The Achieve Radio Blogosphere
Spiritual Conversations & Commentary

In these dark financial times, many people are worried about their financial futures, and psychics, mediums and healers are no exception. We struggle to determine what is reasonable and fair to charge while at the same time trying to earn a living wage, as for many, psychic or healing work is their primary source of income.

What is fair and what is not fair is a hot topic of debate. Is a 30 minute reading for $25 too low, or is $600 an hour too high? What credentials are needed to be a psychic or healer? Do they go through the same rigorous training that a doctor or lawyer go through? Are these even comparable fields?

The Too Low Argument

If a psychic is charging too low a price they are essentially doing a few things. On the positive side, they are making their prices reasonable enough so that the everyday person can afford them. Also in this time of high unemployment, many people are on a fixed income, but are really looking for answers and hope. By offering low rates on a regular basis or low rates as a special, this allow people to get a service that can help them make some positive changes in their lives. The current unemployment rate as of March 2012 is 8.2 percent. Let me put that into perspective for you, according to US Employment Statistics, between the years of 1948 until 2010 the United States’ Unemployment Rate averaged 5.70 percent. In 1982 the highest unemployment rate was 10.80 as compared with the lowest rate of 2.50 percent in May of 1953. We are in some serious financial dark times and psychics and healers skills are needed more now than ever.

Another positive aspect is that the work psychics and healers do is not just about the money and that greed is the not motivating factor of getting into this line of work. This does not mean that money should not be charged. On the contrary, these are legitimate services that are provided by mostly legitimate people. Because the rate of unemployment is so high, there are many people setting up their shingle on sites such as www.keen.com without any background check, inquiries or proof of skills or experience. People go onto these sites, set up a profile, say they are fourth generation witch from Scotland with no proof or evidence of such a claim, and are taking people’s money at the rate of about $4 per minute. Do the math that is $240 an hour. We will come back to this rate in a little later.

The downside of charging very little for the service is the perception that clients do not look upon these “cheaper” psychics with as much respect. There is the psychological theory that if someone is charging $100 an hour they are obviously more skilled than the person charging half that rate. Even by other psychics, the readers that charge less are looked down upon as being less skilled and are sometimes shunned by their more expensive counterparts. It is further speculated that people do not take the advice of psychics that charge less as much as they do ones that charge more. The idea is that the more you pay, the more you will pay attention to what is being said because of the greater investment.

There are those clients that seek cheap or free readings. They hop from psychic to psychic or even radio show to radio asking the same questions and never really listening to the answers or using the advice and information they are being given. Would these folks pay more attention if they were paying more money? More than likely they would not, because the truth is that some people just like talking to people. They call a cheaper psychic or get free readings, not so much because they really want the advice, but because they are lonely and just want someone to talk to that will not hang up, or judge them and seem to genuinely care about them, even if it is at a half an hour at a time.

Psychics talk about a different type of clientele that you will attract if you raise your rates. It is a fact that people who have more money will pay more. People with money have found ways to be successful in their lives, if not just financially, that sets them apart from people that have less money. It must be considered that even CEO’s of companies are finding themselves without jobs and penniless, and so the playing field has become more even in recent years on that score. Psychics have to be careful judging people that have less money, as being less worthy of receiving guidance.

Some psychics that charge more complain about those charging less or are giving free readings because it forces them to have to drop their own rates. Recently I was at a live event. I began by charging $60 for 20 minutes. Across the aisle were readers charging $25 a half hour. I did drop my rate as did those around me because there was no way to compete. Now, I did not drop it to $25 a half hour, but the gap between $60 and $25 was just too large. Later on I will discuss what some of the factors that go into setting a rate. In my case there was the cost of the booth which was $400 for 2 days, the cost of travel and lodging. Needless to say, I barely broke even at that event.

