Tarot in Therapy
We know that there are many benefits to using tarot for mental health, and you can read more here about that! Tarot can be an incredible gift for self-reflection as it helps you to clarify and express thoughts, feelings, problems, and needs in new ways. The images on the cards sometimes give way to communicate something that maybe you just don’t quite have the words for, or the images may help something “click” for you and show you want you’re really needing.
Did you know it can also be used in therapy though too?! Kimberleigh has received training in how to best support you in harnessing this powerful tool in the therapy space. She’s able to guide clients in using tarot in therapy online in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Illinois.
Are tarot cards used in therapy?
They absolutely can be! Kimberleigh can guide you in using the cards in a way that supports self-reflection and building greater insight and understanding of yourself! There are many different exercises that can be done involving tarot or oracle cards and Kimberleigh can help you get started!
Some of the exercises Kimberleigh uses involve selecting a card face down so you do not know what it is until it is flipped. Other exercises involve going through all the cards, exploring the images on each card, and selecting one or multiple that describe what is being talked about in sessions. Many exercises can be done in each session as different cards coming up each time will lead to different discussions about what they reveal!
Can tarot help with anxiety?
If you’ve ever wondered “Why do I feel anxious?” then I imagine you also want to know how to feel less of that anxiety, worry, fear, or dread. Tarot can help you to build an understanding of where that anxiety is coming from, fears of what could happen if you did let it go, and what healing could look like for you.
For example, the Eight of Swords might represent how you feel about all the overthinking that comes with anxiety. Blinded by all the thoughts and unable to be free from them. Then the Two of Pentacles shows someone balancing 2 pentacles gracefully. It might represent your desire and goal to juggle multiple priorities and find balance in all of your responsibilities. Taking that reflection further may guide you in starting to clarify those priorities and feeling more empowered to do something with them, rather than stuck in the blindness of overthinking and ruminating about them.
Do I need to know about tarot and the cards before using tarot in therapy?
No! Since the exercises are based on your interpretation of the images, it’s not important that you know what the cards mean. In fact, in some exercises, Kimberleigh may ask you to cover the names of the cards to support you in focusing on the imagery more than the title and traditional meaning.
When using cards in therapy, Kimberleigh will often ask you not to check your guidebook for the cards intended meaning, even with oracle cards where the meaning is identified by the deck creator. You may feel the urge to double-check that your interpretations are “correct”, especially for any perfectionists out there needing to know they got it right (did you know Kimberleigh helps perfectionists overcome the need for external confirmation?!)!
What do I need to be able to use tarot in therapy?
If you have your own tarot or oracle deck, great! If not, there are apps you can try.
If you do not have your own cards and want to try using them before you buy your own, Kimberleigh can use her cards and have you participate in choosing when to stop the shuffle, and which card to pull. In this case, she will show you the cards, and send images of the card and/or spread pulled in session.
If you do have your own cards, you’re welcome to take pictures of your pulls or spreads to reference, or leave the cards out as a visible reminder throughout the week until your next appointment.
Kimberleigh recommends using a journal to jot down notes about what the cards help you to clarify. This is also helpful if you use a similar prompt or intention each week or on a regular basis. The journal can help you notice patterns. If you see that the same card came up for you 3 weeks in a row (even though you shuffled!), maybe it’s something to reflect a little deeper on with Kimberleigh!
Ready to explore using tarot in your therapy?
To begin tarot in therapy with Mindfully Balanced Therapy:
Schedule a consult call with Kimberleigh or fill out a contact form on our website.
Meet with Kimberleigh to talk about your goals and learn about how tarot in therapy with Mindfully Balanced Therapy works and other holistic therapy options available.
Start experiencing a new way of gaining the clarity you need to move forward!
