Mediums

Mediumship and Psychic Healing: A Complete Guide

Written by Joanne Jones.

Founder of Trusted Psychics | Over 30 Years of Experience in the Psychic & Spiritual Industry

Updated: August 2026 | Reviewed for Accuracy

Mediumship and psychic healing are often grouped together.

But they aren't the same thing.

A mediumship reading is centred on perceived communication with deceased people or the spirit world.

Psychic healing, sometimes described as energy healing or spiritual healing, is based on the spiritual belief that a practitioner can work with a person's energy to encourage balance, relaxation, or a greater sense of wellbeing.

One focuses primarily on communication.

The other focuses primarily on energy.

And after more than 30 years around psychic and spiritual readers, I think understanding that distinction is much more useful than trying to decide which practice sounds more spiritual.

If you're wondering whether mediumship or psychic healing is right for you, start with one question:

What Are You Actually Hoping to Experience?

That answer usually tells you where to begin.

Mediumship vs Psychic Healing: The Quick Answer

The important thing is not to treat the terms as interchangeable.

Someone can be a medium without practising energy healing. An energy healer doesn't automatically practise mediumship, and some mediums practice both.

What Is Mediumship?

Mediumship is the practice of attempting to receive or interpret information believed to come from deceased people or the spirit world.

During a medium reading, a psychic medium may describe receiving information through sounds, images. emotions, physical sensations, or simply an impression they believe is significant.

Terms commonly associated with these experiences include clairvoyance (clear seeing), clairaudience (clear hearing) and clairsentience (clear sensing).

Mediumship also has a long association with Spiritualism and other spiritual traditions, although beliefs and practices vary considerably.

There is an important distinction I would make here.

Mediumship is a spiritual practice. Claims of communication with deceased people have not been scientifically established as fact.

People choose medium readings for personal, emotional, or spiritual reasons, especially after the death of a loved one or out of curiosity about communicating with spirits. But a responsible description of Mediumship should not portray every impression received during a reading as objectively verified information from someone who has passed on.

For a deeper explanation, read our complete guide to Medium Readings.

Why Do People Have Mediumship Readings?

Bereavement is one of the most popular reasons people first become interested in a mediumship reading. Maybe you miss your husband, wife, partner, parent, child, friend, or another loved one who passed away, and you’re curious to see what a mediumship reading could offer.

The reality is that most people come to me with a variety of questions and reasons. Very rarely do they come prepared with one concise, written question.

Sometimes they miss their loved one.

Maybe they miss talking to them, or their laugh, or Sunday dinners. Perhaps today is their birthday or an upcoming anniversary. You never know what may trigger your loved one to pop back into your mind. Maybe there’s something you still want to say to them, or many questions you wish you had the chance to ask.

Other times, people are simply curious about communicating with spirit. Especially if it’s your first time ever speaking to a psychic medium, you may wonder if anything will come up that feels familiar or resonates with your situation.

Regardless of what brings you in to schedule a mediumship reading with me, there’s no right or wrong reason. You don’t need to be grieving and looking for “closure” or thinking this will be the reading that proves there is life after death.

Sometimes the reason is much simpler: someone mattered deeply to you, you still think about them, and you're curious about what might arise during a mediumship reading.

You may enjoy reading our article on 15 Signs a Deceased Loved One is Near You, which brings comfort and reassurance to many people.

Joanne's Insight: Grief Doesn't Always Arrive as a Question

After decades working with mediumship readings, one thing I think gets overlooked is that people don't necessarily seek a medium because they have a dramatic question to be answered.

Very often it’s just that they miss someone.

They may not be looking for a prediction, an explanation or even what people commonly call “closure”.

They might simply be curious about having a medium reading because a relationship still matters to them.

The reason someone chooses a medium can be deeply personal, without our needing to make claims about what a reading will prove.

What Happens During a Mediumship Reading?

Your mediumship reading will typically be a dialogue between you and the psychic medium where the medium tells you what they feel they are receiving. There is no set structure as mediums have widely varying abilities, reading styles and interpretation techniques.

Many mediums will explain briefly how they work and experience mediumship at the start of the reading. Some receive pictures in their mind’s eye, words, names, or phrases. Others experience emotions, physical sensations, intuitive hunches or know something to be clairvoyant, clairaudient, or clairsentient information.

The medium will then start to relay what they feel may be meaningful to you. This could be a name, a relation to you, a personality trait, a fond memory you share, a place you’ve been, an object you own, a mental image you can picture or any other insight that they receive during the reading.

