Using tarot or oracle cards in psychotherapy: an introduction

Tarot is having a moment right now. There are hundreds of tarot decks available at the click of a google search. So many people are accessing the healing power of tarot now. We believe that the use of tarot or oracle cards can be a beneficial tool to use in psychotherapy or counseling with your clients. For the spiritual therapists, who use tarot or oracle cards (or other cartomancy items) in their personal practice or in the healing work with non therapy clients, consider bringing in tarot and oracle cards into your practice. Tarot in psychotherapy can be an important tool for introspection, deep self-reflection, and expression. For example, as a clinician or practitioner, you can use the cards to help your clients feel the feelings that may feel hard to name by helping them to connect with the images or artwork from the tarot or oracle cards. Please remember to make sure that you have consent from the client.

First, ask the client, are you familiar with tarot or oracle cards? If they say no, explain what they are and offer examples. You can even show them a few cards if you have any available to share. As a practitioner, observe or notice their reactions to the cards that you are showing them. Be sure to check in with the client as you continue. You can explain to the client how you hope you all can use the cards in session. Many clients may only be familiar with the cards as a fortune telling tool. You can remind them that in session that you will use these cards a tool to focus on the present moment. If you are in person with the client, you can have them look at the cards, feel the cards, shuffle through them. Allow them to connect with their cards in their own way. If you are in a virtual session, show the cards on the screen. You can offer to show all the cards in the deck. If there are cards that feel scary or triggering to the client, you can promise to take them out of the stack. Clients do not have to work with the cards that may activate them. The focus is to help the client connect with the cards.

Secondly, if you are in person with the client

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.