Adjustment and the near-death experience: A conceptual and therapeutic model

Abstract

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.

Grief among near-death experiencers: pathways through religion and meaning

“…During this period of time, the NDEr tries to make sense of what has happened to him/her and what the experience means to his/her life (Atwater, 2006;Furn, 1987;Wilde & Murray, 2009). Although this process of integration is fraught with difficulty, it often results in great realisations about oneself and life (Atwater, 2006;Furn, 1987;Morris & Knafl, 2003;Wilde & Murray, 2009). For instance, NDErs tend to become more flexible in their ideas about religion, as well as perceive life and death with a greater philosophical and purpose-driven frame of reference than they have ever had before their experience (Atwater, 2006).…”

“…However, these changes are not instantaneous as they often take several years to unfold (Atwater, 2006;van Lommel, van Wees, Meyers, & Elfferich, 2001), which may be due to the challenging and laborious process that NDErs undergo when trying to understand this event (Atwater, 2006;Morris & Knafl, 2003;Wilde & Murray, 2009). Furn (1987) described this adjustment period as a kind of culture shock where NDErs' adjust to a world in which their frame of reference, beliefs, values and attitudes conflict. Once these individuals resolve their issues and are able to integrate their NDE into their lives, however, they emerge from this awakening with a renewed perspective on the world (Atwater, 2006;Furn, 1987;Morris & Knafl, 2003).…”

“…Furn (1987) described this adjustment period as a kind of culture shock where NDErs' adjust to a world in which their frame of reference, beliefs, values and attitudes conflict. Once these individuals resolve their issues and are able to integrate their NDE into their lives, however, they emerge from this awakening with a renewed perspective on the world (Atwater, 2006;Furn, 1987;Morris & Knafl, 2003).…”

Leaving It All Behind to Travel

“…In light of the topic of the current study, it is interesting to note that some researchers have drawn a comparison between a traumatic brush with death and culture shock, as both phenomena shatter assumptions and can change the worldview (Furn, 1987;Montuori & Fahim, 2004). Taking these existing theories and the current findings into account, it is questionable if confronting mortality, leaving everything behind to travel and facing fear within travel are in fact manifestations of a broader underlying precursor to growth; the courage to leave security and venture uncertainty.…”

Development of the knowledge and attitudes about near-death experiences scale (KANDES).

“…In the aftermath of the experience, experiencers (NDErs) manifest characteristic psychological, spiritual, physical, and interpersonal aftereffects whereby they often report feeling transformed (Holden, 2012;Noyes, Fenwick, Holden, & Christian, 2009). They typically report that integrating these aftereffects into their subsequent lives is a difficult and isolating process (Furn, 1987;Holden 2012;Noyes et al, 2009). These challenges are exacerbated when they disclose their NDEs to confidants who respond with uncertainty, doubt, or even cynicism (Brumm, 2006;Holden, Kinsey, & Moore, 2014).…”