Abstract Index Conference Index

ABSTRACT

Starting a Professional Dream Work Practice
Leslie D. Perkins, MA: Dreamwork as Ministry
Barbara Leake, M.A.: Follow Your Bliss
Vera M. Lind, M.A.T.P., Ph.D.
Kim Birdsong, MA: You Don't Have To Know It All
Kate Kelley, MS, MFT: The Zen of Dream Practice Building

Chairperson: Jeremy Taylor

Presenters:

A) Kim Birdsong, MA, DreamTender and Spiritual Consultant, Carmel, California

A Spiritual Consultant in private practice, Kim holds a Master's Degree in
Transpersonal Studies and a Certificate in Women's Spiritual Development from
ITP. Through DreamTending, she assists clients in establishing ongoing relationships with the living images in their dreams. She also hosts a weekly radio show "Spirit Matters" on KNRY AM 1240.

B) Kate Kelley, MS, MFT, DreamTender, Laguna Beach, California

Kate Kelley, MFT, has an M.S. in Psychology from Cal State San Bernardino.
She has extensive training in Psychodrama. She is certified in DreamTending through Pacifica Graduate Institute. She practices in Riverside and Laguna Beach
specializing in psychospiritual counseling, intuitive development, dreamtending and dream theater. She writes a bi-monthly column on dreams for The Coastline in Laguna Beach.

C) Leslie D. Perkins, MA, Dreamworker, Sunnyvale, California

Leslie D. Perkins is a Dreamworker in private practice, and a teaching associate
and apprentice with Jeremy Taylor. She has an M.A. in Transpersonal Psychology
and a Certificate in Creative Expression from the Institute of Transpersonal
Psychology. She is working toward her D. Min. degree at the University of
Creation Spirituality.e-mail: perkins3@ix.netcom.com

-E) Barbara H. Leake, M.A., R.N., Dream Facilitator, Exeter, New Hampshire

Barbara Leake conducts dream workshops and offers individual dream work. Ms.
Leake holds an M.A. in Counseling and a B.S. in Nursing, has studied transpersonal
psychology, and participated in a Professional Enrichment Program for Jungian
Studies. She is a licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor.

4. Summary of Presentation

Several dream workers will discuss the personal and professional issues involved in starting a practice. Topics will include making a commitment to dream work, getting training, aligning personal and professional values, choosing office space, establishing fees, advertising, insurance, ethical and legal considerations, working with groups and individuals, and public service.

5. Learning Objectives

A) Learning objectives

1. To gain an understanding of the issues involved in making a commitment to
start a professional dream work practice.

2. To gain an understanding of the personal values and decisions that enter into
the process of starting a professional dream work practice.

3. To gain an understanding of the professional values and decisions that enter
into the process of starting a professional dream work practice.

B) Evaluation questions

1. Do you understand what kind of issues you will need to consider before
deciding whether to become a professional dream worker?

2. Do you understand the personal values you will need to consider, and the
personal decisions you will have to make as a professional dream worker?

3. Do you understand the professional values you will need to consider, and the
professional decisions you will have to make as a professional dream worker?

8. Partial Abstract 

Kim Birdsong, MA: You Don't Have To Know It All

Both personal and professional issues surfaced and continue to arise in the development
of my private DreamTending practice. Personally, issues of worth, self-confidence,
exposure, vulnerability and the need for protection as I put myself "out there" in the
professional world emerged. Developing a balance between spirituality and practicality
continues to be an ongoing issue. Topics covered in this portion of the discussion include identifying and coping with these challenges.

Professionally, topics covered include my experience in the following areas: 1) Locating office space; 2) Sharing space or going it alone; 3) Advertising: print ads, radio;
4) Establishing rates: sliding scales, the value of trading for services; 5) What am I willing to do for free? Public speaking engagements; 6) Establishing a logo, business cards, and website; 7) Teaching the value of DreamTending and dreamwork to local therapists and the public at large; 8) Insurance and legal considerations.

