The resource I created is a worksheet designed to help counselors support female clients who are recovering from sexual assault or abuse and experiencing recurring nightmares. I intentionally chose to use the term nightmare instead of just dream because the experiences many trauma survivors describe are often intense, frightening, and emotionally overwhelming, rather than neutral or symbolic dreams. Paquet et al. describe the difference between dreams and nightmares as she explains, "In nightmares compared with dreams, images in the nightmare may elicit unpleasant memories and maintain unpleasant emotional experiences originating from the nightmare" (Paquet et al.). Recurring nightmares are a common response to trauma and can make it difficult for survivors to feel safe or rested, especially when the dreams repeatedly bring up distressing memories or emotions. This worksheet provides a structured but supportive way for counselors and clients to explore these nightmares together during sessions.

The worksheet guides clients through different parts of the dream, including the setting, sounds or voices, people present, and the emotions they experienced both during the nightmare and immediately after waking up. Breaking the dream into smaller pieces can make it easier for clients to talk about what happened without feeling overwhelmed. The worksheet is also designed to be flexible, meaning clients do not have to complete every section or remember every detail. Instead, they can focus on the parts of the dream they feel most comfortable discussing.

Counselors can use this resource to help identify patterns, emotional triggers, or recurring themes that may be connected to a client’s trauma. It also encourages collaboration between the counselor and client, allowing them to reflect on the dream together and explore possible meanings or emotional responses. By incorporating a humanistic and multicultural counseling approach, this worksheet helps create a safe space for clients to process their experiences while also building awareness of their emotional responses and healing process.

References

Paquet, C., Cogan, C. M., & Davis, J. L. (2020). A quantitative text analysis approach to describing posttrauma nightmares in a treatment-seeking population. Dreaming, 30(1), 54–67. https://doi-org.offcampus.lib.washington.edu/10.1037/drm0000128