As the information flows, you can reply naturally. If something that the medium says feels like it could be meaningful to you, affirm it. If what they’re saying makes no sense, it’s equally important to let them know that, too. Remember: you’re not expected to confirm something you don’t believe is relevant to you just because you’re having a psychic reading.

A good psychic medium will not promise that a specific person will make an appearance or answer every question you have. They also should not try to force an answer where one cannot be given.

At the end of the reading, you may wish to ask a follow-up question or go over something that you didn’t understand. Some people like to take notes during a phone psychic reading or online reading so that they can go back through what was said afterwards instead of trying to remember.

How Do I Know What to Expect From My First Reading With a Medium?

For your first mediumship reading, don’t feel like you need to memorise your life story or prepare a list of specific questions.

It’s okay to think about why you wanted the reading and what you hope to ask, but try to go into the reading with an open mind. You may have someone special you’d like the medium to speak to, but a reputable psychic medium should never guarantee who they will see or know beforehand what details will be received.

If you’re taking part in a telephone psychic reading or online psychic reading, find a quiet space where you know you won’t be disturbed. Have a pen and paper to hand if you want to jot anything down and ask the medium to rephrase something if you don’t understand what they’re saying.

Above all, be honest throughout the reading. Confirm the information that feels right to you and tell the medium when something doesn’t feel applicable.

A good medium will allow time for questions, your own judgement and interpretation.

How Do Mediums Say They Receive Information?

There isn't one universal mediumship experience.

Different readers describe their impressions differently.

Clairvoyance literally means “clear seeing”.

A medium describing clairvoyance might report a mental picture, face, place, object, colour, or symbol.

Clairaudience is associated with perceived words, names, phrases, or sounds.

This doesn't necessarily mean hearing an external voice in the same way somebody physically hears another person speaking. Psychic mediums may describe the experience as something perceived internally.

Clairsentience refers to perceived feelings, sensations, or emotional impressions.

An experienced medium might associate a particular emotion or physical sensation with information arising during a reading.

Other Mediumship Methods

Some practitioners describe using meditation, automatic writing, Tarot, or other divination tools alongside their mediumship abilities.

All reader skills vary considerably, which is why I recommend reading an individual medium's profile rather than assuming every medium works in exactly the same way.

What Is Psychic Healing?

Psychic healing covers a wide range of spiritually oriented practices based on the belief that the practitioner can interact with, influence or perceive a person's energy field. Energy healing or spiritual healing are other terms that are sometimes used.

There are many types of psychic healing. Some methods used by psychic healers include Reiki, working with chakras, auras, meditation or visualisation, and intuitive energy work.

Why Do People Explore Psychic Healing?

People explore psychic healing for many reasons. Curiosity and open-mindedness may lead some people to give it a try. Other people are seeking psychic healing because they desire holistic approaches to wellness.

The decision to see a psychic healer is a personal one. If you believe psychic healing might be beneficial, don't hesitate to explore it.

I know I mention this point a lot as a psychic, but after being surrounded by psychic and spiritual practices for more than 30 years, I think it’s an important one to address: Psychic healing doesn’t have to heal an illness, fix what’s causing you physical pain or create a whirlwind life change to have meaning in your life.

If you’re interested in psychic or spiritual guidance instead of energy healing, check out one of our live psychic readers. You can browse by reading speciality to find a reader whose experience aligns with your needs.

Mediumship Vs Psychic Healing: What's the Real Difference?

The simplest distinction is:

Mediumship asks: “Who or what am I attempting to communicate with?”

Psychic healing asks: “What kind of energy work am I choosing to experience?”

Mediumship is primarily concerned with perceived spirit communication, while psychic healing is primarily concerned with spiritually interpreted energy and wellbeing.

They can exist within the same person's spiritual practice, but one doesn't automatically imply the other.

Mediumship and Psychic Healing Compared

Mediumship

• Focuses on perceived spirit communication.
• Often sought when someone has died.
• May involve clairvoyant, clairaudient, or clairsentient impressions.
• Usually structured as a reading.
• Doesn’t automatically involve energy healing.
• Spiritual claims should not be treated as scientifically established fact.

Psychic Healing

• Focuses on spiritually interpreted energy work.
• Often chosen for relaxation, reflection, or spiritual wellbeing.
• May involve Reiki, chakra work, aura practices, or intuitive approaches.
• May be structured as an energy or healing session.
• Doesn’t automatically involve mediumship.
• Should not replace medical or mental-health treatment.

