Dream Tending and Deep Imagination Certificate I Program with Stephen Aizenstat, Ph.D.

January 6, 2025 – June 25, 2025

The Dream Tending and Deep Imagination Certificate I program is a transformative experience that invites you to dive into the depths of your inner world and forge a meaningful connection with your dreams. This program is designed  to awaken your innate ability to tap into the wisdom and guidance that resides in your dreams, using these insights to enhance your self-awareness, enrich your relationships, and illuminate your life path.

Guided by Dr. Stephen Aizenstat and supported by Mentors of Dream Tending, this program provides a nurturing and creative environment where you can engage in practices that enhance your imagination, intuition, and emotional intelligence. Through a blend of experiential exercises, group discussions, and personal reflection, you will learn to honor the wisdom of your dreams and utilize them as a source of guidance, inspiration, and healing.

The Dream Tending and Deep Imagination Certificate I program is structured around a series of four modules consisting of three days each. These modules will guide you through how to create a dream journal, establish effective dream practices, engage with nightmares in a constructive way, and explore the symbolism and meaning of your dreams. You will also discover how to use active imagination techniques to deepen your connection with your dreams and engage with them in a more embodied way.

As you progress through the program, you will have the opportunity to work with dream images and themes that are relevant to your personal and professional life. You will learn how to use these insights to gain clarity on your goals, develop new perspectives on your challenges, and cultivate a greater sense of self-awareness and self-compassion. Practicing clinicians will gain skills to support clients in working with nightmares and dream images.

Upon completing the Dream Tending and Deep Imagination Certificate I program, you will receive a professional certificate of completion and have the option to purchase 40 continuing education credits. You’ll also have the opportunity to further your journey by enrolling in our advanced Dream Tending and Deep Imagination Certificate II program. This next level builds on the foundational knowledge of Certificate I, delving deeper into the wisdom and inherent intellect within imagination and how to access it.

For clinicians, creatives, and individuals in the healing arts, the Certificate II program introduces you to the pioneering work of the Imagination Matrix. This approach connects you to your innate genius, providing a proven method for accessing the multidimensional intelligence of imagination. This can significantly enhance both your personal growth and professional practice, enabling you to move beyond perceived limitations for yourself and your clients.

Apply Today
You can apply online here.

To learn more about the Dream Tending programs, please get in touch with Dream Tending Program Coordinators at Program@dreamtending.com or call (805) 680-3774 to schedule a Zoom meeting or phone call to discuss your questions. Limited spaces are available. Programs are on a first-come-first-serve basis.

*Continuing Education Credit
40 continuing education credits are available for MFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs through the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (provider #67021), for RNs through the California Board of Registered Nurses (provider #CEP 7177), and for psychologists through the California Psychological Association (PAC014). Pacifica Graduate Institute maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Full attendance at the program is required to receive a certificate. A $40 fee will be charged for each certificate requested.

Continuing Education Credit Details

This program meets the qualifications for 40 hours of continuing education credit for Psychologists through the California Psychological Association (PAC014) Pacifica Graduate Institute is approved by the California Psychological Association to provide continuing education for psychologists.  Pacifica Graduate Institute maintains responsibility for this program and its content.  Full attendance is required to receive a certificate.

This course meets the qualifications for 40 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.  Pacifica Graduate Institute is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (#60721) to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs.  Pacifica Graduate Institute maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.  Full attendance is required to obtain a certificate.

For Registered Nurses through the California Board of Registered Nurses, this conference meets qualifications of 40 hours of continuing education credit are available for RNs through the California Board of Registered Nurses (provider #CEP 7177).  Full attendance is required to obtain a certificate.

Pacifica Graduate Institute is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs.  Pacifica Graduate Institute maintains responsibility for each program and its content.  Full day attendance is required to receive a certificate.

Continuing Education Goal.  Pacifica Graduate Institute is committed to offering continuing education courses to train LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs to treat any client in an ethically and clinically sound manner based upon current accepted standards of practice.  Course completion certificates will be awarded at the conclusion of the training and upon participant’s submission of his or her completed evaluation.

CECs and Online Program Attendance: Participants requesting Continuing Education Credits (CECs) for Online programs must attend all live sessions (offered via Zoom) in order to receive CECs. Please make sure that your Zoom account name matches the name of the attendee requesting CECs.

