About Us

Gregory Scott Sparrow, EdD, LPC-S, LMFT

Dr. Scott Sparrow was a full Professor in the Counseling Department at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley (2003-2025) and is a Research Faculty member of Atlantic University in Virginia Beach. He is a past President and Board Chair of the International Association for the Study of Dreams (IASD).

As a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Board Certified LPC-Supervisor in Texas, Scott has maintained a private practice in professional counseling since 1982, and owns Dreamstar Counseling and Supervision in McAllen, Texas. He has been named one of the top three marriage therapists in the area for over a decade. He specializes in existential, Jungian, systemic, and transpersonal approaches to therapy, and has developed an innovative approach to dream work based on "correlative"dream theory, called the FiveStar Method. He is founder of DreamStar Institute, which offers mentoring and certification in co-creative dream analysis for laypersons and clinicians. He wrote Lucid Dreaming: Dawning of the Clear Light, which was the first book on lucid dreaming published in North America. As an academic researcher, he has authored numerous peer-reviewed papers in dream theory and analysis.

Scott has lectured and taught courses across the U.S. on such topics as meditation, spiritual experiences, and dream work methods. He is a student of Jungian psychology, mysticism, and contemplative Christianity. For several years, he made a study of the "Christ encounter," which is the visionary or dream experience of meeting Christ face-to-face. A book on this research titled, I Am With You Always: True Stories of Encounters With Jesus–a Barnes and Noble bestseller, Book of the Month selection, and Quality Paperback selection–that was published by Bantam in 1995. Similarly, he subsequently wrote a book about dreams and visions of Mary, titled Blessed Among Women: Encounters with Mary and Her Message (Crown, 1997). He is also author of Sacred Encounters with Jesus (Ave Maria, 2002), Sacred Encounters with Mary (Ave Maria, 2003). He has also authored Healing the Fisher King: A Fly Fisher's Grail Quest, a memoir that recounts his experiences as a fly fishing guide on the Lower Laguna Madre of South Texas (BlueMantle, 2009), and The Blue Ornament, a Christmas story (BlueMantle, 2014).

Kim T. Phetteplace, MA, RSMT/E
DSI Principal Trainer & DSC Co-Host

Kim T. Phetteplace, MA, RSMT/E, the first DSI Certified Dreamwork Practitioner, has studied co-creative dreamwork with Dr. Sparrow for more than a decade and is now the Principle Trainer and course developer for DreamStar Institute.

Kim has served as adjunct faculty to Viterbo University and the University of WI, both in La Crosse, WI, as well as founding a local nonprofit and working as an entrepreneur.

She integrates her rich background in expressive and somatic practices, including work as a Register Somatic Movement Therapist/Educator, with in-depth and master’s level studies in transpersonal psychology, particularly co-creative dreamwork, resulting in innovative transformational practices. Both a Certified HeartMath Mentor and a Certified Holistic Life Coach, Kim integrates an awareness of intuitive heart wisdom paired with heart-intelligent practices into her client services and community offerings.

A livelong student of contemplative traditions and practices of both East and West (but particularly Christian mysticism), she brings an orientation of holistic, spiritual companioning to her work. Her skills as a mentor are also supported through completion of a chaplaincy internship and Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at Gundersen Health Systems, La Crosse, WI, as well as certification in Youth and Family Ministry through Wartburg Seminary, Dubuque, IA. Her outreach in the community—both in-person and online—has brought insightful and soulful holistic offerings to diverse population including children and their parents, youth/teens, people with disabilities, and seniors.

As an intuitive artist, much of her creative work is inspired from co-creative
dreamwork or through contemplative practices, and finds expression through both visual and movement/dance arts. In addition to her work as the Principal Trainer for DreamStar Institute and a Co-Host of DreamStar Community, Kim continues her enriching and integrative services through client work and community offerings. Learn more here: When Dreams Dance!

Julie Sparrow
Practice Manager

Julie Sparrow works closely with Scott to manage his practice and help Kim and Scott coordinate DreamStar Institute. Her vast organizational skills are widely recognized. She served as the Project Director of DreamStar Free Online Counseling, and as a Board member and Volunteer Coordinator for the International Association for the Study of Dreams for several years.