Any kind of psychic work is bound to attract some strange clientele. On rare occasion, a reading may start out innocently enough but quickly turn ugly. What do you do when a client freaks out on you or starts acting in a manner that is troubling? Here are some sound strategies to consider:
1. Don’t take it personally – Sometimes people are looking for a dumping ground. It may be triggered by something you said in your reading – it may have nothing whatsoever to do with the reading. Do not attach yourself to the client’s issues or reactions. Remain neutral. Do your work from a centered place. When the client is gone, let the reading go. Sometimes a client may even want to blame you if they are having problems. Remember that this is THEIR issue – don’t own it.
2. Set a strong boundary – Don’t do a reading for a client if they are in a distressed state. Chances are, they won’t hear what you say anyway. If a client appears addictive (yes, people can become addicted to psychics), you may want to tell them to only receive readings once a year. Do not allow clients to impose on you – for example, I never allow “quick questions” over the phone as this often leads to me getting an unpaid counseling/reading session with the client and gives them the impression that I am available for dumping at their convenience. Keep regular office hours. I’ve had clients show up at odd hours, demanding I see them because they were having a “crisis”. Now I won’t answer the door if it is not during my regular shift.
3. Learn some general counseling skills – Knowing how to talk to someone if they are having mental issues requires compassionate listening and a therapeutic attitude. There are many fine books about counseling skills. One that I like is “Becoming Naturally Therapeutic” by Jacquelyn Smith.
4. Refer to an expert – I keep phone numbers of good therapists and healers handy. If I have a client who is dealing with an issue that I am not qualified to handle, I make sure to direct them to the proper professional. Remember, if you are not a licensed therapist, it is in YOUR best interest to direct a distraught client to the correct help.
5. Be aware and stay calm – Sometimes we may not be sure of how deep seated a client’s issues are until we begin the reading. Years ago, I had a young woman come to my office and she seemed normal but a bit “odd”. In the middle of the reading, she began sobbing and saying things that were completely bizarre. I instantly realized that she was having a mental breakdown and got her calm. I gave her the number of the therapist and after she left, I called her mother (who was also a client) and alerted her to the daughter’s behavior. She was able to get treatment and is now doing fine.
6. Don’t entertain delusions – If a client begins saying things that seem crazy, do not just go along with it like it is normal. In other words, don’t placate delusions. I was in an occult shop once and a woman walked in, plopped herself down by the Satanist section and began reading a book in earnest. When she was asked if she needed help, she replied “I just took this quiz about Satanic witchcraft and it says I am a Satanic Witch.” While some of the staff started laughing, I began talking to her and discovered she had stopped taking her medication the day before. Putting the book back on the shelf, I encouraged her to visit her therapist and get back on her meds.
7. Show them the door – If the reading becomes creepy or uncomfortable, it may be time to show the client the door. Do not keep someone in your office, especially if they seem that they could become dangerous. I had an obsessive client that would call constantly and even showed up at my door, unannounced. I started to become frightened of him and had to tell him VERY firmly not to come around any longer and I had to threaten police involvement. That is a bit extreme but personal safety should not be compromised. If I feel a client may not be stable, I make sure to schedule an appointment when my husband is home. And I refuse to see anyone who is beyond my help or scary.
And remember – this will be rare. Most people who come for readings are wonderful, warm and grounded.
Blessings!
Theresa
www.thetarotlady.com
©The Tarot Lady | Theresa Reed
I’m Theresa Reed (aka, The Tarot Lady). I’ve been a full-time tarot reader for 30+ years — which, in my industry, makes me pretty badass.
I’m definitely not your average Tarot expert — I drop the F-bomb, I quote rappers, and I’m obsessed with pop culture + reality TV. Folks come to me for straight-talk + tough-love — without the woo-woo fluff. 