Module One Learning Objectives:

1. Identify association and describe its importance in the Dream Tending process.
2. List two purposes for using association while working with a dream.
3. Identify amplification and describe its importance in the Dream Tending process.
4. List two purposes for using amplification while working with a dream.
5. Identify animation and describe its importance in the Dream Tending process.
6. List two purposes for using animation while working with a dream.
7. Identify one time the skills association, amplification, and animation were used in live Dream Tending demonstrations.
8. Create a dream journal (written or other form such as artistic, electronic, etc.) for use with personal dreams and image exploration.
9. Explain one way active imagination can be used in working with dream images.
10. Demonstrate use of a daily praxis working with dreams in which at least two Dream Tending techniques (association, amplification, animation) are incorporated.
11. Discuss two examples of current literature and research in the field of dreams and dream work.
12. Use association, amplification, and animation in at least three dyad or triad Dream Tending exercises.
13. Explain three ways Dream Tending differs from dream interpretation.
14. Compile a list of at least three significant dream figures from dreams.
15. Describe two methods for how to remember your dreams.

Module Two Learning Objectives:

1. Differentiate nightmare images from other dream images in at least two ways.
2. Describe three ways nightmare images can be considered the most alive dream images.
3. Identify one way a continued daily praxis enhances Dream Tending.
4. Differentiate nightmares from night terrors in two ways.
5. List one way nightmare images can mirror current mental health symptoms.
6. Describe at least one way to connect to core strength via somatic/grounding techniques.
7. Select and list three supportive figures that can be used during tending of nightmares.
8. Compare similarities and differences between the Dream Tending methodology and Hillman’s method of working with dreams.
9. Explain the connection between psychopathology and nightmares.
10. List at least four of the steps in working with nightmares.
11. Identify a supportive dream figure that has a protective quality.
12. Describe the psycho-diagnostic qualities of nightmares.
13. Explain two ways to work with a threatening animal dream image.
14. Demonstrate one way that the personal unconscious and collective unconscious intersect in relation to nightmares.
15. Discuss at least three examples of current literature and research in the field of nightmares and dream work.

Module Three Learning Objectives:

1. Describe three characteristics of a personal dream council.
2. List two benefits (either physical or psychological) of using a dream council.
3. Identify three personal dream council figures.
4. Identify the definition of the anima mundi, also known as “the soul in and of the world.”
5. Explain two connections between the World’s Soul and night-time dreams.
6. Discuss at least three examples of current literature and research in the field of ecopsychology/nature and dream work.
7. Explain the difference between tending a personal dream and tending the world’s dream.
8. Identify at least two personal shadow figures.
9. Identify at least two collective shadow figures.
10. Explain the role of shadow figures in dream council, personal psyche, and the world’s dream using one example for each.
11. Create a dream council and describe at least two of its members.
12. List three strengths of archetypal activism and its use in tending to the World’s Dream.
13. Describe one example of archetypal activism in contemporary Western culture.
14. Explain two ways archetypal activism can help with interacting with shadow figures.
15. Predict two ways a personal Dream Tending practice can contribute to healing the World’s Soul.

Module Four Learning Objectives:

1. List two ways that “dreaming the world forward” on a collective level also impacts personal sense of purpose.
2. List one way that “dreaming the world forward” relates to community and planet.
3. Describe two uses of dream images as medicines.
4. Explain two ways dream images can represent psyche and soma (mind/body).
5. Identify one way dream images can be categorized as healing.
6. Explain at least two ways images and body symptoms can be correlated.
7. Describe how Dream Tending methods of association, amplification, and animation can be used to work with addictive syndromes.
8. Describe how Dream Tending methods of association, amplification, and animation can be used to work with chronic illnesses.
9. Identify the “wounded image” and give two examples of a wounded image from lectures and live demonstrations.
10. Discuss at least three examples of current literature and research in the field of healing and dream work.
11. Assess two benefits of Dream Tending methods as an adjunctive treatment modality.
12. Assess two limitations of Dream Tending methods as an adjunctive treatment modality.
13. Describe three characteristics of an Asclepion temple in ancient times.
14. Identify and compare an ancient literal Asclepion temple to a modern, metaphorical Asclepion temple.
15. Identify the scope of practice and personally reflect on your individual scope of competency when conducting Dream Tending sessions.

Schedule a Time to Talk

To learn more about the Dream Tending Certificate program, please email Program@DreamTending.com to discuss questions, program price, and payment plan options. One of our Program Coordinators will get back to you shortly.

