Strange sounds at night. Objects moving on their own. A persistent feeling of being watched. The sense that something—or someone—is in your space that should not be there.
If you are experiencing unexplained phenomena, you may also want to learn about signs from departed loved ones—sometimes what seems paranormal is actually communication from those who have passed.
For those experiencing unexplained phenomena, the question arises: who can help? Paranormal investigators occupy a unique space between skepticism and belief, using various methods to explore what might be happening and what might be done about it.
Here is what they actually do—and how to work with one if you need help.
What Paranormal Investigation Actually Involves
Beyond the TV Shows
Television has shaped public perception of paranormal investigation, but reality differs from entertainment. Real investigators:
- Spend more time waiting and documenting than experiencing dramatic encounters
- Use systematic approaches rather than wandering dark spaces theatrically
- Often find natural explanations for seemingly supernatural events
- Work to help clients, not produce content
- Approach the work with varying degrees of scientific rigor
The field includes everyone from strict skeptics seeking to debunk claims to psychic sensitives who experience spirits directly. Most working investigators fall somewhere between these poles.
The Investigation Process
While methods vary, most investigations follow a general framework:
Initial consultation: Discussing what you have experienced, gathering history, and assessing whether investigation is warranted
Research: Looking into the history of the location, previous events, and relevant context
Site visit: Exploring the space, often with equipment designed to detect anomalies
Documentation: Recording observations, equipment readings, and any phenomena that occur
Analysis: Reviewing evidence, considering alternative explanations, and drawing conclusions
Report and recommendations: Sharing findings and suggesting next steps
The goal is not necessarily to prove ghosts exist—it is to understand what might be happening and help the client respond appropriately.
Types of Paranormal Investigators
Scientific or Technical Investigators
These investigators approach the paranormal as a phenomenon to study:
Equipment-focused: Using electromagnetic field (EMF) meters, thermal cameras, audio recorders, motion sensors, and other devices to detect anomalies
Documentation-centered: Maintaining detailed records, timestamps, and chain of custody for evidence
Skeptical methodology: Seeking natural explanations before considering paranormal ones
Evidence-based conclusions: Only claiming paranormal activity when natural explanations have been reasonably excluded
This approach appeals to clients who want objective data and careful analysis.
Psychic or Sensitive Investigators
Some investigators rely on intuitive abilities:
Mediumship: Direct communication with spirits to understand who or what is present
Energy reading: Sensing the emotional or spiritual residue in a space
Clairvoyance: Receiving visual impressions about past events or present entities
Empathic sensitivity: Feeling what spirits or the space itself holds emotionally
These investigators may use less equipment but bring abilities that technology cannot replicate. Many clients find this approach provides more meaningful answers about why something is happening.
Integrated Approaches
Many serious investigators combine both:
- Technical equipment to document phenomena objectively
- Sensitive team members to perceive what instruments miss
- Research to provide historical context
- Multiple perspectives to cross-reference findings
This balanced approach often yields the most complete picture.
When to Consider Hiring an Investigator
Signs That Investigation Might Help
Not every odd occurrence requires investigation. Consider reaching out when:
Multiple unexplained events: Single strange incidents rarely warrant investigation, but patterns suggest something worth exploring
Disruptive activity: When phenomena are affecting your daily life, sleep, or sense of safety
Physical interactions: Objects moving, being touched, or doors opening on their own—especially when witnessed by multiple people
Consistent phenomena: Experiences that repeat in similar ways, times, or locations
Emotional distress: When you or family members are genuinely frightened or unsettled
Historical context: When you learn your property has significant history that might explain experiences
When Something Else Might Be Happening
Before assuming paranormal causes, consider:
Environmental factors: Carbon monoxide leaks can cause hallucinations and feelings of dread. Old wiring creates electromagnetic fields that some people sense. Infrasound from machinery can create unease without audible noise.
Psychological explanations: Sleep disorders, grief, medication effects, and mental health conditions can all produce experiences that feel paranormal.
Structural issues: Settling houses make sounds. Air pressure changes cause doors to move. Animals in walls create strange noises.
Pattern recognition: Human brains seek patterns and meaning. Sometimes the strange feeling is just a strange feeling.
