Difficult Tarot Clients: How to Handle

BY NICOLE LAU

Introduction: Not Every Client Is Your Client

Most tarot clients are wonderful—respectful, appreciative, and genuinely seeking guidance. But every professional reader eventually encounters difficult clients: the ones who argue with every card, demand free work, cross boundaries, or create drama. These clients test your professionalism, drain your energy, and challenge your commitment to service.

Handling difficult clients is a skill that separates hobbyists from professionals. It requires clear boundaries, emotional regulation, strategic communication, and the wisdom to know when to help and when to walk away. You can be compassionate without being a doormat. You can maintain integrity without being harsh. You can protect your practice while still honoring your service.

This guide reveals how to recognize red flags, manage challenging client behaviors, protect yourself and your practice, and handle difficult situations with grace and professionalism.

Types of Difficult Clients

The Arguer

Behavior: Disagrees with every card, argues with interpretations, insists cards are "wrong"

Why They're Difficult: Wastes time, creates conflict, undermines your authority, exhausting

Root Cause: Usually fear of truth, need for control, or testing you

The Freeloader

Behavior: Constantly asks for free readings, "just one quick card," expects unlimited follow-up

Why They're Difficult: Doesn't respect your time or value, exploits your kindness

Root Cause: Entitlement, lack of boundaries, doesn't value your work

The Dependent

Behavior: Can't make any decision without consulting you, books constantly, becomes emotionally reliant

Why They're Difficult: Creates unhealthy dynamic, draining, you become their crutch

Root Cause: Lack of self-trust, anxiety, avoidance of responsibility

The Boundary Pusher

Behavior: Texts at all hours, shows up unannounced, asks inappropriate personal questions, tries to become friends

Why They're Difficult: Violates boundaries, creates unsafe dynamic, blurs professional lines

Root Cause: Poor boundaries themselves, loneliness, misunderstanding professional relationship

The Skeptic/Tester

Behavior: Challenges everything, tests your accuracy, withholds information then says "you should have known"

Why They're Difficult: Creates adversarial dynamic, impossible to satisfy, wastes energy

Root Cause: Distrust, need to prove you wrong, intellectual superiority complex

The Trauma Dumper

Behavior: Uses sessions to process deep trauma, expects you to be therapist, overshares intensely

Why They're Difficult: Beyond your scope, emotionally overwhelming, needs professional help

Root Cause: Genuine need for therapy, confusion about what tarot is, desperation

The Bargainer

Behavior: Constantly negotiates price, asks for discounts, sob stories about why they can't pay full price

Why They're Difficult: Devalues your work, creates resentment, sets bad precedent

Root Cause: Financial stress (sometimes legitimate), entitlement, manipulation

The Hostile/Aggressive

Behavior: Rude, demanding, threatening, verbally abusive

Why They're Difficult: Creates unsafe environment, traumatizing, unacceptable

Root Cause: Anger issues, mental health crisis, personality disorder

Red Flags to Watch For

Before Booking

Warning Signs:
- Demanding immediate response
- Asking for free sample reading
- Lengthy sob story in first message
- Aggressive or entitled tone
- Trying to negotiate price before booking
- Asking inappropriate questions
- Gut feeling of "something's off"

What to Do: Trust your instincts. You can decline to work with someone before they even book.

During First Session

Warning Signs:
- Argues with every card
- Shares nothing then criticizes you for not knowing
- Asks you to predict death, illness, legal outcomes
- Becomes hostile when you set boundaries
- Overshares trauma intensely
- Tries to extend session without paying
- Makes you feel unsafe or uncomfortable

What to Do: Complete the session professionally but don't book them again.

Ongoing Relationship

Warning Signs:
- Books too frequently (weekly or more)
- Can't make decisions without you
- Contacts you constantly between sessions
- Crosses boundaries repeatedly despite correction
- Becomes emotionally dependent
- You dread their sessions

What to Do: Address the pattern or end the relationship.

How to Handle Specific Situations

The Arguer

In the Moment:
"I hear that this doesn't resonate with you. Tarot shows possibilities based on current energy. You're always free to choose differently. What does resonate for you in this situation?"

If It Continues:
"I notice you're disagreeing with most of the reading. Tarot might not be the right tool for you right now, or I might not be the right reader. I'm happy to end the session here and refund the remaining time."

After Session:
Don't book them again. If they try: "I don't think I'm the right reader for you."

The Freeloader

First Request:
"I don't offer free readings outside of scheduled sessions. If you'd like guidance, I'm happy to book you for a session."

Repeated Requests:
"As I've mentioned, I don't provide free readings. My rates are [price]. Let me know if you'd like to book."

If They Push:
Stop responding or block if necessary.

The Dependent

Address the Pattern:
"I notice you're booking very frequently. Part of tarot's purpose is to help you trust your own intuition. I'd like to space our sessions to monthly so you have time to integrate the guidance and develop your own decision-making."

Set Limits:
"I'm limiting sessions to once per month per client. This serves you better in the long run."

