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Welcome to the DreamStar Institute course management area. Here you can obtain training and certification in the Five-Star Method––a systematic dream work method based on co-creative dream theory. (If you are a counselor/psychotherapist, you may also want to take some of the CE courses I have developed for my Advanced Psychotherapy Training track, which can be found below.)

While the FiveStar Method is easy to learn, it represents an advanced approach, and ideally requires a background in dream theory and analysis.

I would recommend reading Working with Dreams and PTSD Nightmares or the upcoming book, Dreams: Understanding Biology, Psychology, and Culture--both of which include chapters that I've contributed on the FiveStar Method--prior to pursuing certification through DreamStar. 

These books will also provide a broad historical context into which my approach will make more sense to you.

Course Offerings

If the following is confusing, please don't hesitate to contact me for a videoconferenced meeting to discuss your interests in DreamStar courses. We can meet via Zoom at a mutually convenient time.

If you not sure if you wish to pursue certification, I would recommend enrolling in:

  • Certification Course without certification option,  consisting of the same course as the Full Certification Course (see below), but without the provision for obtaining feedback from me on the Course Forum, or receiving certification without upgrading to the full Certification Course. You may choose to upgrade to the full Certification Course at any time, and pursue DreamStar Certification. Cost $69 and 24 CEs. You can access this course through the single link provided below, or in the "To Courses" link at the top of the page. 

 Once you are sure that you are interested in becoming certified by DreamStar Institute, you can upgrade your participation to the Full DreamStar Certification Course:

  • Full DreamStar Certification Course, consisting of 7 modules of self-paced online study. Each module has its own certificate of completion and CEs (authorized by the Texas Board of Professional Counselors), so you will earn CEs as you go through the course. I provide feedback for your responses to the interactive questions posted on the Course Forum. Cost: $199 and 24 CEs. If you have already enrolled in the Certification Course without certification option, you can upgrade from within the Course itself. There is a Paypal link on the Course home page that will allow you to upgrade for $130 whenever you'd like.
  • Mentored Practicum (Prerequisite: Full DreamStar Certification Course). During the practicum, you will schedule three Skype sessions with me, submit samples of actual dream work that I will  review with you during our Skype sessions, and participate in personal dream work as a way to develop a hands-on competency with this methodology. The practicum will involve written and verbal feedback from me. Cost: $299 and 9 CEs (Note: Participation in eight sessions of an online dream group will count as partial substitute for your mentored practicum.)

Upon completion of the Certification Course and Mentored Practicum, you will receive a certificate confirming your DreamStar Certification.

Enrollment Procedures

  • If you are ready to enroll in a course, you need to open an account first.
  • Click on the Login link in the upper right corner of this page, and you will be asked if you already have an account.
  • If not, fill out the account information.
  • Then an email will be sent to you to verify your account.
  • Then you can return here, click on the course link below or in the "To Courses" link at the top of the page, and then you will be taken to Paypal for payment after clicking on "Certification Course." You will be given the option of the Full Certification Course ($199), or the Certification Course without certification ($69) options.

If you have any questions in the mean time, please email me at gscotspar@gmail.com.

Ethics

DreamStar abides by the ethics of the International Association for the Study of Dreams pertaining to dream sharing and dream analysis. Please see the statement below. 

Available courses

DreamStar Certification Course, Full or Non-Certification Option

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A self-paced course consisting of 7 modules. The course includes feedback from me to your required forum postings. Upon completion of each module, you will receive a separate certificate of completion that specifies the number of CEs awarded for that particular module. The course awards 24 CEs. 

The seven modules are as follows:


MODULE 1: Lucid Dreaming as a Foundation for a New Approach to Dream Analysis (4 CEs)
MODULE 2: Understanding Dreams as an Interactive Process (3 CEs)
MODULE 3: An Introduction to the FiveStar Method (3 CEs)
MODULE 4: Working Ethically and Non-Invasively with Dream Imagery (3 CEs)
MODULE 5: An In-Depth Exploration of the FiveStar Method (4 CEs)
MODULE 6: Methods for Enhancing Awareness and Constructive Engagement in Dreams (4 CEs)
MODULE 7: Fostering Spiritual Communion and Deep Healing in Dreams (3 CEs)

Cost: $199 for the certification track, which includes feedback from me for all required Online Forum postings.

