Published 03/09/2026 • Updated 03/09/2026 by Joanne Jones

Why Do People Have Psychic Medium Readings? 10 Reasons Explained

Written by Joanne Jones | Founder of Trusted Psychics | Psychic Reader | 30+ Years' Experience

“Having spent over 30 years working in the psychic industry, I have come to realise that people often seek a medium reading when they miss their lost loved one, when things were left unsaid, or when they simply want to feel close to them again.” Joanne Jones.

Some of the most common reasons why people have psychic medium readings include longing for someone who has passed away, seeking comfort after losing someone you love, exploring the things you wanted to say but never got the chance to, wondering if certain occurrences are signs from a loved one who has died, searching for spiritual guidance or just wanting to experience mediumship for yourself.

For many people, curiosity about mediumship doesn't develop until years later when something like a dream, anniversary, family celebration, or unexpected encounter causes you to think about that special person who you miss.

10 Common Reasons People Have Psychic Medium Readings

1. They Miss Someone Who Has Passed Away

For countless people, their very first psychic medium reading will take place after losing someone they love.

When you build a life with someone else, the smallest moments in your day can remind you of their absence. You hear something funny and wish they were there to tell it to. You’ve had a big day and want to share how it went. Family photos and memories come flooding back, and for a moment they feel like they’re still there.

After someone passes, you will grieve in whatever way is unique to you. For some, a medium reading can provide comfort by attempting to connect them with their loved one in spirit.

Mediums receive information in various ways. Some hear words, names, or strong mental images; others feel emotions or impressions or simply have a sense of knowing. The medium will then interpret this information for the person having the reading.

“When you lose somebody you love, the simple, ordinary things are what you often miss the most. Spending time with them. Laughing together. Talking about your day. From my experiences working with people who have lost a loved one, that is one of the most common reasons why people contact a medium: they miss that person.” Joanne Jones

Everybody has different beliefs about spirituality and mediumship. Meaningful messages can come through in all shapes and forms; someone might find certain words hold great significance to them, whereas somebody else may not think much of it at all.

Spiritual experiences are very personal to everyone, and I firmly believe that people should be allowed to interpret their own readings however they see fit.

Someone may contact me after the death of their loved one, initially searching for specific answers or details, but they will often say after their reading they felt more at peace being able to speak openly about their lost loved one.

2. They Are Looking for Comfort During Bereavement

Losing someone you love, whether it's your partner, parent, another family member, or a dear friend, never completely leaves you. Life has a way of bringing memories back when you least expect it; maybe a song, a birthday, a family occasion, or even an ordinary moment can suddenly remind you of someone.

Sometimes it's a happy memory, but it can still bring feelings of loss, loneliness, and sadness. These can be very private emotions that we don't always share with other people. There can also be regret about lost time, things we wish we'd said, or simply wishing we'd appreciated someone more while they were here.

“Like many people, I've lost family members myself. Time can soften some of those feelings, but it doesn't erase the love or the memories. That's one reason I understand why some people find comfort in speaking with a medium. It isn't always about looking for answers. Sometimes they simply miss someone who mattered enormously to them.” Joanne Jones

3. Because There Are Things They Never Got to Say

Here at Trusted Psychics, our mediums speak to many people who have lost somebody suddenly, with no opportunity to say all the things that now feel so important.

We often hear people say If only you could turn the clock back, even for a few minutes, to say that final goodbye, but sudden loss isn't the only reason people are left with things unsaid.

You may have known that someone you loved was seriously ill, but at the time you were busy caring for them, dealing with everyday life and trying to cope with what was happening. It can be afterwards that you start thinking about the conversations you never had or wondering whether they really knew how deeply they were loved.

For other people, there may have been a disagreement; perhaps you hadn't spoken to a parent, sibling, or another family member for months or even years. After they have gone, the argument that once seemed so important can suddenly feel insignificant compared with all the time you lost together.

These are some of the most difficult unanswered questions after someone dies because there may be regret, guilt and love all mixed together.

“Over the years, I've spoken with many people who desperately wish they'd had one more opportunity to say what mattered. It has taught me something I think is important far beyond mediumship: time with the people we love is precious. Tell people you love them. Don't let a disagreement take away years you could have spent together, and don't assume there will always be another opportunity to say what you mean.” Joanne Jones.

Our actions in this life matter. The time we give people matters. And sometimes the most important words are the ones we should say while we still have the opportunity.

