By: Hannah Scott
Many have experienced a link with a departed loved one, a connection beyond the tangible. Often dismissed as mere coincidence, it may be worth considering this connection as a manifestation of one’s intuitive abilities. Dr. Lenore Matthew, a Doctor of Social Work and expert on grief and psychic experiences, challenges established beliefs on what happens when a loved one passes away. Her research findings and clinical practice reveal a deeper connection beyond conventional understanding.
In 2020, Dr. Matthew’s life took a pivotal turn with the unexpected loss of her husband. Subsequently, she began experiencing visceral signs indicating his presence. As a scholar with a background in research, she initially attempted to deny and rationalize these occurrences. However, faced with the undeniable, she recognized this as an opportunity to explore her inherent ability to connect with departed loved ones, a latent skill she had opened up to in the face of loss.
Holding a Ph.D. and Master’s in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Dr. Matthew specializes in program evaluation, research, and evidence-based practice. Utilizing this background, her advocacy involves normalizing intuitive experiences and aligning them with clinical practices, setting forth a new, spiritual approach to grief healing.
In her pursuit of unraveling the mysteries of intuitive awakenings, Dr. Matthew conducted a groundbreaking study on mediumship awakenings following the loss of a loved one. Presented at the 65th Annual Parapsychological Association Convention in Oslo, Norway, the study highlighted how common and impactful the emergence of intuitive abilities after the loss of a loved one is.
Using community-based participatory techniques, the research aimed to unpack this phenomenon and its impact on psychological well-being, with the ultimate goal of aligning mental healthcare practices and recommendations accordingly.
The crux of Dr. Matthew’s work lies in its transformative impact on individuals navigating grief. Through her grief recovery practice, she guides clients in tapping into their intuitive abilities to foster ongoing connections with departed loved ones.
As Dr. Matthew explains, “Maintaining active, intuitive connections to our loved ones on the other side helps people through grief in both the short term and the long term. In the short term, it offers emotional protection and hope. In the long term, ongoing connections facilitate deep healing, resolution around the passing, and a way of moving forward together. In this sense, our loved ones become integrated into our lives in a new, very healthy, very human way. We continue to grow together.”
Lori, a previous client, attests to the transformative effects of Dr. Matthew’s programs. She shares, “By learning about my intuitive gifts, I learned about myself – and then how to carry this over to possibly helping others. Because intuitive development was something I had never explored, I was a little apprehensive about the program, not knowing what to expect. Lenore was very gentle with us and it all felt so safe, comfortable, and fun.”
Dr. Matthew‘s evolution from a research-focused social worker to a trailblazer in bereavement support emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration for therapeutic methods. Bringing forth a tangible imprint of mediumship on bereaved individuals’ healing journeys, she is advocating for aligning intuitive methods with traditional approaches to provide more effective, responsive, and heart-centered grief management.
Published By: Aize Perez
