FAQ

SPIRIT receives a vast array of questions about our team, what we do, and the paranormal in general. We always answer all of the questions we are asked, but thought it might be beneficial to answer some of the more frequently asked questions on this page. Of course, if you have a question and don't see it addressed here, please ask!

Question:  How do I know what I am experiencing is something of a paranormal nature?

Answer:    This is somewhat of a 'trick' question. In the strictest sense, paranormal means "anything above the normal". In a more basic sense, paranormal means that if it can not be recreated in a controlled environment, it may (but not necessarily) be something of a paranormal nature. So, in response to this particular question, you really aren't going to  know if what you are experiencing is truly paranormal. Research and investigation is a viable means of determining that answer.

Question:  How do I choose the right Paranormal Investigation Group for my needs?

Answer:    There are several things to carefully consider should you choose to contact a paranormal group to investigate your home or property. Some of your questions or concerns may be answered by directly contacting the group or looking at the group's web site.  Some additional things to consider would be: How much experience have they had?  Do they charge for any of their services? Does the group seem more interested in the media coverage they have (or could get) versus their attitude and willingness to help your situation? Are they an actual registered business or organization (which would lend to the seriousness of that group in who they are and what they do)? If they have investigations or particular evidence for review on their web site (and some do not, simply due to client confidentiality issues!) look through it. If all you see are orbs in photos and lists of investigations of places that offer ghost tours to the public - be wary.  In addition, be careful of sites or groups that claim ALL spiritual activity is 'evil' or 'demonic' in nature, as this is simply an unproven belief and should never be stated as fact. The group you are considering should never, ever make you more afraid than before you enlisted their help.

Question:  What exactly is a Certified Paranormal Investigator (CPI/CLPI)?

Answer:    A CPI (Certified Paranormal Investigator) or a CLPI (Certified Leading Paranormal Investigator) is an investigator who has completed a course in paranormal studies through an accredited institution or college. However, in the paranormal field, there really are no experts.  Obtaining a certification such as a CPI or CLPI means that the individual who has these designations has taken the time to study the various facets of paranormal investigation and has passed the requirements of that particular course curriculum.

Question:  Am I crazy or am I just imagining things?

Answer:    Maybe you are, maybe you're not. This is one of the finest lines that we walk when taking on a potential case. There are times when the perceived activities are the result of overactive imaginations, mental health issues, animals, old or faulty construction, mechanical malfunction, atmospheric conditions, electromagnetic fields and sensitivity to those fields, substance influence (drugs, alcohol, prescription medication, etc), or naturally occurring phenomena. Other times, there is actually something out of the ordinary happening that does need to be examined further.

Question:  How much do you get paid to do this?

Answer:  Not a penny. All of SPIRIT's members are volunteers who are generous with their time, expertise, support, energy, and money to support our research efforts. SPIRIT is a registered non-profit organization (our 501(c)3 status is pending) . All of our research and investigations are conducted free of charge to clients. The financing of our organization is made possible through team member support, private donations, research grants, group sponsored fund-raising events, educational seminars, and SPIRIT endorsed partnerships. All funds collected go directly towards the expenses involved with our research efforts. Once our tax exempt status is granted, any donations received by SPIRIT will be tax deductible to those generous enough to help support our efforts.

Question:  Will SPIRIT analyze a photo, video, or audio recording I took?

Answer:  We are always honored when someone asks us for help. We will be happy to take a look at or listen to what you have. However, beyond doing just that, we would be very hard pressed to make any type of judgment call on it. Why? Simply because we have no way of verifying the conditions surrounding the collection of the source material.

Question:  Do you believe in ghosts? Have you ever seen one?

Answer:  Not everyone on our team firmly believes in or has seen ghosts or spirits, and not all of us have had paranormal experiences either. What we all do believe (as a collective), is that things do indeed happen that cannot be easily explained away, which is why we try to discover the truth behind it.

Question:  Why can't you just help me through email? Why do you have to come to my house to investigate?

Answer:  Think about the answer to that question in this context: Would you expect a doctor, who has never seen you, to treat you via email or phone based solely on what you describe your problem to be? No, you would not. How about an electrician? A Plumber? Not a chance. The same principle applies here. You can tell us all day long about the noises in your home, the feelings that you get of being watched, and that your television turns on by itself every night at midnight...but without being able to see the area, listen, investigate and experiment, we are completely unable to diagnose the situation, and for that matter, try to rectify it.

Question:  Why is there little or no evidence from your investigations shown on your website?

