Thursday, September 29, 2011

Self-Directed Dream Therapy vs Therapist Assisted Dream Therapy

There are two major streams of dream interpertation or dream therapy that are practiced today. One is therapist assisted therapies such as the Hill Method or Jungian Analysis. The second is self-directed such as TSM or The Delaney Method. The concern often posed by clinicians is that people have too many blind spots and resist learning something about themselves that is going to bring discomfort. Therefore, people prefer to keep some material unconscious rather than bringing it into the conscious mind because it will change their waking day life.

If this is the case (and it appears to be true at some level) than when is it appropriate to use self-directed methods, and, when should a therapist assisted method be chosen?

46 comments:

  1. If discovery is going to cause the dreamer to relive painful experiences (from PTSD, or from violent/sexual aggression), then the dreamer should be encouraged to chose a therapist assisted method. The therapist guiding the discovery is fully trained on how to deal with the feelings and discoveries that may result from repressed emotions or memories. Therapist guided methods are also beneficial to use if the dreamer is not achieving desired results from self-directed methods. It is because of these blind spots that people may be restrained from making a self-directed discovery.

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  2. I completely agree with what Joelle said. I also believe that a therapist assisted method should be chosen if the dreamer has had some painful experiences in his or her past such as the ones Joelle mentioned. I think that self-directed methods such the storytelling method should be used if this is not the case and the dreamer is committed to making a discovery and finding some insight. I kind of think there would be blind spots for both therapist assisted and self-directed methods regardless. The obvious ones being that with self-directed methods an individual will keep some information or memories unconscious to avoid pain. But with therapist-directed methods I still think these blind spots can exist but to a lesser extent.

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  3. I believe that it is appropriate to use self-directed methods such as TSM and The Delaney Method when consulting important decisions such as career changes or partner choices, etc... I believe that these methods are important in showing individuals the right path to choose and the most beneficial outcome that is possible. Along with Megan, I also agree with Joelle that therapist assisted methods should be sought out when dealing with extremely traumatic events. These kinds of methods (The Hill Model, Jungian analysis etc…), as taught in class, involve multiple steps and progression that require the assistance of a trained professional. Individuals who have experienced a traumatic event may experience blind spots, which will keep them from the true discovery. I believe that it is here that therapist assisted methods are important. As learned, they are able to go much deeper into the individuals dream because the therapist is a guide for dreamer. The therapist uses techniques such as “archetypes” and cognitive and affective components of the dream to interpret how the dreamer is feeling. I agree with Joelle that both methods (therapist assisted, and self-directed) will involve some blind spots, and this is where trust and confidence plays a major part in the discovery. What the individual discovers is 100% up to them, but they need to be willing to let the therapist (or themselves) find that discovery and work through it.

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  4. I agree with the other bloggers suggestions, but also believe that when it comes to self-directed dream interpretation methods (TSM, Delaney Method), the content of the dream and the personality of the dreamer play a major role. If the dream discovery may reveal embarrassing or very personal information to the dreamer, then self-directed therapies should be used to ensure the safety and comfort of the dreamer.

    When it comes to therapist-assisted methods (Hill Method, Jungian Analysis), they should be used AFTER the dreamer has attempted to decode their dream's meaning on their own (using self-directed methods) and when they have not led to any discovery from those interpretations. This is because the dreamer is the decider of the meaning of the dream in any method, and should attempt to discover the meaning on their own to see if any realization has occurred. If these methods have not worked, contacting a therapist to help interpret the content of the dream is the best suggestion to lead them to discovery.

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  5. I would also have to agree with what other students have posted. I think that it's important to try and use self-directed methods because our dreams are personal to us and our own individual environments and experiences. However, if discovery is not happening based on these self directed methods or the interpretation process is overwhelming or upsetting, then I think someone should seek out a therapist assisted method that works for them. I strongly feel that children should of course use therapist assisted methods because they have not developed the cognitive skills that are needed for these self-directed methods.
    I completely agree with the other students in regards to individuals with PTSD. They may need the therapist there to control any emotional outbursts due to their trauma. I also agree with Megan when she said that blind spots can exist even in a therapist assisted method. If there are blind spots with the self-directed method then they may be transferred over to a therapist based setting. Also, the reasons for these blind spots may vary. Overall, I think that it should be based on the individual and their own comfort level.

