A Geography of Dream Work and Art Therapy

About the Book

This book discusses dream work through the lens of art therapy theory. It is written in a personal voice from a perspective of discovery and curiosity toward the unknown. This territory is metaphorically explored in relationship to geography and landscape. It provides a structural foundation for dreamwork within a relational art therapy approach based on phenomenological and existential world views. Approaches to dreamwork include psychoanalytic theory, depth psychology, gestalt theory and phenomenology. Poetry, theory, and praxis are interwoven, demonstrating the process for creatively exploring dreams and artwork. Dreamer and artist are respected in the journey discovering new horizons and footpaths that might be revealed and encouraged to make and remake their own maps along the way. The intention of this writing is to bring a felt sense of an integrated way of exploring dreams honouring the courage it takes to explore the dream’s terrain.

About the Author

Monica Carpendale, BFA, DVATI, BCATR, RCAT, HLM, Founder and Academic Dean of the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute, in Nelson, British Columbia. As an art therapist, educator, dreamer, filmmaker, writer, poet, artist, and geo-ecological theorist/ philosopher of art therapy, Monica has been working with dreams and art therapy for over 35 years. Her concept of a relational approach between dreamer/artist and the dreamwork/ art therapy is the result of merging ideas regarding psychoanalysis, phenomenology, and existentialism with an ecological model of art therapy. Her publications include several articles in the Canadian Art Therapy Journal, and art therapy textbooks: Essence and Praxis in the Art Therapy studio (2009), and A Traveler’s Guide to Art Therapy Supervision (2011). Carpendale believes that through exploring dreams and artwork we can discover new meaning and recreate our narratives, encourage flow, channel creativity, and open new understandings in our lives.