Contributions to Dream-Content Theory

Abstract

The relevancy of the following criteria and their implications for clinicians, researchers, and educators will be explored and elaborated upon in this chapter:

• First, the findings of our study contribute vital data to the research on dream content and its meaning. The study reinforces the use of developmental theory as a means by which to understand dream content and the ego-adaptive aspects of human behavior.

• Second, the results indicate that dream content is a useful therapeutic focus for clinicians. The results offer empirical data which utilize dream content to help understand the important thoughts and issues of the adolescent as well as help to learn more about the emotional conflicts they may exhibit.

• Third, this study suggests important issues related to clinical education: the role of dream content analysis and research in clinical practice, and the role of the therapist as a researcher and contributor to practice theory and techniques.