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  6. It seems to me that both types of techniques could be used to help an individual gain insight to themselves and their waking life, despite possible blind spots. However, when experiencing abnormal levels of distress, such as from trauma or depression, additional guidance from a therapist should be sought to help provide a safer, more controlled environment. As previously mentioned, PTSD is definitely an example of when a therapist's assistance ought to be utilized by individuals wishing to use dreams to garner insight. This is an instance where existing blind spots could be negatively impacting the individual's well-being, and not seeking aid could prove to be detrimental.

    -Carey-Ann Bette

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  7. I feel as if therapist guided techniques should be used for those who are willing to gain insight on their waking day life without the feeling of being judged. These individuals may or may not have experienced a trauma but those who have it could be risky doing a dream analysis on your own. Having a therapist guided techniques could help individuals gain a better understanding of their waking day events and why such dreams may be occurring. A self guided technique could be used for those who may not be willing to take the step to seek a therapist or just for those who may not feel as if they have issues within their waking day lives. Self guided techniques could be used for those to gain an insight into their lives or just for those who are interested in what their dreams truly mean to them.

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  8. I believe that it depends on the circumstances of the individual, i believe if a client was experiencing sever emotional difficulties in their waking life and they did not understand why they were feeling that way for most of their life, they may need to use therapist guided techniques to gain knowledge about what may be underlying in their unconscious that is preventing them from gaining insight or being emotionally healthy. But in some cases self-directed methods would be more appropriate if the client was not ready to gain the insight all at once, it would be best if it was more a self exploration for them.

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  9. I agree with a lot of what has been said. The therapist assisted, I fell would be better for people who have had traumatic experiences, or is currently going through a tough time. Another time I think that this may be a good idea is for people who would like more guidance in gaining personal insight, and who haven't gotten the results they wanted with a self guided method.

    I think that the self guided method is a good choice for people who just want to find a way to better their life, or for someone who really isn't to good with emotions to find out what they are really feeling in regards to their life. I also agree that it would be a great place to start for anyone who may be looking at their dreams for self-discovery.

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  10. I would state that whether or not a person chooses to endeavor in therapist assisted or self-directed dream analysis should depend completely upon the patient's comfort level with the respective approaches. For example, if the dreamer feels that they are equipped and confident enough to handle the possible consequences of an emotionally charged dream by themselves then a self-directed dream analysis may be the most appropriate choice as this style of analysis may allow one to bypass some of the unnecessary invasiveness that is innate in any doctor patient relationship. In contrast to this, in a patient who is emotionally damaged or vulnerable, a therapist assisted dream analysis may be more suitable in order to ensure that the dreams are analyzed in a way that will be beneficial and conducive to such a patient's life needs. There is a lot to be said about the reliability vs validity argument in the scope of dream analysis and to use a therapist assisted or self assisted method is just another pillar in all of the possible choices that we have in dream analysis

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  11. I think that self-directed methods such as TSM or the Delaney Method are a good place to start because the dreamer can try to gain insight without guidance. If the dreamer gains insight and transfers messages from the dream into waking day action then the dreamer may feel satisfied in knowing that they didn’t need guidance to overcome potential blind spots. On the other hand, if the dreamer has a blind spot after using a self-directed method such as TSM, they could use another self-directed method, such as the Delaney Method or they could move to a therapist assisted method. In the Giant Compass, it says that using more than one method can help reduce blind spots because it would be hard for the dreamer to ignore the same message that keeps appearing when they are using multiple methods of dream interpretation.

    I believe that therapist assisted methods would be helpful, especially when the dreamer has failed to gain insight with self-directed methods or when the dreamer has been through a traumatic event. I agree with the other students who said that the Hill and Jungian Methods would be helpful for those who have experienced traumatic incidents that have resulted in PTSD or other psychological disorders because the therapist is trained in how to help guide the dreamer. Also, maybe therapist assisted methods would be beneficial when trying to discover meaning in complex dreams that are confusing to the dreamer.

