Dreams have a way of staying with us. Sometimes we wake up amused or puzzled, other times unsettled, moved, or quietly reflective. Even when we can’t quite make sense of them, many of us carry a feeling from a dream into our day.
Some dreams are one-off and strange, yet something about them lingers. Others are recurring, appearing in different forms as if they’re gently (or not so gently) asking for our attention. You might experience nightmares that leave you shaken, dreams that leave you with an odd, hard-to-name feeling, or really lovely dreams that you wish you could slip back into when you fall asleep again — or that you wish might come true in real life. Some dreams feel very realistic and close to everyday life, while others are wonderfully bizarre and illogical. All of these can be meaningful in their own way.
Dreamwork in counselling or therapy isn’t about decoding your dreams or finding a single “correct” interpretation. Instead, it’s about slowing down and being curious together about what your dreams might be expressing. Dreams can bring to the surface feelings, memories, or conflicts that are hard to access when we’re awake. They can also highlight what matters to us — our fears, hopes, relationships, and questions about who we are and how we live. Therapy can explore how dreams can guide personal growth; reflect unresolved feelings; and how they can shed light on questions of identity and meaning.
In counselling sessions, we explore your dreams collaboratively. I won’t tell you what your dream “means.” Instead, I’ll invite you to notice what stood out to you — the images, the emotions, the atmosphere, and any themes that feel important. The focus is on your experience of the dream and what it stirs in you.
Dreamwork can help you to:
• Explore emotions or experiences your dream brings up.
• Notice recurring themes or challenges in your life.
• Connect with your creativity, intuition, and inner resources.
• Practice being with uncertainty or difficult feelings in a safe way.
I often think of dreamwork like riding the waves. Sometimes the emotions are big and intense; other times they’re calmer and more reflective. By approaching dreams with curiosity rather than fear, we can navigate them together and see what they might be offering you. Over time, this process can deepen your self-awareness, help you understand yourself more clearly, and support you to feel more grounded and connected to yourself.
If you have dreams that feel significant, confusing, vivid, or emotionally powerful — whether they happen once or keep coming back — I’d be glad to help you explore them in a safe and supportive space. Get in touch if you’d like to begin your journey into dreamwork and self-discovery.
Sources:
Jung, C. (1980) Memories, Dreams, Reflections. Glasgow: Collins.
Moustakas, C.E. (1996) Existential Psychotherapy and the Interpretation of Dreams
Van Deurzen, E. (2016) Skills in Existential Counselling: Existential Work with Dreams.