Brief
Donald Klein
The claims the writer was given for Donald Klein, in the order they were given.
1
Dr. Donald Klein induced hypnosis in Whitley Strieber using an eye-fixation technique with his finger followed by relaxation and warmth suggestions.
“Dr. Klein stood before me and asked me to look up at his finger... he began saying that my eyelids were getting heavy... soon Dr. Klein began to say that my right hand was getting warm.”
Communion 2013-06-16 74-76 observation first hand
2
The hypnosis session recalling the October 4, 1985 abduction experience memories took place on March 1, 1986, with Whitley Strieber as subject and Dr. Donald Klein, MD as psychiatrist.
“SESSION DATE: March 1, 1986 SUBJECT: Whitley Strieber PSYCHIATRIST: Donald Klein, MD”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch10:10508-10582 administrative second hand
3
Budd Hopkins recalled that Dr. Donald Klein of the New York State Psychiatric Institute had expressed interest in and appeared open-minded about the visitor phenomenon.
“Hopkins remembered that Dr. Donald Klein of the New York State Psychiatric Institute had expressed interest in the phenomenon and appeared to be open-minded about it.”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch10:1559-1722 testimony second hand
4
Dr. Donald Klein told Whitley Strieber that he was an excellent hypnotic subject.
“"Was I a good hypnotic subject?" "You were excellent."”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch10:17794-17837 opinion first hand
5
Whitley Strieber underwent a three-hour pre-interview in Dr. Donald Klein's office before hypnosis.
“A few weeks later I was in his office undergoing a searching three-hour pre-interview.”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch10:1838-1914 observation first hand
6
Whitley Strieber provided Dr. Donald Klein with a document outlining all of his memories related to the visitor experiences.
“I had provided him with a document outlining all my memories.”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch10:1925-1977 observation first hand
7
After a week of trying unsuccessfully to recall further memories, resulting only in dizziness and strange nightmares, Whitley Strieber and Dr. Donald Klein decided on a trial hypnosis session.
“When I was not successful — in fact, all I got out of it was dizziness and strange nightmares — we decided on a trial hypnosis session.”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch10:2147-2274 observation first hand
8
Whitley Strieber emerged spontaneously from hypnosis a second time during the March 1, 1986 session because of the extreme severity of the emotions he was reliving.
“I then emerged spontaneously from hypnosis once again. It is very unusual to do this, especially from a deep trance like the one Dr. Klein had induced. It was an indication of the extreme severity of the emotions I was reliving.”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch10:29843-30062 observation first hand
9
Whitley Strieber states that all the transcripts of his hypnosis sessions with Dr. Donald Klein are verbatim, allowing readers to confirm Dr. Klein did not ask leading questions.
“This can easily be confirmed by the reader, as all the transcripts of my hypnosis sessions are verbatim.”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch10:3291-3386 administrative first hand
10
Whitley Strieber acknowledges there is always a possibility that he was unconsciously eager to comply with a desired outcome during hypnosis, even though Dr. Donald Klein did not ask provocative questions.
“While Don Klein certainly didn't ask provocative questions, there is always the possibility that I was unconsciously eager to comply with an outcome that I might secretly have longed for.”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch10:3890-4073 opinion first hand
11
Whitley Strieber avoided reading about close encounters or psychosocial explanations for such experiences during the four days between hypnosis sessions, on the advice of Dr. Donald Klein and Budd Hopkins.
“It was a great effort not to go to the library and get half a dozen books about close encounters, and another half dozen about possible psychosocial causes for such experiences. But I agreed with Dr. Klein and Budd Hopkins that I must remain as ignorant of this material as possible until after my hypnosis.”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch10:41438-41736 testimony first hand
12
Dr. Donald Klein met Whitley Strieber in his gray office on East Seventy-ninth Street in Manhattan.
“Donald Klein met me in his subdued gray office on East Seventy-ninth Street in Manhattan.”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch10:8141-8220 observation first hand
13
Whitley Strieber describes Dr. Donald Klein as a tall man with curly hair and a quiet demeanour who projected command and confidence in his hypnotic skills, and who was thorough, careful, and had a very acute mind.
“He is a tall man with curly hair and a quiet demeanor. Two things were immediately apparent to me about him as a hypnotist. First, I sensed command; he was confident of his skills. Second, he was a thorough, careful man with a very acute mind.”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch10:8231-8469 observation first hand
14
Whitley Strieber had never been hypnotized before his session with Dr. Donald Klein and was apprehensive about relinquishing control over himself.
“I had never been hypnotized before, and I was apprehensive about it... I was afraid of relinquishing control over myself, which seemed deeply disturbing.”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch10:8476-8644 observation first hand
15
Dr. Donald Klein told Whitley Strieber that even under hypnosis people cannot be readily compelled to say things they do not want to say.
