What is a "Reading"?

 A reading simply means to consult or meet with a psychic, medium, astrologer, spiritualist, etc., so that they may "read" or interpret past, present or future possibilities and events or in the case of a medium or spiritualist serve as a bridge to predeceased loved ones. As to what will be "read" depends on what pratitioner of the Psychic Arts may specialize in, i.e., are they going to read cards, horoscope charts, palms, past lives, etc.  So a "reading" can mean quite a number of different things and will depend on what a reader specializes in. Personally, I have found the word "reading" and "reader" limiting if not misleading as I do more than interpret or predict - I incorporate my psychic impressions along with professional skill and training as a counselor to help people understand their lives, relationships and current circumstances in life so as to be better able and more creative in coping, preparing or managing them.  I refer to what I do as "Intuitive Cousneling." Still, every "reader" approaches things a bit differently.  There are the good, the bad and frankly, the ugly (frauds, con artists, thieves) among those calling themselves psychic, mediums, astrologers, etc.  Some have advanced degress and are quite well trained, while others have years of life experiences and practice.

How can I tell a good psychic from a bad one?

Whenever possible go to a psychic that has been recommended by a friend or family member, and unless you plan to see a celebrity psychic you shouldn't have to pay, nor would you want to pay high fees - For example, my consultations usually last 30 - 60 minutes at a fixed and quite reasonable rate. I have never found a need for any of my counseling sessions to go longer than 60 - 90 minutes and much of that is in active counseling of the client and not all strict psychic work. Still, don't be surprised if a reading lasts longer when you are paying by the minute - There are many frauds out there who want your money and will keep you in the reading so as to run up your bill! I would stay away from those who charge strictly by the minute, at $3.99 per minute a 60 minute reading will cost more than $400.00! I prefer to base my fees on 30 and 60 minute sessions.  I have begrudgingly added a "by minute" fee to accomodate those that have become accustomed to paying by the minute and who may only want to ask a question or two.   I don't encourage this approach.

What can one expect in a reading or "Insightful Counseling"by the Wayward Psychic?

I will ask your first name and your date of birth to assist in creating a "bond" I will then talk to you about the conditions, circumstances and events that I sense or "pick up" around you.  I use no "aids" like cards, or numbers, or astrology.  Its all energy -focused. If I ask questions its for clarifications sake - but I try to keep those at a minimum.  I also ask my clients not to contribute information unless of course I ask for it or they need to correct something I might have said.  I will usually give my impressions for a specific time period usually in one year increments.  I am not a medium or spiritualist, though I do sense those who have died and can often facilitate "communication" with them.  Infact, what I "pick-up" pretty much depends on what a person's needs are...what they are reaching out or searching for.  After I am through giving impressions I will ask for questions and proceed through a question and answer period.  My work is geared to the present and near future - toward probabilities and possibilities - life potential and decisions needing adressing in the here and now. I believe we are all writing the script(s) for our futures in the here and now, through our past and present behaviors, choices, decisions, thoughts, desires, etc.  I will often discuss these things and weave them together to help give a person a snapshot or current picture of their present circumstances and future directions.  The difference between a 30 minute and 60 minute reading is just one of time to be able to sit and discuss more things, ask and answer more questions. 

How often should I get a reading?

Unless you have a specific question or two to ask, or sudden circumstances present themselves, my opinion is a reading once a year is about right. This may not be a view held by others but I have a personal and ethical issue in being used as a crutch for people not wanting or empowered to live their own lives - and don't encourage it. However, I am a trained and experienced therapist and clinicain as well so many times follow up sessions are truly couseling sessions as much as anything else. When there are times people need to be referred to a therapist for longer term therapy I don't hesitate to do so.  But then again, I am trained to recognize more clinical symptoms of emotional and mental issues, most "reader" are not and that could be a problem.

Are you 100% accurate?

