Most mental health practitioners, and counseling psychologists in particular, possess skills for helping near-death experiencers. What is needed is a conceptual framework that is both familiar to practitioners and highly relevant to that client group. Cross-cultural counseling in general, and the consideration of world views more specifically, are suggested. Using that framework, the world view assimilated during the near-death experience (NDE) is viewed as being in contrast to that of the "old self," significant others, and the majority culture. The difficulties reported by NDErs are considered analogous to those associated with culture shock. The world views of the practitioner, NDEr, and relevant others should be taken into account in the formulation of psychoeducational and therapeutic interventions.The specific question being considered in this essay is: in what ways can counseling psychologists aid near-death experiencers (NDErs) in adjusting to the experience and its aftereffects? While the focus is on the particular skills and orientations of counseling psychologists, it is hoped that the model to be presented will prove useful to a wide variety of practitioners working in medical and other health-care settings. Each aspect of the question will be considered separately, with all relevant terms defined. The final section will suggest a paradigm from which to view the particular adjustment problems of the NDEr, and from which to draw appropriate intervention strategies.
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