Charging Too Much

There is a problem inherent in the type of work that we do, that is rarely discussed and that is the trap of ego, greed and the lack of humility. We change people’s lives and for some psychics and healers this can be intoxicating. Pair that with greed, and you have people charging outrageous amounts for services that people that are often desperate will pay, because it is often the most desperate person that will pay $600 that will seek to talk to their deceased mother, father or even their spouse on the other side, and even then it is through an intermediary.

So how much is too much? Here is a short list I have compiled of other similar professional fields and what they are making on average per hour. These statistics were harvested from www.payscale.com. It did find it interesting that there were no statistics for non-traditional healers, psychics or mediums on that site. The rates shown, unless otherwise stated are the average United States pay range for someone with about one year of experience after graduated with a degree.

These are just a few of the fields that can be compared to psychics, healers and mediums. When setting their prices, light workers should carefully consider what they are offering and what other professionals are charging and stick to that range. There is something else to really consider. All of the fields I mentioned in the chart above have higher education that is at least an associate’s degree along with a number of hours they have to work under someone else before they are allowed to practice their trade. The great thing and the worst thing about psychics, mediums and healers is that it requires no education, no mentoring and no formal education or training. It really only requires the courage to log onto a website or create a homepage, or in some circumstances turn on a neon sign in a window to work as a professional light worker.

If someone is charging $300 or more to contact your dead Aunt Susie, should they really be charging more than a heart surgeon? There are other factors to consider before answering this question.

Location, Location, Location

The pay ranges mentioned above are national averages, but you cannot compare the cost of living in the mountains of North Carolina with living in Upper Manhattan. The cost of a reading is greatly determined by where a person is living. This is true especially for live psychic readings both one on one or at a psychic fair. The other thing that can influence that of course is what others at these events are charging. Some psychics discuss this before the event begins to make it fair for everyone and reduce needless competition.

This becomes trickier when you are doing phone readings because often the person on the other side may be from a different part of the world, and so in this case a psychic has to decide what is the fairest price based upon what others are charging, while still considering what they need to make as a living wage or better. When psychics begin comparing their rates, sometimes they are truly comparing apples to oranges based upon where they live.

Overhead

There are costs involved in working as a psychic, medium or healer and it depends exactly on what type of work they are doing. For most psychics and mediums, the cost of actually doing what they do is low. They may have an oracle such as a deck of tarot cards, but for the most part, they can show up and be ready to go without much fuss. Healers on the other hand may have supplies that cost money such as herbs, oils and other healing components.

There are other costs to be considered:

· Telephones

· Marketing

· Cost of using a service ( for sites such as Keen .com the cost can be as much as 60 % of what the psychic charges goes to the service)

· Skype

· Financial Services such as PayPal

· Setting up a website

· Cost of a radio show slot

The list can go on, and so the cost must be considered because the psychic is the one incurring these costs, sometimes every time they pick up phone to talk to a client.

As I mentioned earlier, if a psychic is doing a live appearance, there are all kinds of costs to be considered:

· Travel

· Food

· Lodging

· A table and chairs

· Signs

· Handouts

· Business cards

· Cost of renting a space ( which in the bigger events can be in the thousands of dollars)

This often means that a psychic or reader will have to charge more at a live event then just doing a phone or live one on one reading.

Conclusion

Sure there is greed and corruption in the fields of light workers, but no more than in other fields. That does not mean that all light workers are corrupt if they charge higher prices than someone else. If they are just doing it because they were once on television, were part of competition, or on the cover of a book no one will ever buy then this can be considered ego and exploitation. If they are charging more because they are really good at what they do, have solid experience, or even a higher education, live in an area where the cost of living is high or a combination of these factors, then the higher rates can be justified.

On the opposite end of the scale, just because someone is charging less, does not mean that what they are offering is second rate. It could mean they are new to the field, have less experience, or are just trying to build an honest business one step at a time. They could be humble, and at the same time be very skilled.

It is up to the light worker to charge for their services responsibly. It is up to the client, to make wise choices about who they choose to use. This takes research and trial and error for both the workers and the clients to find the right combination of price, skill and connection. At no time should ego, greed or desperation be a factor in these most sacred relationships.

