How to Choose a Genuine Medium: Red Flags and What to Look For
Updated: Aug 28
Choosing a psychic or medium has never been easier. Social media, websites, online booking platforms and live streaming have made it possible to connect with practitioners from all over the world. Whilst this provides greater choice than ever before, it has also created a new challenge. How do you know who is genuinely experienced, who works with integrity, and who may simply be very good at marketing themselves?
Over the years I have been asked this question countless times by people looking for reassurance before booking their first reading. Some have never visited a medium before, whilst others have had disappointing experiences and want to make a more informed decision. Whatever your reason, taking a little time to research before booking can make a significant difference to your overall experience.
As someone who has worked professionally for more than 35 years, I believe people should feel informed, confident and comfortable before choosing a medium. This article is designed to help you recognise the qualities of a professional practitioner, identify potential warning signs and understand what you should reasonably expect from a genuine mediumship reading.
A Large Social Media Following Does Not Guarantee Ability
One of the biggest misconceptions I see today is the belief that a large social media following automatically means someone is an exceptional psychic or medium. Whilst a strong online presence may demonstrate that someone has successfully built an audience, it does not necessarily reflect their level of experience, training, ethics or ability.
Social media is an excellent way to learn about someone's personality and approach, but it should never be the only factor you consider. Some outstanding mediums have relatively small audiences because they focus primarily on working with clients rather than creating content online. Equally, someone with hundreds of thousands of followers may simply have mastered social media marketing.
When researching a practitioner, look beyond the follower count. Read client testimonials, visit their website, learn about their experience, and consider how they communicate with people. These factors will often tell you far more than the number displayed on a social media profile.
If you would like to understand more about evidential mediumship and what professional mediumship involves, you may also enjoy reading What Is a Medium? Can Anyone Become a Medium?
What Should You Expect from a Professional Medium?
A genuine medium should always work with honesty, compassion and professionalism. Their purpose is to provide evidence, reassurance and guidance whilst treating every client with respect and sensitivity. Although difficult emotions may naturally arise during a reading, you should generally leave the session feeling calmer, more reassured and better informed than when you arrived.
Professional mediumship is not about creating fear, dependency or dramatic predictions. Instead, it is about demonstrating the continuing connection between you and your loved ones through meaningful evidence and thoughtful communication. Every reading is unique, but the overall experience should leave you feeling respected, supported and empowered.
In my own practice, I believe that integrity is just as important as intuitive ability. Clients place an enormous amount of trust in the person sitting opposite them, often during periods of grief or uncertainty. That trust should never be taken lightly.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
Whilst there are many genuine practitioners working with integrity, there are also situations where caution is advisable. Learning to recognise common warning signs can help you make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary distress.
Creating Fear
One of the biggest warning signs is when someone attempts to create fear before offering an expensive solution. Be cautious if a reader tells you that your loved one is trapped, that you have a curse, that negative entities are controlling your life, or that your family is under spiritual attack. Statements like these can leave vulnerable people feeling frightened and dependent upon further services.
In many cases, the next step is an offer to remove the problem for an additional fee. Professional practitioners should never rely on fear to encourage clients to spend more money. A genuine medium aims to provide comfort and understanding rather than anxiety and dependency.
Selling Expensive "Rescue" Services
Another situation to approach with caution is when someone creates a frightening scenario before immediately offering a costly solution. For example, claiming that a loved one cannot move on unless you pay hundreds of pounds for a special ceremony should prompt you to ask questions. Whilst everyone has different beliefs about spirituality, fear should never become a sales technique.
Blaming Spirit for Poor Readings
Every professional has days when they perform better than others. Mediums are no different. However, repeatedly blaming poor readings on spirit guides or claiming that "spirit is not working today" without accepting personal responsibility should be viewed carefully.
Honesty is one of the qualities I value most. If a connection is not flowing as well as expected, I believe practitioners should communicate openly rather than avoiding accountability.
Observe How the Medium Treats Other People
One of the easiest ways to assess a professional medium is simply to observe how they conduct themselves. Long before you book a reading, you can often learn a great deal by watching their videos, reading their posts and seeing how they interact with clients and other practitioners.
