Ghost & Spirit Case Study: The Presence at the Top of the Stairs

 

A couple from North Portland contacted me after a series of unsettling experiences in their 1910 bungalow. They had lived in the home for two years and had always felt comfortable there — until one night when their dog woke them with a low, persistent growl.

The dog was staring at the bedroom door, which faced the landing at the top of the stairs. After that night, he refused to sleep in their room and instead positioned himself at the top of the stairs, restless and alert. The couple also began sleeping poorly and feeling uneasy in that part of the house.

​

Initial Impressions and History of the Home

The home had been lovingly remodeled in an authentic, reverential style. Both owners worked from home and needed to feel secure in their space. They were only the third owners, and as far as they knew, no traumatic events had occurred in the home.

​

However, the wife mentioned that she had often felt as if someone was standing behind her at the top of the stairs — a subtle but persistent sensation.

​

Energetic Assessment

​

During our walk‑through, we identified several areas of concern inside the home and one significant point outside: the site of a large tree that had been removed years earlier. The energy there felt unsettled, so we performed a ceremony honoring the tree and acknowledging its presence. This softened the fearful, angry energy at that location.

Inside the home, the husband shared that during the remodel he had discovered a small enclosed space under the basement stairs. Inside was a glass bottle with a red ribbon around the neck. He had disposed of it, but the presence upstairs remained unchanged.

​

The First Clearing

​

Our attention centered on the landing at the top of the stairs. There was clearly a presence — a woman’s spirit — who felt connected to that space. We communicated with her and helped her move on. The couple felt immediate relief, and the atmosphere noticeably lightened.

​

A Return Visit

​

Two days later, the couple reached out again. The disturbance had returned.

We always guarantee our work, and sometimes a home requires multiple visits. Energetic disturbances often have layers, and clearing one layer can reveal another beneath it.

​

During the second visit, we again connected with a woman’s spirit. Whether it was the same presence or another was unclear, but this spirit carried a story: she had died at the top of the stairs while doing household chores. She was filled with trepidation, fearing her husband’s reprimand for leaving her work unfinished.

We assisted her in crossing over.

​

The Chest on the Landing

​

On the landing sat a large wooden chest. Sharon sensed that it held emotional significance. She used sound clearing to shift the energy around it, but something still felt unresolved.

When we shared this with the homeowners, the wife explained that the chest had been given to them by her sister — whose name was Sarah. This matched the name Larry had heard clearly during the clearing.

 

Final Resolution

​

Two days later, the couple contacted us again — this time with good news. They had moved the chest to the garage, and the unsettling energy finally lifted. The home felt peaceful, grounded, and fully their own again.

 

Why This Case Matters

 

This case illustrates how:

• spirit activity can be layered

• emotional imprints can attach to objects

• a home’s history may not be documented but can still be felt

• animals often sense disturbances before humans

• clearing work sometimes requires multiple visits

• honoring the land and its history is part of the healing

 

Most importantly, it shows how a home can return to balance once all layers of the disturbance are addressed.

 

Learn More About Spirit Activity

Learn More about Ghosts & Spirits on our Ghost & Spirit Cleansing Page

To understand the signs that may indicate a spirit presence, visit my Signs of Ghost or Spirit Activity page. →