Biddy’s post is very apt, as a follow up to my recent guest blog ,http://www.tarotastrocounselling.com.au/tarot/counselling-tarot-create-powerful-connection-clients-jenne-perlstein-guest-blogger-biddy-tarot/which Brigit referred to. In that blog I focused on some aspects of counselling and Tarot, and in this blog from Brigit, she very clearly points out that in no way should the the cards be used to diagnose a mental health disorder. In my course globalspiritualstudies.com/shop/courses/embracing-more-than-one-modality/counselling-and-mental-health-skills-for-astrologers-and-tarot-readers/ , I also emphasize this. Whilst I go through various common mental health disorders and some indicators / symptoms that may present in the consultation, via interaction with the person, I focus only lightly on the cards in the course, much in the way Brigit offers. It is not about making us as readers experts or counsellors about these issues. I teach the mental health component 1. to offer best practice in fulfilling our ethics of doing ‘no harm,’ and to offer what is best for the client i.e. so we know our limits ! It could be very harmful to engage more deeply with someone who is vulnerable. eg a client becoming more anxious or depressed as a result of the reading 2. to be able to ensure that we can refer on appropriately and how to suggest that 3. that we set boundaries for ourselves so we are not out of our depth or feeling distressed. 4. hopefully enabling you as the reader to not get caught up in any potential manipulation ,dependency or someones delusions etc. 5.It is about giving you permission to move away from the card reading if necessary,and using some of the basic skills I have talked about previously, and in the course, to give emotional l and even physical safety for the client, and you.
Brigits card interpretations are valuable as information for you as the reader, and depending on the context ,not necessarily for you to communicate with the client. If the cards seem potentially too overwhelming or distressing for the client, in conjunction with what you are perceiving and hearing from them, or leading you out of your depth , then, putting it bluntly, BACK OFF! Acknowledge the distress, listen and offer support and then recommend relevant help and REFER on, e.g. their GP, psychologist. psychiatrist , Lifeline , community mental health service, beyond blue etc.If you think the client can hear or acknowledge that there maybe issues, then do so gently, with very open ended questions eg (the 5 of Cups and the Moon is the spread ) ‘you are looking very sad .I am wondering how you are feeling at the moment?’ ….. and thus offering empathy, but allowing the client to speak as they feel comfortable, to lead you as to how far they wish to go, and for you to gauge how’ strong’ they are. Support, and not reading/interpreting more than the person can handle is key. Get to know the support and mental health services in your area.
Hope this is of help , and if you feel you need more support, then this blog is a great way , as well as supervision, and potentially my course and possibly more in depth accredited courses.
