Anna Emanuela Tangolo TSTA-P
Francesca Vignozzi TSTA-P
Field of audience: P

Language: English
Level of audience: All

The symbolic language of dreams offers glimpses into our psyche—both the wounded, painful, even traumatic and repressed parts, and the intuitive aspects which reveal the patient’s innate drive toward self-healing. When dreams enter the therapeutic space, they become working tools, but, most of all, they represent intimate gifts from the dreamer to the therapist, who has the ethical task of welcoming and using it at the service of the patient, with the patient.

However, navigating the symbolic dimensions of dreams can be daunting. Without proper guidance we risk losing ourselves in an infinite universe of meaning-making.

In our workshop, we aim to equip clinicians with a practical map—a compass, if you will—to accompany dreamers confidently on their inner journeys.

Our approach to dream analysis, the PerFormat method, incorporates 11 practical guidelines that therapists and patients alike can follow to unlock the full potential of dream resources. Through two role-playing experiences, we’ll demonstrate how this method applies in both individual and group psychotherapy settings.

Dreams not only reflect the dreamer’s subjective unconscious but also resonate with their broader social and cultural context. Their narratives serve as bridges between the dreamer’s private world and the collective imagination. To illustrate this, we’ll explore famous dreams from literature and cinema.

Our intent is to draw inspiration from the art world—to grant ourselves “permission” to view dreams with creativity and imagination, and, by doing so, to empower change and foster growth.