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In today’s modern age of paranormal
investigation, an exponentially increasing
number of “ghost hunting”
groups and individuals are surfacing
due to explosive interest created
by popular paranormal-themed television
shows and movies. The availability
of the Internet allows anyone with
a camera and a web presence to present
themselves as a credible paranormal
investigator willing to assist. But
are they? Many reasons drive individuals
to enter the field, some not altogether
altruistic or noble. There are valid
reasons such as scientific research
and the genuine desire to help others,
but other reasons can include self-validation,
thrill seeking, desire for notoriety,
and profiteering.
I personally entered the field of
paranormal investigation to help others
in need but I’m also passionately
interested in the historical and scientific
research involved. Having had personal
encounters since childhood, I had
no need for self-validation of the
existence of the paranormal and my
past had provided enough thrills.
If an individual or group is currently
in the field or contemplating entrance,
it is a good idea to seriously assess
the reasons for doing so. The sober
assessment of your reasons, motives,
and intent is the first step in becoming
a productive member of the paranormal
community. It is not my place to negatively
judge others but I am concerned that
a lack of consistency exists in the
field regarding proper protocols and
conduct in dealing with investigative
casework.
An important point to address concerning
casework is the area of client assistance
or a “client-based situation”
as I call it. I believe many investigative
groups push such assistance aside
carelessly or, at the very least,
do not make it a priority. When dealing
personally with a client who is seeking
help with what they, their family
or their friends may be experiencing,
a number of considerations must be
taken into account and it must be
recognized the client has specific
needs to be addressed.
Client needs vary, but one of the
first things to be accomplished in
any client-based situation is to have
a discussion identifying what the
client should expect from you concerning
their unique circumstances. Fully
advise them of your process, protocols
and also state your expectations of
their role in the process. Ensure
that you both mutually reach an agreement
concerning confidentiality, imposed
limitations or restrictions, a defined
resolution, and any other issues that
arise. You should also make sure this
agreement contains both “realistic”
and “achievable” goals
that ideally lead to closure for the
affected.
Honesty is the best virtue. Never
mislead the client or agree to help
with their situation if you do not
have the resources or ability to do
so. Never make false promises such
as a guarantee that alleged paranormal
activity can be fully eliminated or
even mitigated. Making empty or unfulfilled
promises can lead to further emotional
distress on part of the client, damages
your credibility, and can reflect
negatively on the entire paranormal
community.
Some clients may just be seeking
validation of potential paranormal
activity or looking for an explainable
cause of what they are experiencing.
As simple as it seems, this is a very
important request from a client and
may have a positive effect on their
psychological state. Providing either
resolution can bring a peace of mind
to a client who may be in distress
or even questioning their own sanity.
Help is offered through sound investigative
techniques, logical reasoning, and
the adherence to proper protocols
that address issues such as the need
for privacy and other concerns.
Some clients may be seeking total
elimination of activity out of fear
or disruption of daily living. It
is important to note that, in my experience,
total elimination of paranormal activity
is not a simple task and, in many
cases, may not be achievable. This
is why it is very important not to
make any unconditional promises with
respect to the services that you provide.
At the extreme end of the paranormal
spectrum, the client may be experiencing
negative activity that is affecting
their health and livelihood. Examples
of this may be what some term “demonic”
or “evil”. The definition
of “extreme” can however
be any activity that creates a profoundly
negative experience for the client.
This type of situation is a most delicate
one requiring careful planning and
strategy with the intent of providing
successful closure or resolution.
It cannot be stressed enough that
an individual or team must never rush
into extreme situations without first
acquiring necessary research and resources
to complete the job.
Paranormal Task Force, the team which
I belong to, utilizes what we consider
a “client-centered” strategy
or approach that results in individualized
client “empowerment” through
proper guidance and alignment of resources.
When accepting cases, it is important
to realize that an investigative unit
may provide a kind of “first
responder” social service to
the client. In many cases, a client
may call you or your team for assistance
before contacting medical practitioners,
clergy or other professional sources.
As such, the investigative unit is
assuming a lot of responsibility and
this is a huge task not to be taken
lightly. If mishandled, it can bring
danger to all parties involved. In
any investigation, there is no room
for the unprofessional or unprepared
and this is especially so in extreme
cases. The need for careful assessment
and the desire and ability to help
the client while adhering to very
strict protocols and conduct is always
of utmost importance.
As a paranormal investigator, it
may be good practice to approach client-based
situations in a manner that emulates
the methodical techniques of law enforcement.
It is imperative to have good interpersonal
skills, patience, logical reasoning,
and the ability to remain objective
at all times. Prior to any investigation,
facts have to be gathered through
research, questionnaires and interviews.
The purported location of events must
be inspected for environmental conditions,
possible explainable causes, and to
ensure the safety of others. All of
the collected information must be
logically analyzed and assessed before
any assistance or investigation can
occur.
The questionnaires and interviews
that must be completed should extensively
log the client’s important information
relevant to the case. In addition
to questions concerning activity,
history, and events, important client
data should be collected such as mental
and health status, faith or belief
system, family history, domestic issues
and other factors influencing the
individual, their family, and others
around them.
It is important to remember that
client’s issues may not necessarily
be caused by something paranormal
or unexplainable. Having both internal
and external resources with experience
in sociological, psychological and
medical backgrounds is a must to assist
in the proper analysis of these situations.