Ask yourself whether they communicate respectfully, encourage others, accept responsibility when mistakes happen and demonstrate genuine professionalism. Consider whether their content focuses primarily on helping people or whether it constantly criticises other mediums and creates unnecessary drama.
In my experience, the most respected practitioners are often the most humble. They understand that mediumship is about service rather than ego, and their behaviour reflects that understanding both online and in person.
Why Experience Matters
Like any profession, mediumship develops through years of learning, practice and experience. It involves far more than receiving intuitive impressions. A professional medium continually develops their self-awareness, communication skills, ethics and understanding of the responsibility that comes with working with people who may be grieving, vulnerable or seeking important guidance.
Today it is not uncommon to see someone begin studying mediumship and describe themselves as an international medium only a few months later. Everyone starts somewhere, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with being new to the field. However, experience should always be represented honestly and transparently.
When choosing a medium, look for someone who continues to invest in their professional development, demonstrates integrity and is open about their journey. A genuine practitioner understands that learning never truly ends.
If you are interested in developing your own intuition and understanding more about psychic and spiritual development, you are welcome to explore my Free Courses and Psychic Skool Community, where I regularly share educational resources, practical exercises and guidance for beginners through to advanced students.
Do Your Homework Before Booking
Before booking any professional service, most people carry out at least a little research, and choosing a medium should be no different. Take time to visit their website, read reviews, watch videos, and understand how they work. Look for genuine client feedback that refers to evidence, professionalism and the overall experience rather than vague comments alone.
Professional practitioners are usually transparent about their services, experience, booking process and policies. They should make it easy for clients to understand what they offer and what to expect from a reading. Taking just a few minutes to research beforehand can help you feel more confident in your decision and increase the likelihood of having a positive experience.
If you are considering your first reading and would like to know what to expect, you may find my Psychic Mediumship Reading service page helpful.
Continue Your Spiritual Journey
If you would like to deepen your understanding of intuition, psychic development and spiritual awareness, there are many ways to continue your journey.
Explore our latest blog articles covering mediumship, tarot, spiritual healing, sound healing and personal development. You can also visit the Resources Hub, where you'll find practical guidance, recommended reading and helpful tools to support your learning.
If you are looking for structured learning, you are warmly invited to join my Free Psychic Skool Community, where I regularly share educational videos, practical exercises and guidance to help you strengthen your intuition and develop your abilities at your own pace.
Why I Don't Ask Questions Before a Reading
One of the questions I am occasionally asked is why I don't request detailed information before a reading. The answer is very simple. I want the information that comes through during the session to stand on its own merit.
When you book a reading with me, I don't need your life story, your social media profiles, information about your family, or details about the loved one you hope to hear from. In fact, I prefer not to know these things beforehand. The less information I have, the more meaningful the evidence becomes because it comes through naturally during the reading rather than being influenced by anything I have been told.
In today's digital world, it is remarkably easy to learn a great deal about someone's life through Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok or other online platforms. Whilst social media has many positive uses, it also means clients should be mindful about how much personal information they share before a reading. A genuine evidential medium should be able to provide meaningful evidence without needing extensive background information.
This does not mean that a practitioner will never ask for basic administrative details such as your name, email address or telephone number. These are simply part of the booking process. However, there is a significant difference between collecting contact information and asking for details that could influence the content of a reading.
Be Careful About Sharing Personal Information
Before booking a reading, take a moment to consider what information is actually necessary. If someone asks for multiple social media profiles, detailed family information, names of loved ones in spirit, current life circumstances, relationship details or extensive personal history before the session begins, it is perfectly reasonable to ask why this information is required.
The purpose of a mediumship reading is for the medium to provide information to you, not for you to provide information to the medium. Whilst every practitioner has their own way of working, I personally believe that allowing the evidence to unfold naturally creates a much stronger and more meaningful experience for the client.
What If You Are Not Happy With a Reading?
Like any professional service, there may occasionally be situations where a client feels disappointed or believes the experience did not meet reasonable expectations. If this happens, I always encourage people to deal with the situation calmly and professionally.
The first step should always be to contact the practitioner directly and explain your concerns politely. A genuine professional should be willing to discuss your experience and, where appropriate, work towards a fair resolution.
