Meet Dr. DeeAnna Merz Nagel, a pioneering figure who blends psychotherapy with intuitive and spiritual practices. After a successful career as a traditional psychotherapist, she began integrating Reiki and essential oils, which sparked a deeper exploration into clair senses. Now, she teaches psychotherapists, coaches, and healers how to merge psychospiritual and metaphysical approaches in their practices. Passionate about writing and academic exploration, she aims to broaden the discussion on these topics. For insights into her unique approach and future goals, read her full interview on Psychics4U.net.
Table of Contents
- Merging Psychotherapy with Intuition and Spiritual Practices
- Future Goals and Influences in Psychospiritual and Metaphysical Work
- Ensuring Integrity and Empowerment in Psychic and Spiritual Practices
- Spiritual Awakening and Growth
- Contact Dr. DeeAnna Merz Nagel
Merging Psychotherapy with Intuition and Spiritual Practices
How did your background in psychotherapy help you in combining your intuitive gifts and spiritual practices with your work?
Traditionally trained as a psychotherapist, but always aware of my intuition, I decided after 20 years into my career to come out of the “pixie” closet. I began blending my intuitive gifts in with my work as a counselor and coach. I learned Reiki. And after that, I was introduced to essential oils. The olfactory sense was like a portal for me and opened me up to be able to experience many of the clair senses. Eventually, all of this goodness became topics I teach in professional development courses I offer.
During the pandemic, I decided to stretch a bit further and obtained my doctorate. My course of study focused on multi-faith spiritual direction. This experience truly rounded out all of my experiences throughout the course of my career.
What types of training and resources do you provide, and how do they help others in their professional and spiritual development?
I no longer see clients directly. My focus is on teaching psychotherapists, coaches, and healers how to ethically integrate psychospiritual and metaphysical approaches into their practice. I also offer training for people who are just starting out on their healer/helper journey—how to be a life or wellness coach, how to be an Oracle card reader—these are a couple of examples. I recently co-created Essential Soul Care®, a psychospiritual model that includes a course, an Oracle deck, and a book.
Future Goals and Influences in Psychospiritual and Metaphysical Work
What are your future goals for your work in psychospiritual and metaphysical topics?
I love where I have landed—teaching on psychospiritual and metaphysical topics. I will continue this work. I am also an avid writer, so I see myself continuing to contribute books and articles. I am also an academic writer as I want the psychospiritual and metaphysical topics to be part of the broader discussion and to be understood in terms of regulated and non-regulated scopes of practice for various helping professions.
Which teachers or authors have had the most impact on your spiritual journey and how have they influenced your work?
Oh, there are so many! Early in my career, I was influenced by Carl Jung, who was mentored by Sigmund Freud. Jung broke out of the traditional psychoanalytic frame and included spirituality in his teachings. In graduate school, I was influenced by the teachings of Karen Horney, a post-Freudian therapist. I also read everything that Alice Miller, a Swiss psychoanalyst, ever wrote—her claim to fame was Drama of the Gifted Child.
In recent years, I have been influenced by teachers I have sought such as Deborah King and Colette Baron-Reid, both Hay House authors. Currently, I am following the teachings of Lucy Abbott Tucker, a spiritual director. I have included her works in my training with clinical supervisors, other spiritual directors, chaplains, and coaches.
Ensuring Integrity and Empowerment in Psychic and Spiritual Practices
How do you make sure your psychic or spiritual work stays true to your values?
I teach others how to discern whether information they receive on behalf of a client is information for the client or for the healer/coach/psychic. Being able to separate ego from our Divine gifts is essential, and this is what keeps us on the ethical straight and narrow.
How do you approach interpreting symbols or messages during a reading?
I want to hear the client’s take on cards I may pull or images I may receive. And then I discern whether my interpretation adds or subtracts from the process.
How do you handle predictions and timeframes during a reading?
I like to stay within short timeframes—for a single card pull, I tell the client to think in terms of 24 hours. In general, I do not favor strictly predictive readings as these types of readings are not as empowering for the client as readings that engage the client to listen to their own intuition. I want the client to bring their own “intuitive hits” into the session for discussion.
What do you see as the main purpose of psychic readings and spiritual guidance?
Ultimately, the purpose is for the person to find stability and grounding. And one of the best ways for that to happen is for the client to lean into what they innately and intuitively already know. The psychic/coach/intuitive/therapist is the tour guide to the inner landscapes of the individual.
Spiritual Awakening and Growth
What advice would you give to someone experiencing a spiritual awakening and feeling overwhelmed by the process?
A spiritual awakening happens to anyone at any time and different catalysts serve as the impetus. For some, it may be climbing to the top of a mountain or watching a sunset. For others, it may be a religious ceremony or perhaps the birth or death of a loved one. Still others may be triggered into a spiritual awakening after a powerful encounter with a spiritual teacher or their twin flame.
Whatever the reason for the gift of an awakening, there is often a dark night of the soul that precedes or follows the awakening. This is the shadow side of our psyche that may hold deep wounds that are showing up for healing. When the dark night of the soul takes hold, it can be overwhelming, so be sure to reach out for support if needed—from a trusted intuitive, a spiritual mentor, coach, or psychotherapist. It can take time to find the right fit with the person that can lead you through difficult moments, but once you have found that person, the path before you is much easier to navigate.
What simple daily practices can help with spiritual growth?
Start your day with listing all the “things” (people, objects, spirit guides for example) you are grateful for. Experiencing gratitude opens your heart to be able to give and receive love.
Spend at least 10 minutes in an intentional and mindful activity. This may be formal meditation, listening to a visualization, self-Reiki, or even in silence.
Use a Tarot or Oracle deck to gain insight about your day—pull a card daily and journal your impressions about the card’s visual or the written message.
Track synchronicities, big or small. Paying attention to synchronous moments is the best way to grow your own intuition.
Contact Dr. DeeAnna Merz Nagel
Website:
deeannamerznagel.com
Social platforms:
DeeAnnaNagel on IG and X