Monday morning the workweek begins. It is eight o’clock. I am sitting in my favorite chair with a cup of tea close by and a client file in front of me. I am preparing for a consultation on career choices for a new client in California who will call later in the afternoon. All at once I realize, not for the first time, that I am incredibly happy to be doing the work I do. There is excitement about getting to know this person whom I will only see through the natal chart energies. I feel challenged to form a consultation that will relay the information I have to the client so he can make informed choices about his career path. Astrology is a wonderful tool! Once again I sense the blessings of my profession.

In that same day I will work with three therapy clients. All three began their therapy with an astrological consultation. I am a licensed counselor in the State of Connecticut and have astrological certification from NCGR, Level IV, and ISAR, C.A.P. I am both a licensed mental health therapist and a consulting astrologer. These two professions can be combined. There are advantages and challenges to doing so.

As stated before, therapy clients begin therapy with an astrological consultation. I once asked a former client who had been with many therapists before me what was the difference in the experience. She laughed and said, “I knew after the astrological consultation that my therapist was up to speed. I could begin therapy where I wanted to, not where the therapist needed me to.” She later explained that while I didn’t know the specifics of her life, the consultation gave her the sense that I knew her. 

I do get the specifics of the client’s life, but usually on their timetable within the therapeutic process. Please, don’t misunderstand. There are wonderful psychotherapists who don’t use astrology and also get the client’s story within the context of the therapeutic process as it unfolds. My point is that just as there are many modalities of therapy out in the world that work for different clients, astrology has yet to be given proper credit as one of these. Astrology does give the client the immediate sense of being seen.

After the astrological consultation, therapy begins much like it would with any therapist. My style of therapy would be considered “talk therapy” but I also use dream analysis, every day reflection and re-framing, Emotional Freedom Technique, and grounding and/or relaxation exercises when needed. Some clients come once a week; most clients in the present busily scheduled world come every two to three weeks. I have a few clients who schedule once a month session. It depends where the client is in his or her own processing.

I do not work with severe mental health issues requiring medication supervision. I screen clients and make referrals if I feel the needs of the client are beyond my skills. In my opinion there are definitely some mental health issues that should not be included in a practice that uses astrology.

I am covered under some insurance programs as an out-of-network provider. This means I don’t choose to be listed as a mainline provider by any particular insurance company. Therefore the insurance company reimburses me less than someone who is officially listed as an insurance provider. The client understands that I will only submit therapy sessions to the insurance provider. I don’t submit the fee for the initial astrological reading or any subsequent up-dates. I keep my fees very reasonable, so many clients pay up-front for therapy rather than use insurance coverage. 

As for the Astrological Consultation Practice, I attract individuals who are interested in growth in consciousness or are on a self defined spiritual journey, individuals who have specific issues, like career or relationships, for which they want another insight, or individuals referred from other therapeutic professionals or body work professionals. I also get a high number of referrals from former clients who know my style. These referrals are always the nicest. Of course, many therapeutic clients, after therapy is concluded, return for astrological up-dates.

The number of sessions and the timing for astrological clients varies given the individual’s need. Most clients consult on a yearly or semi-yearly basis. I do not know the exact percentage of return clients. I do have individuals whose lives I have been part of for the last twenty plus years which means I sometimes am now consulting with the next generation. 

There are several advantages to having a diversified practice combining psychoanalysis and astrological consultation: 1) A regular client base from week to week is maintained. 2) An in-depth relationship with the client is developed. 3) Burn out issues are fewer because there is more variety in the work. 4) While society in general is not inclined to value the work of an astrological consultant, the work of a mental health therapist has validity somewhat; thus it is easier to explain on a superficial level what one does professionally. One can always just say, “I’m a therapist.” 

There are challenges to be considered in maintaining two professional identifies: 1) As a psychotherapist I must maintain a state license which is renewed yearly and must get 15 CEUs per year. The approximate cost for license fee and CEU workshops is between $500 to $600. 2) I maintain membership in one state mental health organization, $60 per year. 3) As a consulting astrologer I maintain membership in four professional organizations, which costs a little over $200 per year. 4) Required professional insurance, as a psychotherapist is $350. 5) As a psychotherapist I participate in therapeutic supervision. 6) As a consulting astrologer I participate in a peer group. 7) As a consulting astrologer I travel both to learn from others and to lecture. There are costs incurred to do so. I have tried to give a reasonable and honest summary of possible costs and needs in maintaining the infrastructure of both professions.

It can be easily seen that the challenges I have listed seem to out number the advantages. However, returning to how I began this story, the most important advantage to the nature of my work is that I wake up each day excited about what I will encounter as I journey with both astrological and therapeutic clients. If you feel drawn to combining astrological consultation with a psychotherapeutic practice and want more information, please don’t hesitate to contact me at jacquelinejanes@astrotherapist.com.   n

About the Author:  Jacqueline Lindley Janes, MA, LPC is a Certified Counseling Astrologer, NCGR IV, and was recognized by I.S.A.R. as a Certified Astrological Professional. She is a licensed professional counselor in Connecticut. Jacqueline has integrated the astrological consultation and astrological tools with psychotherapy. She has mentored astrologers at OPA Retreats and led workshops in spiritual development. Additionally she has written articles for OPA’s “Career Astrologer and an OPA pamphlet, “Reframing: A Counseling Tool for the Consulting Astrologer.”