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Yes. IADC Therapy is a focused and time-limited intervention, and for the majority of clients, the core process unfolds across just two 90-minute sessions. These sessions are designed to bring about emotional relief and, often, a profound shift in the grieving experience.

Before the two IADC sessions take place, clients first complete a separate screening appointment to determine appropriateness and readiness for the process. Occasionally, especially in more complex grief cases or when the grief is compounded by trauma, an additional session may be needed to support completion.

IADC can still be highly effective even if you’re not currently feeling intense sadness. In fact, many clients begin the process believing they've “moved on,” only to discover—once processing begins using eye movements or other bilateral stimulation—that they still carry sadness beneath the surface. IADC gently accesses that deeper emotional layer, often allowing for powerful healing and reconnection to unfold.

No, IADC therapy is not a form of mediumship, nor does it involve any kind of third-party spiritual intermediary. The process is a structured, clinically grounded method that facilitates the internal processing of grief using eye movements or other bilateral stimulation. Many clients report experiences during IADC that they interpret as meaningful or even spiritual in nature—including perceptions of connection with deceased loved ones. However, the Institute takes neither a metaphysical or materialist stance on these experiences. Our role is not to define their ultimate nature, but to ensure the process is safe, respectful, and healing for those who seek it.

We’re continually expanding our global network of IADC therapists. If you don’t see someone in your area, check back soon—or share this site with a trusted therapist in your life. Many therapists come to IADC training through personal referrals and client interest.

Additionally, some therapists offer IADC therapy via telehealth, making it accessible across greater distances. However, it’s important to ensure that licensing laws allow for this, depending on the specific locations of both the client and therapist at the time of treatment. Be sure to ask the therapist directly if online sessions are an option in your case.

IADC is a focused and emotionally intensive grief intervention. While a minimum of six months is typically recommended following the loss of a loved one, waiting closer to a year may be preferable in many cases. This is because deep emotional processing depends on the availability of sadness—and for many, especially those focused on keeping daily life afloat after a profound loss, that sadness may not yet be accessible. When day-to-day functioning demands all of a person’s internal resources, the natural grieving process can be delayed. It’s important that clients are able to access and tolerate emotional pain, remain present without becoming overwhelmed or shutting down, and stay psychologically safe throughout the IADC process.

A screening session is always conducted before IADC is scheduled. Therapists accept only those clients for whom the approach is likely to be safe, appropriate, and effective.

IADC can still be profoundly healing in cases where a loved one caused harm, but it’s essential to approach the process thoughtfully. It’s important to assess whether all parts of you are truly ready—and in agreement—to feel close and connected to that person. IADC tends to be most effective when a client has already done significant work to address the traumatic aspects of the relationship. When that groundwork has been laid, the process can sometimes bring a deeper sense of resolution, clarity, or even peace in surprising ways. If this may apply to you, be sure to discuss it openly with your IADC therapist during the screening process.

If you're not currently a good fit for IADC—due to timing, psychological readiness, or other factors—there are still many valuable paths forward. Working with a trusted therapist to process your grief, strengthen your emotional resilience, or address unresolved trauma can be deeply healing in its own right. In fact, this kind of preparatory work can lay a strong foundation for IADC therapy down the road. The most important thing is that you’re supported in your grief, wherever you are in your journey.