I was giving Beth's son, Anthony, therapy sessions. I picked him up and put him on my lap as we sat down and talked. I was trying to coax emotions out of him after his father had died. I was some kind of school counselor or professional counselor working with the schools. Anthony was crying and was upset. Later that day or the next day, Anthony's uncle, Mike, and his wife expressed their displeasure with me putting Anthony on my lap. Mike's wife complained to the school about me. When Anthony came over later, he told me he didn't like sitting on my lap. He told me he didn't like me making him take off his shoes when he came over. He said his Aunt told him I make him do that so it makes it harder for him to leave. A few moments later Mike came to talk to me and expressed his displeasure with me and my services. A few moments later his wife and his whole family came to my place to confront me and express displeasure. I told them Anthony wasn't just some kid. I helped feed him and shower him when he was a baby. Since this was my friend's kid, I cared about him. I told them that I had known Beth since we were 10 years old. They seemed to know this already, but I reminded them. My point was that I was not a stranger. I showed them pictures of the car accident where my parents died to show them that I knew what it was like to lose a parent and that I'd be around when Anthony was older to talk to him about losing his dad if he would like. Mike is white in real life and his wife is Chinese. In my dream they were all Filipino, just like my former housemates. Mike's wife showed me a picture of her family and asked if I thought they were Indonesian. I said, no, you're Filipino. I told them I had known many Filipinos and that's why I made Anthony take his shoes off when coming over. They seemed pleased with that answer. This matter was settled, but I still had fears, reservations, and doubts. Plus, I wasn't qualified to be a counselor, I was just filling the role with my life experience. I couldn't find a direction or treatment plan in which to take Anthony through and I was worried that my care had been sexual or too affectionate.
Dreams involving therapy or counseling sessions often represent your desire to work through emotional issues or provide support to others in your waking life. In this dream, it seems like you may be processing feelings of responsibility and care for someone close to you who is going through a difficult time.
The presence of Anthony, Beth's son, may symbolize your wish to help someone close to you navigate their emotions following a significant loss or trauma. Your attempts to coax emotions out of Anthony and provide comfort show your concern and caring nature towards him and a desire to support him through his struggles.
The conflict with Mike, Anthony's uncle, and his family in the dream may reflect inner doubts or insecurities about your ability to provide suitable support or counsel. Their disapproval of your actions may symbolize your own fears of not being qualified or experienced enough to assist someone in a time of need.
The change in the ethnicity of Mike and his family in the dream may represent a blending of different cultural influences or relationships from your past. Your personal connection with Beth and the sense of familiarity with Anthony relate to your past experiences and emotional connections that shape how you approach helping others.
Overall, this dream could indicate a desire to provide care and support to those around you, but also highlights your fears and uncertainties about your ability to fulfill that role effectively. It may be a reflection of your need to address your own feelings of inadequacy or self-doubt when it comes to offering emotional support to others.