Dreamscaping with Nancy Gershman, LMSW

In this episode, Juniper talks with Nancy Gershman, a psychotherapist, memory artist, and creator of Dreamscaping, to discuss the development and many uses of this innovative modality. Their conversation covers:

• Nancy’s professional journey and how she came to the creation and use of Dreamscaping as a therapeutic tool.
• Discussion about the ways in which the brain stores and holds memory, including the importance of incorporating “felt sense” memory when working toward healing.
• Ways in which Dreamscaping can be used to address grief, trauma, and many other issues that clients bring into the therapy space.
• And more!

Nancy Gershman, LMSW, is a psychotherapist and the developer of Dreamscaping, an imaginal and photo-based approach to treating grief and loss, supported by the way memories get encoded in the brain.  More playful than painful, Dreamscaping uses resourcing, focusing on felt sense memory, re-scripting and mental simulations to shift the focus from “what do you miss?” to “what gives you joy?” After a decade of dreamscaping with the bereaved as a memory artist, Nancy was featured for her work with end of life families at VNSNY/Haven Hospice as NY1’s “New Yorker of the Week” (2016).  In 2020, Routledge published Prescriptive Memories in Grief and Loss: The Art of Dreamscaping, co-authored with Barbara E. Thompson. Additional publications include case studies in Robert A. Neimeyer’s Techniques of Grief Therapy (Routledge, 2012, 2016) and Annals of American Psychotherapy (2010) with Jenna Baddeley, PhD. In addition to presenting her work internationally and working in a supervisory capacity, Nancy has been the host of Death Café New York City since 2013.  Today, applications for dreamscaping range from liberating joy in those married to Ed (eating disorders), to re-gendering individuals in the trans community, to updating distressing memories in those who believe they can never return to a beloved person, place or thing.

Where to find Nancy:

www.artforyoursake.com

Instagram: @artforyoursake

Facebook: facebook.com/artforyoursake

Get in touch: https://www.academyimh.com or on Instagram @academy.imh

Take a course: https://www.holisticmentalhealthschool.com