Good investigators help sort through these possibilities rather than assuming everything unexplained is paranormal.
How to Find a Reputable Investigator
What to Look For
Experience and track record: How long have they been investigating? What cases have they handled?
Professional approach: Do they have a clear process, communicate well, and treat clients with respect?
Reasonable expectations: Are they honest about what they can and cannot determine?
No charges for basic investigation: Most legitimate investigators do not charge for residential cases—they investigate because they are genuinely interested in the phenomena
References available: Can they connect you with previous clients who can speak to their work?
Insurance and policies: Professional teams often carry liability insurance and have clear policies about confidentiality
Red Flags to Avoid
Be cautious of investigators who:
Charge high fees: While some expenses are reasonable, high upfront fees often indicate questionable practices
Guarantee results: No one can promise to find ghosts or guarantee paranormal activity
Claim they will "remove" spirits for a price: Legitimate help with unwanted activity does not usually come with a large invoice
Push religious frameworks: Unless you share their beliefs, investigators imposing specific spiritual interpretations may not serve you well
Seek publicity over client care: If they seem more interested in their social media presence than your situation, reconsider
Make dramatic claims quickly: Jumping to conclusions without thorough investigation suggests poor methodology
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
About their approach:
- What methods do you use?
- How do you distinguish between natural and paranormal explanations?
- What equipment do you bring?
- Do you have team members with psychic abilities?
About the process:
- What does an investigation involve?
- How long does it typically take?
- What will I receive afterward?
- What are your policies about confidentiality?
About your situation:
- Based on what I have described, what do you think might be happening?
- Have you handled similar cases?
- What outcomes can I realistically expect?
What to Expect During an Investigation
Before the Team Arrives
Prepare by:
- Documenting recent experiences with dates, times, and details
- Noting any changes in your home or life that coincided with activity
- Preparing to share the property history if known
- Deciding who will be present during the investigation
- Considering whether you want to be involved or let the team work independently
During the Investigation
Setup phase: Teams will walk through the space, set up equipment, and establish baseline readings
Active investigation: This may involve periods of quiet observation, using equipment to detect anomalies, or attempting communication with potential spirits
Your involvement: Some teams prefer homeowners present; others prefer working alone. Discuss preferences beforehand
Duration: Investigations can last several hours. Some teams conduct multiple visits over days or weeks
After the Investigation
Evidence review: Professional teams spend significant time reviewing recordings, photos, and data after leaving your home
Report preparation: Expect a summary of findings, including any evidence collected and conclusions drawn
Recommendations: If activity is confirmed, teams may suggest next steps—which might include mediums for communication, clergy for blessing, or simply adjusting how you relate to the activity
Follow-up: Good teams check in after providing their report to see how things have developed
If Something Is Really There
When investigation confirms unexplained activity, several paths forward exist:
Coexistence
Some presence is not harmful. Many people learn to live with minor activity once they understand it. A house with history is not necessarily a house to flee.
Communication
Working with a medium to understand who or what is present often shifts the dynamic. Spirits sometimes simply want acknowledgment. Understanding their story can transform fear into compassion.
Clearing or Blessing
If activity is unwanted, various traditions offer ways to clear space:
- Religious blessing or house cleansing
- Energetic clearing by practitioners who work with space
- Rituals from various spiritual traditions
- Simple boundary-setting through clear intention
The right approach depends on your beliefs and what resonates.
Seeking Additional Help
For persistent, distressing activity that resists other interventions, more specialized help exists—from exorcists within religious traditions to specialists who handle particularly challenging cases.
Most situations never reach this level. But knowing options exist provides reassurance.
Finding Paranormal Help on SpiriVerse
If you are experiencing unexplained activity in your home, SpiriAssist can help. Submit your case through our service and we will connect you with a vetted team of investigators, mediums, or spiritual practitioners suited to your specific situation—whether you need a full investigation, spirit communication, or energy clearing.
Our platform hosts professionals who approach this work with skill, ethics, and genuine care for your wellbeing. You deserve help that takes your experience seriously while helping you find understanding and peace.
Experiencing something unexplained? Submit a case to SpiriAssist and we will connect you with the right team to help you understand what is happening and what to do about it.
