There are 4 major stages of the Ullman dream group process

In Stage 1a, the presentation of the dream, one group member volunteers (and is never prodded or coerced) to share a dream. An ideal group size is between 6 and 8 people. As is obvious, telling the dream in a waking state is dramatically different from the actual dream experience. It is likely that the dreamer does not remember all of the details of the dream. Also, when the dreamer is asleep, language is often inaccessible to the felt experience in the dream. The dreamer gives as much detail as can be remembered. The smallest detail could be important in unlocking the dream’s puzzle. In Stage 1b, the co-dreamers draw out further details of the dream by asking the dreamer questions. Such questions often help her/him recall more of the dream. The clarifying questions must be concrete, direct, and may only be taken from the content of the dream. The co-dreamers are not permitted to ask questions about the meaning of the dream, such as whether it reminds the dreamer of a significant person or of a childhood event. Permissible questions would include, for example, his/her age in the dream, whether the people in the dream are known to the dreamer, and the colors remembered.

Stage 2 is what Ullman refers to as playing “the game,” in which the co-dreamers pretend the dream is their own. With the dreamer remaining silent, the group participants talk about their own feelings and what the dream might mean if it were theirs. Often the dreamer will connect with the co-dreamers' projections. This, in turn, enables the dreamer to gain insight that he/she might have not gained without the help of the co-dreamers!

Stage 3 encourages dialogue between the dreamer and co-dreamers. In Stage 3a, the Dreamer’s Response, the dreamer is invited to share any insights or feelings that surfaced, after listening to the co-dreamers play the game. Often, the group members’ projections jar the dreamer into remembering more details of the dream. The group’s projections may also lead to the dreamer’s overall understanding of the dream. The dreamer is directed to say as much or as little as he or she wants. The co-dreamers may not interrupt her/him to ask questions or to make comments during this phase.

The work of Stage 3b, is to help the dreamer explore the context, or to recall events or feelings that occurred around the time of the dream. During this phase, the dream group participants ask the dreamer open-ended, information gathering questions, such as, “Do you recall what you were thinking about just prior to falling asleep?” in an attempt to help her/him reconnect with the emotions that triggered the dream. By directing the dreamer’s attention to these circumstances, insights may result—insights that might not have occurred, had these context-related questions not been asked.

Stage 3c is called the Playback. In the playback, one of the co-dreamers reads back the dream to the dreamer, scene by scene. The co-dreamer pauses between scenes to allow the dreamer enough time to recall more material. Stage 3d is called the Orchestrating Projections stage. In this stage, group members sum up the essence of the dream, in order to help the dreamer integrate the dream. It is important to remind the dreamer and the co-dreamers that these orchestrations are projections of the group members. That is, group members can tell the dreamer what they think the dream is trying to convey, but the dreamer may or may not agree with these projections. Following the orchestrations, the dreamer is given the opportunity to express any final thoughts, whether they be about the dream, the process, or, simply, to express gratitude for the co-dreamers’ help.

Finally, Stage 4 takes place at the beginning of the next dream group meeting. The dreamer is invited to share any comments or additional insights that have arisen since the previous meeting. If the group members who attended the dreamer’s group have comments that they believe will further help the dreamer, “delayed orchestrations” may be volunteered at that time.

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To Join a Dream Group, contact Varida Kautner