Building Trust in Your Readings: How To Address Client Doubts & Concerns
Last Updated: June 13, 2023
It’s only natural for some clients to doubt or second-guess tarot readings. As a tarot reader, it’s essential to handle these situations with professionalism, empathy, and understanding. This can be incredibly emotional work, and trust is essential, so if you don’t have a full cup to pour from at the very start it may show that you’re not being genuine or authentic if you’re already overly-stretched emotionally and yet taking on readings (for money or for notoriety or whatever reason).
Nurturing a safer space for your client to express themselves is important, after all, some topics of conversation can become deep relly quickly. Keeping it a space for your client to express themselves is important, as some topics of conversation can become intense and they need you to guide them through it. Tarot querents trust us with their innermost thoughts, fears, and desires, so it’s crucial to approach each session with sensitivity and compassion.
I have practised tarot for more than a decade now, so I am uniquely positioned to share some of the ways I deal with my client’s doubts and concerns. The tips I share below all relate to the amazing opportunities I’ve had thanks to the hundreds and thousands of clients over the years.
#1 - Be empathetic and patient
Understand that doubts and scepticism are common human reactions, especially in the realm of the unknown. Put yourself in the client’s shoes and acknowledge their feelings without judgement.
Do not take it personally; they came to you for a reason and this is an opportunity to show why. Remember that their doubts and skepticism may stem from uncertainty, fear, or past experiences. As the tarot reader, it is your role to provide a safer and supportive environment for the client to explore these emotions and receive the guidance they are seeking.
Keep in mind the way you react to these moments of doubt may dictate whether they become a regular client or never reach out to you again.
#2 - Reassure and educate them
Discuss with the client that tarot readings are not absolute predictions, but rather a tool for self-reflection and guidance. Clarify the purpose of the reading and how it can help them gain insights and make informed decisions in their life.
Explain also that what the tarot says at the moment may not make a lot of sense at first, but it might make more sense later on. One analogy I like to use is the one about observing an object in a river. When the current is strong and turbulent, the object may be difficult to discern due to the water’s movement: it’s very blurry. However, as the current slows down and becomes calmer, the object becomes much more visible and easier to understand.
The relevance of a tarot reading may become more evident as the client has time to process the information after the reading later, reflect on their situation, and observe how the insights connect with their life experiences. And in the case of perspectives, ask the clients to research additional reflections on the card meanings from books or tarot artists interpretations in case there is something you have missed.
#3 - Be open to their feedback
Encourage clients to express their doubts or concerns openly. Listen attentively and respond in a respectful and non-defensive manner. Feedback is important in our line of work, as it is rather hard to “judge” ourselves, we rely on feedback in order to improve our practice. So whether it be positive or negative, we must embrace feedback and take time to make necessary adjustments to better serve our clients.
By demonstrating genuine interest in their thoughts and feelings, we create a safe space for open dialogue, which ultimately strengthens the client-practitioner relationship and paves the way for more meaningful and impactful sessions.
An amazing piece of feedback I’ve had from clients in the past was to bring more deck selections to live events, so that they have more of an intuitive choice in their own reading too. This was instrumental for me to showcase so much more of my skillset and build on my client base when I may originally have lost them had they not been attracted to the artwork from different decks.
#4 - Suggest a follow-up reading
If the client remains skeptical, wrap up this situation by suggesting a follow-up reading at a later date to provide further guidance or to address any changes in their situation. This will give the client time to reflect on the initial reading, it moves along the energy of the current reading that they feel is being misinterpreted, and it gives you both a chance to refresh.
I love this method because it instils more trust in my client; I make them feel like they are more than just an “appointment” or “money opportunity” and that I am genuinely invested in their journey, I want to help and I won’t simply forget them. I’ve had this happen only once before, but it was worth doing.
#5 - Set boundaries if necessary
It’s essential to maintain a professional boundary with clients. If someone is being too pushy or starts to be untoward (this may happen in live tarot reading where most of your clients might have never heard of you before), politely remind them that you’re providing a service based on your expertise and experience. They’re free to accept or reject the insights provided in the reading but maintaining a respectful and courteous relationship is crucial for a productive session.
At the end of the day, you are the professional delivering a service. People would not try to tell their plumbers how to fix a pipe, right?
#6 - Focus on the positives
If a client is doubting your reading, try to shift the focus to the positive aspects and how they can use the reading for personal growth and self-improvement. We humans can sometimes focus on the negative too much, so it’s important to guide your client back into a more positive space and help them see things with a broader perspective.
By emphasizing the actionable takeaways and highlighting the potential for growth, you can help clients reframe their understanding of the reading and empower them to embrace the insights as opportunities for change. This approach fosters a more constructive and optimistic outlook, ultimately enabling clients to derive greater value from the session and enhance their personal journey. We’ve all had a reading where we have initially “feared” the 10 of Swords or Tower card when really both are an opportunity for growth, self-awareness and
#7 - Encourage self-reflection
Invite the client to reflect on the reading and consider how it might apply to their life. Sometimes, people need time to process the information and make connections to their personal experiences.
