Understanding Dreams in Clinical Practice

by Marcus West

This book presents a simple, effective and illuminating way of understanding and working with dreams in clinical practice. It describes the mechanisms through which the mind/brain processes our experience and forms symbols, which embody a rich network of associations. It demonstrates how the dream and this network of associations can apply on a number of levels and thus shows how the full richness and vital importance of dreams, their meanings and purposes, can be explored. The book also explores the history, theory and science of dreams and dreaming. It reviews the debates between, and contributions from, Freud, Jung and other psychoanalysts, as well as the developments and discoveries from neuroscientists and dream laboratories, bringing the subject right up to date. Whilst the book primarily uses Jungian terminology, and highly values Jung's insights and approach to dreams, it gives a critical, contemporary account of the whole field of dream work and will be useful to practitioners of all theoretical persuasions.

152 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2011

Reviews

[sean]

short and sweet and necessarily reductive summary of like 120 years' worth of dream analysis. obviously like i would just rather actually read freud or jung but very happy to have this little book as my reintroduction to dream theory for my master's program :)

[Ben Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for anyone wanting to work with their dreams.

[Ali Cliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in a weekend both as a trainee child analyst and a prolific dreamer in Jungian analysis. Very accessible but full of wisdom.