Ethics

• Dream analysis can address the long term underlying cause of problems
• DA works on uncovering repressed unconscious conflicts and desires that may have occurred in early childhood
• By bringing them to the surface it should result in a long term end to the problems
• This is a strength of DA as it should avoid problems such as the ‘revolving door’
• However, being made aware of these unconscious conflicts may cause psychological harm
• DA reveals repressed desires and conflicts from childhood because they may be traumatic
• This is a weakness because the client could experience psychological harm in the process of acknowledging these unconscious issues
• One of the main concerns about dream analysis is the power imbalance between the therapist and client
• in DA, the patient is reliant on the therapist for making progress
• This is unethical as it can lead to the client becoming overly-dependant on the therapist and unable to face their problems on their own
• DA has the potential to create false memories in people
• There are documented cases of therapists leadino people to inaccurately remember instances of abuse or other unpleasant experiences
• This is a weakness because false memory syndrome (FMS)can affect relationships and people’s identity.
• as well as having negative repercussions for those who may be falsely accused of causing unpleasant situations.