4. Because a Major Life Change Makes Them Think About Someone

Life events like getting married, having a baby, moving house, changing job, or retiring (or even celebrating an achievement) can suddenly make you think of someone who has died.

Often, you’ll be feeling extremely happy, and yet you’ll find yourself thinking, “I wish they were here now. I wish they could see this.” Or just to share time together.

These feelings can be overwhelming when the person you’ve lost is someone whose guidance, support or approval meant everything to you. It isn’t always grief that sends somebody in search of a medium; very often, positive events can prompt those kinds of thoughts too. This is why many people suddenly want a psychic reading many years after their loved one died.

When times like these come along, some people feel they reconnect with their loved one all by themselves, whereas others may decide to speak to a medium in the hope of experiencing that sense of connection.

5. They Feel They Have Received a Sign From a Loved One

When someone you love passes away, many people develop an interest in psychic mediums because they want to know if it’s possible to receive a sign from that person.

Many strongly believe that a message from a spirit can provide comfort in knowing that a loved one is at peace, that they are still close by in some way, and that the love you shared when they were alive doesn’t end just because they have died.

Listening to a song you associate with that person, having a particular dream, or even smelling a fragrance or aftershave that reminds you of them can bring on intense emotions. These types of signs feel very personal, especially if you’ve been thinking about that person a lot. Sometimes people have an experience like this, and it propels them into wanting a psychic medium reading.

Whether you believe in signs or not, many people have read our 15 Signs a Deceased Loved One is Near You guide, which explains in-depth the signs you may feel or see after losing a loved one.

6. To Explore Spiritual Guidance and Spirit Guides

While many people desire a psychic medium reading to connect with one specific loved one who has passed away, others may come to mediumship from another angle.

Spirit guides, spiritual guidance, psychic intuition, or spiritual development.

Maybe somebody has always had strong 'gut feelings', but they have recently intensified. Or perhaps coincidences have become too frequent to ignore. Some people will begin to question their spiritual beliefs because of experiences they have had. Others aren't influenced by experiences at all but have recently become curious about what spirit guides and spiritual communication mean for them.

Many psychic mediums mention working with spirit guides as well as the impressions they receive that they attribute to loved ones who have died. Some mediums work in different ways, so it's always good to read a psychic profile before calling for a phone reading.

7. They Are Searching for Hope After Loss

When you lose someone you love, you will grasp at anything that will make your heartache slightly more bearable. Some people focus on their religious or spiritual beliefs; some people speak with family and friends, and some will visit their loved one's grave, while others become curious about speaking to a psychic medium.

“I’ve seen firsthand the impact that losing somebody you love can have. When you are grieving, you don’t want all the answers; you just want something to give you that slightest bit of hope or reassurance, whether that’s faith for some people or just talking about the person they have lost or visiting their grave or speaking with a medium.” Joanne Jones

If you have recently lost someone and choose to speak with a psychic medium, you may hope to feel that your loved one is at peace or that your relationship with that person still has purpose, which is often why people become interested in mediumship and psychic healing.

A medium reading shouldn’t ever replace counselling or other professional bereavement support if that is required. However, it can offer curious people and believers another form of personal spiritual connection when they are looking for comfort.

8. They Miss a Loved One's Guidance When Life Moves Forward

Sometimes after you’ve lost someone, weeks, months or even years will pass before you’re suddenly faced with a decision and realise you wish you could ask their opinion.

That feeling can return at many points in life. You might be considering a new relationship, changing career, moving home, becoming a parent, dealing with a family situation, or making another important decision. Sometimes you don't want somebody else to make the decision for you; you simply miss the person whose opinion you would once have asked.

You might never think that in the early days of your bereavement you will love somebody else, but sometimes life throws you a curveball, and you end up falling for someone you really care about.

You may feel guilty about even considering falling in love with somebody again, or you could worry that if you move on, you are somehow leaving your partner who died behind. You might even feel as though loving somebody new is a betrayal of your relationship and the memories you have.

Another common theme is worrying about trust. Can I trust this person? Will they really treat me how I deserve? Did my partner really want me to find someone else to make me happy?

If you’ve found someone that you want to be with, it’s natural to look for reassurance that it is okay to let yourself start moving on with your life. It’s natural to want to be happy again and to still love and cherish the person you lost while opening your heart to someone new.

A medium cannot tell you whether you should be with this new person, but they can allow you to remember the loved one you miss, and that consultation can help give you peace of mind if it’s what you’re looking for. Moving on with your life and finding new love doesn’t mean you have to forget about that special person.

