Paranormal Investigations

I have been investigating cases of apparitions, hauntings, and poltergeists, as well as assessing psychics and mediums, and looking into other psychic/paranormal experiences since 1979. My fieldwork has been essential to most of my non-fiction books and articles. 

On this page, you'll find information about the Office of Paranormal Investigations Network. I/we mainly investigate reported cases of apparitions, hauntings, and poltergeists (see the FAQ tab here on the website for explanation of what is included in those categories). Additionally, we may be involved in assessing individual psychic practitioners (including spirit mediums) for validity and ability. I/we are also interested in learning of people's psychic experiences in general, though this is more for research and rarely ever requiring investigation (other than possible interviews).

For other topics considered paranormal or unexplained, such as UAPs/UFOs, cryptids, etc., we will try to provide a good referral.

 To request a potential investigation, use the Contact form on this website or email profparanormal@gmail.com -- but please read below for what you should include in such a request. 

Required to be included in any request:

1. Name and the City/State if in the US. [If outside the US, do include your location for possible referral]

2. Contact email

3. Basic description of the activity/experience(s), including the following:

• What happened?
• When did it happen intially?
• What is the most recent occurrence (when)?
• How often does it happen?
• Where does it happen?
• Who experienced this?

 Once I have that information, I or someone else identifying themself as from the Office of Paranormal Investigations will get back to you (though the intial reply will most likely come from me).

Note Four important things:

1. We must have a phone, Zoom, or other platform conversation before final determination. This allows us to get a real sense of what has been/is going on and to explore the next steps.

2. We explore normal explanations (those sometimes still unusual ones)  for each individual event reported as well as the overall case. No case is automatically assumed to be paranormal/psychic in nature. If you are not in agreement with this approach, we would not consider an investigation.

3. We do not take a religious approach at all, though we do respect the religious beliefs of others. However, religious interpretations (such as "it's a demon!") can get in the way of the investigative process, our offering of potential resolutions, and even the acceptance of what we uncover (paranormal or normal explanations) by our clients, rendering our investigation without value to the clients. 

4. We will likely decline an investigation if 

• a) the location is out of area for all in our network though we will typically try to find a more local referral for you AND/OR work with you virtually in such cases
• b) the activity has not occurred at least somewhat recently. All too often, activity ceases or is one-time, leaving no good rationale for an investigation. However, I/we will attempt to offer some information to help explain the reported activity.
• c) the clients are not open to exploring non-paranormal explanations for individual events or the overall case
• d) the clients are not open to exploring explanations outside of their own conclusions, especially ones with religious overlays

Check out my books for full explanations of how an investigation based in parapsychology should go (NOT what you see on reality TV). Read the FAQ on the website first. For detailed examples of how my investigations work (and some great paranormal cases), check out my book A PARANORMAL CASEBOOK: Cases from a Parapsychologist's First 25 (or So) Years

Founded in 1989 by Loyd Auerbach, M.S., OPI has consisted of parapsychological investigators and consultants who are interested in exploring experiences and situations that people might consider ”psychic,” “paranormal,” “extrasensory,” “spiritual,” or related to these.

OPI is essentially a network of investigators and experienced individuals in the field.

Our primary areas of investigation involve sightings of apparitions (ghosts), unusual happenings in homes or offices or other locations that people have felt are “haunted,” and poltergeist situations, where there are reported unusual physical effects or movement of objects. In addition, OPI is interested in other forms of psi, such as what has been alternately labeled “extrasensory perception” and “extended perception” (including precognition, clairvoyance, and telepathy), psychokinesis (PK -- mind over matter), psychic healing, reincarnation, near death experiences, out of body experiences, trance channeling and medium-ship, and other psychic experiences and practices.

OPI draws on the investigative and research traditions of Parapsychology, psychical research, and other fields of science to provide information and consulting services for the general public, Media, Business, the Legal Community, Law Enforcement, Realtors, and other specialized audiences, and is also very interested in potential applications of psi experiences in those arenas.

OPI uses currently acceptable scientific methods of investigation. OPI staff investigate the problems reported, first looking for any and all “normal” explanations before assuming a paranormal one, then offer recommendations and service with respect to dealing with the phenomena or experiences. While it is effectively impossible to prove the existence of psychic phenomena in these situations, given the current state of science and technology, OPI investigators have been successful in assisting people to understand such experiences and, when appropriate, in eliminating the phenomena. 

Note that Mainstream Science is finally looking at the question of Consciousness itself (what it is), though there is no succinct, agreed-upon definition.  Parapsychology has been studying attributes of Consciousness (ESP & PK), as well as the question of Survival of Consciousness beyond the death of the body, for over a century.

OPI does provide a thorough investigation in such cases and an understanding of what is most likely happening, but NO ONE CAN GUARANTEE the removal of such phenomena. Our first obligation is to assist our clients through such situations and to provide advice and/or referrals based on our findings in their cases. Most OPI clients have reported successful resolution of their paranormal experiences. 

In addition, the specifics of all residential investigations are kept confidential, except those where clients have explicitly stated otherwise (in other words, we do not refer Media directly to our clients without explicit permission of said clients). Investigations at businesses and locations open to the public may or may not be held confidential, depending on what the owners request and whether the location has a publicly-known "haunted" history.

OPI Investigators

Investigators in the OPI Network are those who:

1) Have taken parapsychological field investigation courses (and other Parapsychology courses) from Loyd Auerbach or colleagues. Most of the OPI investigators are former students of Auerbach's who have gone through training/education at HCH Institute (Lafayette, CA, running from 2005-2018) or the Rhine Education Center (online courses, www.rhineedu.org, starting in 2014 and currently being offered).

2) Have demonstrated expertise and knowledge in parapsychological field investigation and Parapsychology (vetted by Loyd Auerbach) 

3) Have been involved in the field of Parapsychology/Psychical Research

Additionally, certain psychic practitioners (psychics and mediums) have been vetted by Loyd Auerbach or his colleagues for work in OPI Investigations.

Note that while investigators are spread throughout the US, with a few in other countries, the number is not huge and the geographical coverage is not extensive.

To request a potential investigation, use the Contact form on this website or email profparanormal@gmail.com

Other Services

Besides investigative services, OPI and Loyd Auerbach provides consulting for:

1) Media people who need information on psychic events and experiences (our largest group of consulting clients).

2) Scientific researchers with need of expertise in stage magic and psychic fraud or investigative techniques.

3) Businesspeople who consult intuitives and other psychic practitioners.

4) Attorneys who may have cases involving Occult, supernatural, or psychic belief systems, or who may consult psychics for jury selection.

5) Law Enforcement personnel who may want assistance in working with psychic practitioners or need information regarding occult/supernatural beliefs and practices.

6) Public relations and Media coaching for researchers, investigators, and proprietors of publicly “Haunted” locations.

7) Magicians, Mentalists & Psychic Entertainers who wish good information about the paranormal.

8) Educators who wish to include information on parapsychologically related topics.

Referrals to experts are provided as available for experiences and situations related to other anomalistic fields, not considered part of parapsychology (i.e. UFOs, Cryptozoology, etc.). While some of our personnel are interested in and have knowledge of these areas, we do not actively investigate such reports.

OPI takes a proactive stance in getting reliable and accurate information on the paranormal out to the general public, the Media, and other interested parties. In the past, OPI has conducted workshops and lectures, as well as been involved in entertainment events, and will continue to do so in the future.

  To request a potential investigation or consultation, use the Contact form on this website or email profparanormal@gmail.com