What Are the Main Types of Psychic or Energy Healing?

When people talk about psychic healing, it can mean many different things. Healing is a loose term that covers many types of energy-based and spiritual practices.

Some energy healing is almost exclusively about relaxing and spiritually grounding yourself, while others combine meditation, energy healing, intuitive awareness, or your spiritual path. Knowing the difference can help you identify what you want, rather than picking someone just because they offer healing.

Reiki

Reiki is energy work that began in Japan. During a Reiki session, practitioners will rest their hands on you or hold their hands nearby as part of a formal energy healing practice.

Some like that Reiki is relaxing, comforting, or spiritual. Others believe in remote Reiki or distance healing, allowing the energy exchange to occur without the practitioner and client in the same location. Spiritual beliefs about energy work make this possible.

Reiki is not something you should use to diagnose, treat, or cure any medical conditions. Energy healing shouldn’t replace appropriate medical care.

Chakra Balancing

Spiritually and in certain religions, chakras are considered energy points throughout your body.

Chakra healing may involve meditation, breathing practices, visualisations, sound healing, crystals and more. Chakra balancing or healing can be part of someone’s meditation practice, energy healing, or larger spiritual practices.

Chakras play an important role in certain spiritual practices. They shouldn’t be confused with medically proven bodily functions or anatomy.

Aura Cleansing

An aura is considered a part of certain religious beliefs and spiritual practices as the energy field that surrounds your body.

Some people describe aura healing as a spiritual practice that clears or heals the energy around your body. Meditation and visualisation are common techniques, but practices will vary by practitioner.

Some believe connecting with your aura can help you pay more attention to your emotions, your environment and even your intuition. There are people who believe you can literally see an aura, while others believe the existence of auras is a spiritual decision.

Intuitive Energy Healing

Intuitive energy healing is somewhat of an umbrella term because there is no defined way to practice it.

One energy healer may focus on visualisation techniques and what their intuition is telling them during the process. Some may combine concepts of chakras and energy healing with their intuition. Many skilled readers develop their own techniques through years of spiritual practice. I would advise looking at the reader’s profile to understand the reader’s specialities and ask the reader questions on how they believe they can help you.

Psychic Development

Psychic development is different from psychic healing, though the lines between them may blur during your spiritual journey.

Psychic development is about building upon your intuition, psychic sensations, and psychic awareness. This could include becoming more centred through Meditation, learning to understand what your intuition is trying to tell you, or developing your clairvoyant abilities. Developing clairaudience, clairsentience, or other psychic senses can also be considered psychic development.

Spiritual Development

Spiritual development is even more fluid than psychic development.

Your spiritual path might consist of meditation, practising self-care, and reflecting on your life. It also could include studying psychic development, energy work, religion, or anything in between. You might find that a combination of things feeds your spirit.

There is no right path. You don’t need to practice every spiritual or religious belief out there for your practice to be authentic to you and your beliefs.

Joanne's “Name the Practice” Check

One lesson I've learned from being around this industry for so long is that spiritual terminology can sound much more precise than it actually is.

Two people can both call themselves energy healers and offer very different experiences.

So before choosing anybody, I'd ask three simple questions.

• What exactly does the practitioner do?
• What are they claiming the session can do?
• Are those claims spiritual, personal, or medical?

That third question matters most.

If someone says they offer a calming Reiki session, you can decide whether that experience appeals to you.

If somebody says they can medically diagnose you through your aura or cure an illness by removing an energy blockage, that's a false claim, and the reader should be avoided.

Which Psychic Healing Method Might Suit You?

Rather than promising that one technique is “best”, I would choose according to the experience you're actually interested in.

Practice What It Generally Involves Why Someone Might Explore It

Reiki: Hands-on or hands-off complementary energy practice. Relaxation or spiritual wellbeing

Chakra Work: Meditation, visualisation, sound or other chakra-focused practices. Spiritual reflection and balance.

Aura: Practices, rituals, or visualisations focused on the concept of an energy field, spiritual cleansing, or reflection.

Intuitive Energy Work: Practitioner-led approach that may combine several spiritual techniques. A less structured spiritual experience.

Mediumship: Attempted communication with deceased people or spirits; curiosity about spirit communication or a deceased loved one.

Notice that I've deliberately avoided a column promising “benefits”.

People can report all sorts of experiences after spiritual practices.

