Ann Théato has been psychic since childhood, when she would drift off 'somewhere else' – a state that would continue into adulthood, offering peaceful visions and deep insights. From her first steps in tarot as a teenager to becoming a tutor at The College of Psychic Studies, Ann maps her unique spiritual journey and reveals how she became the psychic medium she is today.
When did you first realise you were psychic?
It started in my teens. I discovered I knew with certainty who I'd meet on the way to school each morning. I'd know things in advance, like football scores or little events before they happened. I also began seeing spirit people out on the street but in my innocence, I just assumed everyone could see them too. I didn't realise it was unusual. I used to fall into trances, often while sitting at the dinner table. My eyes would be wide open, but I'd be staring – completely unseeing. My mother would wave her hands in front of my face and shout, "Where have you gone? Where have you gone?" I couldn't explain it at the time - I was just somewhere else.
Years later, when I had my two children, the same thing happened in reverse. They'd laugh at me for "staring and staring" and would try to bring me back with a giggle or a poke. But I never wanted to come back! I'd gone to that quiet, peaceful place – not asleep, but not here either. I felt held in another realm… safe, comfortable, completely immersed in my own thoughts and visions, with my spirit team advising me, whispering insights. It's always extraordinary to have to come back from that space — to be suddenly catapulted into the noise and busyness of the physical world.
So, in truth, I think I always knew. I was a very sensitive child – and I mean very. I picked up on people's feelings, knew things I had no logical way of knowing. At the time, I didn't have the vocabulary for it. I just thought I was weirdly good at guessing. But later, through study, practice, and a lot of inner work, I realised I wasn't guessing at all, I was tuning in.
How did you develop your psychic abilities?
It all started with tarot. I got my first pack of tarot cards when I was 17. They were so frighteningly accurate that I used to leave them in the family laundry basket outside my bedroom door at night – just in case they did something to me while I was asleep! It makes me laugh now, but back then I truly didn't understand them. Of course, I now know there's no magic in the cards themselves – they're just bits of paper with coloured ink. The real magic is inside us.
It wasn't until my 30s that I began to develop my mediumistic faculty. I'd had two children by then, and spirit people – and even spirit animals – began to show up in the house. I wasn't frightened, but I knew I had to explain it to my children. I felt a strong instinct to protect them. When my daughter started speaking to spirit people in the house, I knew it was time to seek guidance. I needed help to understand what was happening and to support her properly. It was a little alarming, but also deeply fascinating.
I began to study with some wonderful teachers. I trained with the Spiritualists' National Union (SNU), who examined me rigorously and awarded me Certificates of Recognition in evidential mediumship (CSNUd), public speaking (CSNUs), and teaching demonstrating mediumship (CSNUt). I've also studied extensively at the Arthur Findlay College in Stansted. My training has taken me to the Spiritualists' Association of Great Britain, the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York, and the Edgar Cayce Center for Research & Enlightenment in Virginia Beach, USA, where I qualified in Past Life Regression therapy. I'm an approved tutor at Tony Stockwell's Soul Space in Essex, the Arthur Conan Doyle Centre in Edinburgh, and of course, The College of Psychic Studies in London – a place I absolutely adore. It's been a lifelong journey, and I'm still learning every day. The moment you think you know it all in this work is the moment you stop growing.
How did you know you were ready to give psychic readings?
My very first readings were with tarot and I'd read for absolutely anyone who would sit still long enough – usually my friends. I'd pull a few cards, then whip out the little booklet and read the meanings aloud like I was delivering some ancient prophecy. I had no idea what I was doing, but the cards were so spot on, it didn't matter. Over time, I got really good at reading tarot. So much so, I became the go-to reader at every party. Someone would inevitably come up to me and whisper, "Have you got your cards?" And of course, I had. I took them everywhere.
These days, I've evolved beyond relying on the cards or the booklet. I now work without any tools at all - psychically and mediumistically, and often find that freedom allows for a deeper, more direct connection. That said, I still love tarot. I still offer tarot readings for clients who enjoy that way of working, and I always return to my old faithful Rider-Waite deck – the same battered pack I've had for over 40 years. They've seen it all, and they still speak volumes.
I moved naturally from tarot into broader psychic and mediumship work – but one thing always baffled me: the Court Cards. For years, I took them out of the deck. They didn't speak to me, and I didn't know how to read them. Eventually, I realised I had to face them. So, I turned to what I knew best: research. I delved into the real lives of kings and queens, knights and squires, studying the roles they played in medieval castles – their duties, their relationships, their hierarchies. And that's when the Court Cards came alive for me. Out of that journey, I created The Royal Court – a powerful, self-guided audio course that brings tarot's Pages, Knights, Queens, and Kings to life. It's part tarot, part history - completely grounded in how royal courts actually functioned. You'll step into their world, understand their personalities, and gain vivid imagery to enrich your readings. By the end, you won't just interpret the Court Cards – you'll embody them. Listen while walking the dog or driving to work – it's available now for instant access on my website. I'm passionate about helping others find clarity in their readings – especially when it comes to those elusive Court Cards!