In many cases, the client may need
psychological and/or faith and belief
based reinforcement. Reinforcing a
positive psychological and/or faith
and belief system helps the individual
to better help themselves and their
family. This is part of the “alignment”
of resources sought for the client
and others affected. It is very important
to align the client with resources
that accommodate the client’s
faith or belief system. You would
not want to provide a Wiccan client
with help from a fundamental Christian
or a Catholic client with help from
an Islamic Priest unless it was a
last resort or emergent effort and
the client was fully open to this
without hesitation.
In instances where the situation
is perceived to be extreme or has
a greatly negative impact on the client
and others, a professional faith practitioner
with proper credentials should be
employed to assist the client in need.
It is imprudent to simply follow a
self-prescribed procedure like burning
sage or tossing around holy water
in attempt to resolve an extreme issue.
Many times, this can make a bad situation
even worse if paranormally malevolent
activity is indeed involved. However,
as with anything, there are exceptions.
If extenuating circumstances exist,
a lay person who is devout in their
belief may assist with some prayers
or blessings if that belief is aligned
to that of the client and is allowed
by the hierarchy of the client’s
practiced faith.
If the situation is handled properly,
closure may come in a few weeks, or
a few months, but it must be noted
that, in more difficult cases, closure
may never fully be realized. Many
times, no matter what assistance you
may provide, closure only comes to
those that are willing to help themselves.
The old cliché about “leading
a horse to water but can’t make
it drink” unfortunately applies
in some cases. As long as you maintain
a positive attitude, practice proper
protocols and conduct, utilize all
resources to their maximum and do
the best you can, you have handled
the client-based situation properly.
There is a bona fide need for valid
research and equipment to document
events during an investigation. To
obtain assistance from a credible
faith practitioner during rare or
extreme situations, it may be required
to provide proper documentation of
events or possibly even captured evidence.
Do not let anyone convince you that
a proper investigation can be conducted
without research and equipment. It
can’t!
Another very important part of this
process is to institute a client support
system that provides follow-ups or
consultations to the client at regular
intervals. This helps to keep the
client on a positive track towards
the closure they may be seeking. In
some cases, a client may be “yours”
for a lifetime and you have to be
willing to work with them long-term
or until full closure is brought to
their situation.
Proper client assistance is one of
the key issues of paranormal investigation.
A thorough, well-prepared individual
or team following proper protocols
and addressing client needs in a professional,
caring and respectful manner may be
of great help to those who may be
affected by paranormal issues.
© 2008 - Gregory Myers, Paranormal
Task Force, Inc.
www.catchmyghost.com
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Alabama
Montgomery - Tutwiler Hotel
Alaska
Skagway - Golden North Hotel
Arkansas
Eureka Springs - Crescent Hotel
Arizona
Flagstaff - Monte Vista Hotel
Douglas - Gadsden Hotel
Phoenix - Hotel San Carlos
Prescott - Hotel Vendome; Hassayampa
Inn
Scottsdale - The Hermosa Inn
California
Carmel-by-the-Sea - La Playa Hotel
and Cottages
Coloma - Sierra Nevada House
Coronado - Hotel del Coronado
Grass Valley - Holbrooke Hotel
Groveland - Groveland Hotel
Healdsburg - Madrona Manor
Hollywood - Hollywood Roosevelt
Hotel
La Jolla - Grande Colonial Hotel
Long Beach - Queen Mary Hotel
Mendocino - Mendocino Hotel and
Garden Suite
Napa - Napa River Inn
San Jose - Hyatt Hotel St. Claire
Mendocino's Sea Rock Inn
San Luis Obispo - Paso Robles Inn
Santa Monica - Georgian Hotel
Ventura - Pierpont Inn
Colorado
Denver - Brown Palace Hotel
Estes Park - Stanley Hotel
Connecticut
Griswald - Homespun Farm
New London - Lighthouse Inn
Florida
St. Augustine - Casa de la Paz
Tampa/St. Petersburg - Don Cesar
Beach Resort and Spa
Georgia
Augusta - The Partridge Inn
Jekyll Island - Jekyll Island Club
Hotel
Illinois
St. Charles - Hotel Baker
Iowa
Bentonsport - Mason House Inn
Louisiana
New Orleans - 1891 Castle Inn; Hotel
Maison de Ville; Le Pavilion; Delta
Queen Steamboat
St. Francisville - Myrtles Plantation
Massachusetts
Boston - The Omni Parker House
Salem - The Hawthorne Hotel
Michigan
Marquette - The Landmark Inn
Mississippi
Natchez - Monmouth Plantation
New York
Bolton Landing - The Sagamore
Grand Island - Holiday Inn
North Carolina
Asheville - Grove Park Inn Resort
and Spa
Chapel Hill - Carolina Inn
Ohio
Cincinnati - Hilton Cincinnati Netherland
Plaza
Oregon
Portland - The Heathman Hotel
Pennsylvania
Bethlehem - Hotel Bethlehem
Gettysburg - Farnsworth House Inn
Texas
San Antonio - Menger Hotel
Galvez Hotel - Galveston
Vermont
Manchester Village - The Equinox
Washington
San Juan Islands - Rosario Resort
Washington, DC
Omni Shoreham Hotel; Hay-Adams Hotel;
Renaissance Mayflower Hotel
Wisconsin
Fond du Lac - Ramada Plaza Hotel
Milwaukee - Pfister Hotel
Wyoming
Casper - Ivy House Inn
Cheyenne - The Plains Hotel
Jackon Hole - The Wort Hotel
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