SPAE Mission

SPAE encourages licensed professionals to educate themselves on this complex subject. Training consists of: (1) learning about the history of psychiatry and psychology; (2) pointing out what led the field of psychiatry to claim a biological cause for mental disorders when no conclusive evidence was (or is) available; (3) noting the limitations of the epistemology used by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM); (4) supporting the healing and integrating process for those who have encountered the strange; and (5) maintaining a safe space for these same clients to empower their narrative.

SPAE members are encouraged to be proponents of communities that uphold the credibility of their members in sharing their unusual stories. This includes: (1) taking bold steps to professionally associate with these communities; (2) advertising to the public; and (3) educating others.

Many licensed professionals who serve the UFO and paranormal populations feel isolated. They feel it important to live in secret, which eventually increases stress and suffering. SPAE provides a supportive network to its professional members so that they do not feel alone.

SPAE offers training, individual consultation, and support programs to equip therapists as they serve the front lines to what will hopefully become a more honoring and non-pathological stance on human diversity of experience.