The Ullman Method as Used by Veronica Whitty, Newcastle

by Veronica Whitty

I use Montague Ullman`s method with my dreamgroups:

Ullman emphasizes two factors: safety and discovery. The safety factor is necessary because the dreamer is exposing a most personal and vulnerable side of h/self. S/he needs to feel assured that at every stage of the process control will remain in the hands of the dreamer and in a way that respects the privacy of the dreamer and her/his authority over the dream.

The discovery factor comes into play when the group has to respond to another over-riding need of the dreamer, namely, to be helped to make discoveries about h/self that are difficult to make alone.

There are four stages in Ullman`s method as I use it.

1. The dreamer volunteers a dream and the group may ask questions to clarify the dream and to grasp it as clearly and completely as possible.

2. Members of the group attempt to accept the dream as if it were their own. They address comments to each other about the dream with the prefatory remark “If it were my dream,” so that it is clear to everyone that whatever statements follow are to be viewed as projections of the member who is speaking and are not necessarily valid for or applicable to the dreamer. Group members begin by reflecting upon the feelings they experience in response to the overall dream or any salient imagery within it.

3. The dreamer responds to the comments as s/he wishes without interruption.

4. The dreamer reviews the dream and the dreamwork at home. When the group next meets the dreamer is invited to share any additional thoughts or reactions that may have emerged from this private contemplation.

I have added to this approach using my experience with dreamwork e.g. if a dreamer is bewildered or upset by a dream, as happens occasionally, I use an exercise at the close which brings some resolution and comfort. Usually, a dream appears at a time when the dreamer is ready to handle whatever the dream is about and the right people are in place in the group to support the dreamer.

– Veronica Whitty