Who are your spirit guides?
I've worked with several guides over the years, but there's one who's been with me consistently – steady, wise, and with an absolutely brilliant sense of humour. I call him Jesus, because… well, he looks like Jesus. Maybe he is Jesus – who knows? He's always laughing and dancing. Honestly, he's such fun. He shows up at every twist and turn in my life – not just when I'm working, but in the quiet, ordinary moments too. He's there to celebrate the highs and walk with me through the lows. His presence is so familiar, it feels like my own heartbeat. He's with me every second of the day. Before any mediumship demonstration, he's right there with me. We'll often have a little dance to raise the energy – just the two of us, spinning together in the spirit world, getting the vibe just right. Sometimes he appears in miniature, swinging his legs off my shoulder, or perched on top of my computer screen if I'm working online. I've never really spoken about him publicly before – it's always felt quite personal, having a guide.
And then there's Philip – although that's not really their name, it's just what they've given me. They're a star being, and I work with them in trance. They bring through extraordinary wisdom about life beyond this physical world — the many entities, realms, and universes that exist, and our place in the grander cosmic dance. They're deeply fascinating. Again, I don't often talk about my trance mediumship – it feels deeply personal, and the work I do with spirit in that space is incredibly sacred, so this is a bit of a first. But if you're curious, paid patrons of my podcast occasionally receive channeled messages from Philip. If you'd like to hear what those sound like, consider becoming a paid podcast patron – you might just receive a message from Philip yourself.
What are your most effective psychic mediumship development techniques?
Sitting in the power. Every. Single. Time.
It's the absolute foundation of all my work – that quiet, still space where you blend with the spirit world and simply… surrender. Not chase, not force – just allow. It's about quieting the conscious mind and learning to trust your perceptions. The conscious mind loves to question everything but it's not psychic, and it doesn't know what it's talking about. So much of this work is about learning to step out of our own way. It took me a long time to build that trust. I'm the world's biggest sceptic, so I had to test and retest everything before I could arrive at any personal truth. But again and again, it always came back to sitting in the power. And honestly? Humour helped too. Spirit loves joy. I believe part of this work is about keeping your heart light – even when the messages are deep.
Can you share an extraordinary moment in your experience?
One of the most extraordinary experiences I've ever had was with a little girl in spirit. During the contact, she showed me that she had been a patient at Great Ormond Street Hospital. She told me she had to travel great distances by train with her mother to get there – and that her mother was exhausted from all the travelling. She told me she had leukaemia, and she gave me the name Clarence as being very significant. Just before the contact ended, she handed me – symbolically – a tiny, beaded bracelet. She said it was for her mummy.
The person I was working with in the audience was the mother of a young girl who was still alive and currently being treated at Great Ormond Street. She didn't recognise everything I said – but she did know that her daughter had shared a ward and a friendship with another little girl in the next bed who had sadly passed away. After the demonstration, she phoned the other girl's mother – and everything was validated. The two had travelled by train, just as the spirit girl described. The ward both girls were in was called Clarence Ward. And perhaps most incredibly, the final gift that the little girl in spirit gave her mother before she died… was a tiny, homemade beaded bracelet – made in the hospital, given as a present.
This contact came early in my mediumship journey, and it proved to me – without any doubt – that we truly can communicate with those in the spirit world. What made it even more powerful was that much of the evidence I gave couldn't be validated in the moment – the mother in the audience didn't know any of it to be true at the time. But it was true. It was the most beautiful reminder to have complete trust in what we receive, even when there's no immediate confirmation. That experience taught me to have unshakable faith in my mediumship – and showed me, in the most profound way, that consciousness continues.
Can you share about your journey with The College of Psychic Studies?
The College has always held a very special place in my heart. I've studied there, taught there, and been inspired by the sheer depth of experience and wisdom in its halls. Now, as an approved tutor, I teach psychic development, mediumship and remote viewing and I love it. The students are curious, brave, open-hearted and the College allows for real exploration, creativity and growth. It's a place of high standards, but also deep compassion. And it's an honour to be part of its legacy.
What advice would you give to aspiring psychic mediums?
Don't rush. Please don't rush. This work isn't about instant gratification. It's not about naming Aunt Maureen's pet budgie in your first week. It's about depth. It's about trust. It's about integrity. So, take your time. Build your power. Develop strong boundaries and a solid ethical framework. Prioritise your own healing first. And above all – stay humble. You are walking a sacred path. Honour it. And don't forget to laugh. Spirit loves joy.
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