Picture the scene: two strangers meet over Zoom for a quiet conversation, one seated comfortably at home, the other ready with a notebook and pen. They each adjust their screens, finding that delicate balance between formality and familiarity, as one begins to speak and the other listens intently. As the conversation ebbs and flows, a conclusion slowly begins to take shape.

“I suspect the house fire you experienced as a child has left you with a deep-rooted feeling of impermanence – an underlying belief that nothing is truly safe or lasting. Do you think that this could have evolved into a subconscious sense that, at any moment, things could ‘go up in smoke’?”

Honestly, it’s the sort of revelatory statement that I, a long-time advocate of talking therapy, had been hoping to receive for quite some time. I’d always struggled to understand my heightened sense of transience and constant need to brace myself for the worst. This analysis, offered matter-of-factly in a calm, soothing voice at the end of an hour-long conversation, was the equivalent of a lightbulb moment.

“You should consider speaking to a therapist about it,” continued the psychic medium sitting across from me. “I think taking the time to unpack and understand this aspect of yourself could help you to unlock your full potential.”

Yes, I visited a psychic medium. And – confession time – it’s not the first time I’ve done so. Despite a natural cynicism for the profession (including a disastrous post-breakup reading with the worst psychic of all time), I keep finding myself drawn back to it. There’s the woman in Spain who shuffled her worn cards, took one look at them, and ordered my mum to visit a doctor as soon as she got home… prompting an early cancer diagnosis and full recovery. The clairvoyant who plucked startlingly specific and private details about my life seemingly out of the air before giving me some no-nonsense relationship advice from a foul-mouthed East End spirit who claimed to be a distant relative.

You get the idea. My life hits a bump in the road, and I seek advice from, well… either well-meaning spirits, mysterious forces beyond my understanding or a savvy empath with enough common sense and high-probability guesses to deliver a ‘cold’ reading. And I’m not the only one; according to a YouGov poll, about a quarter of British people have consulted a psychic. In 2023, the New York Post reported on the increasing number of young people who are giving up longstanding therapy sessions in favour of medium visits, and the Guardian has investigated the US phenomenon of some counselling services combining more traditional types of therapy with psychic readings.

Speaking to Stylist, Li Jing* says: “I’ve seen a psychic and tarot reader a few times now. The first time was after I found out my long-term partner had cheated on me, and I truly felt like I had no hope for the future. Since then, I’ve visited them when going through romantic problems and uncertainties around jobs, and I’ve always found it extremely helpful.”

She adds that both of the psychics she worked with informed her upfront that “they don’t predict the future”; rather, they – and the cards – tell you what you need to know right now.”

“I liked how that was framed,” continues Jing. “Some days it takes time for the message to sink in, but I have always been able to find something useful in a reading. I usually feel a lot clearer in my mind and can see the right path forward for me. I also feel less anxious.”

Emily Hills*, too, says that she was prompted to visit a psychic due to “being at a stage of life (single, in my 30s) that has made me a lot more introspective and left me looking for meaning. There’s a sense of hopelessness at times that I feel millennials, perhaps more than other generations, have to contend with, and it’s led me to look for either deeper meaning or a way of making sense of the world,” she reflects, adding that she has had her tarot read many times in different contexts and even carries around her own deck of cards. “It often leaves me feeling reflective, as it creates the foundation to see more opportunities that might not seem available when I’m just living my day-to-day life and not really exploring the thoughts of how my actions can impact my path.” 

So, why are so many women turning to psychics? Considering that NHS therapy waiting lists can be long and that private therapy is often expensive, it makes sense that people are turning elsewhere for something to help them. “I think a lot of people, especially at the moment, are looking for answers to bigger questions,” muses Paula Vigori, who is based out of Kingston Spiritualist Church and has been working as a medium for over 30 years. “For some people, listening to and hearing from a loved one can be a form of therapy.”

Confirming that she is an advocate of traditional therapy, Vigori (who also reveals that several psychotherapists come to her for readings) says that she believes the two disciplines can and often do work well alongside one another. “Readings can help to teach people to prioritise their own self-care, be that through meditation or some other form, but they also provide people with a belief system. It’s this idea that there is something beyond ourselves, something out there that we don’t have the answers to, and this provides a lot of people with significant peace.”

Jing agrees with Vigori, noting that she has used both therapy and readings in a complementary fashion. “The former helps to unlock, understand and come to terms with certain things from my past, but psychic readings feel much more like they’re able to help me build a framework for the future,” she says.

Hills, meanwhile, adds that she views readings as a form of therapy. “As long as people are going into it with open eyes, it can be really helpful,” she says.

Of course, it’s important to consider what mental health professionals make of psychic readings. “If someone is struggling with ongoing mental health issues, trauma or serious emotional or relationship challenges, therapy is often a more beneficial and effective choice,” says Dr Kalanit Ben-Ari, an advanced certified Imago therapist with a doctorate in psychology. “A licensed therapist has the training to provide structured support and strategies to help individuals heal over time and discover the answers and direction they are seeking within themselves,” she adds. “Some therapists, like myself, specialise in transpersonal energy psychotherapy, or psychoanalysis, which can also support personal growth from various perspectives, including spiritual and psychological dimensions.”

Life coach Grace McMahon admits she’s enjoyed a tarot reading or two in her time, but she agrees with Ben-Ari. “Psychics aren’t qualified to help you navigate those emotions, and while they might hold space for you, speaking to a therapist or other professional is important so you can learn the tools to cope with and process these difficult feelings,” McMahon explains. “If you are in a particularly vulnerable position in life, I would recommend seeking another form of support to ensure the support you receive is right for you and your needs – and not just a quick fix, because that simply doesn’t work.”

Both Ben-Ari and McMahon also underline the fact that psychics and mediums aren’t accredited or governed by any board as therapists are, which makes it all the more important to check credentials and reviews before paying or setting up an appointment. Perhaps surprisingly, Vigori also encourages this, and advises that people seek psychics out via word of mouth rather than using online reviews, which can be manufactured, and to avoid expensive phone psychics. “There are a lot of mediums out there who are doing this because they want to help, like myself,” she says. “Look for the ones that can offer specific information or evidence.”

If you’re tempted to consult a psychic of any kind, McMahon advises that you should always ask yourself what you want to gain from the session. “Always know that you have the power to change anything,” she says. “Sessions like these aren’t concrete roadmaps to move forward or live by; they are interpretations of what we put out into the world – our energy and experiences, so remember if you get difficult news, it doesn’t have to dictate your future.”

Ben-Ari adds that you should always remember that the decisions you make should come from your own will, rather than what someone else tells you may happen. “While psychics can offer something that feels clear or encouraging, it’s important to remember that definitive advice on life’s big decisions ultimately needs to come from within you, in my belief,” she concludes. “For some, embracing and sitting with the ‘unknowing’ state of mind can be a valuable path for healing and growth. By slowing down, quietening the mind and rediscovering themselves, individuals can find immense meaning and purpose, as well as direction and clarity.”

* Names have been changed

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, you can find support and resources on the mental health charity Mind’s website and NHS Every Mind Matters or access the NHS’s list of mental health helplines and services.

If you are struggling with your mental health, you can also ask your GP for a referral to NHS Talking Therapies, or you can self-refer.

For confidential support, you can also call Samaritans in the UK on 116 123. 

Images: Getty