That isn't the same as establishing that a practice will produce a particular health outcome for everybody.

Can Mediumship Be Healing?

This is where the terminology becomes interesting.

Someone can describe a mediumship reading as healing without mediumship itself being psychic healing.

For example, a person may leave a reading feeling comforted, reflective, or emotionally moved. This does not mean the medium has medically healed grief, depression, anxiety, or another health condition.

I think the distinction is important because the word healing gets used very broadly in spiritual circles.

Sometimes people mean:

“That helped me emotionally.”

They don't necessarily mean:

“That treated a medical condition.”

Those are very different claims.

After more than three decades of being part of psychic and spiritual services, I think being clear about that distinction protects both the customer and responsible practitioners.

You can value a spiritual experience without needing to turn it into a medical claim.

What Does Science Say About Mediumship and Energy Healing?

A lot of studies have been conducted on mediumship in various experimental contexts, but there’s no scientific proof that communicating with deceased people is possible. As such, mediumship is still considered a spiritual or paranormal practice, rather than a science-backed method of connecting with loved ones who have passed.

Likewise, scientists have conducted many studies on Reiki and other forms of energy healing. These studies sometimes look at energy healing as it relates to relaxation, anxiety, pain, wellbeing, and other health outcomes. Individual studies might find certain results, but that doesn’t mean we can conclude that some unseen spiritual energy or healing energy was the cause of people’s improved health.

The same thing applies to things like chakras, auras, and energy itself. While they’re legitimate and meaningful concepts within many spiritual and religious traditions, they’re not scientifically proven anatomical features or medically recognised energy systems.

Our customers say that just because there isn’t scientific proof of how or why a spiritual practice works doesn’t mean meditation couldn’t be life-changing for somebody else. And yes, some people who visit a medium are moved by their readings.

If someone feels that way about a spiritual practice, that’s great. But they shouldn’t be placing the “according to science” label on their personal experiences.

Psychic Vs Medium: What's the Difference?

A psychic generally describes using intuitive impressions to explore questions about a person's life, relationships, career, or possible future direction.

A medium specifically describes attempting communication with deceased people or the spirit world.

Some people describe themselves as psychic mediums because they believe they work in both ways.

A psychic might also use tools such as Tarot cards, astrology or Numerology.

A medium may or may not use tools.

Rather than treating one as a “higher” form of the other, I'd see them as different areas of practice.

If you'd like a deeper comparison, our guide to psychic vs medium readings explores the distinction in more detail.

How Do I Choose a Genuine Medium or Responsible Energy Practitioner

A long list of abilities is not proof of someone’s authenticity.

Instead, look at how a psychic talks about what they do.

Beware of anyone who:

• Pressures you into buying multiple sessions.
• Does not clearly explain their reading or spiritual work.
• Makes guarantees about specific outcomes.
• Claims to be right 100% of the time.
• Suggests that increasingly costly spiritual sessions are needed.
• Tells you to stop medical or mental healthcare treatment.
• Won’t let you decide if the session is right for you.

Asking questions about the practitioner is important too. You should be able to research a psychic before booking with them. A psychic’s bio, experience, reading styles, and customer reviews can be beneficial when choosing a medium to connect with.

What a Genuine Medium or Psychic Healer Should Not Guarantee

There is nothing wrong with giving spiritual readings or healing, but things can get confusing and cause uncertainty when readers offer guarantees instead of healthy, constructive guidance.

I would avoid anyone who claims to:

• Guarantee contact with a specific deceased person.
• Guarantee that all information given is factually accurate.
• Heal you of an illness.
• Provide you with a medical diagnosis using psychic information.
• Intimidate you into purchasing further sessions.
• Remove a spiritual blockage if you pay more money each week.
• Advise you to stop taking prescribed medical care.

A professional psychic shouldn’t threaten you with bad things happening unless you pay for more work.

Spiritual Support Should Never Require Fear, Pressure or Dependency.

Can You Have a Mediumship Reading by Phone?

Yes. Having a reading over the phone lets you talk to a psychic medium without having to schedule an in-person appointment. Many mediums practice remotely and believe distance won’t hinder their ability to get the impressions they believe are linked with mediumship.

Quick to connect and done privately from your home or another quiet location, one benefit of mediumship over the phone is convenience. You typically can get a phone reading done quickly and without travel or waiting for an appointment.

Phone readings can also be less expensive than in-person appointments, especially when you have the option to pay for only as much time as you want. For a more affordable mediumship reading, look for psychic mediums that list their rate per minute or total cost of any reading packages before you start.