    I agree with the other students when they say that blind spots can occur in both methods. I think it all depends on how safe the dreamer feels with each method. The safer the dreamer feels, whether it be by themselves or with a therapist, the more likely they may be to accept the meaning that they have discovered in the dream and then transfer the meaning into waking day action.

    Lastly, I think that if the dreamer chooses a therapist assisted method, they should make sure they can fully commit to it. Seeing a therapist may not be as practical and economically feasible as self-directed methods. If the dreamer doesn’t fully commit to the therapy and finish all of the necessary steps then they may feel even more lost than they did before they started.

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  12. The method of dream interpretation used should ultimately be up to the dreamer and what they feel most comfortable with. Some individuals would prefer to work through their dreams on their own using self-directed methods like The Story Telling Method (TSM) or The Delaney Method, while others would feel better using a therapist guided method. As in all therapy and counselling, effectiveness depends on the patients willingness and openness to learn, change, and grow, and the belief that the therapy will help them.
    As for people having blind spots and keeping some material in the unconscious, they are doing this because they want to. There is always the possibility that some material is so extremely sensitive, that bringing it up would be unnecessarily damaging to the individual. If they are suppressing this material and do not want to learn about it, then self-directed methods would be best. If they want to learn, a therapist-guided method would be extremely beneficial because they could help the individual bring the material into the conscious, while providing a safe, comforting space for them and also help them deal with emotionally upsetting material. The therapist could be there to help the individual for days, weeks, months, years- as long as the patient wants. Ultimately, the individual must decide what is best for them.

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  13. When people resist the power of dream analysis, whether done by themselves, or with therapists, neither method will work effectively. However if a person has recurring dreams or nightmares, then a therapist directed method would probably be more helpful than a self-directed method. A self-directed method is good for short dreams that occur once or twice in the dreamers mind. Self-directed dream interpretation is also fun to do, so may not be taken as seriously as a therapist-directed approach. Recovery from the unconscious with traumatic events should be done with a therapist.

    Melissa Van Grootel

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  14. I feel that it greatly depends in the situation of the individual. Therapist guided interpretation should only be done in clinical cases, or when an individual suffering from painful recollections (PTSD, etc). The only other time I feel that therapist guided interpretation is necessary is for working with children.

    In most cases, using TSM or the Delaney method (or other self guided methods) are the more suitable choice for discovery. Blind spots do exist, but I do not feel it is a reason to use therapist guided interpretation. Using a group method maybe a better way to conquer this challenge, and it still allows for the dreamers own interpretation to lead to discovery.

    Grace Williamson

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  15. Deborah Offei-AnsahOctober 2, 2011 at 6:09 PM

    I would also agree with a few of the others. I think that extreme situations such as PTSD shoud be dealt with a therapist. I say this because this is not something a person can deal with on their own. Having a therapist to help them will increase the chances of discovery, recovery, and or acceptance in a healthy manner.
    As for self guided therapy i think less intense situations such as various relationship issues would be best fitted. The reason for this is that a therapist can only help a client so much in this situation. At the end of the day it is up to the patient to realize the situation that they are in and make a change for themself.

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  16. I feel that, as many people have pointed out, that both streams of dream interpretation are helpful in many different circumstances. I think it really depends on the dreamer for which type is more appropriate. If someone is able to accurately and objectively look at their own dreams and understand what they are saying, then I don't see why self directed would be a problem. But, again like others have said, the interpretation is the dreamers, not anyone else, so some people may discover, but not take action even in a therapy setting, where we might expect to see more action due to the direction of the therapist. Or some people may not trust the direction of the therapist and therefore that method may not be helpful.
    I stand by the thought that it is dependent on the type of issue in or causing the dreams, but most importantly it is dependent on the dreamer and the type of person they are. This would be the deciding factor of when to use which method.

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  17. Tara-Lee Upshall

    It is appropriate to use self-directed methods when you want to discover want your every night dreams mean to you.

    A therapist assisted method should be used when dealing with:
    -Psychiatric disorders (PTSD, MDD, etc...)
    -children with nightmares or psychiatric disorders.
    - People dealing with other sleep disorders.