“I found, though, that I trusted Don Klein when he told me that even under hypnosis people cannot be readily compelled to say things they do not want to say.”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch10:8785-8937 opinion second hand
16
Dr. Donald Klein's open-mindedness in the face of the fearful and fantastic helped Whitley Strieber learn to live with uncertainty.
“Don Klein's open-mindedness in the face of the fearful and the fantastic has been instrumental in helping me to learn to live with uncertainty.”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch11:13524-13655 opinion first hand
17
Dr. Donald Klein told Whitley Strieber, after Strieber's hypnosis session, that he thought Strieber was sane.
“Don Klein was an acknowledged expert and, even after this hypnosis session, he told me that he thought I was sane.”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch11:1369-1478 testimony first hand
18
Whitley Strieber initially assumed the vivid mental image of the being was a side effect of the hypnosis session, occurring because Dr. Donald Klein had asked for many details about her appearance.
“This was disturbing and I was eager to expel it, assuming it to be a side effect of the hypnotic session, occurring because Dr. Klein had asked for so many details about her appearance.”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch12:103209-103383 testimony first hand
19
Whitley Strieber found he could not adequately communicate to Budd Hopkins and Dr. Donald Klein how special the mental image seemed to him.
“Despite my attempts to explain it to Budd Hopkins and Don Klein, I could not succeed in communicating to others just how special it seemed to me to be.”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch12:104369-104517 testimony first hand
20
Whitley Strieber speculates that if the mental image was not created by the effect of Dr. Donald Klein asking him to visualise the creature, it might have been a sophisticated holographic projection.
“I do not know how to explain this image. If it was not created by the powerful effect of Don's, asking me to visualize the creature, then perhaps it was some sort of sophisticated holographic projection.”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch12:111363-111555 opinion first hand
21
During the hypnosis session, Dr. Donald Klein asked Whitley Strieber what "others" meant, and Strieber found himself in another place but with the same or similar being before him.
“Then Dr. Klein asked what others, and I found myself in vet another place but with the same being still before me, or somebody who looked very much like her.”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch12:18815-18968 testimony first hand
22
During the hypnosis session, Dr. Donald Klein asked Whitley Strieber his age, and Strieber answered "Twelve."
“It was then that Dr. Klein asked me my age, and I heard myself say, "Twelve."”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch12:19336-19405 testimony first hand
23
On July 26, 1986, Dr. Donald Klein wrote to Whitley Strieber that many of his symptoms were consistent with an abnormality in the temporal lobe, and that testing this involved a nasal probe.
“I thought no more about this until July 26, 1986, when I received a letter from Donald Klein in which he mentioned that many of my symptoms were consistent with an abnormality in the temporal lobe, and that the method of testing this involved a nasal probe.”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch12:31354-31605 hearsay second hand
24
Whitley Strieber arranged two separate temporal lobe tests during 1986 temporal lobe testing, one by a neurologist recommended by Dr. Klein and another through a different psychiatrist.
“I decided that I would arrange two separate temporal lobe tests, one by a neurologist recommended by Dr. Klein. and another through a different psychiatrist.”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch12:34329-34473 testimony first hand
25
The record of Whitley Strieber's hypnosis session names the presiding psychiatrist as Donald Vein, MD.
“PSYCHIATRIST: *Donald Vein, MD*”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch12:68525-68538 administrative second hand
26
Whitley Strieber and Anne Strieber chose a psychiatrist other than Dr. Donald Klein to hypnotize Anne Strieber so that his prior knowledge of the case could not unintentionally direct his questions.
“We chose a psychiatrist other than Don Klein so that there could be no possibility of his questions taking on some sort of unnoticed direction because of what he already knew.”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch13:3102-3272 administrative first hand
27
Robert Naiman had previously worked with other people who reported similar experiences and took a supportive stance similar to that of Dr. Donald Klein.
“Bob Naiman had worked before with people who have had this experience, and took the same healthy and supportive stance that Don Klein did.”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch13:3962-4096 testimony first hand
28
Dr. Donald Klein found that Whitley Strieber is not hallucinating in a manner characteristic of psychosis.
“He is not hallucinating in a manner characteristic of psychosis.”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch16:183-237 testimony first hand
29
Dr. Donald Klein found no evidence of an anxiety state, mood disorder, or personality disorder in Whitley Strieber.
“I also see no evidence of an anxiety state, mood disorder, or personality disorder.”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch16:248-322 testimony first hand
30
Dr. Donald Klein considers Whitley Strieber an excellent hypnotic subject who appeared to make an honest attempt while under hypnosis to describe what he remembered.
“He is an excellent hypnotic subject, who appeared to make an honest attempt while under hypnosis to describe what he remembered.”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch16:332-449 opinion first hand
31
Dr. Donald Klein observed that Whitley Strieber approached the dilemma of what was happening to him in a careful and forthright way and pursued his investigation with diligence.
