Unveiling The Mother Tongue Factor in Dream Work: A Qualitative Ethnographic Exploration of Clinical Psychologists' Engagement with the Ullman's Experiential Dreamwork Group Approach

Abstract

This study explores the impact of utilizing the mother tongue on psychologists' acquisition of proficiency in the Ullman's experiential dreamwork group approach. Employing a qualitative ethnographic methodology, the research documents the immersive training experiences within the Ullman approach, subject to subsequent analysis, by a Muslim clinical psychologist in training, whose native language is Arabic, engaging in the experiential dreamwork conducted in English. The findings confirms the pivotal role of the mother tongue in fostering group cohesion and facilitating emotional processing within the Ullman framework. Furthermore, the research underscores the significance of language in shaping the holistic learning experience, emphasizing the imperative consideration of linguistic and cultural implications inherent in this distinctive training process for clinical psychologists. A nuanced understanding of the impact of language on experiential learning enhances our comprehension of the intricate interplay between language, emotions and personal development among trainees in clinical psychology. Beyond individual learning encounters, the research prompts a broader contemplation on the incorporation of linguistic and cultural factors in the training of clinical psychologists.