how smart they are. There will be times, however, that require the facilitator to step in and get the discussion back on track.
For example, I will establish clear guidelines about how much personal information should be disclosed either by the dreamer or another member. My approach will be to work with those types of issues one-on-one, as they can cause some to feel uncomfortable. Also, every group has alpha and beta members. I will work to limit the dominance of alphas as this will cause friction with others, and I will seek to draw out the betas so they can get as much out of the group as possible.
My experience thus far has shown the power of dreamwork and dream analysis. It’s uncovering deep issues in my subconscious, and I can see the benefits of bringing such tools to others to assist them on their journey. However, it’s imperative to approach the practice correctly and in a safe environment so that in the end, you can help people grow and evolve, and to never do them any harm.
References
“Guidelines to Ethical Dreamwork Training” (n.d.). International Association for the Study of Dreams. Retrieved from https://www.asdreams.org/guidelines_for_ethical_dreamwork/
“Ethics and Confidentiality” (n.d.). International Association for the Study of Dreams. Retrieved from https://www.asdreams.org/ethics-and-confidentiality/
Harthan, J. (2013). Working with dreams: a handbook of techniques. Joan C. Harthan, Ph.D.
Taylor, J. (2009). The wisdom of your dreams. New York, NY: Penguin Group (USA) Inc.