9. They Want Reassurance Their Loved One Is at Peace

If someone has died suddenly or after a long illness, we may find ourselves worried that our loved one is now okay and no longer suffering. This feeling can be especially strong if you saw them in pain or struggling with a serious illness towards the end of their life. Happy memories can be replaced by your last memories of them, causing you to crave the reassurance that they are okay and not suffering anymore.

For believers in mediumship, this may be reason enough to look for a psychic medium after losing someone you love. Having a reading, hoping to make that connection or receive a message from spirit, can provide comfort and help you remember them for who they were rather than how they died.

Whether you believe in heaven, an afterlife, or something else entirely, beliefs about what happens after death can vary greatly across religions, cultures, and even individuals. Many people have a spiritual or religious belief that death isn’t the end, and we will eventually be reunited with those we love again.

A psychic medium cannot prove there is an afterlife, nor guarantee they will make a connection to someone you have lost. Mediums who work with loved ones on the other side can offer hope and support to clients who want a reading for reassurance following a bereavement.

10. They Feel or Sense Someone Around Them

Very often people say they can feel someone around them, giving them the sense that they are not alone, even though no one else is there. Other times, people will just experience a certain feeling they recognise. Maybe an overwhelming feeling of calm when they hadn’t expected anything. Or they could just feel very strongly that someone close to them who has passed away is present.

If you have recently lost someone, it can be a powerful feeling. You may feel like you are just missing that person, but you may also question if there is something more spiritual about the feeling that you have experienced.

Within the practise of mediumship and many spiritual beliefs, people will place that sense of feeling like someone is around you down to a spirit or a loved one that has passed away. There are always logical explanations for these things too, so nobody should ever feel like they have to ascribe to one way of thinking.

For some people, feeling that someone is around them can be the catalyst for their first psychic reading with a medium.

A medium reading should never be used to hand responsibility for major decisions to somebody else. Whether the question involves a relationship, career, finances or another significant choice, the decision remains yours.

But there is a difference between asking somebody to make your decisions and wanting a moment to remember the person whose advice once helped you make them.

What Is the Best Way to Prepare for a Medium Reading?

There’s nothing you have to do in particular before having a reading from a medium. Some clients find it helpful to take a few moments before their session to sit quietly and reflect on why they are having a reading and what they hope to learn from the experience. It may also be beneficial to think about whether there are any questions you do not want to forget to ask.

Although you may have just one specific loved one you wish to hear from, try not to go into your reading expecting to hear from one person. A medium can’t promise they will connect with certain people or know precisely what information will be received.

When you begin your reading, let the medium share and interpret their impressions before offering too much information yourself. You may answer questions naturally if you feel something is relevant or let the psychic know if something doesn’t quite make sense. Never feel pressure to confirm a psychic’s information.

Find a quiet space where you will be comfortable and free from interruptions. More than anything, keep an open mind during your reading and decide yourself what you believe is significant to you.

If you're unsure whether you need a psychic or a medium, our Psychic vs Medium guide explains the differences and can help you decide which type of reading may better suit what you're looking for.

If you are new to speaking with a psychic medium, you may even find it easier to start with a Psychic Messenger reading. Since you are typing instead of talking, you'll have more time to think about what you want to ask, and you can read the psychic's answers at your own pace.

Does a Cheap Medium Reading Mean Lower Quality?

A cheap medium reading service does not mean you will get a poor-quality service. Some UK online psychic services offer affordable psychic medium readings by some of the top mediums in the UK.

Trusted Psychics has always felt that great mediumship should be offered at an affordable price. That’s why many of our top recommended UK psychic mediums have chosen to offer their services through us. These include seasoned professionals who have years of experience helping clients worldwide and have built up a loyal following.

In fact, some of our mediums have mentioned to us in the past that they enjoy offering more affordable readings. The reason? Customers don’t feel as pressured when they aren’t worried about the cost building up minute-by-minute. We think this attention to affordable prices paired with a panel of gifted psychic mediums is part of the reason we have so many returning customers.

Here at Trusted Psychics, cheap medium readings is about making our services affordable to everyone, without unnecessary high prices.

Find out more about Trusted Psychics pricing and what you should expect in our Cheap Medium Readings guide.

A Personal Note From Joanne Jones

Losing someone we love is one of the most profound things any of us will ever experience. Even when we think we are ready, there are some things we can’t predict how we will feel.

Heartache, sadness, loneliness, regrets and wishing we spent more time or said the right words. These are just some of the emotions we experience in the days and weeks after our loss.

