Episode Details

Dreams after coercive control can be confusing, intense, and surprisingly healing. In this episode of The Dream Journal, host Katherine Bell speaks with Gerette Buglion about reclaiming self-trust after cultic relationships, narcissistic abuse, manipulation, and other forms of coercive control.

Gerette shares how dream images can become vulnerable places where autonomy is either undermined or restored. Together, Katherine and Gerette explore nightmares, dreams of former abusers or leaders, violent or disturbing imagery, and the tender process of learning to trust your own inner authority again.

The conversation includes a listener dream about two babies, a communal bathroom, and the struggle to release what no longer belongs inside. Through the lens of Katherine’s Experiential Dreamwork and Gerette’s Writing to Reckon practice, the episode looks at privacy, shame, boundaries, inner development, memory rescripting, dream rescripting, and the possibility of asking: “Is there more for me?”

In this episode • Why the dreamer is the final authority on their own dream • How dreams can be used either to manipulate or to restore autonomy • Dreams after cultic abuse, religious trauma, narcissistic abuse, and coercive control • Self-trust, shame, longing, and tenderness after harmful relationships • How writing can help survivors reclaim memory, voice, and choice • Working with disturbing dream imagery without forcing fixed interpretations • Dream rescripting, memory rescripting, and new possibilities for healing

BIO: Gerette Buglion wants to live in a world where cult leaders, narcissistic abusers, and manipulative marketing techniques are spotted, called out, and silenced, creating more opportunities for nourishing relationships to flourish. Her work as educator centers on liberation from coercive control and supporting the integrative power of writing for survivors of cultic relationships through Writing to Reckon™ programs.

Gerette is author of two books “An Everyday Cult” and “Writing to Reckon Journal.” Find her at: GeretteBuglion.com and at LivingCultFree.com.

This show, episode number 369, was recorded during a live broadcast on June 27, 2026 at KSQD.org, community radio of Santa Cruz.

SHARE A DREAM FOR THE SHOW or a question or enquire about being a guest on the podcast by emailing Katherine Bell at katherine@ksqd.org. Follow on LI, IG, YT, FB, & LT @ExperientialDreamwork #thedreamjournal. To learn more or to inquire about exploring your own dreams go to ExperientialDreamwork.com.

Video podcast available at youtube.com/@experientialdreamwork. Popular playlists: “Dream Journal shorts” and “FULL LENGTH VIDEOS”.

Here are links to some other Dream Journal episodes you might be interested in:

Manipulative Dream Interpretation with Gerette Buglion

The Healing Power of Storytelling with Gerette Buglion

Intro and outro music by Mood Science. Ambient music new every week by Rick Kleffel. Archived music can be found at Pandemiad.com. Many