Tarot as Therapy? How the Cards Support Mental Health & Self-Awareness
When most people hear the word tarot, they still picture a fortune-teller in a dark room predicting the future.
But what if I told you tarot can also look like this:
☕ A cup of tea
📓 A journal
🕯️ A quiet space to process your emotions
🃏 And one card, pulled with intention
Tarot can be therapy.
Not in place of it—but alongside it.
I’ve used tarot cards as a form of self-reflection, emotional processing. For me, tarot has been less about “what’s going to happen?” and more about “how am I feeling?” and “what do I need right now?”
Tarot as a Tool for Mental Health
We don’t talk about this enough, but most people don’t have regular access to a therapist. And even for those who do, mental health is a daily practice, not a once-a-month appointment.
Tarot helps you slow down and check in with yourself—kind of like a mirror that shows you what’s going on internally.
I often pull a card when I’m overwhelmed or anxious. Instead of spiraling in my thoughts, I use that moment to pause and ask:
What am I really feeling?
What am I afraid to admit to myself?
What part of me needs compassion?
Just the act of pulling a card opens the door to clarity. And from there, I usually journal it out. This is why I see tarot as a kind of meditative, therapeutic tool—one that promotes self-awareness, not superstition.
Bridging Tarot with Psychology
Here’s something not a lot of people talk about:
Tarot and therapy aren't opposites. In fact, they work beautifully together.
Many therapists use journaling prompts, parts work, or inner child healing. Tarot offers all of that in symbolic form. Each card is like a prompt that speaks directly to your subconscious.
Let’s say you pull the Five of Cups. You’re not being told to feel sad—you’re being invited to process what you already feel but maybe haven’t given space to. That’s exactly what emotional regulation and therapeutic reflection are all about.
In fact, I know some coaches and holistic therapists who use tarot as a part of their sessions—not for prediction, but for prompting dialogue and deeper self-inquiry.
Tarot = Mindfulness + Emotional Intelligence
You don’t have to be a mystic or witchy to use tarot.
You just need curiosity and a willingness to be honest with yourself.
Think of tarot as a mindfulness practice. The same way you might use breathwork, meditation, or journaling to connect with your inner world, tarot offers a visual, intuitive way to do just that.
It helps you notice patterns. It encourages you to ask better questions.
And most importantly, it brings you back to yourself.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever wondered whether tarot is “too woo” for you—let me just say: It’s not.
Tarot is simply a mirror. And when used with care and intention, it can support your mental health, emotional awareness, and personal development—just like any other self-care tool.
So the next time you’re feeling off, don’t be afraid to pick up a deck, take a deep breath, and ask yourself:
"What do I need right now?"
You might be surprised by how clearly the answer comes.