Another reason some prefer to have their mediumship reading by phone is the lack of visual distractions. The reader isn’t basing their thoughts on your looks, clothing, or environment. You can focus on the conversation at hand and take notes if you choose.

You should expect the same level of professionalism from a phone medium reading as with online or in-person meetings. No specific deceased individual should ever be guaranteed. A reputable medium should be okay with not knowing the answer to every question, and you shouldn’t feel pressured to continue with a reading or make additional bookings.

Mediumship is a spiritual service, and connection to deceased individuals has not been scientifically proven. Just because you can get a reading from the comfort of your own home doesn’t mean it has been validated as fact.

What We've Learned From 30+ Years Around Psychic and Mediumship Readings

Over thirty years of working in psychics, mediumship, and spiritual readings, I have learned a lot. One of the things that stands out most is that a label means little without knowing what someone actually does.

Psychic, medium, clairvoyant, healer, energy worker. These are just labels that attempt to describe what someone does. They don’t explain how a person works or communicates. Nor do they mean that two readers who share a label will have the same style of reading or offer what you’re looking for.

Mediums can have drastically different approaches to readings. Two energy workers might conduct their sessions in very different ways.

Know what you hope to gain from a reading and what the reader specialises in.

That last point is something I’ve grown to care about more and more over the years. There is a big difference between someone sharing their spiritual beliefs and someone using fear, making guarantees, or speaking about metaphysical things as if they were facts.

A professional should have no problem talking you through their approach while making no guarantees about what will happen. Feel free to question them if something doesn’t make sense to you. You should also be okay with deciding their practice isn’t for you and walking away with no hard feelings.

If I were looking for a medium or psychic reading, these are the things I would look for now.

We have put together our Top 5 Mediums in the UK who are highly recommended by our customers. Explore each reader's full profile before making your choice, look at the way they describe their abilities and decide which approach feels most appropriate for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Difference Between Mediumship and Psychic Healing?

Mediumship focuses on attempted communication with deceased people or the spirit world. Psychic or energy healing focuses on spiritual concepts involving energy, balance and wellbeing. They are separate practices, although some practitioners offer both.

Is Psychic Healing the Same as Reiki?

Not necessarily. Reiki is a specific complementary energy practice originating in Japan. Psychic healing is a broader term that may encompass Reiki, chakra practices, aura work or other spiritually based approaches.

Can a Medium Also Be a Psychic Healer?

Yes. Some practitioners describe themselves as mediums, psychics and energy healers. Check the individual person's profile because these abilities and services shouldn't be assumed from the title alone.

Can Mediumship Help With Grief?

Some people report finding mediumship readings comforting after bereavement. However, Mediumship should not be presented as a treatment or cure for grief, and it isn't a substitute for professional bereavement or mental-health support when that is needed.

Can Psychic Healing Treat Physical Illness?

Psychic or energy healing should not replace medical diagnosis or treatment. Some people choose complementary spiritual practices because they find them relaxing or personally meaningful, but claims to diagnose or cure illness require appropriate scientific evidence.

Are Chakras and Auras Scientifically Proven?

Chakras and auras are concepts associated with spiritual and religious traditions. They should not be presented as scientifically established anatomical structures or measurable medical systems.

What Happens If a Medium Doesn't Connect?

A particular person or message should never be guaranteed. If a reading isn't progressing as expected, a responsible medium should communicate honestly rather than forcing information or encouraging the customer to keep paying until something happens.

Can Medium Readings Work Over the Phone?

Many mediums offer readings remotely and believe physical proximity isn't necessary for their practice. Phone readings can also be less expensive than in-person appointments, especially when you have the option to pay for only as much time as you want. For a more affordable mediumship reading, look for psychic mediums that list their rate per minute or total cost of any reading packages before you start.

Joanne's Final Thought: Know What You're Choosing

If there's one thing I'd want somebody to take from this guide, it's that mediumship and psychic healing aren't interchangeable.

• Choose mediumship because you want to explore perceived spirit communication.
• Choose Reiki or another energy practice because that particular experience interests you.
• Choose a psychic reading because you want another perspective on something happening in your life.
• And if somebody offers a combination, read their profile and understand what that combination actually means.

If Mediumship is what you're looking for, browse Trusted Psychics live reader profiles and find someone whose experience and reading style feel right for you.

Explore our medium readers today.

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