Max told me over morning coffee that I have been neglecting my fans and needed to make it up to you. He agreed I was busy, but recommended I offer people a special for this special night. (Wednesday March 28th) I will be on three shows tonight back to back, and so I am offering a 1,2,3 special.

1. Email Reading ( 2 questions) $20

123 Email Special- Click Here!

2. Phone Reading 20 minutes- $25

25 Minute Special- Click Here!

3. Free Reading Contest Tonight

If you listen to all three of my shows tonight and listen for the special word in each and email me those three words, I will give a free 30 minute reading to the 3rd person I get an email from. ($50 value) advisorandreader@gmail.com

This special will only be good for 24 hours, which means you need to purchase the reading within the 24 period, but you can schedule it any time.

Here are the Shows!

"That’s What He Said…"

An hour of readings. Tune in at www.achieveradio.com , call in at:

602-412-4949
917-677-5151
888-235-7374

Live with Belle Salisbury on Z Talk Radio

Join Belle and Gina tonight on the Live with Belle Salisbury Radio show as we welcome special guest John Fortuna, Psychic, Bellesprit Columnist, Bellesprit Diamond Psychic, and Radio Show Host on Achieve Radio. We will be taking your calls for FREE one question readings. 7-9 PM EST. www.ztalkradio.com. Learn more about John at www.Advisorandreader.com John will be joining us from 8-9 PM on the show!

Allie Cheslick and Wings of Love Radio

They say its her birthday. I am so excited to be on her show, makes me feel young!!! Not telling what will be happening!

Tune in at www.achieveradio.com , call in at:

602-412-4949
917-677-5151
888-235-7374

Remember—- book a reading, and listen to ALL three shows for a chance to win a free reading!

I am excited about all the new people who have joined the list, and there are some changes with my show, and will send out April Newsletter with all the exciting news, but if you listen in you will hear some previews!

Regards,

John Fortuna

www.advisorandreader.com

I have been writing about psychic ethics for some time. The issue is that there is no regulatory body, and frankly there never will be. Psychics come in many shapes and sizes, and to define what we do is impossible.

The main issue is that psychics have no formal schooling, as none is required. To be a psychic, a person only has to do one thing- they must claim they are a psychic. Without an educational system that is accredited, and without a regulatory board with some power to impose rules, regulations and laws there can be no formal regulation and as mentioned earlier that is no possible because of the vast diversity and lack of a single legal definition that would bind it together.

Consider a close relative to psychics and that is counselors. There is a standard course of study to become a therapist. This course of study is presented by universities throughout the country by accredited institutions. Once a person completes this standard course of study they have to then work in a professional setting under the guidance of a licensed therapist for a set amount of time and you have to pass a standard exam.

After this is completed a person then submits their grades, their hours as an intern and their passing grade on the exam to a state board that then provides them a license to practice. A fee is required to maintain their license which must be renewed every few years, and requires continuing education.

To practice as a therapist a person must be licensed. Without that license they are breaking the law and there are penalties including fines and even jail time. If a person acts in an unethical manner, a licensing board can revoke that person’s license.

Most regulated professions work in a similar fashion, but psychics are not one of them. There is nothing even close to this level of licensure, education and regulatory body.

What does exist are groups of psychics that agree to pay a fee, give a reading or two and have their bio put on a website. The agreement is that the psychic will act in an ethical manner and pay their fee. In return, the website does marketing to connect these psychics to clients. This is a great service for those psychics who can afford the monthly fee.

What these sites lack are criminal background checks, credit checks, proof of education, proof of identity, or any other check that a regulatory body requires in other professional service providers. This does not mean that these websites and organizations are not providing a valuable service, it just may not be the service that clients think that it is.