Refer Out:
"What you're describing sounds like it would benefit from therapy. I can recommend some therapists."

The Boundary Pusher

First Violation:
"I maintain professional boundaries with all clients. I'm available during [hours] for scheduled sessions. Please contact me through [proper channel] during business hours."

Second Violation:
"I've mentioned my boundaries. I need you to respect them. If you can't, I won't be able to continue working with you."

Third Violation:
"I'm ending our professional relationship. Please don't contact me again." Block if necessary.

The Skeptic/Tester

During Session:
"I sense you're testing me. Tarot works best when there's openness and collaboration. If you're not open to the process, this might not be the right time for a reading."

If They Withhold Info:
"I can only interpret what the cards show. If you're not sharing context, the reading will be limited. That's your choice, but it affects the value you receive."

After Session:
Don't work with them again. They're not your client.

The Trauma Dumper

In the Moment:
"I hear that you're going through something very difficult. What you're describing sounds like it needs professional therapeutic support. I can provide tarot guidance, but I'm not a therapist. Would you like me to recommend some therapists?"

If They Continue:
"I want to be clear: I can offer tarot insight, but I can't provide therapy. For your wellbeing, I really encourage you to seek professional help."

If It's Too Much:
"I don't feel equipped to help with what you're sharing. I think you need professional support beyond what tarot can provide."

The Bargainer

First Request:
"My prices are set and I don't offer discounts. If my rates don't work for you, I understand."

Sob Story:
"I understand you're in a difficult situation. My prices remain the same. I occasionally offer sliding scale slots [if you do], but they're currently full."

If They Push:
"I've shared my rates. If they don't work for you, I recommend finding a reader whose prices fit your budget."

The Hostile/Aggressive

First Sign of Hostility:
"I don't accept being spoken to this way. If you can't communicate respectfully, I'll end this session."

If It Continues:
"I'm ending this session now. You'll receive a refund for the remaining time. Please don't contact me again." End call/session immediately.

If You Feel Unsafe:
End immediately. Block. If in person, ask them to leave. Call for help if needed. Your safety comes first, always.

Protecting Yourself

Screen Clients

Intake Form: Ask questions that reveal red flags
Deposit/Prepayment: Weeds out non-serious people
Trust Your Gut: If something feels off, decline
Start Small: Shorter first session to assess fit

Set Clear Policies

Terms of Service: What clients agree to when booking
Cancellation Policy: Clear consequences for no-shows
Refund Policy: When you do/don't offer refunds
Behavior Standards: What's acceptable and what isn't

Document Everything

Keep Records: Notes on sessions, concerning behaviors
Save Messages: Evidence if someone becomes problematic
Document Violations: Track boundary violations
CYA: Protect yourself legally and professionally

Have Support

Peer Network: Other readers to consult
Mentor: Experienced reader for guidance
Therapist: Process difficult client interactions
Legal: Lawyer if needed for serious situations

When to Fire a Client

Reasons to End Relationship

Safety: You feel unsafe (physically or emotionally)
Repeated Violations: Boundaries crossed despite warnings
Abuse: Verbal abuse, harassment, threats
Unhealthy Dynamic: Dependency, enmeshment, inappropriate
Not Benefiting: They're not getting value from your work
Your Wellbeing: You dread their sessions, they drain you

How to Fire a Client

Be Direct:
"I don't think I'm the right reader for you. I won't be able to continue our sessions."

Don't Over-Explain:
You don't owe lengthy justification. Keep it brief.

Offer Referral (Optional):
"I can recommend other readers if you'd like."

Be Firm:
"This is my final decision. I wish you well."

Block if Necessary:
If they won't accept it, block them.

Self-Care After Difficult Clients

Immediate

Clear Energy: Wash hands, shake off, smoke cleanse
Ground: Eat, drink water, touch earth
Move: Walk, stretch, physical release
Breathe: Deep breathing to reset nervous system

Same Day

Process: Journal, talk to trusted friend/mentor
Release: Don't carry it into evening
Self-Compassion: You handled it as best you could
Learn: What can you learn for next time?

Ongoing

Therapy: Process difficult interactions professionally
Supervision: Consult with mentor or peer group
Boundaries: Strengthen boundaries to prevent repeats
Rest: Take time off if needed

Conclusion: You Don't Have to Serve Everyone

Not every person who wants a reading is your client. You have the right—and the responsibility—to choose who you work with. Difficult clients drain your energy, compromise your practice, and prevent you from serving those who truly benefit from your work.

Handling difficult clients with grace doesn't mean tolerating abuse or violation. It means setting clear boundaries, communicating professionally, and knowing when to walk away. You can be compassionate without being a doormat. You can maintain integrity without being harsh.

The right clients will respect your boundaries, value your work, and benefit from your service. The wrong clients will push, drain, and create problems. Learn to recognize the difference, trust your instincts, and protect your practice.

You deserve to work with clients who respect you. Your practice deserves to be sustainable and fulfilling. Your energy deserves to be protected. Fire the difficult clients, and make space for the wonderful ones.