ABSTRACT

Honoring the Dream: Organizing and Leading Dream Groups

Justina Lasley, M.A.

Ms. Lasley has led dream groups and workshops over the past twelve years in Atlanta. She earned her M.A. in Transpersonal Psychology with an emphasis in dream studies. Justina is a member of the Board of Directors of ASD and is the Moderator of the International E-study group for Dream Group Leaders. She is presently completing Honoring the Dream: The Handbook for Dream Group Leaders for publication.

Summary of Presentation

There are many techniques used to amplify dreams for group members, moving the unconscious to conscious --ideas for experiencing and honoring the dream. I will lead the participants through the process of organizing a group and provide examples to help leaders work with dreams, encouraging them to be creative and to follow their intuition.

Learning Objectives:

1. Organizing and leading dream groups

2. Exploring various psychological methods and techniques used in dreamwork

3. Understanding how dream groups promote personal growth

Evaluation questions:

1. What are some of the guidelines for working with others’ dreams?

2. What are the most important benefits of group dreamwork?

3. What are some of the techniques that can be used personally and in groups to amplify the dream?

Abstract 

As a dream group leader, you will be rewarded as a volunteer, professional, or trained therapist. You are given the privilege of hearing others share their dreams and watch them learn to trust themselves and others. You will witness their development into the authentic person they were created to be.

Group work magnifies the impact of the individual’s dream and enhances the personal growth of the dreamer. Group dreamwork not only affects the dreamer, but also his or her family and friends-through the ripple effect of personal growth.

It is important that a leader be well prepared for their role. The success of the group depends on the leader’s ability.

Through a workshop setting I will share my enthusiasm, and expertise for leadership, and what I have learned in the many years that I have led dream groups.

We will look at the following areas of group dreamwork:

• Benefits of dream groups
• The role of leadership
• Commitment to one’s own work
• Organizing the dream group
• Finding and screening members
• Guidelines for group work

• Agendas
• Creative methods of dreamwork
• Nurturing group members
• Creating a bond and safety in group work
• Using inspiration, intuition and innovation
• Why and how people move toward personal growth
• Effects of energy and emotions in dreams and waking life
• Challenges of group work
• Resources to enhance leadership

There are many techniques one can use to open the dream to the members of the group, moving the unconscious to consciousness --ideas for listening, observing, experiencing, and honoring the dream. Through a workshop, I will provide examples of dream work that will help the leaders understand new ways of working with dreams, encouraging them to be creative in their own work, to follow their intuition, and develop their own ideas for inviting the dream to speak to the members in a language they can best understand.

I will not attempt to tell you about every type of dream group, leadership, or technique. There are as many styles as there are leaders and groups. All I attempt to do is to communicate my thoughts and experiences. I will incorporate the work of many people who have shared with me. I will give you references to information that will expand your knowledge.

If you are not already a leader, I want to encourage you and give you the support you need to take the leap to leadership.

 [abstracts index]  [conference index]  [member pages]