How to Choose a Psychic

Entertainment, curiosity or a need to get another opinion on a complicated life issue are a few of the many reasons for consulting a psychic. Psychics often specialize in a particular discipline, and some are also trained as therapists or counselors with a Master of Divinity degree or a diploma in clinical social work.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Telephones
• E-mail Accounts
• Notebooks
• Pens
• Computers With Internet Access

1. Think about your reasons for using a psychic. Different issues require different types of psychics.

2. Decide what specialty you'd like your psychic to have. Specialties include palm or tarot card reading, intuitive readings, astrology and tea leaves.

3. Ask friends or family for recommendations. Often the best psychics don't advertise; instead, they obtain clients by word-of-mouth.

4. Consult magazine and newspaper articles about psychics. Psychics with good track records often will have been written about in a positive way.

5. Research online for a psychic. Make contact via e-mail to see if you can obtain references.

6. Create a list of psychics from this information.

7. Call and interview each psychic before you choose one. Ask what their beliefs are, what their background and training is, how they work and how much they charge.

8. Check references before you make an appointment.

Tips & Warnings

• When interviewing a psychic, listen to your gut feelings. Avoid working with anyone who makes you feel uncomfortable or vulnerable or tells you anything that frightens you. Similarly, avoid a psychic who makes outrageous claims that raise skepticism. A good psychic is a professional with whom you should feel comfortable and safe.

• Most reputable psychics charge a flat rate per session or on an hourly basis.

• Avoid any psychic who asks for money in exchange for removing a curse or a threat to your life or that of a loved one. This is a common scam used by unscrupulous con artists to intimidate people and gain wealth.

• Avoid using "storefront psychics."

• Avoid using psychic phone services. Besides being very expensive, most of these businesses are in the business of entertainment, not counseling. Their job is to keep you on the phone as long as possible.

• If you find yourself consulting a psychic more often than you'd like, consider if you're addicted to the excitement and attention involved in a psychic reading. Also consider if you're avoiding something in your life. Psychics are not a quick fix: What may be needed is a deeper exploration of the issues involved that only a trained therapist or counselor can provide.