Lucid dreaming is an innovative therapeutic tool with the potential to assist in many complex challenges encountered in psychotherapy. In contrast to the default cognitive state during ordinary dreaming, it is explicitly known when lucid that the present state of consciousness is a dream. In this state, it is possible to experience a greater sense of safety and cognitive flexibility that encourages more adaptive interactions with unconscious conflicts represented in dream content. As lucid dreaming is a natural capacity that can be strengthened with training, therapists can further client growth by integrating lucid dreaming into evidence-based practices for nightmares and various clinical disorders of a wide severity range.

In this workshop, clinical psychologist Kristen LaMarca will provide an overview of lucid dreaming, its applications, and how to address common obstacles faced by therapists in implementing lucid dream therapy. Supporting research and theory of lucid dreaming as a psychotherapeutic agent an…