A Clinical Case Presentation: Understanding and Interpreting Dreams while Working Through Developmental Trauma. (February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Levy, Joshua; Finnegan, Paul
• Is Part Of: Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association. Volume 64:Number 1(2016:Feb.)
• Page Start: 13
• Page End: 45
• Publication Date: 2016-02
• Subjects: understanding and interpreting dreams -- developmental trauma -- therapeutic alliance -- crisis -- working through -- termination -- dissociation -- transference -- countertransference; Psychoanalysis -- Periodicals; 616.891705
• DOI: 10.1177/0003065115624231
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-0651

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the unique place of understanding and interpreting dreams in the psychoanalytic process while working through developmental trauma. This psychoanalytic process extended over six years and is presented in four phases: establishing the therapeutic alliance, a crisis, working through, and termination. Dreams from each of these four phases of the analysis are presented, and the collaborative work of understanding and interpreting these dreams is highlighted. Evidence is presented that from this analytic work there ensued an amelioration of the impact of developmental trauma and a furtherance of the development of internal psychic structure.