How to Prepare for a Psychic Reading (From Someone Who Learned the Hard Way)

If you’re about to get your first psychic reading, you probably feel a mix of excitement, skepticism, and maybe a little embarrassment. I know because I felt all three when I called Keen at 11pm on the worst night of my life. That first reading happened to be incredible, but it was incredible despite my total lack of preparation, not because of it.

My next few readings were not as good, and looking back, it was mostly my fault. I didn’t know what questions to ask, how to choose a reader, how to be open without being leading, or when to end a reading that wasn’t working. I estimate I wasted about $800 on readings that could have been much better with basic preparation.

After 47 readings across six platforms, I’ve developed a preparation process that consistently leads to better readings. Here it is.

Before the Reading: Get Clear on Your Question

This is the single most important thing you can do. The difference between a good reading and a wasted reading often comes down to the question you walk in with.

Bad Questions

• “Tell me about my future” — Too broad; invites generic responses
• “Will my ex come back?” — Yes/no questions limit the reading
• “When will I meet my soulmate?” — Demands a specific timeline that may not be possible
• “Am I cursed?” — Sets up a potential upsell (if a reader says yes, run)

Good Questions

• “I’m facing a decision about [X] and I’m torn. What do I need to consider?”
• “Something feels off about [situation]. What am I not seeing?”
• “I keep repeating the same pattern in [area]. What’s driving it?”
• “I’m struggling with [emotion]. What do I need to understand about it?”

The best questions are open-ended and honest. They give the reader something specific to focus on without dictating the answer. Notice the good questions all start from a place of genuine uncertainty — you’re not asking the reader to confirm what you already hope is true. You’re asking them to show you something you can’t see on your own.

Write Down 2-3 Questions

Before your reading, write down two or three questions you want to ask. Rank them by importance. Start with the most important one, because readings have a way of expanding to fill the time and you don’t want to run out of minutes before getting to the thing you actually called about.

Having written questions also helps if you get nervous or emotional during the reading (which you might — I certainly did in my early readings). It’s easy to go blank when someone says something that hits hard. Having your questions written down keeps you grounded.

Choosing the Right Reader

After your question, the reader you choose is the second most important factor. Here’s how I learned to choose well:

Read the Reviews Carefully

Don’t just look at the star rating — read the actual text of reviews. Look for specifics: “She described my situation without me telling her anything” is much more meaningful than “Great reading, highly recommend!” Long, detailed reviews from repeat clients are the best signal of quality.

Match the Specialty to Your Need

If you’re asking about relationships, look for readers who specialize in love and relationships. If it’s career-related, find someone who lists career readings as a specialty. Generalists can be good, but specialists are usually better for specific questions.

Consider the Format

Phone readings are most common and feel natural for conversational people. Chat readings (best on Kasamba) are great for introverts and give you a written record. Video readings (best on Psychic Source) create the deepest connection but require more vulnerability. Choose the format that feels right for you.

Use Introductory Rates

Every major platform offers discounted rates for new users. Use them. Try a reader at the introductory rate, and if they’re good, come back at the regular rate. If they’re not, try another reader. This is the most cost-effective way to find your match. See my platform rankings for the best intro offers.

During the Reading: How to Show Up

Be Honest and Vulnerable

I know this is scary. I know you might want to test the reader by withholding information. I tried that, and it consistently led to worse readings. The more honest and open you are, the better the reading will be — whether that’s because the reader can connect more deeply with your energy or because they can focus on what actually matters to you. Either way, vulnerability leads to better outcomes.

But Don’t Over-Share

There’s a balance. Being honest about your situation is good. Monologuing for ten minutes about every detail is not — you’re paying by the minute and the reader needs time to actually read. Give enough context to frame your question, then let them work.

Take Notes

If you’re on the phone, keep a notepad handy and jot down key phrases, names, timeframes, and specific predictions. You’ll want these later when you’re evaluating whether things came true. If you’re doing a chat reading, this is built in — just screenshot the conversation.

Notice How You Feel

Pay attention to your emotional responses during the reading. When something makes you uncomfortable, that’s often a sign it’s true. When something makes you feel instantly warm and reassured, be slightly suspicious — it might be what you want to hear rather than what you need to hear.

Red Flags: When to End a Reading

In 47 readings, I encountered a few clear red flags. If any of these happen, end the reading immediately:

• Curse or dark energy claims: “You have a curse that needs removing” is always a scam. Always.
• Upselling products: If a reader tries to sell you candles, crystals, spell kits, or anything beyond the reading itself, they’re not legitimate.
• Fear-based urgency: “You need another reading immediately” or “Something bad will happen if you don’t act now” is manipulation.
• Requesting personal information: A reader should never ask for your address, financial details, or social media accounts.
• All positive, no substance: If everything is “wonderful” and “beautiful” with no specifics, you’re getting a generic feel-good script, not a reading.

I had one experience on Kasambawhere a reader tried the curse-removal scam. I ended the reading, reported her, and the platform removed her. Don’t be afraid to speak up and protect other users.

After the Reading: What to Do With It

Don’t Make Big Decisions Immediately

A reading can be emotionally intense. Give yourself at least 24 hours before acting on anything significant. Let the information settle. Talk to a trusted friend or your therapist about what came up. The best readings will still feel true and relevant days later.

Review Your Notes in a Week

Some things that didn’t make sense during the reading will click later. I had multiple experiences where a reader said something I dismissed in the moment but understood perfectly a week or a month later. This is why note-taking matters.

Track Predictions

If the reader made specific predictions (timeframes, events, descriptions), write them down and check back at one month and three months. This helps you evaluate the reader’s accuracy over time, which is invaluable if you’re deciding whether to return to them.

Resist the Urge to Call Again Immediately

After a good reading, there’s a temptation to call back right away for more. Resist this. Give the reading time to work. Let the insights integrate. Calling back too soon is usually about seeking comfort rather than guidance, and those readings are rarely worth the money.

The Preparation Checklist

Here’s the quick version of everything above, for easy reference:

1. Write 2-3 specific, open-ended questions before the reading
2. Choose a reader based on detailed reviews, not just star ratings
3. Match the reading format (phone/chat/video) to your comfort level
4. Use introductory rates on your first reading with any platform
5. Be honest and vulnerable, but concise
6. Take notes during the reading
7. Watch for red flags and end the reading if they appear
8. Wait 24 hours before making any big decisions
9. Review your notes in a week
10. Track predictions at 1 month and 3 months

If you follow these steps, you’ll get dramatically more value from your readings than I did in my first month of flying blind. And when you’re ready to choose a platform, my complete rankings will help you find the right fit.