Karen Herrick says APA book validates life-after-death research

By AI, Created 10:02 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Addiction therapist and grief counselor Karen E. Herrick, PhD, used a recent Close Up Radio interview to argue that new American Psychological Association material strengthens long-running research on consciousness after death. Herrick is updating her seminars and outreach as she pushes psychology to discuss spiritual experiences more openly.

Why it matters: - Karen E. Herrick, PhD, says the American Psychological Association’s 2023 book on death and consciousness gives scientific legitimacy to questions many grieving people already raise. - Herrick argues that broader acceptance could reduce stigma for people who report spiritual experiences involving deceased loved ones. - The shift could affect grief counseling, child-focused bereavement support and how therapists respond to after-death communication claims.

What happened: - Close Up Radio recently featured Rev. Karen E. Herrick, PhD, director of the Center for Children of Alcoholics, in an interview with Doug Llewelyn on Monday, April 30 at 1 p.m. Eastern. - Herrick discussed the APA’s 2023 book, “Death as an Altered State of Consciousness, a Scientific Approach,” as a turning point in how psychology treats consciousness after physical death. - Herrick is an author, educator and therapist who focuses on grief counseling and spiritual psychology.

The details: - Herrick says 40% to 50% of people in the U.S. have had some form of spiritual experience connected to a deceased loved one. - Herrick points to William James and Carl Jung as examples of early psychologists who explored spiritual and mediumship-related questions. - Herrick says Jung’s doctoral research was based on the study of a medium. - Herrick has updated her seminar, “Where Did They Go? Are They OK? A Review of Life Through So-Called Death,” to reflect the new attention on the topic. - Herrick prefers the word “transition” instead of “death” when discussing the end of life. - Herrick distinguishes spiritual experiences from hallucinations by describing spiritual encounters as vivid, emotionally uplifting and consistent over time. - Herrick says hallucinations tied to psychosis are more often marked by confusion, fear and grandiosity. - Herrick’s grief therapy encourages clients to explore intuition and imagination, including Jung’s idea of “active imagination.” - Herrick may suggest writing a letter inviting a dream visit or watching for signs and synchronicities. - Herrick cites examples such as sensing a presence, hearing a favorite song at the right moment or noticing electronics behaving oddly. - Herrick references the vagus nerve as a possible conduit for spiritual consciousness. - Herrick also points to chakras in spiritual traditions and the “silver cord” referenced in the Bible and by modern mediums. - Herrick trains mental health professionals to listen closely, share afterlife research resources and avoid platitudes like “time heals all wounds.” - Herrick says children grieve differently and often worry about the surviving parent. - Herrick recommends books and conversations about the soul for children, including her book “Grandma, What Is the Soul?” - Herrick says studies of near-death experiences suggest some people return with greater peace and joy. - Herrick offers workshops, books and private consultations for people interested in the science and spirituality of life after death.

Between the lines: - Herrick is using the APA’s publication to argue that psychology is catching up with beliefs and experiences many people already describe privately. - Her message blends spiritual language with clinical training, which could appeal to some grieving clients while challenging more traditional mental health norms. - The approach also reflects a broader debate inside psychology about where to draw the line between spiritual experience and mental illness.

What’s next: - Herrick says she expects psychology to move toward a Western model of spiritual therapy that includes discussion of signs, dreams and after-death communications. - She expects scientific language to become more common in conversations about spiritual realities. - Herrick plans to keep offering educational presentations, workshops and consultations as interest in the topic grows.

The bottom line: - Herrick is betting that the APA’s latest attention to consciousness after death will make therapists more willing to discuss spiritual experiences without dismissing them.