What is the solution to these dilemma of universal ethics and regulations? The answer is simple and not simple at the same time. The complicated part is that with so many people claiming to be psychic, a universal definition of what that means and what they do is virtually impossible. Further is that is very unlikely that there will ever be a governmental agency that will oversee psychics or even energy healers.

The simple is answer is “Caveat emptor,” or Buyer Beware. Clients must be educated about what psychics do, who they are, what they should expect, and what to look out for.

Another suggestion is that psychics should have some type of formal education in the area of psychology, sociology, therapy, ect… or create an accredited program for psychics that include these areas. This seems like an impossibility unless you consider that this has been done in the area of naturopathy. There are universities such as Bastyr that offer a degree in naturopathy that is nationally recognized and there are a number of states that now require this level of education from an approved accredited university before they can practice naturopathy. Included in this education is a formal internship.

I recently did a reading for a client and got into the area of health. I began to feel a constriction in my throat, began coughing and lost my voice for a time. The issue was that I was connecting with the client’s energy without protection.

Why did I get sick? Because I was doing surgery without gloves. I had not grounded and centered. I paid the price and contracted a psychic virus. Yuck right?

This is a common thing to happen, but so easy to avoid. When a psychic does readings they are tapping in and mixing with a person’s energies. This is a intimate and sacred experience, but one that has to be done delicately. A reader has to be invited to read which opens a channel with the client. Once the energies mix the reader is “plugged in” to the person they are reading for. If the reader, that being yours truly, does not put on their psychic armor and psychic rubber gloves, there is the risk of taking on some of the other person’s energies.

Some might say that this a totally psychological phenomenon, and I would concede to that point a little. Every interact between a reader and their client is emotional, psychological and spiritual. That is why I refer to it as a psychic virus. It is not as if I actually got her ailment, but my mind and spirit does not always know the difference and therefore I developed symptoms for a time.

If I had gone through the inner process of cladding my self in light armor and had touched the ground, put my psychic roots into the soil or plunged my hands into salt, I could have avoided this psychic virus. Once I realized I had it, I did consciously ground myself. Even though the virus was psychic to begin with, it can turn into an actual physical illness if left unchecked. Your emotional and psychological state have a direct connection to your physical wellness.

If the image of doing surgery without gloves makes you feel queasy then my job is done here. ALWAYS ground, center and protect yourself.

Fortuna out!

A missing child is a terrible thing. I know when children were younger and  stepped away from me in a grocery store the feeling I had in my chest and that only lasted a few minutes- not days, months or years. I know from experience how a family responds if a child has to be taken away from them, as part of my job as a social worker investigator involved removing children, even for a temporary basis, from their family. They were devastated and my heart wept for them even though in my position I had to look after the best interest of the child.

This article focuses on those children that have been abducted and sometimes killed by strangers. In these cases, a family is left with no answers and sometimes law enforcement cannot help. Some law enforcement say that the first forty eight hours can be the most crucial. After that period, the trail becomes colder and the chances of a child being recovered decrease.

A call goes out to family, friends, neighbors and strangers on the evening news of any information concerning a missing a child. Law enforcement and volunteers begin searching in neighborhoods, woods, fields, swamps or any other place a child might be found. During this time tip lines  get flooded with hundreds and even thousands of tips or information about the whereabouts of a child, who might have taken the child or any other information concerning locating the missing child.

According to Shelle Hale, creator of www.psychiccrimefighter.com , some of these tips are from psychics. Psychics call the tip lines and even the family directly with all sorts of claims that they know where a child is located. The police and volunteers must sift through many such calls along with calls from non-psychics. Law enforcement must determine which leads to follow and which leads they must push aside. There are just too many leads, in too many directions to follow all at once.

Hale states that there are a number of confirmed cases in which psychics gave good information that in hindsight of a case were accurate. In fact, Hale is currently doing research to review the tips from missing children’s cases that were solved to determine how many cases had accurate psychic tips and more importantly, whether these tips were ignored during investigations. It is unclear whether Hale will be looking at other non psychic tips with the same scrutiny.

