Why do people have nightmares, what do they mean, and where can help be found?

These are three questions are among many we will answer during this online course on nightmares taught by J.M. DeBord, author of "Nightmares: Your Guide to Interpreting Your Darkest Dreams."

Students will gain the knowledge to not only interpret the meaning of nightmares, but also to resolve them. Resolution comes with understanding what the nightmares are trying to communicate, according to Dr. Ernest Hartmann.

Whether you experience nightmares, or you want to help someone who is experiencing them, this 6-week course is designed to give all students the knowledge and information to understand nightmares and know what can be done to help. Dreamworkers, counselors, and therapists can gain crucial information and insight in this course, and so can people who are seeking help for their nightmares. The goal is to offer high-quality information back by published research and writings from experts.

The first two class meetings will focus on the research. The second two class meetings will focus on nightmare interpretation and analysis. The third two classes will focus on dreamwork practices and techniques and therapeutic techniques such as imagery rehearsal, nightmare rescripting, and gestalt.

Then, for the final class, we will be joined by Linda Schiller, MSW-LICSW, a psychotherapist who specializes in the treatment of PTSD and the author of "PTSDreams." Linda is widely resected as a dreamworker and trauma specialist.

During this course, students will learn:

• Should you wake up someone who is having a nightmare?
• What's the difference between a nightmare and a night terror?
• Can issues related to diet and health cause nightmares?
• How common are adult nightmares?
• Can any good come from having nightmares?
• Which treatments and therapies are known to be most helpful.

Class meets live via Zoom once per week on Saturday for 75 minutes of lectures, presentations, and discussions.

The course runs for six weeks.

Replay videos will be available for students who can't attend live.

Reading materials are offered from the academic study of nightmares and the instructor's published writings. Mr. DeBord, known as "RadOwl", literally wrote the book on how to understand nightmares. This is your opportunity to learn directly from a well-respected author and one of the most trusted names in dream interpretation.

The goal is to create a supportive atmosphere and flexible curriculum that meets the needs of all learners in this online course.

For students who take the course to get help with their nightmares, opportunities will be provided for DIY analysis and self-help. The course is not offered as a substitute for therapy or medical treatment; instead, students will learn therapeutic models and techniques.

In this course, students will learn how to:

• decode the meaning of common symbols and themes in nightmares;
• identify types of nightmares;
• engage with the side of the mind that produces nightmares.

The goal is to create a supportive and healing atmosphere. We know how distressing nightmares can be, and how difficult it can be to find help.

Early bird registration through Sunday, January 26th. Register now to hold your spot!

Class starts Feb. 1, 2025.

Email the instructor at [email protected] with any questions.