CONSCIOUSNESS

5. Experiential Approaches 199
to clarify the different uses and modifications of the term “fantasy” in the course of the discoveries
realized by Freud during his life long work. An analysis of the investigation revealed
three descriptive complex principle themes, which at times can be contradictory, yielding
and subjugating with constant redefinition, which characterizes the fantasy as a symptom,
a creation and an enigma of generational transmission. Fantasy exists in various forms in
psychism - including hallucinatory realization; trauma and erogenous function; psyche activities
as symptom, creation and art; primordial fantasies as philogenesis and ontogenesis; as
enshrouded memories; as infancy sexual investigation and as consolation: the daydreams,
the make believe. The conclusion corroborates the presumption that life does not make sense
without the capacity to fantasize. The fantasy: occupies a place of fundamental importance in
Freudian thought; presents as an essential element in the constitution of psychism and reveals
horizons for researchers of psychoanalysis to amplify their investigations leading to further
revealing of the psyche. At this time, the thoughts regarding Freud’s Works are completely
contemporary. P11
301 The Potential Therapeutic Benefit of Mediumship Readings in the Treatment of
Grief Chad Mosher, Julie Beischel, PhD; Mark Boccuzzi
(The Windbridge Institute, Tucson, AZ)
Grief is a natural experience among people of every culture. Unresolved or complicated
grief, however, can yield detrimental effects for some individuals including increased morbidity
and mortality (e.g., Schaefer et al., 1995; Shahar et al., 2001; Stroebe et al., 2007).
Over the past four decades, stage models of grief were posited (e.g., Kubler-Ross, 1969)
which, in turn, were adopted by psychotherapists. Viewed as pathological within a stagemodel,
unresolved grief is treated in traditional psychotherapy sessions with a goal of “working
through the stages,” and resolving the sense of loss. In a recent meta-analysis of traditional
psychotherapeutic grief treatment outcomes, Currier, Neimeyer, and Berman (2008)
revealed a “discouraging picture for bereavement interventions” (p. 656) which added “little
to no benefit beyond the participants’ existing resources and the passage of time” (p. 657). In
sharp contrast, non-traditional interventions and experiences have been repeatedly demonstrated
to dramatically diminish or even entirely alleviate grief (e.g., Botkin, 2000; Drewry,
2003; Hastings et al., 2002; LaGrand, 2005; Parker, 2005). These include both spontaneous
and induced experiences of after-death communication (ADC). Although ADCs have been
described as “paranormal” and “extraordinary,” or associated with delusion and psychopathology,
several researchers have found that ADCs are universal in nature and usually healing,
comforting, and beneficial (e.g., Drewry, 2003; Houck, 2005; Klugman, 2006; Sanger,
2009). Conversely, though anecdotal reports exist regarding the positive and profound effects
a reading with a psychic medium can have on the bereaved, no systematic studies have been
published investigating the potential therapeutic effects of a personal mediumship reading
from a modern-day, non-denominational, mental medium. The use of mediumship readings
in the treatment of grief may provide advantages over traditional grief counseling interventions,
non-traditional methods, and spontaneous experiences for several reasons. First, readings
may be less frightening, less intimidating, and easier to understand than more personal,
spontaneous ADC experiences. Second, the scheduled and regulated environment of a reading
makes it well-suited as a controlled and prescribable treatment option. Third, a reading may be
preferred for individuals who long for contact but have not experienced it. Finally, a medium
serves as a non-judgmental participant in the experience who will not disparage, disbelieve,
or pathologize the experiences of the bereaved. An exploratory collection of reports from individuals
who received mediumship readings (n=83) indicated noteworthy relief from grief. In
addition, the subset of participants (n=29) who also worked with a mental health professional
(MHP) reported comparatively greater satisfaction and relief after their mediumship reading.
Participants’ verbatim comments will be discussed regarding the short- and long-term effects
of a mediumship reading, negative experiences with a MHP, and the importance of the combination
of the two interventions in recovery. The absence of effective treatments for grief
and the trends from these exploratory data warrant further study into the potential therapeutic
benefits of mediumship readings in the field of grief psychology. We recommend controlled