nightmares
I am trained in Image Rehearsal Therapy for nightmares. I typically pair this with relevant parts of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia. I can also provide training on lucid dreaming, which makes it possible for you to more actively shape your dreams while you are dreaming.
my approach
harness your imagination
It is possible to train your brain to create neutral or positive imagery instead of scary stuff. This skill is more involved than listening to a guided visualization--but not by all that much!
you don't have to share what happens in your nightmares
You get to decide. The approaches I'm trained in work even if you never tell me what happens in your dreams or nightmares. Some people want to have someone they can tell even the most horrific things to. If that would help you feel less alone then I am happy to hold the nightmare content with you.
set yourself up for peaceful sleep
I can help you find ways to set yourself up throughout your day and especially before bed to make peaceful sleep more likely.
phase 3: develop a new dream
I will help you develop a new dream to replace recurring nightmares and set you up to independently maintain your progress.
phase 2: skills training & troubleshooting
I will teach you skills to prevent nightmares and promote more neutral or positive dreams. I will help you get confident with exercises that you can practice at home. As you practice at home, I'll help you address any roadblocks you come across along the way.
phase 1: assessment
First, I'll ask questions to get a holistic picture of your nightmares, cultural context, and sleep context. Then, I'll take an inventory of your nightmares. I may also offer diagnostic assessments for other possibly co-occurring disorders. I'll help you figure out if your nightmares are still helping you process emotions, if they have become a learned and reinforced behavior, or if they are related to the neurobiology of trauma.
What Can I Expect?
Image Rehearsal Therapy on its own takes about 5 sessions. However, if we are weaving in insomnia treatment, lucid dreaming, processing nightmare content, or addressing other co-occurring disorders, it can take longer.