Founder and Lead Educator
Kristen LaMarca, PhD, DBSM
Clinical Psychologist
Diplomate, Behavioral Sleep Medicine
Board of Behavioral Sleep Medicine
Dr. LaMarca is recognized for her expertise on the science and therapeutic applications of lucid dreaming. Recognizing the lack of sleep and dream-focused trainings in the mental health field, she founded this continuing education (CE) program to equip clinicians with practical, evidence-based tools for integrating lucid dreaming into treatment. Her goal is to bridge the gap between consciousness exploration and clinical practice, expanding access to dream-centric approaches for addressing nightmares, trauma, and other psychological challenges.
Since 2007, Dr. LaMarca has collaborated with Lucidity Institute, co-teaching intensive retreats and conducting research alongside renowned expert, Stephen LaBerge. Her contributions have examined the characteristics of lucid dreaming while optimizing the
mindset and physiological conditions for having lucid dreams. This research culminated in publishing an induction protocol that combined memory training, early morning naps, REM sleep biofeedback technology, and galantamine–an herbal supplement known to enhance memory and REM sleep.
As a clinician, Dr. LaMarca has focused on using lucid dreaming to innovate nightmare treatments and pivotal touchpoints in psychotherapy. She emphasizes that lucid dreaming is not about controlling your dreams, but rather, a tool for fostering psychological flexibility and insights into how perception shapes reality.