It is true that there are psychics with amazing gifts. They can see events in the past, present and future. It is also true that there are people whom are very intuitive, but do not call themselves psychics, but have some of these same amazing gifts. Unfortunately, there are those people that claim to be psychics that have very little in the form of a gift and prey upon families or are seeking fame by making predictions during a missing children’s case, because let’s be honest a broken clock is right at least two times a day. If a person makes enough calls to tip lines about missing children’s cases they might be correct at least once.

How does law enforcement discern the credible from the ridiculous? The truth is that under pressure they really cannot. It is only upon analysis on the backend, such as what Hale is attempting, that a tip whether psychic or non psychic can be determined as accurate. The problem is that psychics have a bad reputation. There are a few reasons for this.

One is that there are many people claiming to be psychics that call tip lines and families. How does a person determine which of these are accurate and which are not? Further, many of these people are either looking for a reward or they are asking the family for money. This does not help the reputation of psychics as a whole. Hale’s site offers the predictions from people without asking for money which law enforcement can then look at. The problem is that this forum is large and like tip lines, anyone can post anything and so it would difficult for law enforcement to really scan the information for relevant information.

The second issue is that psychics are often wrong. Even the best psychics cannot claim to be 100 percent accurate. Every time a psychic misses with their information, the general public, including law enforcement, uses it to reinforce that the information from psychics is no better then a guess. It does not matter if a psychic is correct ten times, one miss can kill their credibility. Mix into the population of psychics, those that are frauds, and you have an even larger body of evidence that psychics should not be taken seriously.

The third issue, even for legitimate psychics, is how they present the material. It can be very vague and symbolic. Hale points out that law enforcement officers she has worked with find that they are able to use a psychic much better if they are in the field and talking to the psychic while searching. A psychic can then tell direct them to  landmarks in a particular area to look for and the officer has a much easier time utilizing this information. For instance, if a psychic says that there is a large blue cow near where a child is being held, this might not be very helpful on a tip line, but if an officer is in the field and sees a large blue cow painted on the side of a barn, then this information is both accurate and helpful. As mentioned earlier, law enforcement and volunteers may not have the time to follow each of these psychic leads.

A solution might be to have a standard form for psychics to use to fill out relevant information that law enforcement can actually use. In addition, if legitimate psychics really want to help law enforcement they should get some formal training on law enforcement procedures and investigations. Psychics should consider signing a pact that says that they will never ask for money, nor will they use the fact that they helped on a case for their personal gain. There are a number of psychics that use the cases they worked on as a marketing piece for their business. To the public, this sends out the message that they are making a profit off of someone else’s loss.

It will be hard to change every law enforcement’s opinion about the use of psychics. There are some agencies that chased their tales for weeks due to a psychic’s tip that proved to be useless and a waste of precious time. If law enforcement choses to use psychics to help them, they should do it wisely. Hale states that often she will wait until a case goes a little cold before she offers assistance. At that point law enforcement are willing to listen to any tip that might help their case, and it also builds trust and credibility that the psychic calling is not after money or fame, instead they are demonstrating that they really want to help.

Law enforcement agencies should seek legitimate psychics. This is a daunting task as psychics are not legally certified and there are plenty of books and sites that do not provide any kind of useful information about the legitimacy of the lists of psychics they list. It is more about trial and error. Even the best psychics will not be helpful on all cases, but neither are the majority of reports that come from non psychic people on tip lines. Law enforcement can use psychics to provide insight about a case much the way that is practical and useful such as looking at photos of an area they think a body might be located, or a list of names of possible suspects they might want to concentrate on.

Psychics can truly help law enforcement in some of their missing children’s cases and therefore should not be dismissed as a group as being  frauds and gypsies. Psychics should not bother families in the time of crisis and should instead partner with the agency investigating the case, and do it anonymously for no pay and no notoriety. If law enforcement agencies team up with the right psychics, have a reasonable protocol and analyze the information they receive more closely, more lives of children could be saved.