Cost: $69 for the non-certification track, which requires postings on the Online Forum, but does not include feedback from me.

At the completion of the Certification Course, you must  sign up for the Mentored Practicum if you want to pursue DreamStar Certification. The Mentored Practicum awards 9 additional CEs. Upon successful completion of the Certification Course and Mentored Practicum, you will receive a certificate confirming your DreamStar Certification. Participation in eight online dream group meetings can serve as a partial substitute for the Mentored Practicum

Mentored Practicum with Dr. Scott Sparrow

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A supervised practicum including three hour-long Zoom videoconferenced sessions. The practicum is required, in addition to the Certification Course, for DreamStar Certification.

Prior to each session, you will submit an audio or video recording of dream work with consenting clients. I will provide written and verbal feedback for each work sample. The practicum awards 9 CEs.

We will also work with your dreams, and discuss your readiness to incorporate co-creative dream analysis into your practice context. Cost: $299

Participating in eight weeks of an online group can serve as a partial substitute for the supervised practicum.

Additional mentoring is available following the certification course practicum.

Advanced Psychotherapy Training Series: Informed Love as a Curative Factor

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This 3-CE course (Texas LPC CEs) is based on a paper that was was published in 2007, based on my work with religious experiences, and therapeutic or curative factors in counseling. The definitive version was published in Mental Health, Religion & Culture, December, 2007. doi:10.1080/13674670802040087 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13674670802040087).

Research concerning the curative factors in psychotherapy has thus far overlooked reports of religious experiences as a potential source of hypotheses. The author examines a variety of anecdotal encounters with personifications of higher power for the presence of therapeutic factors. He finds that the attitude expressed by the being, as perceived by the recipients, reflects unconditional positive regard (UCR) in the context of a thorough and intimate knowledge of the person. He thus hypothesizes that the curative factor operating in such experiences is ‘‘informed love’’, defined as the twofold experience of feeling completely loved and completely known. The author discusses the differences between informed love and UCR, and the implications of informed love in modern psychotherapy practice.

Cost $18 via Paypal

Advanced Psychotherapy Training Series: Progressive Triangulation in Psychotherapy and the Spiritual Journey

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This 2-CE (Texas LPC CEs) course is based on a paper that was was published in 2008 in Mental Health, Religion & Culture, distilling some of my work with dreams, religious experiences, and principles of systems theory. 

Relationship triangles are usually considered symptomatic of family dysfunction in systems-oriented therapy, but they may also serve a progressive, transitional role in relationships. The author examines the phenomenon and function of “progressive” triangles in East and West spiritual traditions, and suggests that triangles comprised of seeker, mediator, and higher power are common in both traditions, regardless of differing views of human nature. A progressive triangle in the therapeutic setting can be seen as a function of teleological transference, in which a seeker’s spiritual aspirations are projected onto a mediator, who provides support and direction for its further realization. The implications of progressive triangulation and teleological transference in contemporary practice are discussed.

Cost: $12 via Paypal

Advanced Psychotherapy Training Series: Balancing Transpersonal Perspectives in Counseling with Conventional Ethical Requirements

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A 3-CE course based on an invited presentation to the Journey to Wholeness Conference, Summit, North Carolina, October, 2008.

This course discusses the dilemma facing a therapist who embraces transpersonal theory, but who must practice within traditional boundaries and ethics. It makes a case for how the two cannot be separated, and can be integrated in responsible and ethical practice.

This course includes a lengthy slideshow with embedded narrative, two supportive papers, a quiz and exit survey. It is estimated to take three hours to complete.

Cost: $18 via Paypal