DreamKids™ – Guided Imagery & Dream Work for Children
Helping children overcome challenges through imagination, creativity, and inner wisdom
Children are naturally imaginative, playful, and curious. But when they experience emotional, social, or behavioral difficulties, it can be hard for them to find the words to talk about it. That’s where DreamKids™ comes in—a unique, evidence-based approach using guided imagery, dream work, and imagination-based therapy to help children access their inner strengths and overcome emotional blocks.
DreamKids™ is designed for children, teens, and parents—especially those navigating life as expat families or students in international schools—who need new, creative ways to face anxiety, fear, trauma, or behavioral challenges.
What Is DreamKids™?
DreamKids™ is an innovative therapeutic approach using imagery, visualizations, and storytelling to help children explore and transform their inner world. Based on the Saphire® Imagery method developed by Dr. Catherine Shainberg at The School of Images in New York City, DreamKids™ introduces this powerful tool to children, families, and professionals working with kids.
Through short, playful visualizations—known as “waking dreaming”—children are guided to explore personal images, symbols, and inner stories. These exercises are designed to bring subconscious patterns into awareness, allowing children to gain self-knowledge, emotional regulation, and confidence.
How Imagery Supports Emotional Growth in Children
Children often struggle to explain what they’re feeling or why they behave a certain way. But imagination is a natural language for kids. With DreamKids™, children can explore emotions, fears, and challenges in a creative and empowering way—without the pressure of verbal explanation.
Guided imagery helps children:
Helping children overcome challenges through imagination, creativity, and inner wisdom
Children are naturally imaginative, playful, and curious. But when they experience emotional, social, or behavioral difficulties, it can be hard for them to find the words to talk about it. That’s where DreamKids™ comes in—a unique, evidence-based approach using guided imagery, dream work, and imagination-based therapy to help children access their inner strengths and overcome emotional blocks.
DreamKids™ is designed for children, teens, and parents—especially those navigating life as expat families or students in international schools—who need new, creative ways to face anxiety, fear, trauma, or behavioral challenges.
What Is DreamKids™?
DreamKids™ is an innovative therapeutic approach using imagery, visualizations, and storytelling to help children explore and transform their inner world. Based on the Saphire® Imagery method developed by Dr. Catherine Shainberg at The School of Images in New York City, DreamKids™ introduces this powerful tool to children, families, and professionals working with kids.
Through short, playful visualizations—known as “waking dreaming”—children are guided to explore personal images, symbols, and inner stories. These exercises are designed to bring subconscious patterns into awareness, allowing children to gain self-knowledge, emotional regulation, and confidence.
How Imagery Supports Emotional Growth in Children
Children often struggle to explain what they’re feeling or why they behave a certain way. But imagination is a natural language for kids. With DreamKids™, children can explore emotions, fears, and challenges in a creative and empowering way—without the pressure of verbal explanation.
Guided imagery helps children:
- Face and transform nightmares or fears
- Build tools for managing anger, anxiety, and sadness
- Feel empowered through imaginative success experiences
- Increase self-confidence and emotional awareness
- Practice problem-solving and resilience
- Discover inner resources through playful storytelling
- Connect with mythic roles (heroes, monsters, wise animals) for emotional growth
What Happens in a DreamKids™ Session?
Each DreamKids™ session is different, depending on the child’s needs. A session may include:
Sample DreamKids™ Exercises
Here are some examples of exercises used with children to help them deal with anxiety, trauma, or emotional overwhelm:
Why Now?
Children today are overwhelmed by constant stimulation, screens, and social pressure. They're bombarded by noise and "shoulds" from every direction. DreamKids™ offers a gentle but powerful invitation:
👉 Go inward. Explore your imagination. Find your truth. Create your own story.
This approach reconnects children to their inner compass, builds emotional resilience, and strengthens the mind-body connection—all through play, creativity, and visualization.
DreamKids™ for Parents & Professionals
DreamKids™ isn’t just for kids. The approach is also designed to support:
🌟 Parents of sensitive or struggling childrenSessions help parents understand how to guide their child through emotional challenges using imagery techniques.
🌟 Teachers, school counselors, and therapistsJoin our DreamKids™ Learning Lab—a professional development group for those working with children. Learn how to use guided imagery in classrooms, therapy, and group work.
The Learning Lab meets from October to May, every Wednesday at 13:00 EST / 19:00 Amsterdam time, co-facilitated by Dr. Catherine Shainberg and Sheona McEwan.
To join or learn more, contact Sheona: [email protected]
Who Created DreamKids™?
DreamKids™ is co-developed by Sheona McEwan, an experienced school counselor and special needs educator, and Dr. Catherine Shainberg, founder of the School of Images in NYC. Together, they’ve brought this visionary practice into the world of children’s emotional health and education.
Ready to Explore the Power of Imagination?
Whether your child is struggling with anxiety, nightmares, fear of failure, or just needs a creative way to understand themselves—DreamKids™ can help. Let’s explore the magic of inner imagery and transform challenges into confidence, strength, and joy.
Each DreamKids™ session is different, depending on the child’s needs. A session may include:
- Short, playful guided imagery exercises
- Longer imaginative “journeys” to explore emotional themes
- Dream interpretation (with drawings or storytelling)
- Waking dreaming to explore inner landscapes and solutions
- Discussion and creative expression through drawing, play, or storytelling
Sample DreamKids™ Exercises
Here are some examples of exercises used with children to help them deal with anxiety, trauma, or emotional overwhelm:
- Shield of Power – Imagining protective energy to face daily challenges
- Climbing the Rainbow – Using color and light to shift difficult feelings
- Animal Power – Discovering strength, courage, or calm through animal guides
- The Castle – Journeying into the “inner dungeon” to face fears and come out stronger
Why Now?
Children today are overwhelmed by constant stimulation, screens, and social pressure. They're bombarded by noise and "shoulds" from every direction. DreamKids™ offers a gentle but powerful invitation:
👉 Go inward. Explore your imagination. Find your truth. Create your own story.
This approach reconnects children to their inner compass, builds emotional resilience, and strengthens the mind-body connection—all through play, creativity, and visualization.
DreamKids™ for Parents & Professionals
DreamKids™ isn’t just for kids. The approach is also designed to support:
🌟 Parents of sensitive or struggling childrenSessions help parents understand how to guide their child through emotional challenges using imagery techniques.
🌟 Teachers, school counselors, and therapistsJoin our DreamKids™ Learning Lab—a professional development group for those working with children. Learn how to use guided imagery in classrooms, therapy, and group work.
The Learning Lab meets from October to May, every Wednesday at 13:00 EST / 19:00 Amsterdam time, co-facilitated by Dr. Catherine Shainberg and Sheona McEwan.
To join or learn more, contact Sheona: [email protected]
Who Created DreamKids™?
DreamKids™ is co-developed by Sheona McEwan, an experienced school counselor and special needs educator, and Dr. Catherine Shainberg, founder of the School of Images in NYC. Together, they’ve brought this visionary practice into the world of children’s emotional health and education.
Ready to Explore the Power of Imagination?
Whether your child is struggling with anxiety, nightmares, fear of failure, or just needs a creative way to understand themselves—DreamKids™ can help. Let’s explore the magic of inner imagery and transform challenges into confidence, strength, and joy.