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  18. I agree with many of the others the have previously posted. I do believe that the choice of using self directed methods of therapist assisted methods largely depends on the client. I think that the therapist assisted method can be tricky in some cases because people can get offended or upset easily when they hear something that they don't want to hear, especially if it is coming from someone else. I believe that the self directed method for the most part is the best one to use because it allows the client to think for themselves and discover their own unconcious thoughts without feeling accused or judged. The therapist assisted method would be most useful in extreme cases where the client is having a difficult time discovering the meanings by themselves, or they want to take a more in depth look.

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  19. Yes, I agree with a lot of previous posts. Self-guided dream analysis can be extremely meaningful and some may say more beneficial for the individual because the individual themselves is the only one who knows or will be able to interpret their deepest darkest secrets. With this, someone may not know they are blinded to an experience or emotion in their unconscious and therefore never search for it. Whereas a therapist guided therapy, may reveal different patterns in which the therapist to attempt to get the client to dig deeper.
    The type of interpretation one is looking for will influence what type of dream therapy to use. Like we learned in class group therapy/sharing may work for a sample of people, and this is a way to be safe and comfortable but also use other’s interpretation of the dream content to allow for a more insightful personal interpretation.
    As other’s have mentioned, when one is suffering from psychosis, although dream therapy is normally not as successful, there are therapists who specialize in this type of dream therapy, and are prepared to deal with their client reliving or living out their psychosis. The therapist can help these clients as well as judge how successful their therapies are. Therefore, choosing the type of Dream Therapy, whether it be self-guided or therapist-guided is very circumstantial and subjective, can be utilized for different reasons and provide different outcomes.

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  20. I agree with the previous posts as well. I think the self-directed methods are a good option for people who are motivated to learn more about themselves through their dreams and who are willing to take on active role in the process. I also think it was a very valid point that professor Decicco raised in class when she talked about the importance of literacy skills for the self-directed methods such as the Storytelling Method. For those people with poor literacy skills, I can see how a therapist assisted method would be more beneficial as well as less intimidating for those individuals.
    I agree with other students’ comments about the importance of therapist-assisted methods for those who are suffering with serious issues, trauma or mental health issues. I can see how it could be dangerous for people to be left alone to try and work through some of the discoveries resulting from a self-directed method if the discoveries are of a much more serious or clinical nature. In this case, you would want to have a professional helping you to deal with some of the heavier decisions that may result from this process.
    I think self-directed methods might be a good place for people to start to explore their dreams and maybe see if it is something they find beneficial. People might feel better about starting with these methods first, since it might seem safer or people may feel less vulnerable than having another person work through the dreams with them. I think there are advantages to both methods.

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  21. I think the best answer is "that depends."

    The only times, in my view, a therapist is NECESSARY are: if the client is a child or is at risk of psychotic break and has no grounding skills. PTSD clients are taught how to ground themselves and set their own limits as far as depth of processing at the outset of therapy. Therapists should be available at the client's discretion.

    A therapist is RECCOMENDED when: a client is new to the modality and needs guidance, or a client is seeking objective feedback to get over a blind spot they are aware they need help with. This assumes the client has had good experience with therapy and is o.k. with short term discomfort as the price of long term growth. They may also just be good at being honest with themselves. From this standpoint, since we ALL have blind spots, everyone can benefit from therapy. This doesn't necessitate talking to a professional; anyone who is objective and competent will do.

    A therapist is USELESS and potentially UNETHICAL when the client is obviously in resistance (no disclosure) and is unwilling to move through it. This is when immediacy should happen and the therapist should effectively challenge the client on this behaviour. Otherwise the client is wasting their time and money.

    Good therapists should try to put themselves out of business as quickly and appropriately as possible to make their clients self-directed- the goal is to live life, not be in dependency on a therapist forever. I see dream interpretation in the same light.

    Learn it, go as deep as you need to (safely), get out, go back in as required, with or without help.

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  22. Oh yeah, one other thing.

    I agree with Rogers that people know (on some level) when they're fooling themselves and holding things back.
    When the discomfort of NOT disclosing becomes greater than the discomfort of keeping secrets, then progress can happen.
    A good therapist (like Rogers)will have used unconditional positive regard to the degree that a client will progressively feel safe enough to spill.
    A drawback to Jungians is they set themselves up as experts inside someone else's head. What if your shrink is wrong? Having an off day? Comes at a social learning client with an archetype? Or worse, a behaviourist with the collective unconscious? Awkward!