We all know this: the tarot can be brutally honest. Sometimes, especially during love reading with negative prèsages, the querent might disagree with your interpretation because it does not align with what they want to hear.
Be mindful of that and do not force your interpretation down their throats. Encourage them to take some time to take a step back and reassess their situation. I always feel happy for my clients to take photos, to voice record or to even film on video their readings, so they can takeaway to digest in their own time on their own schedule.
#8 - Learn from the experience
Use these trickier situations as opportunities for growth and improvement in your tarot reading practice. I like to note down those interactions in my notebook or my phone’s notes section for future reference. I write down as many details as possible, the word used by the client, what exactly they did not relate with, how I handled it and their reaction to my explanations.
Use these moments to reflect on the interaction and consider how you can better handle similar situations in the future.
Strategies you can use to reduce the likelihood of clients doubting your interpretation before the reading
First impressions are super important
Make sure your website, social media presence, and any marketing materials are well-designed and convey a sense of professionalism whilst representing very candidly who you are and what to expect. Especially for new clients, the first impression will be very important, and they’ll be choosing a reader based on how they feel when they browse social media profiles and websites, religiously checking their testimonials before making an investment.
A polished, honest and consistent image will enhance your credibility as a tarot reader.
Showcase your experience and your testimonials
Don’t be scared to shout about your strengths and successes! Make sure to place your background, expertise, and any relevant certifications or training you’ve completed at the forefront. This will help instil more trust into your prospective clients as well as make you stand out as the expert. Seeing feedback from satisfied clients can help to reassure potential clients of your skills and the value of your readings.
I was so excited to share when I became endorsed by TABI (Tarot Association of British Isles) as well as sharing that I have got liability insurance with Salon Gold, which added another layer of trust between me and my clients.
Offer a clear explanation of your tarot reading process
On your website and/or during an initial consultation, clearly explain how you conduct your tarot readings, the types of spreads you use, and your approach to interpretation. This transparency will help clients feel more comfortable and prepared for the reading. Use previous testimonials of the experience, as well as an FAQ page, to aid you in providing this transparency.
Set realistic expectations beforehand
Be clear about the purpose of tarot readings, emphasizing that they provide guidance and insights rather than definitive predictions. Your regular clients may already know that but for newcomers, it’s not that clear.
For my new clients, I have prepared a FAQ page which gives them a few pointers. I offer a free consult beforehand to check that the tarot session is right for them, as well offer plenty of opportunities to ask questions. I make sure to let them know that not everything might resonate with them during the reading *at first* and that’s okay. The tarot will give them plenty to think about and sometimes that clarity might hit them a few days or weeks later.
I think this approach has definitely helped me increase the number of tarot reading bookings over time.
Develop rapport, be that friendly support for them
From the moment a client contacts you, be warm, welcoming, and attentive in the style that suits you best in a genuine fashion. Building a strong rapport will encourage clients to trust you and be more open to your guidance during the reading.
I love to befriend my clients, to be honest, I like to position myself as that witchy friend you can rely on for amazing spiritual experiences. I love to hear updates after our session. I want my client to feel heard and listened to, and I think that rapport helps them trust me more than a reader that keeps things too professional. They know that I’m a witch on their side, and it’s a good thing for them to have.
People deserve to be looked after and not be treated like just another reading on your calendar.
Encourage clients to come with an open mind
Remind clients to approach the reading with an open mind and a willingness to explore different perspectives. People’s mindset at any point in time is a strong force behind how they react to things. Ease your clients into the reading with some clarification on what the session will look like.
For example, start slow and do not just jump to the heavy conversation straight off the bat. Use the first 5/10 minutes of your conversation to gauge their state of mind and adapt your approach accordingly. This is especially important when doing readings at live events where people may not know of you at all.
Helping them to remain open-minded can make them more receptive to your interpretation, even if it surprises them.
Be prepared before the reading
Before the reading, familiarize yourself with the client’s initial query or outreach to you. When they approach me to book a reading I make sure to ask some questions to gain insight into what they need the reading for. This helps me prepare better for the reading and attune my intuitive energy to what my client needs.
Continually improve your interpretative skills
That goes without saying really but practice makes perfect. Regularly invest in your professional development through workshops, courses, and more. This will not only improve your tarot reading skills but also increase your confidence, which is a big part of what can positively influence your client’s perception of your abilities and reduce the chances they might doubt your interpretations. Consume everything you can for free at first, and what you find worthy start to make smaller investments in – whether it’s books, tarot coaches or astrology courses, there are tons of opportunities to learn across the globe. I wish you all the best on your journey lovely, and sign up to the newsletter for more tips & tricks to aid you in your tarot profession. Until next time xox
I have been reading Tarot for more than 15 years. I have always enjoyed using my intuition to provide clarity and insights to others. Tarot is one of my favorite forms of divination, and I love sharing that passion with like-minded folks.
Continue your tarot journey ✨
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