Dream Tending Program Cost

Application Fee: $25 non refundable

Payment Plans

Payment plans have been created to make the Certificate Programs more affordable. Dream Tending will keep payment methods on file that can be changed. On each payment date, the payment you have chosen to keep on file will be automatically deducted. If for any reason payment dates need to be changed due to extenuating circumstances, the participant agrees to alert Dream Tending one-week prior to the payment due date. Appropriate alterations can only be made upon both parties agreement and must be placed in writing. If the payment is more than 5 days late, a $50 late fee will apply. No refunds will be given after the start date of the Certificate Program. If payments are not completed according to the agreements of this document, or mutually agreed upon arrangements have not been made, the participant will no longer be permitted to participate in Dream Tending programs. By entering a payment plan you are committing to the entirety of the Dream Tending Certificate program. Therefore, you are agreeing to make all four payments in full which will be auto-deducted seven days prior to the start of each module. If you are unable to complete the program, you are still required to make all payments. If you wish to make-up a module at a future date, please contact the program coordinator.

Enroll in a payment plan

$500 Deposit – Remaining balance divided into 4 or 8 equal payments

Grants

The mission of our grant program is to extend accessibility of Dream Tending to those committed to learning the Dream Tending method who may not otherwise be able to afford it. Grants are awarded based on factors such as financial need, unique life circumstances and community-based involvement. Please reach out to our program coordinator at programs@dreamtending.com, to receive more information on how to apply.

Location

All Modules will be held online via Zoom.

Cancellations

Deposits and full tuition payments made towards Dream Tending Certificate Programs can be refunded 21 days prior to the start of the program. After that, any payments made can be put towards future Dream Tending programs. Dream Tending reserves the right to cancel any program or expel participants at any time. In the case of an unforeseen canceled program, you will be refunded in full. In the case of program expulsion, possible refunds will be examined on a case by case basis.

Refund Policy

Refunds will be given 21 days prior to the start of the program. After that, any payments made can be put towards future Dream Tending programs. No transfers will be given after the start date of a Certificate Program.

Confidentiality

The Dream Tending and Deep Imagination Certificate program is a professional training program offered under the auspices of the Continuing Education Program of Pacifica Graduate Institute. Participants are encouraged to present material from their personal dreams for discussion during seminar sessions with the understanding that the ensuing dreamwork is part of an educational opportunity. The Program is not psychotherapy and will not provide the “container” of the therapeutic consulting room. Thus, there is no legally protected confidentiality for a “psychotherapist-client” communication. Although the presenter is a Clinical Psychologist and licensed psychotherapist, he will be working as seminar leader and instructor in this training program. While there will be a continuing relationship among the participants over the nine months of the seminar series, the focus of this experience is educational rather than therapeutic. Participants will want to keep this in mind in deciding what to share during seminar sessions.

As a part of this training, seminar participants will work with their own and each others’ dreams in meetings of the entire group as well as during triad and small group sessions. Triad and small group sessions have their own confidentiality, and participants must reach a mutual agreement before sharing material from these smaller meetings in the general sessions of the entire group. What participants share and learn from each other must remain within their agreed upon limits of confidentiality and does not fall under the responsibility or liability of Dream Tending.

Seminar participants who wish to include case material from their clinical practices in this training program may do so. If you choose to do this, you must present the material in a manner which obscures the client’s identity and otherwise preserves the client’s confidentiality rights.

Disability Support

It is the goal of Dream Tending to make programs and experiences accessible to all members of the community. It is the participant’s responsibility to contact Program@DreamTending.com directly if accommodations are desired. Each person, disability, and situation is unique, so needs will be considered individually.

All reading materials in the Dream Tending Certificate program are formatted to be compatible with read-aloud programs.

Anti-Discrimination Policy

Dream Tending will not discriminate against any individual or group with respect to any service, program or activity based on gender, race, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age or other prohibited basis. Dream Tending does not require attendees to adhere to any particular religion or creed in order to participate in its programs.

Grievances

We want to ensure your experience in the Dream Tending Certificate programs is educational and enjoyable. The Dream Tending Program Coordinators will respond to complaints in a reasonable, ethical and timely manner when submitted by program attendees in writing to Program@DreamTending.com or call (805) 680-3774.

FAQs

Who can I contact with any questions?

Please get in touch with a Dream Tending Program Coordinator at Program@DreamTending.com or call (805) 680-3774.