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  23. I agree with most of what has been previously stated. If a person is going through a crisis, is experiencing severe emotional difficulties, or is making poor life choices on a consistent basis, then the therapist directed methods of dream therapy may be most beneficial in making breakthroughs. In these specific populations, the client would likely benefit from a therapist pushing the client to make meaningful and truthful connections between dreams and daily experiences, and initiate waking day changes to better their own life.
    In contrast, I believe that everyday people, not dealing with severe emotional difficulties, crises or dealing with detrimental and chronic poor life choices, would likely benefit from self directed measures of dream therapy. Since dreams are so personal, sometimes analyzing them can lead to embarrassing or uncomfortable realizations. By using self-directed methods of dream therapy, people can delve into their dreams head first and truly aim to analyze and apply any breakthrough moments to waking life without any stigmas of embarrassment or regret that they might have felt sharing their personal breakthroughs and experiences with a therapist. People utilizing self-directed approaches to dream therapy must however be honest with themselves, open-minded, motivated and critical to truly see faults in themselves or in their waking life and to initiate positive changes through dream therapy.

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  24. For most people, a self-directed method of dream interpretation is best. Discovery in the dream interpretation process is a very personal matter. Deep and personal secrets of the person’s psyche may be revealed, and life altering personal decisions may made through them, and as such, unless the person is suffering from serious emotional and psychological problems, it is best not to involve a dream therapist. While everyone has his or her blind spots, it is important to realize that the meaning of a dream’s interpretation is whatever the dreamer wants it to mean. While blind spots can impact a dreamer’s interpretation because they do not see or accept it’s meaning, several different self-directed dream interpretation methods can be used that will again show the same meaning. This will allow the dreamer to finally see the dream meaning and accept it.

    A therapist assisted method should only be used when a client is suffering from serious emotional and psychological problems (such as PTSD, or a long onset of depression). In these situations, their dreams can reveal the issue, but through discovery, negative emotions and pain may be found that can really hurt the individual, or blind spots(as a defensive mechanism) may prevent the realization of these feelings. As such, a trained therapist is required to help the client realize these feelings that can be at the root of their emotional or psychological problems, and then help them with these discovered emotional issues so that they can be normalized.

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  25. I think self guided dream therapy such as The Storytelling Method and the others that we will use in class, can be very beneficial for people who are new to this type of therapy. It could serve well as an introductory exposure to dream therapy. It could help with initial discovery about ones self in a non-intrusive way. Then, if the person has bigger issues that require further assistance perhaps then clinician administered dream therapy techniques may work better.

    These techniques may also work better with patients who are suffering from any number of mental illnesses. Especially for people suffering from PTSD or any type of anxiety disorder. They definitely should seek professional help in case they become re-traumatized after having particularly unsettling dreams.

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  26. I feel as though if a person is experiencing any PTSD syndromes they should use therapy methods for interrupting dreams. This is due to if anything is revealed that the candidate feels is to harmful or traumatic the therapist would be right there to explain and properly handle the situation.
    Most self guided therapy is to find out more details about our own lives without having too much of a disturbance on our unconsciousness. The mind covers up things for a reason, and if the event is revealed too quickly it could cause harm.
    If someone just wants to develop more depth to their personalities self guided therapy through dreams would be a great way to start.

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  27. I believe that it all depends on the individual. Some people may feel that they can tackle their dreams on their own regardless of the level of trauma attached to it, while others may feel that they need the support or guidance that is given in therapist assisted methods. The personality of the individual is key and will help with the decision as to which method to use. That being said, the individual needs to want to participate in either of these methods to know more about themselves or to get help. If there is not a sense of cooperation or commitment to this process then it will not work.

    Although I feel it is the individuals choice on which method they prefer aside of if they are mentally ill and a child, I feel that when an individual is way over their head in the self-directed method and is causing severe harm to their daily lives than a therapist assisted method should be put into place so that their is proper guidance available. As well, I strongly agree with children having to have therapist assisted methods because they are not cognitively stable to fully understand what is going on.

    Overall, the choice of which method to use should be left up to the individual based upon their personality, commitment and comfort level in order to achieve best results.