If you genuinely believe the service delivered was not as described, you may wish to ask about the practitioner's refund policy. Professional businesses should have clear terms and conditions explaining how complaints and refunds are handled.
It is also worth remembering that secure payment methods often provide additional consumer protection. Depending on how you paid, services such as PayPal, credit card providers or debit card providers may offer dispute procedures or buyer protection in certain circumstances. Understanding your payment options before booking is another way of protecting yourself.
Professional Booking Systems Inspire Confidence
One of the signs of a well-established practitioner is the presence of clear and professional business systems. A reputable medium will usually have a professional website, secure online booking facilities, privacy policies, terms and conditions, confirmation emails and appropriate payment methods. These systems exist not only to support the business but also to provide reassurance and protection for clients.
Running a professional practice involves far more than giving readings. Behind every appointment are responsibilities such as website maintenance, secure booking software, insurance, professional training, client records, administration, tax obligations and ongoing development. Whilst clients may never see this work, it demonstrates a commitment to operating responsibly and ethically.
Professionalism should be evident throughout the entire client journey, from your first enquiry until long after your appointment has finished.
Trust Your Own Intuition
Perhaps the most valuable advice I can offer is to trust yourself.
If something feels rushed, uncomfortable, secretive or unprofessional, pay attention to that feeling. Your intuition is one of the most powerful tools you possess, and learning to listen to it is valuable in every area of life, not only when choosing a medium.
Notice how someone communicates with you. Do they answer your questions openly? Do they make you feel respected? Are they transparent about their services and pricing? Do their actions reflect the values they speak about?
Very often, your own instincts will recognise whether someone feels genuine long before your logical mind catches up.
Final Thoughts
A genuine medium is not defined by the size of their social media following, clever marketing or bold claims. They are defined by their integrity, professionalism, experience, compassion and commitment to serving others with honesty and respect.
The best mediums understand that this work is never about ego. It is about helping people find comfort, clarity and reassurance during some of the most important moments of their lives. Every client deserves to feel safe, supported and respected throughout the entire experience.
Take your time, ask questions, do your research and trust your own judgement. The medium who is right for someone else may not necessarily be the right practitioner for you, and that is perfectly normal. Finding someone whose approach aligns with your own values will help create a much more meaningful and rewarding experience.
Ready to Experience Evidential Mediumship?
If you are looking for a compassionate, professional and experienced psychic medium, I would be honoured to support you. With more than 35 years of experience, I provide evidential mediumship readings that focus on bringing comfort, clarity and reassurance through meaningful connections with loved ones in spirit.
Whether you are booking your very first reading or have experienced mediumship before, every session is approached with honesty, integrity and respect, creating a safe and supportive environment where you can receive guidance with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I know if a medium is genuine?
A genuine medium will work with integrity, professionalism and compassion. They should provide evidential information rather than vague statements, be transparent about their experience, respect client confidentiality and never use fear to encourage additional services.
2. Should a medium ask for lots of personal information before a reading?
Basic booking details are perfectly reasonable, but a professional evidential medium should not need extensive information about your life, family or loved ones in spirit before the reading begins. The evidence should come naturally during the session.
3. Can a medium guarantee contact with a specific loved one?
No. Every connection with the spirit world is unique, and no ethical medium can guarantee that a particular loved one will communicate. Professional mediums work with the spirit communicators who come forward during the reading.
4. Why is experience important when choosing a medium?
Mediumship develops through years of practice, training and personal development. An experienced medium has usually spent considerable time refining their abilities, learning to work ethically and understanding the responsibility that comes with supporting clients.
5. What should I expect to feel after a mediumship reading?
Although every experience is different, many people leave a genuine mediumship reading feeling comforted, reassured, uplifted and more at peace. The purpose of evidential mediumship is to provide meaningful evidence and compassionate guidance rather than fear or dependency.
About the Author
Wendy McCallum is an Intuitive Consultant, Psychic Medium, Spiritual Mentor, Healer, Teacher and Sound Healing Practitioner with over 35 years of experience. She has supported thousands of clients across the UK and internationally through psychic readings, mediumship, mentoring, healing and spiritual development. Wendy is passionate about helping people understand their intuition, develop their abilities and gain greater clarity, confidence and purpose on their spiritual journey.
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