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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by annierose on March 15, 2007, at 7:19:55
Background: I am not a fan of our current President, or this war. I think my therapist is not only a republican, but is a fan of the president, sigh. In a few posts to babblers, I remember using language like "My brain is at war" --- something like that.
The dream: It feels like I'm watching a documentary and at other times, I feel I'm there. My therapist is in Iraq to motivate the troops and brings a peaceful message. It's weird seeing her outside her office, in Iraq of all places. I'm scared for her as she walks down broken-up streets and store fronts. I think to myself (the only time I have ever thought this) "I'm glad our military is here to protect her." She goes to a military base to speak to the troops, I'm on the sidelines listening too. I roll my eyes now and then when she says certain things (can't remember what) and then she notices an insurgent in the crowd. T reaches out to him and holds his hand, looking into his eyes. She says, "You're here today looking for peace. You bring hope to this nation, hope for the future." I roll my eyes again, doesn't she know he is the enemy. Her speech is over, applause, then she goes to shake President Bush's hand (who just happens to be there too for a nice photo op). My t is so excited that he has come, so excited to meet the President and he barely gives her pause. I can tell her feelings are hurt and I feel badly for her.
Then in real life, my son wakes me up, telling me he had a nightmere.
Any thoughts?
Posted by Dinah on March 15, 2007, at 9:44:54
In reply to Anyone up for a therapy dream?, posted by annierose on March 15, 2007, at 7:19:55
Sounds like two nightmares last night in your house. (My son had one too.)
Could it be that you are subconsciously afraid that her beliefs will harm her? Or that what you see as perhaps naivete in her beliefs will harm her?
Or maybe you're trying to reconcile the image you associate with her beliefs with your knowledge of her as a peaceful caring person?
I know a lot of my friends have trouble reconciling their image of me with the fact that I am a registered Republican. (Although that technical fact does not imply support for any particular Republican politician.)
Posted by Honore on March 15, 2007, at 10:25:05
In reply to Re: Anyone up for a therapy dream? » annierose, posted by Dinah on March 15, 2007, at 9:44:54
Your T seems unaware of the real situation in Iraq--but she's going very far afield from home territory in her quest for peace. She also seems very dedicated and passionate about helping people and seeing the best in them. Maybe the insurrectionist has that potential to bring peace, which she sees despite his currect anger.
However she likes people who are up to no good-- the insurgent and President Bush (ie in your dream, not in reality). You don't say how the insurgent reacts, but Bush gives her short shrift.
She doesn't seem aware of the danger or hte undercurrents of violence in the situation, and needs an army to protect her on this trip she's making into a war-torn area.
So the dream questions her jiidgment, and her methods of trying to redeem a dangerous situation where she's seemingly unaware of the danger. It only because someone is protecting her that she is left unharmed (quite possibly).
I'd say you feel dangerous and possible hurtful to her, and are trying to protect her from something. LIke the decision to leave-- or other decisions-- since Bush is as we know the Decider. He's the one in charge, and the one she's reaching out to, the overt troublemaker, is more reaction to a chaotic situation than really making decisions, although he, too, is creating chaos.
But you said it's going better didn't you?
So maybe her naive approach works"
Honore
Posted by madeline on March 15, 2007, at 14:26:04
In reply to Anyone up for a therapy dream?, posted by annierose on March 15, 2007, at 7:19:55
I don't think this dream has anything to do with politics, but I am a more classical interpreter of dreams.
My therapist and I spend a lot of time on my dreams, and we usually see them as resolution to or highlighting an emotional conflict. When my T shows up in my dreams it usually represents what role I see him playing in that conflict.
In your dream I think Iraq may represent your emptional state, or how YOU see your emotional state - as a warzone with debris and damage all around. She has come to this warzone, and reaches out to the warring conflict & combatants (the insurgents and the US soilders) in an attempt to bring peace. Even those your conscious mind views as the enemy seeking to do harm (the insurgents, or the US soilders) she reaches out to both and accepts both and recognizes that they both can bring something to the conflict that will ultimately lead to peace. Which I think is something you must want or get from her.
She seeks approval, but is simply brushed off and ignored by a authority figure (evil or otherwise) in the dream - the president, which I think probably represents some aspect of yourself that is seeking approval, or something that you are afraid you are doing to her, or even your experience in gaining approval from authority figures.
It sounds like powerful, but wonderful stuff and definately I would talk about the dream with her.
