Working With Psychics: Striking a Happy Medium

By Al Tyas, DCMAG

Recently there seems to be a trend when it comes to paranormal investigation
groups using psychics and mediums. Groups appear to follow two schools of
thought: "Old School" which mainly uses psychics and mediums on
investigations to communicate with the entities, and "new school" which uses
high-tech equipment and the latest scientific advances to track down the
entities. More and more newer novice group are coming with the stance they
refuse to use any sort of metaphysics to document paranormal activity,
despite the fact that hard science has proved nothing in the existence of
paranormal entities. Perhaps the pendulum is swinging too far to the science
side and as a result something pertinent may be missing!

DCMAG now has a "sensitive" on our team. A man with a gift passed through
his family for many generations. We feel very lucky to have this agent on
our team, and his contributions to the cases we work on are as vital to any
other members'. In his own quiet, humble way, he expresses his insights and
experiences, sharing them with both the group and the client. Having a man
like this on our team with a natural gift puts our clients at ease, and
often gives the closure needed to a restless soul as well as to the bereaved
loved ones or terrified residents still left with us. I feel privileged to
have him on our team.

Sadly, the reputation of sensitive people has somewhat plundered over the
past decade or so and has lost much credibility. Money making charlatans,
fame seekers and modern day dooms-day criers very much hurt the field of
Psychic Phenomenon. As a result, many people, despite still being intrigued
by psychics and mediums are refusing to use them on paranormal
investigations. On one hand it's understandable due to the somewhat
floundering reputation psychics have, but on the other hand truly gifted
people can be very strong assets to investigations.

The most important thing about using sensitive people is to remember they
are just one member of the team equal to all other members. I have been on
investigations where the case winds up revolving entirely around the medium
while little was being documented data-wise. This is where the problem
arises with too much emphasis on one aspect of the investigation and not
enough on others, similar to 5 people flocking over the infrared monitor
when one person is stuck handling the other equipment. It has to be made
clear that everyone has a job on an investigation and all jobs are equally
important.

My experience tells me there are a few things to look for when using a
sensitive on your team, and they're really not too much different from what
should be expected from the rest of your members. A good sensitive is
humble, and if they're picking nothing up they accept it and don't try to
force or fudge something. A good sensitive is honest, and will reveal only
what they are experiencing without exaggeration or drama tactics. A good
sensitive is adaptable, and will do other things for the team as needed, and
will be a team player. Finally a good sensitive is experienced. Everyone has
a certain degree of psychic ability, but to be considered a sensitive means
more. There should be some sort of training, either through a class or the
family. Most qualified sensitives do have people in their lives who have
taught them how to develop their gifts, and know how to use them.

So if you choose to use a sensitive on your team, treat him or her the same
as the rest of your team, but be aware they have special gifts. Psychics and
mediums have been used in many highly respectable jobs (law enforcement,
FBI, and even the medical field), and despite a few bad apples (that exist
in ALL professions, including paranormal investigators) they can be a very
strong asset to any team. In addition, since the main mission of a
paranormal group should be helping others, NO method of finding out what is
happening should be completely eliminated, metaphysical or not. A
good-hearted, qualified, and trained sensitive will never hinder an
investigation, and used positively as a team player can only help on an
investigation. So don't be so quick to turn away from sensitives and
psychics.

Thanks, Al

Visit Washington D.C. Metro Area Ghost Watchers

Conact Al Tyas here DC@the-atlantic-paranormal-society.com