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Working with dreams in psychotherapy from Hong Kong therapists' perspective : a qualitative study
Author(s)
Date Issued
2018
Publisher
Hong Kong : Hong Kong Shue Yan University
Description
Hong Kong Shue Yan University. Dept. of Counselling and Psychology.
Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.) -- Hong Kong Shue Yan University, 2018.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 85-91).
101 p.
Type
Thesis
Programme
Master of Social Sciences in Counselling Psychology
Abstract
Background: Dream interpretation has been regarded as a well-known therapeutic technique in psychoanalysis. Researchers contribute to its usefulness and effectiveness on enhancing client’s insight and self-awareness in clinical use. Different dream work model has been developed in the past decades but lack of the dream work model has been discussed for Hong Kong Chinese. Researchers focus on describing and predicting how often the therapists work with client’s dream in therapy but lack of discussion of subjective experience on actual behaviours to work.
Research objectives: This study aims at exploring and understanding Hong Kong therapists’ subjective clinical experiences on dream work, identifying the potential clienteles who are suitable to work with dreams in psychotherapy, and constructing a framework for local therapists that is commonly used to work with dreams in psychotherapy in Hong Kong context.
Method: Current study adopted qualitative study design. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 6 local therapists for thematic analysis and 3 local therapists for negative case analysis. Data collection was completed by in-depth semi-structured interview. Result: Current study revealed that the Hong Kong Chinese who could able recall dream and have abstract thinking ability for making association could benefit most in dream work. After assessment on client, it is important for therapist’s introduction and encouragement of dream work in the early stage of therapy. Most of local therapists focus on exploring dream images, themes, their symbolic meanings and facilitating clients to make their own interpretation for gaining insight in their dream work and catharsis could be one of therapeutic outcomes. Therapist’s attitudes towards dream interpretation could affect their willingness to work with dreams in psychotherapy.
Conclusion: The dream work model in Hong Kong is developed and could be adopted by Chinese therapists for working with dreams in psychotherapy in Hong Kong context. Intensive dream work training and supervision programme could be further developed.
Research objectives: This study aims at exploring and understanding Hong Kong therapists’ subjective clinical experiences on dream work, identifying the potential clienteles who are suitable to work with dreams in psychotherapy, and constructing a framework for local therapists that is commonly used to work with dreams in psychotherapy in Hong Kong context.
Method: Current study adopted qualitative study design. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 6 local therapists for thematic analysis and 3 local therapists for negative case analysis. Data collection was completed by in-depth semi-structured interview. Result: Current study revealed that the Hong Kong Chinese who could able recall dream and have abstract thinking ability for making association could benefit most in dream work. After assessment on client, it is important for therapist’s introduction and encouragement of dream work in the early stage of therapy. Most of local therapists focus on exploring dream images, themes, their symbolic meanings and facilitating clients to make their own interpretation for gaining insight in their dream work and catharsis could be one of therapeutic outcomes. Therapist’s attitudes towards dream interpretation could affect their willingness to work with dreams in psychotherapy.
Conclusion: The dream work model in Hong Kong is developed and could be adopted by Chinese therapists for working with dreams in psychotherapy in Hong Kong context. Intensive dream work training and supervision programme could be further developed.
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