“He has approached the dilemma of what is happening to him in a careful and forthright way and has pursued his investigation with diligence.”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch16:462-591 opinion first hand
32
Dr. Donald Klein observed that after an initial period of stress, Whitley Strieber became much more calm about his situation and learned to deal with it in a psychologically healthy way.
“After an initial period of stress, he became much more calm about his situation and soon learned to deal with it in a psychologically healthy way.”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch16:602-744 opinion first hand
33
Dr. Donald Klein considers Whitley Strieber to have adapted very well to life at a high level of uncertainty.
“He appears to me to have adapted very well to life at a high level of uncertainty.”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch16:749-819 opinion first hand
34
Dr. Donald Klein is Director of Research at the New York State Psychiatric Institute.
“Director of Research, New York State Psychiatric Institute”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch16:856-905 administrative second hand
35
Dr. Donald Klein examined Whitley Strieber and found he is not suffering from a psychosis.
“I have examined Whitley Strieber and found that he is not suffering from a psychosis.”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch16:97-172 testimony first hand
36
Budd Hopkins brought Donald Klein into the process of hypnotising Whitley Strieber.
“he drew Dr. Donald Klein into the picture”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch20:21544-21578 observation first hand
37
Donald Klein was the Director of Research at the New York State Psychiatric Institute.
“Dr. Klein was the Director of Research at the New York State Psychiatric Institute”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch20:21587-21660 administrative first hand
38
Donald Klein told Whitley Strieber that his expertise in forensic hypnosis had enabled him to assist in solving seventy-two crimes as of their meeting in March 1986.
“He told me of and his expertise in forensic hypnosis and said that it had enabled him to assist in the solving of seventy-two crimes as of our meeting in March of 1986”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch20:21671-21834 testimony second hand
39
Whitley Strieber and Donald Klein met in March 1986.
“as of our meeting in March of 1986”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch20:21804-21834 observation first hand
40
Budd Hopkins put Whitley Strieber in touch with Donald Klein, who then hypnotised Strieber.
“he proceeds to get me in touch with probably one of the world's leading forensic hypnotists at that time, Dr. Donald Klein, who proceeds to hypnotize me”
Whitley Strieber Reveals What 40 Years of Encounters Taught Him | Reality Check Rewind 2026-08-14 00:04:53.8-00:05:04.1 testimony first hand
41
Whitley Strieber regards Donald Klein as one of the world's leading forensic hypnotists at the time of the mid-1980s.
“probably one of the world's leading forensic hypnotists at that time, Dr. Donald Klein”
Whitley Strieber Reveals What 40 Years of Encounters Taught Him | Reality Check Rewind 2026-08-14 00:04:56.0-00:05:00.4 opinion first hand
42
Donald Klein understood the neurology of the brain, in Whitley Strieber's assessment.
“This is a man who understood the neurology of the brain and therefore understood how this all works.”
Whitley Strieber Reveals What 40 Years of Encounters Taught Him | Reality Check Rewind 2026-08-14 00:05:09.3-00:05:16.6 opinion first hand
43
Donald Klein had solved 72 legal cases using forensic hypnosis by the mid-1980s.
“he had solved legal cases, 72 of them by that point in his career, using forensic hypnosis”
Whitley Strieber Reveals What 40 Years of Encounters Taught Him | Reality Check Rewind 2026-08-14 00:05:18.7-00:05:26.6 measurement first hand
44
Under hypnosis by Donald Klein, Whitley Strieber recalled appearing to have been abducted by aliens rather than assaulted by people in masks.
“Instead of seeing people in masks and being able to identify things I could take to the police, I appeared to have been abducted by aliens, just like Budd thought.”
Whitley Strieber Reveals What 40 Years of Encounters Taught Him | Reality Check Rewind 2026-08-14 00:05:37.3-00:05:46.6 testimony first hand
45
Under hypnosis with Donald Klein, Whitley Strieber's voice changed without his being aware of it, and when asked how old he was he heard himself answer "12" in his childhood Texas accent.
“This was why when Don Klein was under hypnosis with him, my voice changed. I wasn't aware of it. And he suddenly said, how old are you? And I was astonished to hear my voice come out in my little 12-year-old Texas accent. I said, 12?”
Whitley Strieber Reveals What 40 Years of Encounters Taught Him | Reality Check Rewind 2026-08-14 01:01:16.2-01:01:36.8 testimony first hand
46
The hypnosis session with Donald Klein was one of the most shocking moments of Whitley Strieber's life and opened him to the fact that the phenomenon had been in his life as a child, which he did not know until after his abduction experience.
“It was one of the most shocking moments of my life. And that opened me up to the fact that this had been in my life when I was a child. I did not know that until after the abduction experience.”
Whitley Strieber Reveals What 40 Years of Encounters Taught Him | Reality Check Rewind 2026-08-14 01:01:39.5-01:01:50.4 testimony first hand