Kate Kelley, MS, MFT: The Zen of Dream Practice Building

Dreams know me. I open myself to knowing them. I have recorded my dreams for a quarter of a century. Seven years ago I woke up to dream as specialty. I have moved twice seeking a town where dream might be embraced. My vow to dream as career path has been a teaching, a waking meditation. It has been a journey from doubt to deep-seated knowing. A path of heart.

My mentor taught me "let it come to you". Just as dreams come to us in their own time, dream practices manifest only when they are ready. In the meantime it is our job to hold to the dream, to listen into what it requires for nourishment and to be sustained. The dreams themselves guided me in practice building. They came as bright lights in the dark moments. In one I was told to include on a flyer "something old and something gold". In another I was given five steps, the first being "rigorous honesty". Twelve step programs teach the importance of walking the talk. Similarly, as dream workers it is important we live the dream. Dreamwork is about a way of being in the world, a way of poetic seeing. My dream practice began to flourish once I aligned body, mind and spirit with dream.

Leslie D. Perkins, MA: Dreamwork as Ministry

Leslie D. Perkins recently started a private practice as a Dreamworker after working with
Jeremy Taylor for more than two years as a teaching assistant and apprentice. Leslie had
originally planned to become a licensed therapist, but while she was studying for her
counseling degree she realized that she wanted to practice dreamwork within the context
of spiritual ministry rather than psychological counseling. She felt the need for more
training in dreamwork as a form of ministry, so she decided to apprentice with Jeremy
Taylor and to pursue a D. Min. degree at the University of Creation Spirituality. She
chose to set up an office in her home, rather than renting outside office space, and this
involved enlisting the cooperation of her husband and daughter. She launched her
practice after assisting Jeremy Taylor with a workshop at her church, where she passed
out fliers about her dreamwork practice.

3. Presenters

D) Vera M. Lind, M.A.T.P., M. Mus., Ph.D. (abd), Mountain View, California
Vera M. Lind is a Ph.D. student at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology with interest in transpersonal issues in communication and healing. She has been a student of Jeremy Taylor. Her background includes teaching and performance in music and theatre, creative expression, and spiritual guidance to support psychological and spiritual health.

E) Barbara H. Leake, M.A., R.N., Dream Facilitator, Exeter, New Hampshire
Barbara Leake conducts dream workshops and offers individual dream work. Ms. Leake holds an M.A. in Counseling and a B.S. in Nursing, has studied transpersonal psychology, and participated in a Professional Enrichment Program for Jungian Studies. She is a licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor.


8. Abstracts:

Vera M. Lind, M.A.T.P., Ph.D. (abd):

As a transpersonal psychologist, I am drawn to dream work for its
special blend of therapeutic learning, unique community building, insight, and
the opportunity for the practice of compassion. I enjoy the adventure of
ever new and yet ancient story. I have kept a dream journal for over 20 years, and
studied dreams with Jeremy Taylor and Hillevi Ruumet.

Dreams usually provide lessons for other group members as well as the dreamer. When the group becomes particularly cohesive, and develops into a caring community, the experience of shared lessons is enhanced. For this panel, I will present my personal experience in forming a dream group, which meets in my home on a weekly basis. Further, I would like to discuss the use of the dream group for research into the experience of shared, mutual dreams, and how it might be facilitated.

Barbara Leake, M.A.: Follow Your Bliss

Joseph Campbell admonishes us to "follow our bliss". My bliss came to me in a numinous dream followed by a numinous knowing. I am now committed to conducting dream workshops, speaking on and teaching the value of dreams and working with individuals, all focused on "Exploring Your Dreams".

Establishing clinical credibility enhances collegial professional relationships in the healing community. It is important to identify a mental health diagnosis if for no other reason than to provide a safe foundation when helping a client explore his/her dreams. A myriad of other issues include ethics, confidentiality, insurance, fees and record keeping.

But most important, guiding a client to explore his/her dreams leads to an affirmation of the spiritual gift within.