Induced After Death Communication (IADC) Therapy
What Do We Mean by “After-Death Communication”?
Sometimes, after someone we love has died, we have moments where it feels like they are somehow near us. This is called an After-Death Communication, or ADC. People describe it in many ways — feeling a loved one’s presence, sensing a gentle touch, catching a familiar scent, hearing their voice, or seeing them in a vivid dream that feels “different” from an ordinary dream. Some notice meaningful signs or symbols in their daily life.
How IADC Therapy Can Help
Induced After-Death Communication (IADC) is a specialized therapy designed to ease the deep emotional pain that comes with grief — and often, it opens the door to experiencing your own sense of connection with the person who died.
The process typically involves two 90-minute sessions on back-to-back days (sometimes we add a third session if we both agree it’s needed). We use a gentle, modified form of EMDR therapy — a well-researched approach that helps the brain process emotional distress. First, we work to release the most intense feelings of grief, like sadness, guilt, fear, or anxiety. Then, in that calmer and more open state, many people naturally experience a feeling of contact or closeness with their loved one.
That moment looks different for everyone. Some people “see” their loved one, some feel a presence or hear words of reassurance, and others just have a profound knowing that their loved one is at peace. No two sessions are alike, but for many, this is one of the most meaningful experiences of their healing journey.
IADC works best when at least a year has passed since the loss, though some people between six months and a year may still be ready. If your loss is very recent (under six months), we would focus first on supportive grief counseling and return to IADC when you’re ready. There’s no time limit — even years later, IADC can bring comfort and healing.
What People Often Notice After IADC
Clients often share that they feel lighter, more at peace, and less consumed by grief. Many say it feels like unfinished business has been resolved — whether that means a chance to “say” goodbye, feel forgiven, or know their loved one is okay. Most importantly, people report a sense of closeness again, instead of just painful separation.
You don’t need to hold any particular belief for IADC to work. Some people see the experience as spiritual, others view it as psychological or neurobiological, but either way, the emotional relief is often the same.
The Research Behind IADC
IADC isn’t just anecdotal; it’s been studied. Research from the University of North Texas found that IADC helped participants significantly more than standard grief treatment. Additional studies in Italy and new research in Australia continue to support its effectiveness in easing grief.
Where It All Started
IADC was first developed by Dr. Allan Botkin in 1995 when he was working with veterans at the Chicago VA. His groundbreaking book Induced After Death Communication: A Miraculous Therapy for Grief and Loss tells the whole story of how this method came to be.
If you’d like to see what the process looks like, I recommend the award-winning documentary Living With Ghosts, which follows a widow’s journey through grief and her experience with IADC as part of a research study.
Frequently Asked Questions about IADC
Why are sessions scheduled on consecutive days?
Holding sessions back-to-back allows emotional material that surfaces after the first session to be explored while it is still fresh. Waiting longer often leads people to suppress or intellectualize their feelings, making it harder to access the openness needed for the process to work.
Is there a time of day you recommend for IADC?
Yes. Evening sessions, ideally around 8:00pm, are recommended when possible. IADC (and EMDR therapies in general) involve deep processing at the neurological level, which can leave clients mentally and emotionally tired. Scheduling later in the day allows you to rest and integrate the experience afterward, rather than immediately returning to work or other obligations. Daytime sessions are available and I will honor your request for daytime if needed, but evening sessions tend to make the most sense in my clinical opinion.
No. IADC does not depend on any particular belief system. What matters most is approaching the experience with openness and curiosity.
Where do ADCs come from?
IADC does not define the source of these experiences. Some clients view them as spiritual encounters, others as psychological or neurobiological events. Both perspectives can be equally healing.
How should I prepare for my session?
You do not need to do anything special to prepare, but there are ways to support yourself in being as open and receptive as possible. Research suggests that people who practice mindfulness or meditation may have an easier time entering the relaxed, emotionally present state that supports IADC work. You do not need to be an expert meditator—just a few minutes a day of simple breathing or guided meditation can be helpful.
In the weeks leading up to your session, try practicing quieting the mind by focusing on the breath, observing thoughts without judgment, and creating a gentle sense of openness. This helps train the mind to step out of its usual busy patterns, which makes it easier to access and process emotions during IADC.
If meditation or emotional openness feels difficult, I can provide additional support. We can schedule one or two counseling sessions prior to your IADC to practice mindfulness techniques together, helping you feel more grounded and prepared.
I also offer access to guided meditations you can use anytime to practice at home. Even a few minutes of daily practice in the days or weeks before your IADC session can improve your ability to relax and remain present, which may increase the likelihood of an ADC experience.
How soon after a loss can I participate in IADC?
IADC is most effective when at least a year has passed since the loss. In some cases, six months may be sufficient. If your loss is very recent, grief counseling is recommended first. There is no time limit because healing can take place even many years after a death.
Can I do IADC for the loss of a pet?
Yes. The process works for grief related to animal companions as well as human loved ones.
Can I do IADC if I didn’t personally know the person who died?
Yes, if the death was personally meaningful to you, such as a death you witnessed (e.g., accident). IADC is not intended for losses with which you have no connection, such as the death of a public figure.
Do I need to be actively grieving for IADC to work?
No. Many clients benefit even if they are not experiencing intense grief at the time of the session.
How does IADC help with grief?
Clients frequently report a profound reduction in sadness, a sense of resolution with the deceased, reassurance of their loved one’s wellbeing, and a renewed sense of connection.
Am I guaranteed to have an ADC?
No. An impressive 70–75% of clients do experience an ADC, but the primary goal of IADC is relief from grief. Even without an ADC, most clients report significant emotional healing.
What can prevent an ADC?
Over-effort, high expectations, or difficulty calming the mind can interfere. Relaxed openness, without trying to force the experience, gives the best chance for an ADC to occur.
What might an ADC be like?
Experiences vary widely. Some people feel a presence, smell a familiar scent, hear or see their loved one (inwardly or outwardly), or simply know they are connected. Most describe it as deeply moving and comforting.
Why must I be in New York State for sessions?
Because IADC is considered a psychotherapeutic service, it is subject to licensing laws. I can only work with clients who are physically located in New York State during the time of the sessions, whether attending in person or virtually. You do not need to live in New York State, but you must be in the state during the sessions.