FOUNDATIONS III | On-Demand | Previously Recorded Live Session

Differential Disorder Considerations in Nightmares and REM Parasomnia Treatment 

Consider differential sleep disorder diagnoses influencing dream-related disturbances along with psychoeducation and collaborative treatment strategies.

What's included?

2 Hour Prerecorded Training

On-demand access to the previously recorded live workshop, available for 12 months after enrollment.

Self-Paced Format

This homestudy course is fully asynchronous.

CE Completion Window

Watch the training and pass a post-test within 12 months of enrollment to receive CE credits.

2 CE

Mental health professionals can earn Continuing Education (CE) credits sponsored by an accredited provider.
Nightmares and other REM parasomnias, such as sleep paralysis or dream enactment, are elevated in mental health populations–presenting unique diagnostic and treatment challenges for psychotherapists. It’s important to recognize that these symptoms can be caused or worsened by medical sleep disorders, which may require separate diagnostic testing and treatment. Additionally, clinicians who advertise that they specialize in working with client dreams may attract individuals with sleep disorders to their practice at increased rates, underscoring the importance of recognizing the need for differential diagnostic considerations in formulating a quality treatment plan.

This online course reviews the overlap between nightmares and REM parasomnias with other sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, REM behavior disorder, trauma-associated sleep disorder, narcolepsy, night terrors, and paradoxical insomnia. You will learn how to recognize differential diagnostic possibilities, screen for other sleep disorders that may be causing or contributing to nightmare and REM-related parasomnias, refer to appropriate care, and co-treat patients with other sleep specialists or healthcare providers as needed. Case examples will be presented to help you apply these concepts in your practice and provide more effective, well-rounded treatment. This course is not only vital for those specializing in working with dreams or nightmares, but also offers insights for all therapists who wish to improve care at the intersection of sleep, dreams, and mental health.

Course includes a previously recorded, live video session and post-test.

As Part III of our Foundations Series on Lucid Dreaming Therapy, Foundations I and II are recommended, but not required. 

Learning Objectives

  • Name two REM parasomnias that could present to clinicians who specialize in the mental health applications of dreams.
  • Identify underlying sleep disorders that could contribute to REM parasomnias.
  • Describe an ethical dilemma that could arise in a psychotherapy practice that specializes in working with dreams.
  • Practice developing a treatment plan for patients with nightmares and sleep disorder comorbidities.
Target Audience: Psychologists
Level of Activity: Intermediate
Course Code: CE03-2025-OD
Release date: Nov. 19, 2025
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Meet the instructors

Nevin Arora, MD

Dr. Arora is a Stanford University trained fellow in sleep medicine. He received his medical degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and completed his residency training in psychiatry at Georgetown University Hospital. His background in mental health offers a unique perspective on sleep and the treatment of sleep disorders. He describes that his approach is “first and foremost, based upon providing fundamental education and perspective. With a foundational understanding of sleep, we are in a better position to begin to treat the disorders and tap into the upside we all possess.” He currently provides sleep medicine services at two California-based sleep clinics. His work particularly focuses on bridging treatment gaps between sleep medicine and mental health.

Instructor Disclosures: Nevin Arora, co-owner of Lucidity Sleep Psychiatry, is not sponsored commercially for this event. His roles include clinical service, CE administration, and CE committee participation. 
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Kristen LaMarca, PhD, DBSM

Dr. LaMarca is a clinical psychologist and board-certfied in behavioral sleep medicine. Her work focuses on integrating the fields of sleep medicine and psychology to enhance well-being across waking, sleeping, and dreaming states. She is particularly focused on adapting psychotherapeutic approaches to address sleep and dream disturbances, with an emphasis on the innovative application of lucid dreaming therapy. Since 2005, she has been collaborating with Lucidity Institute, co-teaching and conducting research on lucid dream induction and applications alongside renowned expert, Stephen LaBerge. Her current position at Lucidity Sleep Psychiatry provides her unique opportunities to refine sleep- and dream-focused interventions with diverse, real-world populations—a role that allows her to translate her experience into practical insights for clinicians seeking to incorporate dream- and sleep-centric therapies into their practices.

Instructor Disclosures: Kristen LaMarca, co-owner of Lucidity Sleep Psychiatry, is not sponsored commercially for this event. Her roles include clinical service, CE administration, and CE committee participation. Additionally, she earns from dream-focused education for the public.
Co-Sponsorship Statement
Our educational content is co-sponsored by Mindful Lucid Dreaming, your event host, and Lucidity Sleep Psychiatry, a sponsor accredited to provide continuing education for psychologists. This partnership helps ensure that our programs meet the highest standards. 
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Continuing Education Approval
Lucidity Sleep Psychiatry is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Lucidity Sleep Psychiatry maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Continuing Education Courses

Frequently asked questions

Are CE credits available for this event?

The number of CE credits available are noted in the course description. Check with your state or jurisdiction's licensing board or credentialing body to determine if our CE can be applied to your license renewal period. Lucidity Sleep Psychiatry is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Lucidity Sleep Psychiatry maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

What is your refund and cancellation policy?

On-demand course purchases are final. We are unable to provide refunds for failing to complete the required CE assignments or criteria.

How do I access the course?

The course will be available on the date specified. Sign into your Learnworlds account. After you purchase a course, you will be able to access it from your school's topbar or profile page. As soon as you click on the Continue button, you will be redirected to the Course Player. Browse through the sections and access the learning activity you would like to study. Any learning activities that you have visited/completed are marked with a checkmark.

How long do I have access to the material?

This course includes a prerecorded video session with access available for 12 months from the release date. This expiration policy ensures CE credits are earned while the material remains current and clinically relevant.

If long-term access to training videos is important to you, we recommend registering for the live version of the course when available. Live sessions typically grant extended replay access and require CE credit to be claimed shortly after the event.

We recommend saving other available materials (eg, slides, links, downloadable resources) prior to your course's expiration date.
For more information, see our main FAQ

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