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  28. For most people, I think that it would be best to use a self directed method of dream interpretation (such as the TSM). Dreams are a very personal experience. Each dream has imagery and symbols that relate only to the dreamer, and it is up to the dreamer to interpret it using whatever method they see fit to use.

    However, someone with a psychological disorder or a child, then it is better to use therapist assisted methods. In the case of a psychological disorder (such as PTSD), the therapist would be trained in the appropriate techniques for dream therapy, as well as be trained to deal with any situation that may arise over the course of the therapy. Likewise, when conducting therapy with children, a therapist would be trained to know how to work with children, and how to help them work through their dreams.

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  29. Using a self-directed method should be advised to an individual who doesn't necessarily feel at ease with discussing about his or her dreams with someone else. Some dreams can be very embarrassing and private and this could make the dreamer alter or leave out details of their dreams if discussing with another individual.

    A therapist assisted method on the other hand should be recommended to someone who may be having trouble analyzing their dreams. Also, some individuals may want further insight on the meanings behind specific dreams, which therapist should be able to offer. Finally, individuals dealing with psychiatric disorders, nightmares, confusion about their dreams or even sleep disorders should be recommended to a therapist.

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  30. Some therapist-assisted methods of dream interpretation are intensive processes that require skilled facilitation either in group work, such as Hill's method and Projective group dream therapy. Jung's method involves psychoanalysis over time.

    The facilitator/therapist must be trained to deal with clients who can potentially re-experience distress – even trauma. In Psychotherapy, the point is to draw out emotion attached to memory, and the therapist must be skilled to bring clients through emotional experiences to re-normalize without re-traumatizing.

    Self-guided methods may not generally involve such indepth work. The dreamer can be a novice and may go as deeply into the dream interpretation process as he/she wishes. Generally, self-guided methods aren't as intensive, and dreamer only goes as deep as his or her psyche will allow.

    Therapist-assisted methods should be used if there is danger, as in the case of severe psychotic disorder, such as PTSD, mental illness, schizophrenia or when working with children, particularly those who have a history of abuse.

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  31. By learning both methods I believe the self-guided therapies like TSM are useful when the dreamer is very in tune with their dreams and is interested in getting to know the meaning behind their dreams.

    I believe that the therapist guided therapies would be more useful for those who have some sort of trauma they need to overcome. For example those with PTSD may have unsettling memories from a traumatic event that they don't want let into their conscious mind. This is when a therapist would help because with their knowledge they could guide the individual into remembering these events in a way that are less traumatic ir could help the individual cope if these images make them distressed.

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  32. I agree with my fellow classmates. The Therapist assisted method such as the The Hill Method and Jungian Analysis, should be used when dealing with trauma patients so that the therapist can act as a guided support for the individual. Because of blind spots it is easier for the patient to express themselves fully with out any drawbacks. Caner patients, crime victims, people that suffer from nightmares, and people with addictions can all benefit from this method because of the guided support from the therapist. Also, individuals that are not getting results from self-directed methods can benefit. Although I think in order for this to be completely successful, the patient has to put their trust into their therapist and be comfortable enough to express/reveal everything.

    The Self-guided method such as The Storytelling Method and The Delaney Method are better used for people that are suffering from fear and loss, loss of a loved one or a phobia. Family attachment issues, personal issues, recurring dreams and when consulting an import decision in life are can all benefit from using the self-directed methods. The dreams can reveal the right path to follow.

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  33. I agree with the previous posts. If an individual is interested in their dreams and dream therapy than self-guided methods would be perfect for them in order to gain insight. However, if what they learn bothers them in some way than they should consult with a therapist and gain further insight with therapist directed methods.

    I also agree with other post that if the dreams have to do with some type of traumatic experience than a therapist directed method should be used. Also, someone suffering from an illness or disease should probably consult with a therapist rather than self-directed methods.

    Therefore, it all depends on the circumstances of the individual and what will fit best for their situtation.

