Getting Help - How to Select a Paranormal Group
By Eric Martin

Probably one of the most common questions asked by someone who is experiencing paranormal phenomenon is, "Who do I turn to for help?" Most likely, there are at least a few concerns going through their head at the time...what should I look for, will they think I'm crazy, what will my neighbors/community think, can I trust these people, are they going to want money...the list goes on and on. Compounding the confusion of these questions, is the fact that there are thousands of paranormal groups just in the United States alone, and it seems like more are popping up on a weekly basis. Trying to find help can be a daunting task...to say the least, so here are a number of things to look for when seeking out the assistance of a paranormal group. Keeping these items in mind will help ensure that you have a positive experience, while keeping any new grey hairs to a minimum.

- Do they charge money for their services?
This is probably the first thing you should look out for. Asking for travel assistance if they are coming a great distance is one thing, but beware of groups and individuals who offer their services for a fee. Most "psychic advisors" fall into this category. As far as travel assistance goes...there are so many groups out there, you should be able to find at least one reputable group that is close enough to your location to not need reimbursement.

- Are they responsible?
There are many groups out there that jump into an investigation without thinking about the legal ramifications of investigating someone else's property...especially if it is a site where they will be unsupervised, such as may be the case at a historical location. They should have you agree to a right of access to the property. Again, written is best (suppose law enforcement were to show up wanting to know what they are doing), but a verbal agreement shows that they are at least taking it into account. Also, the group should be concerned about personal and group safety. If they have an equipment list online, look for items such as first aid kits. Also, find out if anyone on their staff has any first aid or other medical training. In general, a responsible group will be concerned with the legality and safety of what they are doing, with everyone's best interests in mind.

- Do they have some kind of non-disclosure agreement?
One of your biggest concerns may be your privacy. Make sure the group you select has a privacy/confidentiality policy. A written agreement is best, and may contain options to share the details of your case on their website or other outlet, if you so choose.

- Do they have an established Internet presence?
Most well-established groups will have a legitimate, professional looking website...in other words, not just a MySpace or Facebook page. Look for a proper URL, http://www.groupname.(com, org, or net). Also, the site should be not be hosted on a free, ad-supported service. This shows you that the group is willing to invest money in itself to convey a professional image. Therefore, it can be reasonably assumed that they take their work seriously.

- Are they active in the paranormal community?
A group that is truly committed to what they do will be more active than just going out on a weekend "ghost hunt". This is where the "ghost hunters" are differentiated from the true paranormal researchers and investigators. The latter will be engaged in research projects, provide information back to the community, and/or be involved in various paranormal gatherings. Many groups even hold charitable fund-raisers for haunted historic sites or other well-known haunted places.

- Do they proclaim to have all the answers or be able to "solve" your problem?
Paranormal research and investigation, due to it's nature, is not an exact science...yet! No one has all the answers about the unknown, and as such, also can not guarantee the elimination of what it is you may be experiencing. I like to call this one the "Ghostbusters Mentality"...a great movie, but just not realistic!