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The Use of Dreams in Psychotherapy

A Survey of Psychotherapists in Private Practice

Received June 19, 1999; revised November 23, 1999; accepted November 29, 1999. From the Sleep Laboratory, Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany. Address correspondence to Dr. Michael Schredl, Sleep Laboratory, Central Institute of Mental Health, P.O. Box 122120, 68072, Mannheim, Germany; e-mail: Schredl{at}as200.zi-mannheim.de

Since the publication of Sigmund Freud's The Interpretation of Dreams, dream interpretation has been a standard technique often used in psychotherapy. However, empirical studies about the frequency of working on dreams in therapy are lacking. The present study elicited, via a self-developed questionnaire, various aspects of work on dreams applied by psychotherapists in private practice. The findings indicate that dreams were often used in therapy, especially in psychoanalysis. In addition, a significant relationship was found between the frequency of the therapists' working on their own dreams and frequency of work on dreams in therapy. Because work on dreams was rated as beneficial for the clients, further studies investigating the effectiveness and the process of working on dreams will be of interest.

Key Words: Dream Interpretation • Private Practice • Psychoanalysis