Dreams, Jung, and Memory Reconsolidation with John Valenzuela, PhD

How do Jungian psychology, dream archetypes, neurobiology, and memory reconsolidation come together in dream work? In this episode of The Dream Journal, host Katherine Bell speaks with clinical psychologist Dr. John Valenzuela about dreams as meaningful experiences that help us update emotional memories, deepen self-understanding, and improve relationships.

With poignant examples from his own dream life, Dr. Valenzuela explores how dreams connect personal memory, archetypal symbolism, embodied awareness, interpersonal neurobiology, and the collective unconscious.

The conversation moves from Jung’s ideas about symbols and archetypes to modern neuroscience, polyvagal theory, emotional regulation, dream embodiment, and the possibility that dreams help us engage with relational fields beyond ordinary waking awareness.

Topics include memory reconsolidation, implicit emotional memory, dream symbols, the personal and collective unconscious, the mother and father archetypes, the psychoid field, embodied dream work, the role of the right brain, and how dreams may help us reframe old patterns and strengthen our relationships.

BIO: John Valenzuela is a clinical psychologist and supervisor in California and earned his PhD at Pacifica Graduate Institute. He has presented scholarly research on dreams, Jungian psychology, and memory reconsolidation at several conferences, including IASD, IAAP, and the Global Association for Interpersonal Neurobiology. His book is Dreams, Jung, and Memory Reconsolidation: Consilience with Interpersonal Neurobiology,

Contact our guest at nexusojai.com

This show, episode number 379, was broadcast on September 5, 2026 at KSQD.org, community radio of Santa Cruz. It was recorded on August 4, 2026.

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:

How Dreamwork Strengthens Intuition: Lucidity, Meaning, and the Medial Archetype with Athena Laz

Anima Dreams, Personal Neurobiology, and Hispanic Identity with John Valenzuela, PhD