QUESTIONS & ANSWERS:
Dreams Department

Please remember, this column is designed to help the consumer seeking behavioral-health information, and not intended to be any form of psychotherapy or a replacement for professional, individualized services. Opinions expressed in the column are those of the columnist and do not represent the position of other SelfhelpMagazine.com staff.

Question

My friends and I have a book on dreams and during breaks at the office we interpret each others dreams. A co-worker overheard us and said that dreams should only be interpreted by therapists and doctors. He has really spoiled our fun. Is he right?

Answer

I'm sorry your friend has spoiled your fun and next time he interrupts you can tell him he is not only intruding, but wrong. Therapists do sometimes interpret & work with dreams, but it is for a different reason and involves a different process than when we explore our own dreams. Everyone has dreams and it is within your rights and choice as an individual to share your experiences with others. Keep up the dream sharing at the water cooler, just don't tell your boss I said so!

2/19/98

Richard Wilkerson is general editor for The Internet Dream E-zine, Electric Dreams, and director of DreamGate, the Internet Communications and Dream Education Center. He writes the Cyberphile column for the Association for the Study of Dreams Newsletter.