No doubt about it—humans sleep.

It’s required as a species — to lie down in a cozy spot somewhere, entirely unprotected from predator, prey and cover-stealing partners, and go unconscious for an average of eight hours per night.

More importantly, humans don’t just sleep. They dream — providing a steady, every-single-night-of-our lives link into the subconscious, or so Jungian theory posits.

Maribeth Kallemeyn, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist practicing in Salem, has formed a dream therapy workshop to help people learn how to "unpack" their dreams, and take a deep, dark look into the subconscious and the messages it's trying to relay.

Using a dream guidebook as a resource isn't a particularly effective tool for most people, according to Dr. Kallemeyn. Although there are universal symbolism's, most dreams must be interpreted in light of each person’s unique circumstance and experience.

“Dreams are dynamic, and attending to our dreams helps keep the energies of our lives flowing,” Dr. Kallemeyn said. “They bring messages that can inform and give guidance to our life situations, and help balance our waking perspectives.”

Dr. Kallemeyn has worked with dreams for the past decade, and is particularly interested in the connection between dreams, middle and older adult development, and spirituality.

“If in our waking life we are struggling with feeling lonely, vulnerable, or ill, a dream may come that gives enormous comfort,” she said. “Or, on the other hand, if in our waking life we are cruising along, being a bit full of ourselves, a dream may come that helps take us down a notch or two, to a more grounded and satisfying way of being in the world.”

Nightmares, which often cause restless sleep and a disturbed feeling the next day, are somewhat like turbo-charged dreams, she noted.

“Our inner world has many powerful energies coursing through, including vulnerabilities, trauma residue, and as-of-yet unlived potentialities,” Dr. Kallemeyn said.

Exploring dreams with others in a safe group can be a potent experience.

“The group setting offers possibilities for sharing our inner worlds in a way that our ordinary lives often don’t readily offer,” she said.

So, how does a dream group work?

In a typical dream group, such as Dr, Kallemeyn’s, a group member will describe a dream to the group. Then, with the assistance of the group leader, members may simply listen or join in asking questions to help “unpack” the dream.

“Sometimes strong feelings or “a-ha” moments arise,” she said. “This process may lead the dreamer to an urge to take practical, concrete action that may help move their life forward—a creative response such as painting the dream may allow for further exploration.”

What do you dream? Dr. Kallemeyn's dream group meets through April 14 in Salem. Cost is $30 per session. For information, contact her at (503) 371-2890.