On functions of dreams and dream-telling in the context of group dynamics

1619

Abstract

This article narrates how the views on the function, the role and the use of dreams in therapy have developed in psychoanalysis . The article makes the assumption that dreams are brought to the group not from the beginning, but that the retelling of dreams is related to the particular phase of group development. It is assumed that the retelling of dreams and their processing in a group helps to restore the integrity of the "inner image of the group", that participants have, when it is under destruction in connection with the open or concealed conflicts in the group. It is also assumed that retelling of the dreams and their processing in the group may fulfill several other functions (relieving of separation anxiety for participants, associated with interruptions in the work of the group; a "leveling, regulating" effect on the activity level of the participants and on the degree of their involvement in what is going on in the group; aligning the positions of those who are "slightly behind" and those who are "slightly ahead" in meeting the challenges of group development).

General Information

Keywords: function of dreams, stages of group development, function of dreamtelling, "inner image of the group", separation anxiety in the group, "leveling" effect of dream-telling

Journal rubric: Workshop and Methods

Article type: scientific article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/cpp.2015230306

For citation: Chistiakov M.S. On functions of dreams and dream-telling in the context of group dynamics. Konsul'tativnaya psikhologiya i psikhoterapiya = Counseling Psychology and Psychotherapy, 2015. Vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 79–92. DOI: 10.17759/cpp.2015230306. (In Russ., аbstr. in Engl.)