What's that??  How does one actually rate that anyway - No, never.  It just doesn't work that way and is not always that objective.  Look, there are still debates in psychological cirlces over which "therapy" is the better therapy to use on a patient - Reality?  Psycho-therapy? Rogerian? Behavioral?  We are not even sure how talk- therapy works specifically - we can make intelligent-learned guesses, hypothesize... And not all therapies "work" for all people - I know of clients who think talk therapy is bunk and that behavioral therapies are really the only one's which can be evaluated for effectiveness through a scientific methodology.  Others are turned way off by Reality therapy or Gestalt approaches.  If I am able to "predict" or intuit events - and help the person seeking guidance and direction than I consider myself successful. It's fun to WOW people and I have done that often - but the main reason I believe my clients come to me is because I am all about helping them achieve clarity, understanding, purpose and direction in their physical or spiritual lives. What is important is offering a different point of view, a unique perspective to the client on his/her life's events or circumstances so that they may be able to make better, happier choices, decisions, and possible help prepare them various events unfolding in their lives so they are empowered to meet the challange. One of the advantages of Intuitive Counseling is that I am often able to understand things about the client much more quickly than with more traditional counseling strategies. Finally, no "psychic" ever "reads" any two people the same way. Even clients I have seen several times may have different results each time for various reasons. You know, sometimes its all about timing. None of us in life ever feels the same way about the people - strangers, friends, and family that come and go from our lives.  We feel drawn to some, kindred with others and put off by still more. How one reacts to me, to the reading does affect the session.  I explain to my clients that ultimately what I do is interpret the images or impressions I recieve and sometimes the interpretations are off or I am just plain wrong. Its important that they hear that I am providing them alternative perspectives and explanations based upon these interpretations. 

So what is the right attitude to have during a "reading?"

Take it for what its worth - if its entertaining - be entertained -If it is informative - be informed.  If it challenges you and causes you to be anxious or angry - ASK YOURSELF -  WHY? Following the anxiety often leads to discoveries of truth about one's self.  Use what you can from the session that may be of help in determining options, in making decisions or resolving the problems - Let the session help you start to think differently about the problem or issue.  BUT -  I would suggest never - take it to heart.  Never let a psychic's impressions stop or interfer with your goals.  Instead use those impressions and the obstacles or difficulties laid out for you to find better ways or opportunities to go about turning defeat into victory.  Also, be flexible and open to the psychic's opinion.  Its not law you know -

Also, when meeting with a psychic you want to assist him or her in creating as open and positive and friendly an environment as possible.  And though it is always helpful to clarify things the psychic may share with you, its another thing to be critical, hostile and closed minded.  Often, an aggressivly skeptical attitude is quite adversarial - negative and can shut down a reading.  So be polite, show respect regardless how strange somethings may seem to you. If the reader is really off the mark then discuss it with him/her and provide some direction or clarification.  But whatever, let them have their say because I know how things can always turn out in strange ways.  I remember once, I mentioned to a lady that  I saw her moving and soon. Though she found that interesting she shared there was no way was going to make a move.  And that type of response is not uncommon.  We all want to hear that our life is unfolding exactly the way we want it to, i.e.,  no surprizes and certainly no unplanned for changes.  But, instead of being open to the message she kept insisting I was wrong! Finally I just had to ask her what she came for and what she wanted to hear. In discussing it I found that she really only came on the insistence of her sister...! These are not the kind of clients I prefer - its almost like they're there against their will and the reading does suffer. There was another time I recall when a cousin of mine in San Francisco was getting married, most everything was arranged and in the middle of a conversation close to the date of the ceremony she asked how the wedding would go? I thought for a moment and then politley asked - What wedding? She thought I was kidding - but then at this point what could she have done even she thought I was correct? When I heard back from her several weeks later it seems the groom backed out. The bottom line I think is if you are going to debate and argue the messages the reader brings to you then ask yourself - Why are you even there?

So best advice is to just sit back and listen, take it all in and go with it.  Later on look back over the session as a whole.  Did you tape it? If so wait a few days before you listen to the tape again. Then wait for time to pass to see how the impressions hold up.  If you are still unhappy - don't go back to the psychic and don't refer. (Although again, I have been hugely successful with some people and marginal if not disappointing to others. There were also times when the first reading was not great but the next one was right on the mark...Sometimes it IS all in the timing).

Is everyone psychic?

We all have some ability to experience life beyond what we normally do through the five senses of touch, taste, smell, hear and see.  We all have some ability to become more aware and sensitive to those extended sensory perceptions (ESP).  And they certainly can help one live a more aware and "in-touch" life.  But no, not all people are psychics in the sense that they should be counseling others.  In fact there are way too many people who are just taking advantage of others gullibility or need for help.  In the Gospel of Thomas (Nag Hammadi Library)  the oft quoted verse 70 goes:  Jesus said, "If you bring forth what is within you, what you have will save you. If you do not have that within you, what you do not have within you [will] kill you." With any calling in life - that of a teacher, a poet, an actor, a dentist, a builder, a mason...I truly believe these words - whether authentic to Thomas or not.  I truly believe that each of us must bring forth that which is inside of us and to use to the advantage - not the disadvantage - of those around us.   

Please send additional questions if you have them and I will answer them in this section - www.iw84u@waywardpsychic.com

The Wayward Psychic