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  34. If a person is going to go through trauma explaining their dream (If they have a disorder), as explained in class, it is necessary for there to be a therapist to help the person recover. If they used self-directed methods and relived a traumatic dream there will be no one around to help them return to a less stressful state of mind. Therapist-guided situations can also be beneficial for those dreams that maybe we cannot figure out or face on our own. It is helpful to get outside opinion. Self-directed methods are also beneficial if you do not want to divulge personal information to another person and feel confident that you can decode it yourself.
    Natalie semkow

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  35. I believe that the therapist-assisted method should be used when the patient has been through some sort of trauma, whether it abuse, PTSD, or some sort of disorder. This would help the patient to discover what is actually going on in their lives and their conscious minds without fully reliving what they, possibly painfully, had to go through. It also takes a lot longer to do the therapist-assisted methods because they can help the patient slowly recover some insight, and work with them at a good pace in order to help them recover from what they went through. The self directed method can be used for mostly all other dreams, because then it is up to the person to decide whether or not they want to gain insight on what their dreams mean, and if they want to do anything with what they learn.

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  36. I agree with many of the others bloggers regarding the self directed method. I feel that this method would be most appropriate for an individual who might be shy, or maybe embarrassed about sharing their dreams. The self directed method might make them feel most comfortable. If the individual feels more comfortable, they are less likely to leave out important details, which will eventually help them gain insight from their dreams.

    I also agree that the therapist directed method would be useful when a patient has gone through a traumatic experience. This way, the individual will have someone to help them work through their dreams, and to help them with anything else that they might need.

    Overall, I agree with Leanna when she stated that it depends on the individual, and their circumstances to fully decide which method would be most appropriate to use.

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  37. unless it surrounds something very truamatic to the dreamer self-directed dream therapy should be used first. And then if no discovery or insight can be reached on ones own and are still having psychological problems. Therapy assisted dream therapy should be used.

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  38. I think a self directed method such as TSM or TDM should be used when first engaging in dream interpretation. They can gain personal insight based on what think their dreams could mean. If the images you are having in your dreams are some what clear and seem to make sense then I would personally use a self directed form of dream therapy. If your dream is revealing something about your relationships or your career in life it would be more beneficial to use this type of method. After all, the dreamer is the one who knows the context of their dream and how it could relate to their waking life.

    Just like everyone else has stated, I believe a therapist assisted therapy would be best if there has been a traumatic event in a persons life. If a person has reoccurring dreams that are extremely emotional or cause a lot of anxiety it might be best to use therapy assisted by a therapist. They are usually trained in this area and may know more information about your dream images than you do. I believe the therapist can help the dreamer gain more insight into their dreams and allow the client to cope with past events.

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  39. I agree with all of the posts above, stating that, in regards to traumatic events such as PTSD, dream interpretation should be therapist assisted. This is because if a PTSD victim were to interpret their own dreams, then blind spots (like stated above) could be a huge issue. From there, the real message will not be perceived properly. Whereas a therapist, will perceive the dreamers dream and incorporate all areas of the dream, not just what the dreamer wants to expose.
    Now, as for self- directed methods, I think that those should be used by people who are not dealing with any type of major problem such as depression, PTSD etc. This is because there is not a serious issue that has to be addressed, it is mainly just beneficial for us to find out if anything has bothered us during waking life. Also, not to mention it is a fun and easy way of getting to know and understand ourselves on a deeper and more personal level.

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  40. As mentioned already,

    For Dream therapy, I believe the initial step for people to take should revolve around self directed therapy such as TSM or the Delaney Method. This first step would allow an individual to analyze their own dreams by using introspection to try and decipher the meaning behind their dreams or (if done properly, with practice) give them answers to unasked questions they seek allowing them to discover and manage the root causes of their problems.

    Only after the individuals fails to achieve an answer from the self-directed method (after numerous tries) or have gained some abstract knowledge of their dreams and are incapable of solving such mysteries or want to try and dig deeper, they should gradually progress to seek professional help with therapist assisted therapies. A professional therapist employing dream interpretation would have greater awareness and knowledge of detecting and deciphering the subtle nuances within a dream which could prove to be decisive. Using subjective (patient) and objective (therapist) point of views would further minimize blind spots, which with professional help could be outlined.

    If one is suffering from extreme social/physical phenomena, and seeking out dream therapy, than it would be safer to seek out professional help as the underlying causation/condition could be just as terrible.

