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A psychic reading is a guided conversation in which a reader uses intuition, and sometimes tools such as oracle or tarot cards, to offer insight into your situation, your patterns and the choices in front of you. A good reading leaves you with clearer thinking and a few practical next steps you can act on.
I'm Michelle Virtue, a professionally trained Psychic Medium and Spiritual Coach in London. People often book their first reading with very little idea of what will actually happen, so this guide sets out what a psychic reading is, the forms it takes, what it can and cannot do, and the warning signs worth knowing before you give anyone your time or money.
One honest point first. There is no scientific consensus that psychic ability exists, and controlled research has not settled the question. What I can do is describe what readings involve and what clients tell me they take from them, and encourage you to come with a mind that is open and discerning at the same time.
What is a psychic reading, in plain terms
At its simplest, a psychic reading is a structured session where the reader tunes in to you and reports what they sense: impressions, images, feelings, words or a strong sense of knowing. Readers usually describe these as arriving through intuitive senses, often called the "clairs": clairvoyance (seeing), clairaudience (hearing), clairsentience (feeling) and claircognisance (knowing).
The reader's job is to translate those impressions into something you can recognise and use. That translation is a skill. Two readers can sense similar things and deliver them very differently, which is why training, ethics and communication matter as much as any natural sensitivity.
Most readings focus on the present and on the forces shaping what comes next: relationships, work, confidence, emotional blocks and life direction. Prediction can be part of it, but in my experience the most useful insight is usually about patterns you are already living with and haven't quite put into words.
The main types of psychic reading
"Psychic reading" is an umbrella term. These are the forms you're most likely to come across, in London or online.
| Type of reading | What it focuses on | Often chosen for |
|---|---|---|
| Psychic (intuitive) reading | Your energy, circumstances and patterns, read directly by the reader | Clarity on relationships, career, decisions and emotional blocks |
| Mediumship reading | Communication understood to come from people who have died | Connection and comfort after a loss |
| Card-based reading | Oracle or tarot cards used as a focus for intuition | People who like a visual, structured way into the session |
| Energy reading | How your energy feels, and where it seems heavy, scattered or depleted | People drawn to healing and a sense of energetic balance |
Many readers blend these. My own sessions combine psychic insight, oracle cards as a focus for the reading and energy awareness, and because I work as a psychic medium, spirit can sometimes be part of the picture too. If you're unsure how the two roles differ, I've written a separate piece on the difference between a psychic and a medium.
What happens during a psychic reading session
Every reader works a little differently, but a well-run session tends to follow a similar shape.
- Settling in. The reader explains how they work and checks you're comfortable. Nerves are completely normal, especially the first time.
- Tuning in. Some readers ask for your first name or a general area you'd like to focus on. Many prefer you give little away at the start, so that what comes through isn't shaped by what you've said.
- The reading itself. The reader shares impressions and links them to areas of your life. You confirm what makes sense and say plainly when something doesn't fit.
- Your questions. There should be time to ask about whatever matters most to you.
- Closing. A good reader summarises the main themes and any practical steps, then closes the session calmly, so you leave feeling settled.
Readings can happen in person or over video. I see clients face to face in London and work with people anywhere on Zoom. In my experience the reading feels much the same either way, and plenty of people find it easier to relax at home with a cup of tea. If that appeals, here is how my online readings work.
What a psychic reading can and can't do
Being clear about limits protects you and keeps the reading useful.
A reading can:
- offer a fresh perspective when you feel stuck, confused or emotionally heavy
- name patterns, especially in relationships, that you sense but haven't articulated
- give reassurance and the feeling of being properly heard
- help you weigh your options and choose a next step that feels right
- for some people, bring comfort through a sense of connection with someone who has passed
A reading can't:
- guarantee an outcome or fix the future; you still make the choices
- diagnose illness, predict a death or tell you to stop any treatment
- replace a doctor, therapist, solicitor or financial adviser
- make another person think, feel or act the way you'd like
I say this kindly to every client: readings offer guidance and reflection, and they are not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, legal or financial advice. If you are struggling with your mental health, please speak to your GP or a qualified therapist as well. A reading can sit alongside that support very comfortably.
How to get real value from your reading
The people who get the most from a session usually do a little preparation beforehand. A few habits make a noticeable difference.
- Know why you're booking. Two or three areas you'd like clarity on is plenty for a 30 minute session.
- Ask open questions. "What do I need to understand about my career right now" gives the reader far more to work with than "Will I get the job".
- Give honest feedback. Say yes when something fits and no when it doesn't. You won't break the connection, and a good reader wants to know.
- Take notes, or ask whether you can record. Details that mean little on the day sometimes make sense weeks later.
- Let it settle. Give yourself time to reflect and act on what you heard before booking another reading.
I've put together a fuller checklist on preparing for your first session, including what to do if you feel nervous beforehand.
This was my first experience having any form of psychic reading… as soon as I arrived I was put at ease.
Zainab Vandu-Chikolo
Red flags to watch for in any psychic reading
Most readers are sincere, but this is an unregulated field and a few people take advantage of distress. Walk away if a reader:
- tells you you're cursed, hexed or carrying something dark, then offers to remove it for a fee
- uses fear or urgency to get you to book again or pay more
- guarantees results, a reunion with an ex or a specific date for an event
- makes health predictions or suggests ignoring medical advice
- fishes for information, then presents what you told them as insight
- asks for large sums upfront with no clear prices or terms
- leaves you feeling dependent, as though you can't make a decision without them
A trustworthy reader is open about prices and session length, respects your choices and encourages your own judgement. Clear booking terms help as well: with my sessions, for example, you can reschedule or cancel from your confirmation email without needing to explain yourself.
Booking a psychic reading in London or online
If you'd like to try a reading with me, I offer 30 and 60 minute sessions, either in person in London or on Zoom, and the details are on my page about psychic readings in London. Clients travel in from all over the city and beyond, and Zoom means distance is no barrier at all.
If you're not sure a reading is the right fit, the free 20 minute Clarity Consultation is a relaxed conversation to work that out together first. It isn't a reading in itself; it's a chance to talk about where you are and which kind of session, if any, would genuinely help.
- Psychic vs Medium: The Difference ExplainedEvery medium is psychic, but not every psychic is a medium. Here is what that means in practice, how each kind of reading feels, and how to choose the right one for you.
- What Is Mediumship? Meaning, Types and How It’s Practised TodayMediumship is the practice of communicating with people who have died. This guide covers its meaning and history, how modern mediums work with evidence, and what good training involves.
- What Is Reiki? A Balanced Guide to Sessions, Levels and EvidenceReiki is a gentle Japanese practice using light touch or hands held just above the body. Here is how it began, what a session is like, and what research does and doesn't show.