Answer:  One of the most important protocols that SPIRIT upholds is the privacy of those who seek our help. We will never publish any evidence from an investigation without written consent of a client. Most people have a difficult enough time bringing themselves to the point of telling someone about a paranormal experience in the first place.  We take the utmost care and consideration in respecting their privacy. It is really no different than viewing a hospital or a psychiatrist office website and not seeing any patient case files published for the general public to view. 

Question:  Can you help me get rid of whatever is haunting me or my property?

Answer:  We do our absolute best to try to help our clients learn how to to take back their lives by whatever means we have at our disposal. In certain circumstances, it may be necessary to enlist outside assistance if the situation warrants it and the client is in total agreement with our plan of action.

Question:  What is a poltergeist? Is it a ghost?

Answer:  There are many definitions on that depending on who you ask. The two main camps are the 'malicious spirit activity' side, which would suggest that a poltergeist is indeed a ghost or spirit, and the 'PK (Psychokinesis) activity' meaning that the activity is unknowingly being generated by a specific individual (usually a pubescent child) in the household and not a random spirit.

Question:  I watch all of the paranormal television shows, like Ghost Hunters, Paranormal State, Ghost Adventures, etc. Is SPIRIT affiliated with any of them? What's the difference between SPIRIT and those guys on television?

Answer:  This is our favorite question! First, let us start by saying that we all love watching these types of shows ourselves. But honestly, this is where a majority of the similarities between the television groups and SPIRIT ends. That being said, we would certainly like to point out the similarities, as well as the differences. Most investigators and researchers utilize pretty much the same equipment and use the same methodology for research and investigations that you see on television. We are not 'hunters'. We are researchers and investigators. Most (unfortunately not all) investigators and researchers are primarily concerned with the client and their privacy, well being and comfort. We certainly are. Some are simply in the field for some type of notoriety. We are not.

Beyond what is shown on television, we also collect and record data pertaining to our surroundings, such as lunar, solar, geomagnetic, and atmospheric conditions. Over time, we hope to be able to note any correlations between these factors that may be contributing to or even causing what people are experiencing. We share these findings with other reputable research teams across the globe in the hope of finding answers by working together for a common goal.

We are not affiliated with any of the televised groups, although we are looking into it to see if there are any benefits in doing so. Publicity and notoriety is not a benefit in our view.

Question:  What are your opinions and views about other paranormal groups? Do you collaborate or avoid them?

Answer:  SPIRIT is extremely open to collaborating and sharing with other paranormal groups. We accept and respect the different approaches and methods that other groups may use. No one person or group has all the answers. Only by working together and "pooling our resources" can we truly be successful. We refuse to compete with other groups, nor be caught up in petty rivalries between other groups. We will always maintain our focus on discovery and the assistance of our clients.

Question:  Can I join SPIRIT?

Answer:  Please click here.

Question:  What advice could you offer me if I wanted to be a "ghost hunter"?

Answer:  Great question. First, ask yourself "WHY do I want to do this?" Some do it for the "thrill". Some do it for possible fame and notoriety.  Others genuinely want to learn something about the unseen world around them. Still, others just have "the calling".

If you are simply looking to become a "weekend warrior", then this may not be something you would want to pursue. Many would-be investigators have spend a lot of time, energy and money purchasing equipment and lining up investigations, only to end up dropping everything when they find out that it does not work like it does on television. People seeking instant gratification should stay as far away from doing this as possible.

Our best advice would be to do your homework! Try to seek out an existing team that will let you participate in a few investigations. Lots of factors go into a single investigation, and even more for operating in this field. Lots of things can and do happen at a site and you may not as prepared to deal with them as you thought you were. After the preliminary research, after counseling the clients, after setting up miles of cable and equipment, after sitting in a dark room for hours talking to something or someone who may or may not be there and hoping for a response of some kind, after packing up all your equipment, and even after hours upon hours of going over the audio, video and photos taken during the investigation, only to find that you've captured nothing remotely paranormal, and you've done this routine several times, only then you can honestly assess if this is something not many people are cut out to do. It is definitely not for everyone.

Question:  I don't want to be a team member - I just want to come on an investigation with you. Can I do that?

Answer:  We are hoping in the future to be able to offer open public investigations. This arena is still on the slab. Please keep checking the Events page for updates on this and other public participation events.

Question:  Can I link to your website? Can I advertise on your website, newsletter, or forum?

Answer:  We currently have a banner/link exchange page that you are more than welcome to link to. The only advertising we allow is for affiliated programs, where SPIRIT has the opportunity to earn funding through sales with that particular affiliate partner.

Question: How do I contact SPIRIT or Team Members for interviews, speaking events, etc.?

Answer:  By clicking here.