Therapist Training, Feedback, and Practice for Dream Work: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Thirteen therapists (8 women, 5 men; M age = 29.1 yr., SD = 6.3; M counseling experience 2.7 yr., SD = 6.3, range = 1 semester to 8 yr.) received training in the cognitive-experiential model of dream work through a didactic-experiential workshop, individual feedback, and practice. All participants but one were enrolled in masters' or doctoral level counseling training programs. An examination of effect sizes indicated that (a) therapists' self-efficacy about using the dream model increased substantially and positive attitudes toward dreams increased slightly after the didactic-experiential workshop; (b) the process and outcome of the second dream session were better for therapists who received individual feedback after the first session than for therapists who did not receive feedback after the first session; and (c) for the subgroup of six therapists who conducted five sessions, therapists' attitudes toward using the dream model improved, and their self-efficacy for working with dreams and perceived self-competence in dream work increased.