    -Farooq Kamal

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  41. It is appropriate to use self directed dream therapy when you want to deal with things in your life such as stress, anxiety, etc. Or if you just want to find out what those reoccuring dreams mean. One may feel more comfortable interpreting their dreams on there own and if it is helping them that is great. Many people are able to make changes in there waking life that they never would have if they had not interpreted their dreams.

    Therapy assisted dream interpretation is important for both children and people who have endured significant trauma in their life. Children would need a therapist to guide them through the process and help them gain insight into their dreams. People who have endured trauma need a therapist as it is important that the person is not reliving the trauma and causing more problems. The idea of dream interpretation is to help people with their waking life. There is a different therapy for different people it is all about finding what is best for the individual.

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  42. I personally believe that self-guided methods are appropriate for any type of dream. As some of the other bloggers mentioned, dreams are a personal experience and the person that would be most effective in analyzing them would most likely be oneself. Many people are embarrassed to share their dream content with other people, and this may cause them to shy away from seeking dream therapy that involves a therapist. If more people were aware of self-guided methods of dreaming, people might participate in dream therapy much more, because they don’t have to face the fear of feeling embarrassed or humiliated by their dreams. I believe that self-guided methods can be just as insightful as therapist assisted methods.

    If people are already seeking therapy or are struggling with some psychological issues, then it may be effective to consult a therapist about their dreams. In doing so, they could find that the therapist unlocks some secret desires and/or unconscious feelings, and may help them resolve some serious distress. This method may assist people in overcome obstacles in their life that they have not yet addressed, or were previously unwilling to address. As Hill and Jung have shown, having a therapist guide you through your dreams can be very helpful and can change people’s lives for the better. Although this does not necessarily mean that the self-guided methods won’t do the same for many people as well.

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  43. I personally believe that self-guided methods are appropriate for any type of dream. As some of the other bloggers mentioned, dreams are a personal experience and the person that would be most effective in analyzing them would most likely be oneself. Many people are embarrassed to share their dream content with other people, and this may cause them to shy away from seeking dream therapy that involves a therapist. If more people were aware of self-guided methods of dreaming, people might participate in dream therapy much more, because they don’t have to face the fear of feeling embarrassed or humiliated by their dreams. I believe that self-guided methods can be just as insightful as therapist assisted methods.

    If people are already seeking therapy or are struggling with some psychological issues, then it may be effective to consult a therapist about their dreams. In doing so, they could find that the therapist unlocks some secret desires and/or unconscious feelings, and may help them resolve some serious distress. This method may assist people in overcome obstacles in their life that they have not yet addressed, or were previously unwilling to address. As Hill and Jung have shown, having a therapist guide you through your dreams can be very helpful and can change people’s lives for the better. Although this does not necessarily mean that the self-guided methods won’t do the same for many people as well.

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  44. I agree with what lots of people have already stated; that the therapist assisted methods should be used when the person has experienced trauma and reliving the dream just causes more pain/anxiety. Those people would need more guidance and support. Also, as previous posts have mentioned, people with psychiatric disorders should also seek therapist guidance. As mentioned in class, it could be harmful for some to be re-experiencing their dreams.
    I believe self-directed methods can be used by almost anyone wanting to gain insight on their lives or, as mentioned in class, to problem solve. The self-directed methods are much more private and the person can assess their dreams at their own pace.

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  45. I believe it definitely depends on the individual who is using dream interpretation. For example if it is someone who does not have emotional issues, and merely wants to gain more insight about their life then I believe self-direct dreams therapy is perfectly acceptable. I believe therapy assisted dreams therapy is necessary for those individuals who are struggling with psychological issues or who have experienced some sort of trauma or who have been diagnosed with a psychological disorder. It is very important to work with a therapist in these cases because dreams can sometimes bring up some past emotions or experiences and a therapist may be needed to help the individual properly deal with these emotions or experiences. Also if the individual has a psychological disorder it is important to work with a therapist, because dream content can give the therapist information about the person's emotional state, and can help to direct the person's treatment and help with their recovery.

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  46. I agree with the general consensus that if a person has had difficult or traumatic experiences that they should look into therapy assisted dream interpretation. Otherwise, self directed dream therapy would be a suitable option to explore your dreams.

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