Today we will talk about the fascinating world of dreams with Dr. Leslie Ellis, an expert in dream therapy and analysis. In this conversation, explore the significance of dreams in our lives, how they can serve as a window into our unconscious, and their potential to guide us through emotional healing. Dr. Ellis will share insights into the neuroscience of dreaming, the role of Jungian symbolism, and how dreams can help us process emotions, trauma, and even PTSD.
We also discuss practical techniques for understanding and interacting with our dreams, including how to engage with recurring dreams and nightmares in a way that promotes healing and insight.
Whether you’re a dream enthusiast or someone looking to understand the deeper meanings of dreams, this episode is both enlightening and empowering.
About Dr. Leslie Ellis
Dr. Leslie Ellis is a leading expert in the use of somatic approaches in psychotherapy, in particular for working with dreams, nightmares and the effects of trauma. She is the author of A Clinician’s Guide to Dream Therapy (Routledge, 2019) and offers many training opportunities in embodied, experiential dreamwork based on her book. She has a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, with a specialization in somatic approaches. Her dissertation on using focusing-oriented therapy to treat PTSD for refugees with recurrent nightmares won the Ernest Hartmann award from the International Association for the Study of Dreams.
Exploring the World of Dreams: Insights from Dr. Leslie Ellis
There’s something deeply consoling about the fact that we all dream. Every night, we slip into this strange parallel universe where the rules of logic dissolve and our deepest emotions take on peculiar, vivid forms. This time, I sat down with Dr. Leslie Ellis, a psychotherapist who has devoted much of her life to understanding dreams.
Dr. Ellis came to dream work through Jungian psychotherapy, though her journey feels less like a professional choice and more like answering a calling. Her insights reveal how dreams serve as a gateway to our subconscious, providing a unique perspective on our innermost emotions and experiences.
Dr. Ellis highlights how dreams are more than just random brain activity during sleep. Modern neuroscience has demonstrated that our brains are highly active during REM sleep, the phase where most dreaming occurs. This state allows our visual and emotional capacities to flourish while dampening logical executive functions. Dreams, as Dr. Ellis explains, are akin to picture metaphors that encapsulate our most salient emotions. They serve as a therapeutic tool, helping us process emotions and memories that we might not address in our waking life, thus acting as a form of “overnight therapy.”
For those intrigued by dream therapy, Dr. Ellis advises starting with an appreciation of the mystery that dreams embody. Rather than approaching dreams as intellectual puzzles, she suggests engaging with them experientially. By reliving dreams and immersing oneself in the emotions they evoke, individuals can unlock the deeper messages they convey. Dr. Ellis emphasizes that dreams are personalized experiences, crafted to resonate with our unique histories and emotional landscapes. This approach encourages a curious and reverent engagement with dreams, allowing them to unfold and reveal their insights gradually.
Nightmares, often seen as distressing, hold a different significance in Dr. Ellis’s perspective. She challenges the notion of labeling dreams as purely “good” or “bad,” instead viewing them as intense expressions of important experiences. Nightmares, particularly those rooted in trauma, can be understood as the psyche’s attempt to process unresolved emotions. Dr. Ellis’s work with trauma nightmares involves rescripting, a technique that allows individuals to imagine a new, constructive ending to their distressing dreams. This approach has been shown to significantly reduce nightmare frequency and alleviate associated stress, offering a path to healing.
In her advocacy for dream therapy, Dr. Ellis has authored “The Clinician’s Guide to Dream Therapy,” a comprehensive resource for therapists and individuals alike. Her mission is to reintegrate dream work into psychotherapy, emphasizing its profound potential for emotional healing. As Dr. Ellis’s insights reveal, dreams are not only avenues for self-discovery but also vital tools for understanding the complexities of our emotional landscapes.
Perhaps what we need isn’t more analysis but more reverence for these nightly journeys. Our dreams are trying to tell us something about who we really are, beneath all the performed competence and cheerful facades. They’re invitations to meet ourselves more honestly, more tenderly. And in a world that increasingly demands we optimize even our sleep, maybe the most radical thing we can do is simply listen to what our dreams are trying to say.
Imi Lo is a mental health consultant, philosophical consultant, and writer who guides individuals and groups toward a more meaningful and authentic life. Her internationally acclaimed books are translated into more than six languages languages and sought out by readers worldwide for their compassionate and astute guidance.
Imi's background includes two Master's degrees—one in Mental Health and one in Buddhist Studies—alongside training in philosophical consulting, Jungian theories, global cultures, and mindfulness-based modalities. You can contact Imi for a one-to-one consulting session that is catered to your specific needs.