I saw this article in the Beebee News titled “Amateur Ghost Hunters to Gather in Eureka Springs.” That immediately brought the question to mind: there’s such a thing as a professional ghost hunter?
I was not aware of that. What makes someone a professional ghost hunter?
Do they go to school for it? Do they get a degree in it? Are there tests they must pass and certifications they must acquire? Is there yearly continuing education they must obtain like doctors, lawyers, and accountants have to to maintain their degrees and licenses?
Is it the equipment? Do people who shell out thousands of dollars for fancy thermal imagers and IR cameras automatically elevate themselves from amateur ranks to professional?
Is it the time they put in? Those who have been hunting for years have gained valuable experience, but does that alone earn them the title of pro?
Oh, I know what it is! Anyone with a TV show must be a pro! After all, amateurs wouldn’t be given airtime. Riiiiight….
Come on, people. Who are you trying to kid? There is no such thing as a “professional” ghost hunter, just like there’s no such thing as an “expert” ghost hunter. In the end, everybody’s an amateur –some have just been in the game longer than others.
If you consider yourself a professional ghost hunter, do me a favor. No, do yourself a favor. Drop the fancy adjective and just say “ghost hunter” or “paranormal investigator.” Quit trying to impress people. All you’re doing is making those of us who have your number laugh at you and see you as the unprofessional you are.
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
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No real arguement from me. But TECHNICALLY there are those who manage to make money doing it. Sometimes it is by honest means (books, seminars, appearances) and others who charge for such novelties as house cleansings.
So if a person makes a living (or at least enough money to report it to the IRS) I suppose by legal definition they are a professional. Patti Starr is a perfect example. She is by all definitions a professional ghost hunter (whether one agrees with her methods and findings or not).
Yes, true. They make money at it and there are a lot of them out there who host large ghost hunts, give talks, write books and generally make money off of hunting. Although some want to attribute certification to it, it’s like being a psychic. You can hang a shingle and it’s official. Even if I hunt until I’m in my 70s and I’ve written books and been paid to talk about ghost hunting, I would never refer to myself as a professional ghost hunter. I wouldn’t mind, however, if I could have some neat initials after my name, perhaps Autumnforest, G.H.
Heehee
Yeah, what Wes said. 🙂 I suppose there are some who technically could be called “professionals”. But no, not “experts”, since we’re ALL still guessing or theorizing. I had someone question me re my “qualifications”. The person had a PhD in Parapsychology. Guess what? There is NO recognized or accredited PhD program in Parapsychology (or Cryptozoology for that matter).
What “qualifications” do I have to call myself a Cryptozoologist or Monster Hunter? The same ones that Loren Coleman, John Keel, Nick Redfern, Josh Gates, Karl Shuker, Jacques Vallee, Frank Edwards, et al have/had: A burning desire and interest.
GHOST HAUNTERS SAY IT IS DONATION ONLY? IF YOU WHANT TO BELIVE IN THAT.
GREAT comments everyone! Shoot, I thought I was just ranting and that would be that. Didn’t expect all the great insights.
Wes brings up an interesting point and one I didn’t even consider: if you’re paid does it make you professional then? I still say No. I see people like Patti Starr as authors, not professional ghost hunters. Yes, she hunts and is psychic, etc, BUT…the biggest problem is “ghosts” still don’t technically exist. The idea of them do, but since there is no concrete proof of one….how can you be a professional then? If you get paid for books and appearances, you’re an author and a speaker.
You can call yourself a ghost hunter, sure, but “pro”??? I still contest no. Ridiculous moniker.
I loved all the insights and comments you all left, though. Thanks so much for giving my brain more to consider!
Oh, and Gummerfan: AMEN! Good call. Yes, you can call yourself a monster hunter because of the love. But you’ve never tried to pass yourself off as pro. You are just down to earth and wonderful. Not pretentious like some people try to be!