“After more than 30 years working with psychics and mediums, I've seen how often people first become interested in mediumship after losing someone important to them.” Joanne Jones

Many spiritualists and mediums believe that the love we share with others is unconditional and that our connection can last beyond physical death. At Trusted Psychics, that is for you to decide.

Frequently Asked Questions About Psychic Medium Readings

What Happens During a Psychic Medium Reading?

Every psychic medium is different, but typically, during a medium reading, the medium will share impressions they believe come from spirit. These could be words, names, images, feelings, memories or even a sense of just knowing.

The medium will talk through and interpret these impressions while you respond naturally.

Keep in mind that nobody can guarantee that a certain person will come through to speak during the reading or that everything that is mentioned will relate to you personally. A good psychic medium will always allow time for you to use your own judgement.

Can a Psychic Medium Connect With a Particular Loved One?

Yes, you can certainly have a specific loved one in mind when you contact a psychic medium. However, nobody should promise you in advance that they can make that connection.

Instead of making the entire reading hinge on one person connecting, go into the session with an open mind and see what the medium has to say.

How Long After Someone Dies Can You Have a Psychic Medium Reading?

There is no set period of time that you should wait before speaking to a psychic medium about a lost loved one. Some people discover mediumship days or weeks after someone has passed, while others may wait much longer.

If you are looking to a medium reading as a way to ‘move on’ from your grief or hang on to the belief that you will receive a certain message, it may be better to wait longer and speak to someone about your grief and emotional wellbeing.

How Can Speaking to a Psychic Medium Help Me?

Many people will speak to a psychic medium for a variety of different reasons. You may miss somebody who has passed, want to clear things left unsaid between you two or simply be curious about how mediumship works.

Some people find comfort in their readings or feel as though they gain a new perspective. Others appreciate having time to sit and focus on remembering and talking about somebody important to them.

A psychic medium cannot ‘fix’ your grief or assure you of certain things. Only you can determine whether speaking to a medium helps you.

Is It Normal to Feel Nervous Before a Medium Reading?

Yes. A first medium reading can feel unfamiliar, particularly when it relates to someone important who has died. You don't need to know what to say or how a reading is supposed to work. An experienced medium should explain their approach and allow you to decide whether you feel comfortable continuing.

What Questions Should I Ask During a Psychic Medium Reading?

You do not need to prepare a list of questions before contacting a psychic medium. Are you looking to learn about a loved one who has passed away? Do you have questions about certain things you never got to say? You may be experiencing signs from your loved one that you wish to confirm. Or perhaps you have your own spiritual questions about life and what lies beyond.

Asking open-ended questions can allow the reading to unfold more naturally. Remember, you never have to give a psychic your full life story just to keep them talking.

Can Psychic Mediums Connect With Spirit Guides?

Some psychics and mediums will include guidance from spirit guides in their readings. Others may focus on connecting with loved ones who have passed.

If you are specifically looking to learn about your spirit guides from a medium, look for psychics who mention this service in their profile.

A psychic can share what they understand spirit guides to be, but you are never obligated to agree with their beliefs.

Can I Have a Psychic Medium Reading Over the Phone?

Yes! You do not need to sit face-to-face with someone in order to have a psychic medium reading. In fact, many people prefer psychic phone readings because they can speak to the psychic without worrying about their surroundings. Everyone at Trusted Psychics is available 24/7, so you can have a reading at a time that suits you.

If you don’t feel comfortable talking on the phone, you can always request a Psychic Messenger reading. Many new clients find this medium of reading easier, as you can type your questions at your own pace.

What If My Loved One Doesn't Come Through During the Reading?

Mediums receive and interpret information in various ways. Some people just will not come through on a reading and give you that connection or answer you were hoping for. A good medium will be truthful with you about this instead of trying to mould information into something that was not said.

For that reason, it's helpful to read your medium’s profiles and pick someone whose experience and style of reading resonate with you. But still maintain realistic expectations of what anyone reading can offer.

Is a Psychic Medium Reading Right for You?

You will find there are many reasons to have a psychic medium reading. You may miss someone who has passed or wish that you had said something or resolved past differences. You may have had an experience you cannot explain or simply want to feel close to someone who was once a part of your daily life.

Whichever way your path to mediumship arrives, just be sure to go into your reading with an open mind, realistic expectations and use your own intuition.

Ready to Speak With a Psychic Medium?

Explore our Top 5 Psychic Mediums to find a reader whose experience and reading style suit you.

View all live psychic mediums.

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