My T would love your dream because the therapist is playing such a benefactor to a seemingly hopeless situation. For years he was biting me or turning into a snake or something in my dreams. So much so when I stated I had a dream I wanted to talk about he would say "well, what did I do to you this time?". Lately though he has been curiously absent from my dreams. When he does show up it is usually in some magical role like Gandalf or someone.Just my take
Maddie
Posted by Dinah on March 15, 2007, at 14:31:39
In reply to Re: Anyone up for a therapy dream? » annierose, posted by madeline on March 15, 2007, at 14:26:04
The fact that he doesn't show up in your dreams as much is significant, don't you think? It's one of the subconscious clues I've been noticing about myself, along with a shift in his role when he does.
Posted by bil on March 15, 2007, at 15:45:56
In reply to Anyone up for a therapy dream?, posted by annierose on March 15, 2007, at 7:19:55
I agree with Madeline... I don't think it's about politics. You said in your post that sometimes you feel like your brain is at war- and that's the danger zone that your t is entering.
I'm really into dreams and interpretation!- I've read quite a few books on dream therapy, shamanic dreaming, etc. (went to a lecture on consciousness and dreaming this past Monday) and one thing I've found it that sometimes our subconscious will present our 'shadow' as a foreigner of some sort, to distance itself from something it feels is an enemy- maybe this is represented by the insurgent?
Your sceptical and critical animus might be George Bush, because you don't LIKE approaching therapy with this attitude... but you can't help it- (he snubs her, and you roll your eyes at her attempts at peace making... deep down, you don't really think she can achieve anything).
Yeah, it's a great dream! are you going to tell her about it?
I never dreamt about my t, but I only saw her for about 6 months.
bil
Posted by annierose on March 15, 2007, at 21:53:31
In reply to Re: Anyone up for a therapy dream?, posted by Honore on March 15, 2007, at 10:25:05
Thank you so so so much to everyone who responded. I loved loved loved reading everyone's approach and got something out of each and everyone.
YES, I will tell my therapist about the dream on Monday -- I will print out my post since dreams have a way of quickly falling back into my unconscious.
Honore asked what the reaction of the insurgent was to her peace-making. I remembered that he looked into her eyes easily accepting her offer of peace. And Honore, yes, things are going nicely between us once again. But underneath the "niceness" I'm worried that it can so easily be disrupted again.
Maybe I worry that I can easily destroy things ---like our relationship, I worry that I'm too strong for her (I'm no wallflower).
Madeline - can I borrow your t for a day to tell him about my dream? I loved reading all of your ideas too. Thank you for responding to my post. I don't think we have ever spoken before, so HELLO! I will have to re-read your thoughts a few times before they digest.
Thank you babblers. I had a late night with neighbors - one who is going through a divorce - so I can't think too clearly right now.
Posted by annierose on March 15, 2007, at 21:57:18
In reply to Re: Anyone up for a therapy dream? » annierose, posted by madeline on March 15, 2007, at 14:26:04
I support our troops, not the war.
Posted by madeline on March 16, 2007, at 5:58:52
In reply to Re: Anyone up for a therapy dream?, posted by annierose on March 15, 2007, at 21:53:31
Hi! Nice to meet you too.
Lately I've been wondering what right I have to offer Babblers my thoughts anything, so thank you for your positive response.
It's odd, but when I first started therapy I thought dreams were just random brain activity and had no bearing on the conscious state. Obviously, I am a convert.
Sometimes I wish that everyone could go to my therapist. While I've certainly paid my dues with some real stinker Ts, it just doesn't seem fair that others can't share in my luck. Maybe he could do videoconferencing.
FWIW, I see a lot of really good, really positive aspects in your dream. I will be interested in what your T has to say.
maddie
Posted by madeline on March 16, 2007, at 6:04:03
In reply to Re: Anyone up for a therapy dream? » madeline, posted by Dinah on March 15, 2007, at 14:31:39
I think his absence is significant as well. To me it indicates that he has done his job well and is no longer playing a major role in conflict resolution in my life. I am doing that myself.
However, his rare appearance as a magician/wizard in my dream is still telling. Even though my rational mind knows that he simply applied time tested clinical techniques to my recovery, so much of me views what we did as simply magic.
I NEVER thought I could feel this settled and comfortable in my life. I didn't even know it was possible. It still feels miraculous to me.
Maddie
Posted by Daisym on March 16, 2007, at 10:01:34
In reply to Re: Anyone up for a therapy dream? » Dinah, posted by madeline on March 16, 2007, at 6:04:03
My therapist might argue that the connection you have is magical - which is why no matter how tried and true techniques are, it is the relationship that heals. I'm so glad for you.
I find myself wishing that therapists would really look at personality fit as entrance criteria because later in the game it tends to be viewed as pathology or resistance. I don't think it always is. I think about my issues and how they would have been reinforced by certain practitioners I met. It is scary, in a way.
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