With people like Patti Star can we not use the “which came first, the chicken or the egg?” theory to explain professional. I am suggesting that it might have been that these “professionals” became that way after their popularity increased either through their work, appearances, or both. With the increased popularity comes the fees for services rendered. It really comes down to supply and demand. If there was no demand then the supply end would have to lower their prices or stop charging a fee altogether. Tough pill to swallow when you make the move to “professional”.
In my experience talking with people in the paranormal community a “professional” is someone that makes the talk circuit but offers very little in the way of true advancement in community. Selling books and speaking of hauntings past, do very little to move this field forward. So call yourself “professional” if you want. I will be working hard in the background as an amateur to advance this community.
LOL Brenda! You can always tell them, “Courtney Mroch says you don’t exist.” Just kidding. Well, now you’ve raised a new kink in my theory. I “feel” things but I’m no medium. I don’t talk to the dead. I know people such as yourself say they do, though. So…that makes my comment insensitive. But I think you understood where I was going. I didn’t mean to offend if I did. Maybe one day someone will develop a way for the rest of us who don’t have your talent to see what it is you see and have irrefutable proof.
Chuck: AMEN! YES! What you said is how I feel. THANK YOU for putting it into words!
I agree with you entirely. There are many very knowledgable and experienced people in this field but there is no regulatory board or standard education that can back up someone’s claim that they are professional.
Yes, Jessica, YES! That’s what I’m trying to get at. Without any “standards” how can there truly be professionals. Thank you!
LOL Brenda. It’s very interesting having your psychic perspective on all this. You raise a lot of interesting issues. (And so glad I didn’t offend!) And also LOL re the cleaning…I could use that service too!
SOME GHOSTHAUNTERS DO IT BY DONATIONS. ISTHAT TRUE?. COURTNEY
LOL GREAT! Thanks, Brenda!
And thanks for making me realize I hadn’t answered Andy’s comment. Yes, some groups do ask for donations like Brenda allueded to, Andy. Most are like Brenda and are more trying to help than worrying about mula.
Oh, and not only did me and Murph have fun but the cats got in on it too, Brenda. So crazy! Hope you have fun with your snow too. 😉
ST.LOUIS MO HAD SDAYNOW TOO.!!!!!!! THE ROADS WER BAD YESTERDAY MORNING.
st.louis had snow too!!!!!! yesterday. the roads wer bad in the morning.
Yikes! Hope they’re better now and you didn’t have to go out in it!
YES. IWENT TO WORK THATDAY. WENT SLOW ON THE ROAD,
Smart! Glad you made it around safe and sound!
I don’t personally think anyone could be called a professional ghost hunter. There are indeed professional parapsychologists and associated researchers who get paid by educational bodies, and there are successful writers in the field of the paranormal, but I doubt they would want to be labelled as professional ghost hunters.
TV programmes like TAPS in the USA and Most Haunted over here (UK) have spawned a thriving industry of companies offering everything from organised overnight ghost investigation events (paid of course) right through to – how shall we say this? – enthusiastic amateurs who offer their “services” free of charge and will come and investigate your property. So common place have ghost hunting teams become there are several insurance companies offering specifically designed insurance policies.
I find it particularly cute when these teams purchase T Shirts and Baseball Caps for their members emblazoned with their team logo. This must be very comforting for the owners of the properties they are investigating when their neighbours see a truckload of T shirt clad people disembarking with assorted bits of electronic equipment. I would imagine it would look like a SWAT team raid.
Oh, Dave, thanks so much for stopping by with your comment. I loved it. I was nodding in agreement the whole time. Until your last few sentences. Then I was howling. The last line in particular. My poor cat who was sleeping on the desk jumped I laughed so hard.
My pleasure – this is an excellent website. I will be back to have a look around again if I may?
Heck ya! Anyone who is not only so nice but so funny is welcome any time! I will also be paying your site visits in the future. Glad I found it thanks to you making it known to me. It’s a fantastic resource!