Joe H. Slate was a Licensed Psychologist in private practice with a PhD from the University of Alabama and postdoctoral studies in hypnosis and psychosomatic medicine at the University of California. He was Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Athens State University and Honorary Professor at the University of Montevallo.

His research interests included health and fitness, rejuvenation, pain management, reincarnation, astral projection, and the human aura. His research was been funded by the US Army, the Parapsychology Foundation of New York, and numerous private sources.

He was a member of the American Psychological Association and a Platinum Registrant in the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. He was founder of the Parapsychology Research Institute and Foundation (PRIF) and author of several books, including Beyond Reincarnation; Psychic Vampires; Aura Energy for Health, Healing & Balance; and Rejuvenation.

He appeared on numerous talk shows and TV programs, including Sightings and Strange Universe.