References

  1. Ammon G. Dinamicheskaia psikhiatriia / Saint Petersburg: Izdatel'stvo Psikhonevrolo­gicheskogo Instituta im. V.M. Bekhtereva, 1995. 200 p.
  2. Bennis U., Shepard G. Teoriia gruppovogo razvitiia. Sovremennaia zarubezhnaia sotsial'naia psikhologiia / Moscow: Izdatel'stvo Moskovskogo universiteta, 1984. Pp. 142—161.
  3. Bion U.R. Nauchenie cherez opyt perezhivaniia / Moscow: Kogito-Tsentr, 2008. 128 p.
  4. Van Vik Iu.E. Znachenie snovidenii v gruppovom psikhoanalize // Gruppovoi psikhoanaliz / Pod redaktsiei Pritts A., Vykoukal' E. Moscow: Verte, 2009. Pp. 288—302.
  5. Vinnikott D.V. Igra i real'nost' / Moscow: Institut obshchegumanitarnykh issledovanii, 2012.
  6. Kokhut Kh. Analiz samosti: sistemnyi podkhod k lecheniiu nartsissicheskikh narushenii lichnosti / Moscow: Kogito-Tsentr, 2003.
  7. Rutan D.S., Stoun U.N. Psikhodinamicheskaia gruppovaia psikhoterapiia / Saint Petersburg: Piter, 2002.
  8. Freid Z. Tolkovanie snovidenii / Azbuka, 2014. 512 p.
  9. Iung K.G. Obshchie aspekty psikhologii snovidenii // Struktura i dinamika psikhi­cheskogo / Moscow: Kogito-Tsentr, 2008. Pp. 269—319.
  10. Adler A. On the interpretation of dreams. International Journal of Individual Psychology. 1936. № 2. Pp. 3—16.
  11. Agazarian Y.M. The phases of development and the systems-centered group. Ring of fire: Primitive object relations and affect in group psychotherapy / Ed.: M. Pines & V. Schermer. London, UK: Routledge, Chapman & Hall, 1994. Pp. 36—85.
  12. Altman L. The Dream in Psychoanalysis / New York: International Universities Press, 1969.
  13. Arlow J.A., Brenner C. Psychoanalytic Concepts and the Structural Theory / New York: International Universities Press, 1964. Brenner C. Dreams in clinical psychoanalytic practice (1969). The dream discourse today / Ed.: S. Flanders. London and New York: Routledge, 1993. Pp. 49—63.
  14. Fairbairn W.R.D. An Object Relations Theory of Personality / New York: Basic Books, 1954.
  15. Fiss H. An experimental self psychology of dreaming. Clinical and theoretical applica­tions. Dimensions of self experience, progress in self psychology / Ed.: A. Gold-berg. Hillsdale. NJ: The Analytic Press, 1989. Vol. 5. Pp. 13—24.
  16. Fosshage J.L. A Revised Psychoanalytic Approach. Dream interpretation, a compara­tive study / Ed.: J. L. Fosshage, A. L. Clemens. New York: PMA Publishing Corp., 1987. Pp. 299—316.
  17. Fosshage J.L., Loew C.A. Comparison and Syntesis. Dream interpretation, a compara­tive study / Ed.: J.L. Fosshage, C.A. Loew. New York: PMA Publishing Corp., 1987. Pp. 243—295.
  18. Foulkes S.H. Group analytic psychotherapy: methods and principles / London: Gordon & Breach, 1975.
  19. French T., Fromm E. Dream interpretation: a new approach / New York: Basic Books, 1964. Friedman R. Dream-telling as a Request for containment in Group therapy- The Royal Road through the Other. Dreams in Group Psychotherapy / Ed.: M. Pines, C. Neri, R. Friedman. London, NY: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2002. Pp. 46—67.
  20. Friedman R. Dream-telling as a request for containment: Three uses of dreams in group therapy. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy. 2008. № 58 (3). Pp. 327—345.
  21.  Gammill J. Some reflections on analytic listening and the dream screen. The dream discourse today / Ed.: S. Flanders. London and New York: Routledge, 1993. Pp. 127—136.
  22.  Garma A. The Psychoanalysis of Dreams / New York: Jason Aronson, 1966. Greenson R.R. The exceptional position of the dream in psychoanalytic practice. The dream discourse today / Ed.: S. Flanders. London and New York: Routledge, 1993.
  23. Grotjahn M. Analytische Gruppentherapie / Munchen: Kindler Studieriausgabe, 1979. Hartmann E. Dreams and nightmares. The new theory of the origin and meaning of dreams / New York: Plenum, 1998.
  24. Hartmann E. Traumen kontextualisiert Emotionen. Traum, Affekt und Selbst / Ed.: Bareuther et al. Edition discord. Tubingen, 1999.
  25.  Khan M.R. The use and abuse of a dream (1972). The Privacy of the Self / London: Hogarth Press, 1974. Pp. 306—316.
  26. Levine B. Group psychotherapy, practice and development / London: Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prenctice Hall, 1979.
  27. Lewin B.D. Sleep, the mouth, and the dream screen. Psychoanalytic Quarterly. 1946. Vol. 15. P. 419—434.
  28. Padel J.H. Object Relation Approach. Dream interpretation, a comparative study / ed.: J.L. Fosshage, C.A. Loew. New York: PMA Publishing Corp., 1987. Pp. 125—148.
  29. Palombo S.R. The adaptive function of dreams. Psychoanalysis and Contemporary Thought. 1978. № 1. Pp. 443—476.
  30. Pontalis J-B. Dream as an object. Int. Review of Psycho-analysis. 1974. Vol. 1. Pp. 125—133. Rycroft C. A contribution to the study of the dream screen. International Journal of Psychoanalysis. 1951. № 32. Pp. 178—184.
  31. Segal H. The function of dreams. The dream discourse today / Ed.: S. Flanders. London and New York: Routledge, 1993. Pp. 100—107.
  32. Stewart H. The experiencing of the dream and the transference. The dream discourse today / Ed.: S. Flanders . London and New York: Routledge, 1993. Pp. 122—126.
  33. Waldhorn H.F. Reporter: Indications for psychoanalysis: The place of the Dream in Clinical Psychoanalysis (Monograph II of the Kris Study Group of the New York Psychoanalytic Institute) / Ed.: E.D. Joseph. New York: International Universities Press, 1967.
  34. Wright H. Groupwork: Perspectives and Practice / London: Scutary Press, 1989.

Information About the Authors

Maxim S. Chistiakov, Doctor-Psychotherapist, GBUZ City Psychoneurological Dispensary No. 7 (with a hospital), St.Petersburg, Russia, e-mail: m_chistyakov@inbox.ru

Metrics

Views

Total: 2737
Previous month: 30
Current month: 4

Downloads

Total: 1619
Previous month: 7
Current month: 2