FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Dream Therapy for Recurring, Distressing & Emotionally Significant Dreams
A complementary approach to exploring the emotional content, patterns and personal significance of dreams.
Who Might Benefit From Dream Therapy? Dream Therapy may be suitable for people who experience:
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Recurring & Distressing Dreams
Recurring dreams or recurring themes
Nightmares or distressing dreams
Vivid or emotionally intense dreams
Dreams that disrupt sleep or cause apprehension about going to sleep
Recurring dream patterns that have persisted over time -
Dreams That Stay With You
A particular dream that continues to affect you
Recurring people, places or situations
Dreams that leave a strong emotional response after waking
A desire to understand why a particular dream feels significant -
Dreams During Life Changes
Dreams during grief, stress or major transitions
Dreams following significant life experiences
Dreams that seem connected to waking-life concerns
A desire to explore the emotions or personal significance of dreams
What Is Dream Therapy?
Dream Therapy is a structured exploration of a person's dreams within a supportive, person-centred setting.
Rather than telling someone what their dream means, Melissa works collaboratively with the dreamer to explore the emotions, imagery, personal associations and waking-life context surrounding the dream.
There are no universal interpretations. A snake, a house, the ocean or even death can mean something entirely different from one dreamer to another.
The question is not simply: “What does this symbol mean?”
Instead, we explore: “What might this dream be expressing for this particular person, at this particular time in their life?”
The dreamer remains the authority on their own experience.
What Happens During a Session?
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Explore
We begin with the dream itself - what happened, how it felt, the imagery that stood out and the emotions experienced during and after the dream.
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Connect
Together, we explore personal associations, recurring themes and possible connections between the dream and the dreamer's waking-life experiences.
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Reflect
We consider what feels personally meaningful, what new perspectives may have emerged and any insights the dreamer would like to take forward.
Depending on the individual, sessions may also include dream journalling, dream-recall techniques, education about dreaming and lucid dreaming techniques where appropriate.
ABOUT MELISSA JOHNSON - Dream Therapist, Dream Teacher & Founder of Dream Hub
Melissa has spent nearly a decade studying dreams and helping people explore the relationship between their dreaming and waking lives.
Her work combines formal training in Dream Therapy with dream education, experiential dreamwork and an ongoing interest in the science and psychology of dreaming.
Rather than relying on predetermined symbol dictionaries or universal interpretations, Melissa's approach centres the individual dreamer - their emotions, experiences, associations and circumstances.
Alongside one-to-one Dream Therapy, Melissa teaches dreamwork through courses, workshops, speaking, media and educational programs.
Qualifications & Professional Affiliations
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FORMAL TRAINING
Diploma in Dream Therapy
Health and Harmony CollegeDream Teacher, Level I
The Robert Moss School of Active Dreaming -
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Professional Practitioner
Holistic Health Associates InternationalMember
International Association for the Study of Dreams (IASD) -
ADDITIONAL TRAINING & INVOLVEMENT
Lucid Dreaming & Lucid Living
Lucid Entrepreneur Lab - Lana Sackwild
Listed referral provider with SleepWell AU/NZ
Why Work With Dreams?
Dreaming is a normal part of human sleep and an active area of scientific and psychological research.
Research continues to explore the relationship between dreaming, emotion, memory and waking-life experiences, including how emotionally significant experiences can be reflected in dream content.
Dreamwork has also been studied within psychotherapy, with research suggesting potential benefits in areas such as insight and depth of therapeutic exploration, although the evidence base continues to develop.
Nightmares are a distinct area of clinical research with established evidence-based interventions. Dream Therapy at Dream Hub is not presented as a replacement for these treatments, but as a complementary space to explore the subjective experience and personal significance of dreams.
Selected research:
Hill, C. E., et al. (2023). Working with dreams and nightmares: A review of the research evidence.
Zhang, J., et al. (2024). Evidence of an active role of dreaming in emotional memory processing shows that we dream to forget. Scientific Reports.
A Complementary Approach
Dream Therapy at Dream Hub is offered as a complementary wellbeing service and can be used alongside psychological, counselling, medical and other healthcare.
Dream Therapy does not replace medical care, psychological assessment, counselling, psychiatric care or evidence-based treatment for mental health or sleep disorders.
Melissa does not diagnose psychological, psychiatric or sleep disorders through Dream Therapy. Where a client's presentation indicates that assessment or treatment from an appropriately qualified healthcare professional may be required, they will be encouraged to seek appropriate professional support.
Dream Hub welcomes clients who are already working with GPs, psychologists, counsellors and other healthcare professionals. Where appropriate, and with the client's consent, communication with an existing treating practitioner can also be considered.
For Health Professionals
If you are supporting a patient or client who experiences recurring, distressing or emotionally significant dreams, or who would like a dedicated space to explore their dream experiences, Dream Therapy may provide a complementary option.
A formal medical referral is not required.
Patients can contact Dream Hub or book directly. Health professionals are also welcome to contact Melissa if they would like further information about Dream Therapy before recommending the service.
DREAM THERAPY SESSIONS
One-to-One Dream Therapy with Melissa Johnson
60 minutes | $150 AUD
Available online worldwide.
No GP referral required.
For Health Professionals
Questions About Dream Therapy?
If you are a GP, psychologist, counsellor or allied health professional and would like to understand more about Dream Therapy before recommending Dream Hub to someone you support, please contact Melissa.
Likewise, if you are considering Dream Therapy for yourself and are unsure whether your particular dream experience is something Melissa works with, you are welcome to contact Dream Hub before booking.
Some Dreams Disappear by Breakfast. Others Follow Us for Years.
If a dream continues to return - in sleep, in memory or simply in the feeling it left behind - sometimes it deserves more than being dismissed as “just a dream.”
Dream Therapy creates the space to explore it.
Melissa Johnson
Dream Therapist & Teacher
Founder, Dream Hub