Patricia Garfield: A Lifetime of Dream Exploration and Innovation

Patricia L. Garfield didn’t just study dreams—she transformed our understanding of them. As one of the most respected figures in the field of dream research, Garfield spent her life exploring the cognitive processes that shape our dreams. Her work ranged from nightmares to children's dreams, and she wrote extensively about how dreams can be used as a tool for healing, creativity, and personal growth.

A Pioneer in Dream Research

Garfield earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Temple University in 1968, where she graduated summa cum laude and received multiple honors, including a National Science Foundation grant. Her academic rigor was the foundation for a career that would span decades and deeply influence the field of dream studies.

Her first book, Creative Dreaming, published in 1974, was a bestseller and remains a classic in dream literature. The book introduced readers to the concept of using dreams as a creative tool. Garfield showed that with the right techniques, anyone could not only interpret their dreams but also influence them, turning dreams into an active part of their personal development.

Dreaming is a private theater in which there are several theaters going on at the same time.

Dr. Patricia L. Garfield, Ph.D.

Co-Founder of the International Association for the Study of Dreams

Garfield’s impact on the field extended far beyond her writing. In 1983, she was one of the six co-founders of the International Association for the Study of Dreams (IASD), a non-profit organization dedicated to the scientific and applied study of dreams. The IASD brought together researchers, clinicians, and dream enthusiasts from around the world, creating a global community focused on understanding the role of dreams in our lives. Garfield served as the president of the organization from 1998 to 1999, helping to shape its mission and direction.

Her work with the IASD highlighted her belief that dreams could be a powerful tool for understanding ourselves and improving our lives. Through her research and advocacy, she helped to bring dream studies into the mainstream, encouraging people to take their dreams seriously as a source of insight and inspiration.

A Media Presence and Teacher

Garfield’s expertise made her a sought-after guest on television and radio, both in the United States and internationally. She appeared multiple times on major programs like ABC's 20/20, Good Morning America, and CNN, where she discussed the science of dreams and how they could be harnessed for personal growth. She also served as a consultant for broadcasting networks and film directors, ensuring that dream-related content was accurate and insightful.

But Garfield wasn’t just a media figure—she was also a dedicated educator. She taught psychology at Temple University, the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science, and California State College, Sonoma. Later in her career, she focused on teaching lifelong learners, sharing her insights through programs at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Dominican University in San Rafael, California. Her course, “Lifelong Dreaming,” was particularly popular among seniors, many of whom were inspired by Garfield’s belief that dreams continue to offer wisdom and guidance throughout our lives.

Creative Dreaming: A Classic in Dream Literature

Creative Dreaming was Garfield’s best-known work, and for good reason. The book has been in continuous print since 1974, and a revised edition was published in 1995. It has been translated into 15 languages, making it accessible to a global audience. In Creative Dreaming, Garfield introduced techniques for influencing dreams, helping people to actively shape their dream experiences rather than just passively observe them.

She demonstrated that with practice, anyone could learn to have lucid dreams—dreams where the dreamer is aware that they are dreaming and can even control the narrative. This concept was revolutionary at the time, and it opened up new possibilities for using dreams as a tool for problem-solving, healing, and creative exploration.

Dreams as a Path to Healing

Beyond creativity, Garfield was deeply interested in how dreams could be used for healing. In her book The Healing Power of Dreams, she explored how dreams can help us process trauma, grief, and other emotional challenges. Garfield believed that by paying attention to our dreams, we could uncover hidden emotions and find new ways to heal. She was particularly focused on the role of nightmares, which she saw as opportunities to confront and resolve inner fears.

Garfield’s approach to dreams was holistic—she saw them as a tool that could be used for both psychological and physical healing. She often worked with people who had experienced significant trauma, helping them to understand and work through their feelings by analyzing their dreams.

Legacy and Influence

Patricia Garfield passed away on November 22, 2021, at the age of 87, leaving behind a profound legacy. She recorded her own dreams for over 60 years, creating one of the longest dream journals in existence. Her dedication to dream research and education touched countless lives, from her students to her readers and colleagues.

Garfield’s work continues to inspire new generations of dream researchers and enthusiasts. Whether through her books, her teaching, or her leadership in the IASD, she helped to elevate the study of dreams to a respected field of inquiry. More importantly, she showed us that dreams are not just random images—they are a vital part of our inner lives, capable of guiding us toward healing, creativity, and self-understanding.