Shaker Heights, OH -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/18/2010 -- Psychics and mediums say that they’re hearing from more new clients than ever before during these tough economic times. That’s fine with many alternative spiritual energy practitioners (psychics, mediums, astrologers, tarot readers and others), who admit the reason they got into their field first and foremost was to help people.

Often, it takes some big life hurdle – or a combination of problems -- to drive a person to contact a psychic for help. Those problems can range from health issues to bumpy relationships to financial crises. During economic hard times, alternative spiritual energy practitioners encounter more and more people digging into their pockets for a personal session. These people are often facing individual or family financial issues which are intensified in severity by the current economic crisis.. That ends up being a frightening combination that propels them to seek forms of help they hadn't previously considered.

Even skeptics admit that billions of dollars are spent on alternative spiritual energy practitioners every year. The skeptics aside, many people feel – on a deep, personal level – that there are forces that affect our lives that can't be perceived by the five senses. Thus, they’re drawn to psychics, mediums, or tarot readers.

Chris Miller owns SoulBuffet.com, an informational portal about alternative practices which helps pair individuals with spiritual practitioners. According to Miller, for years people have been trending away from traditional physical and spiritual healing and are seeking out alternatives such as acupuncture, massage therapy, herbal remedies, and spiritual healers. "There are perfectly ordinary people out there who feel their lives have been changed by a session with a psychic. It's very common for someone to run into a stressful life situation, and to seek out a type of help they've never looked for before."

Though practitioners in this field use a wide variety of tools and techniques, many work with personal energies that often can't be perceived with the five senses. Sometimes, they'll communicate with angels and spirit guides and loved ones from the "other side." When it comes to personal energy, Angel communicator Alison Kelly of Alpharetta, Georgia, says, "Within this energy are the answers to questions regarding your physical health, soul’s purpose, and any subconscious beliefs that may be blocking you from experiencing a whole and balanced life."

Kelly notes that this is always positive communication even in difficult situations. "For example, if you were in a relationship that was about to end or not serving your highest good, then the Angels would present you with some positive alternatives or other possibilities. They don't give any messages that leave you feeling hopeless. The Angels will always shine light on any situation."

People are often hesitant to consult a psychic because they're skeptical about the ability to foretell the future. Actually, what most practitioners do is pick up on or sense vibrations and influences and possibilities. "I do not have a crystal ball, I do not know lottery numbers and I do not know when Mr. or Ms. Right will walk in the door," says intuitive psychic medium Lisa J. Smith of Bingham Falls, Michigan. "I do know about YOU and how we can work together to bring you joy, happiness, love and a new perspective into your life. I give you a different way of looking at things using my mediumship and intuitive abilities."

Alternative spiritual energy practitioners often end up being the "last resort" for people in various tough situations. Karen Deutsch, a psychic and intuitive reader in Columbus, Ohio, is called to consult by the police, medical personnel and mental health professionals. This phenomenon has been dramatized in the TV series, "Medium," based on a Phoenix, Arizona, practitioner, but Deutsch explains it in a very matter-of-fact way. Deutsch tells the story of a recent session with a woman and her grown niece; "I told the aunt that she would find work without looking. It would literally find her! I told her niece, who had not been feeling well, that I saw a tumor, and was concerned it might be serious. The aunt called me last week and said; she walked into a clothing store where the manager approached her and said she had "the look" to sell, and would she like a job? She accepted on the spot! Sadly, her niece did have a tumor, but was grateful that I disclosed the information, because after going to her OB/GYN and having scans and a biopsy, surgery was performed last Friday, and she is doing well."

Karen Deutsch says that her father had the same talents she does: he was both a surgeon and a medical intuitive, who used both his medical knowledge and his insight to help diagnose, treat and cure patients.

Many alternative spiritual energy practitioners say that even though financial issues might drive people to seek them out in the first place, often their clients end up dealing with a range of problems. "If they're worried about paying the bills," says Miller, "they're often secondarily stressed out about a health condition that's exacerbated by worrying about money. Or, they're working two part-time jobs instead of one full-time job, and the kids are into trouble because they're unsupervised more hours of the day."

Miller adds that some people seek spiritual guidance as a way to "grab the reigns and take personality responsibility. People get overwhelmed, they know they need help and don't know who to talk to. Many feel that visiting a psychic or medium can be comforting as well as a constructive step toward problem resolution."

SoulBuffet.com provides guests with information about intuitive readings and alternative spiritual healing, and includes a directory of practitioners and their areas of specialty.